Georgia Academic Decathlon Preparing for Interview

About me… Jodi Murphy 11th Year GAD Volunteer 6th Year GAD Interview Coordinator 20 YEARS With ABBOTT LABORATORIES Quality Assurance Project Manager WIFE MOTHER OF 2 Adult Children

Not until I say “GO!”… Find a partner from another school. Do not pair up with a coach. The partner you choose must be someone you do NOT know. Once you find your partner, take a seat next to each other. You have 3 minutes.

Session Agenda Today’s General Session Format A Word about Resumes What is an Interview? Interview Rules Basic Interview Process Preparing for Interview ~ Activity Judging Criteria & Scoring Process Areas to Practice Questions / Concerns? Session Agenda

Today’s General Session Format You asked, we listened All Decathletes Get to practice Simulates State Competition Event Extremely important life skill

A Word about Resumes A resume: Summarizes who you are. Gives the judges a baseline for discussion. Helps put your best foot forward. Improves your overall interview score. Only paper resumes will be permitted during competition. You have 6 months to prepare your resume. Start now!

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 Enters The Arena Introductions Resume Review Interview Conducted Interview Concludes Judges Score Decathlete Judges Prepare For Next Decathlete

Gymnasium Layout for Interview Doors Bleachers Doors * 1 3 5 10 12 14 11 13 15 16 17 18 2 4 6 7 8 9 Gymnasium Layout for Interview Stage Bleachers

Preparing for Interview ~ Activity Let’s pretend that it is state competition weekend! Complete the interview process twice. Take turns being the judge or the decathlete. Participate in the full 10 minute interview process. Use the handouts provided ~ sample questions & Apperson forms. Score each other when the interview concludes. Repeat the process a second time. Be mindful of the stopwatch up on the screen!

Judging Criteria USAD APPERSON FORM

Scoring Process Top part of the Apperson forms are pre-slugged. BUBBLE in ONE bubble in EACH scoring section of the form using a scale of 0-10 (with 0 being the worst and 10 being the best). Assume your fellow decathlete starts with a score of 6 in each category.

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?

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