Georgia Academic Decathlon Preparing for Interview

About me… Jodi Murphy 9th Year GAD Volunteer 5th Year GAD Interview Coordinator 18 YEARS With ABBOTT LABORATORIES Quality Assurance Supervisor WIFE MOTHER OF 2 College Students

Session Agenda What is an Interview? Interview Rules Basic Interview Process Judging Criteria / USAD Apperson Form Video Time! & Discussion Areas to Practice Questions /Concerns? Preparing for Interview Activity

What is an Interview? Involves two-way exchange of conversation Includes the transfer of information through the use of closed-ended and open-ended questions Determines something about the person being interviewed Establishes an impression off of verbal & non-verbal cues given Provides an opportunity to sell oneself—especially by starting with an excellent resume!

What is an Interview? Closed-Ended Questions Examples: Typically involve a specific answer such as “Yes,” “No,” or “I live in Georgia” Help to jump start an interview Useful in stopping stories that go on for too long Where do you live? Do you like school? What is your sister’s name? How old were you when you got your first job?

What is an Interview? Open-Ended Questions Examples: Call for non-specific answers & possibly follow up questions Start the flow of a conversation to get someone talking Useful in eliciting stories & putting interviewee at ease What was your town like where you grew up? What are some things you like about school? What do you think it will be like for you to go off to college?

Interview Rules Participate in a 7 minute interview judged by adult volunteers Dress is business dress, just like any real life interview Resume should be provided and should be typed and neat in appearance Sit, relax, and engage but be polished and professional NO profanity & NO off topics

Basic Interview Process Decathlete Interview Schedule Room Set Up Introductions & Resume Review Interview Conducted Interview Concludes Judges Score Decathlete Judges Prepare For Next Decathlete

Judging Criteria USAD APPERSON FORM

Video Time! & Discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frCF4JKe4Ac

Areas to Practice Perfect Listening skills Eliminate Slang Talk Control nervous habits Study own body language Give open-ended responses Being Polite/Well-Mannered Know your resume!

Questions/Concerns?

Preparing for Interview Activity Yes/No (Closed-Ended) Question = Character Gets 1 Point Open-Ended Question = Interviewer Gets 1 Point Follow Up Question = Interviewer Gets 1 Additional Point

Preparing for Interview Activity Character Reaches 5 Points = Automatically Wins Game! Interviewer Reaches 5 Points = Gets 1 Guess Winner Declared When Character Reaches 5 Points -OR- When Interviewer Guesses Correct Character

Good Luck, Have Fun, & Practice, Practice, Practice! You can do it!