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Why should you develop good interviewing skills?

Interview skills are necessity of life. As you grow up you will be interviewed for scholarships, jobs, committees, etc. You will also want to interview other people you wish to hire to do jobs for you. Some examples are: baby sitter for your children, person to mow your lawn or paint your house.

Tips for making a good first impression…How to introduce yourself

1. Dress appropriately.

2. Look at interviewer.

3. Shake hands with the interviewer.

4. Smile!

5. Introduce yourself … "Hello, I’m_______________."

What to do after the introduction

1. Sit down.

2. Lean slightly forward.

3. Look at the interviewer.

The actual interview

At some point you will be asked about you project. This is your big chance to impress the judge! Be excited about your project! Explain why you chose this particular project and why it interests you. Tell the interviewer about any problems you encountered, and how you overcame them. Be prepared to talk about you project for at least three minutes. Make a list of things you can talk about, and practice talking about them before the actual interview.

Remember, if YOU are not excited and enthusiastic about your project, how can you expect the interviewer to get excited about?

It is okay to be nervous, most people are. The judge knows, they have been there themselves. Don’t let the nervousness ruin your chances for a good interview.

Closing of the interview

Wait for some indication from the interviewer that the interview is finished. Thank the interviewer, smile, shake hands again and exit.

Role play

Practice shaking hands and introduce yourself. Practice telling someone else about your project. Practice will help you to be more comfortable at your interview.

What’s not cool?

Believe it or not, all of these have happened during the 4-H interviews:

  • Thumb sucking or fingernail biting.
  • Gum chewing.
  • Bad grooming…dirty hands, fingernails, unwashed or uncombed hair, dirty clothing.
  • Hair twirling.
  • Wimpy handshake…but wimpy one is better thin no handshake.
  • Eating food drinking soda.
  • Avoiding eye contact with the interviewer.
  • Holding your head up with your hand.
  • Looking bored or disinterested.
  • Not knowing why your project is neat, special, great or exciting. If it wasn’t at least interesting you, why would you bother to spend so much time doing it?

You may be asked Questions like:

  • What did you like best about this project?
  • Why did you choose this project?
  • Have you taken this project before? If so, what should you do? o What other things did you make or raise this year?
  • What makes this a good project?
  • What did you learn from this project?
  • How much did it cost? o Did you learn from this project?
  • Did you receive help making or (raising) your project?
  • Do you plan to take this project again?
  • If you don’t like this project will you try next year?