• Suit:  Wear a skirted suit, pantsuit, or dress (if possible: wear a solid dark color such as navy, black, or gray).  Dark colors serve as a visual background that draws the eyes to your face.  The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably.

• Blouse or Sweater:  Wear a coordinated blouse or sweater.  When you wear a blouse, you should leave only one or two buttons open at most. Avoid showing any part of your chest area.  You should avoid clothing that is transparent, tight fitting, low necklines, revealing waistlines or details that detract from your face as a focal point.  Your arms should be covered at least to your biceps and often to your wrist.

• Pantyhose:  Wear plain-style, non-patterned pantyhose and select a color that matches your skin tone. Carry an extra pair in case of snags.

• Shoes: Wear comfortable, flat shoes, or low pumps (heels) in a color that does not make your feet a focal point. Make sure your shoes are clean and polished. Avoid open-toed shoes since they are associated with social events such as parties.

• Jewelry:  Minimize jewelry. Wear no more than one ring per hand and a dress watch. Women should wear only one set of earrings that are conservative such as pearls or stud-type jewelry. Avoid dangling earrings, bangle bracelets, gaudy or flashy jewelry that would be distracting during your interview.

• Make-Up:  Use natural-looking makeup; your make-up should not be excessive.  If you wear nail polish, use a clear or conservative color.

• Purse or briefcase: Do not carry a purse with a briefcase. Choose one or the other.

• Suit: Wear a matching dark suit in navy, black or gray (pinstripe or solid) or wear a dark colored blazer. Dark colors serve as a visual background that draws the eyes to your face.

Note: If you do not own a suit or blazer, you should wear nicely pressed dress slacks with a white or light colored, long-sleeved button-down dress shirt and a conservative tie.

• Shirt:  Wear a white or light colored, long-sleeved button-down dress shirt that matches your suit or blazer. Your arms should be covered to your wrist. If you wear a shirt without a tie, you should leave only one or two buttons open at most. Avoid showing any part of your chest.  Avoid flashy shirts and exposing your arms by rolling up your sleeves, which is interpreted as being less formal.

• Tie: Wear a non-flashy tie that coordinates with your suit or dress pants (if you do not wear a suit or blazer.).  If you don’t know how to tie a tie, you should ask your parents, friends or teachers for help or search the internet on how to tie a tie.

• Socks: Wear plain, dark colored socks (such as dark blue or black).  Your socks should be calf-length or above.

• Shoes: Wear plain black shoes with no buckles, tassels or metal accents (if possible).  Typically black laced-type dress shoes or loafers are worn to interviews.

• Belt: Select a belt that visually blends or matches your shoes.

• Jewelry: Minimize jewelry. Jewelry should be plain and limited to one ring per hand and a dress or causal watch. Avoid wearing earrings to your scholarship interview. Avoid gaudy or flashy jewelry.

It is impossible to predict exactly which questions you may be asked in a scholarship interview, but there are some common scholarship interview questions that are asked frequently in interviews and you should prepare your answers beforehand. You should definitely write down your answers to common scholarship interview questions

The key things to remember when responding to scholarship interview questions are to keep your answers relevant, brief and to the point. If you talk to much and start rambling, you could easily talk yourself out of a scholarship because of something you said wrong or didn’t go well with the scholarship interviewers.

If you are faced with a difficult question, make sure you stay calm, don’t get defensive, and take a moment to think about your response before you answer. There is no need to rush in answering any question. Just relax and take your time, but not forever.

• Tell me about yourself.

• What is your greatest strength and weakness?

• Who is a role model for you?

• What are your career goals?

• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?

• Tell me about a personal achievement that makes you proud.

• Tell me about a mi that you made and what you learned from it.

• Who has influenced your life and why?

• Why would you be an excellent recipient of ___ scholarship?

• Is there anything else you want to add?

  

Interview DOs

• Be yourself.
• Answer each question honestly and truthfully.
• Answer questions as clearly as possible, and take your time to think over your answers.
• Try to incorporate your goals, qualities, experiences and examples into your answers.
• Smile and laugh when appropriate.
• Show interest in the interviewer’s background and organization.
• Dress appropriately.
• Know the exact time and location of your interview; estimate how long it will take you to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc.
• Arrive early; at least 10 minutes prior to the interview’s start time.
• Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect.
• Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile when you are greeted by the interviewer.
• Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer’s name and the correct pronunciation.
• Even when your interviewer gives you his/her first and last name, you should address the interviewer by their title Ms., Mr., Dr. and last name, until invited to do otherwise.
• Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
• Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
• Ask for clarification, if you don’t understand a question.
• Exhibit a positive attitude.
• Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer.
• Make sure you understand the next step for the selection process.
• After the interview, make notes about your interview experience.
• Write and send a thank-you letter to your interviewers within 48 hours.

Interview Don’ts

• Don’t try to be someone you are not.
• Don’t dress casually. Do not show up in jeans, T-shirt, earrings, fancy jewelry, pagers, etc.
• Don’t arrive late.
• Don’t be a comedian among the other candidates.
• Don’t rush into answering the questions.
• Don’t tell the interviewer what you think he/she wants to hear.
• Don’t talk too much about one particular subject. Answer the question and move on.
• Don’t make inappropriate or rude comments.
• Avoid: profanity, jokes, political and religious comments.
• Avoid nervous habits such as biting your nails, twiddling your thumbs, playing with a pen or pencil, tapping your foot during the interview, etc. These habits and others may be distracting.
• Avoid drifting off while the interviewer is speaking. Pay attention and listen to what the interviewer is saying.
• Don’t look out the window, at the furniture, or at the walls. Stay focused!
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer when he/she is speaking.
• Avoid words like: “um,” “like,” “you know”, etc.
• Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.
• Don’t make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
• Don’t make negative comments about previous teachers, scholarship candidates, or others.
• Don’t falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
• Don’t treat the interview casually. You are not just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. That is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.
• Don’t give the impression that you are only interested in the organization, because of their scholarship.
• Don’t be unprepared for typical interview questions. You may not be asked all of them in every interview, but being unprepared looks foolish.
• Don’t go to extremes with your posture; don’t slouch, and don’t sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
• Don’t wear athletic shoes, a cap/hat, or sunglasses. They are considered inappropriate for an interview.
• Don’t wear chains or necklaces.
• Don’t wear sandals.
• Don’t assume that a female interviewer is “Mrs.” or “Miss.” Address her as “Ms.” unless told otherwise.
• Don’t chew gum, talk on your cell phone, or listen to a music player.
• Don’t take your parents, your pet (an assistance animal is not a pet in this circumstance), or friends to an interview.
• Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration after the interview.

YES!

You have to look like a winner to be a winner.

For any scholarship interview, from the moment you walk through the door, everyone will evaluate and form a first impression of you, including the receptionist, staff members, scholarship candidates, and the interviewer(s). This includes the way you talk, your dress attire, and your non-verbal communications.  In any scholarship interview, first impressions are critical.

That’s why it is always important to dress, act and look professional for any interview to make a good first impression.  Remember, you’re trying to promote yourself as the most worthy candidate for the scholarship and that you would make the most of their scholarship dollars.

If you are in doubt about how to dress for your scholarship interview, you should be “overdressed” than “underdressed.”  If you attend an interview well-prepared and dressed professionally, you will feel a sense of confidence and others will sense your self-assurance.  It’s very difficult to overcome a poor first impression.

Remember that you must dress for success.  The dress code for men and women is slightly different so this section is divided into separate guidelines for each gender.  Men and women should also review the personal grooming tips.

Review each topic to make sure that you dress for success:

• Guidelines for Women Interview Attire
• Guidelines for Men Interview Attire