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Impress
Them in Interview with Savvy Mag’s Five Best Tips!
Type your fact sheet and know what’s on it.
Sound
too obvious to even mention? It seems that way, but you’d be surprised at how often these two simple tips are overlooked.
Whatever paperwork you are asked to submit must be typed, even if it’s not a requirement. Seeing
a professional looking bio form is the first impression the judges will have of you, and there is no question that a judge
takes a typed fact sheet way more seriously than a handwritten one. After you type it, make sure you know it inside and out.
Be careful not to put anything down that you don’t feel comfortable talking about and remember to have a good reason
for why it’s there in the first place. Remember that everything on that profile sheet is fair game,
so you must be 100% ready to talk about it!
Have a conversation.
Interview shouldn’t
be a debate and it also shouldn’t be just a question and answer session. It should be a give and take. It should be
friendly. It should be a normal conversation where you are giving real reactions. For example, if a judge
asks you if you’d rather be smart or beautiful, it’s perfectly acceptable to say “Wow, that’s a tough
choice!”—because it is! Never forget that the best interviews are real conversations fused with professionalism.
It is possible to be both personable and polished. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to just
be one or the other.
Pre-think
your positions on issues and take a stand.
Some pageants focus more heavily on current
events than others, but it’s always important to formulate your opinions, even if it’s just on topics relating
to your age demographic. For example, if you are a Teen, be prepared for issues facing teens: celebrity role models, school
uniforms and teen pregnancy, to name a few. Be sure to take an actual side as opposed to playing the middle. As long as you
back up your position with a good reason and are polite and respectful in your explanation, you can be confident in stating
your true opinion.
Watch
your non-verbal behavior and body language.
It is said that a whopping 93% of our insights
about a person are gathered through non-verbal communication. That means you must be conscious of not only what you are saying
but also what you look like while you are speaking. Make good eye contact with the judge. Smile between questions and as much
as you can while you talk. Don’t play with your hair, scoot on your chair or fidget with your hands. Have a relaxed
demeanor. Even if you don’t feel relaxed, you must seem relaxed, so consider practicing in a mirror
or taping yourself so you can make sure your body language is sending the right message.
Participate in mock interviews.
Mock interviews
are essential. You wouldn’t perform a talent without practicing it, nor should you interview without having some sort
of run-through. Gather a few people whose opinions you trust and hold an interview dress rehearsal. Then ask them for their
honest opinions and work at applying the suggestions. Try to do this several times before your pageant. We guarantee you’ll
reap the rewards!
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