Interview Nerves

[SLPapplicant2019]

I have my first interview tomorrow to a school I really want to go too and my nerves are starting to hit. I’m scared I’m just going to freeze and mix up my words! Any advice? 

[Kandykane]

Practice, practice ,practice. If you can do it with a partner it works. Trust me. I bombed my first interview but i had 6 more after that. I practiced with a friend and i pulled it off. Im a very shy person by the way so if i can do it so can you!

[waffles19]

I think it comes down to believing in yourself and being confident. I think that practicing and preparing makes most people feel more confident. It really helped me to not only practice answering common SLP grad school interview questions, but to also to talk A LOT right before the interview. I had my mom ask me typical interview questions (e.g. "why do you want to go here?" "tell me about yourself" "what are your strengths and weakness?") for a solid half an hour or longer right before my interview and it really warmed up my mind and my muscles to get ready to talk. I tried my hardest to change my mindset from "nervous to mess up" to "excited to talk about myself." I also brought in a nice looking notebook that I wrote down questions for the interviewers to answer and I'm so glad I did. Had I not written them down, I don't think I would have remembered all of them or be able to explain my question as well I did. Good luck and you'll be great!!!  

[koalalover1]

Yes I agree- being confident in yourself brings you a long way! Also agree that it would be good to have at least 2-3 questions you can ask them written down. Every interview I went to left a section for me to ask questions. That also applies to interviews for SLP jobs, so it's better to practice now! And just honest-- talk about who you are, and what specifically they like about your program. I remember one interview asked me what I liked specifically about the city the program is in, which I did not expect! So may be good to know some of the potential clinic placements that interest you, as well as opportunity the city itself has to offer for you!!  You will be great ?

[Rezzy S.]

14 hours ago, SLPapplicant2019 said:

I have my first interview tomorrow to a school I really want to go too and my nerves are starting to hit. I’m scared I’m just going to freeze and mix up my words! Any advice? 

Me too and I’m so nervous! Good luck!