Graduate with Money

Acing the Scholarship Interview to get Free Money for College

Scholarship Interview Tips

Some of the scholarships you apply for may require an interview. When you know how to interview, you can beat out scholarship and job candidates that are more qualified than you on paper. Learn and practice how to interview for scholarships by following the tips provided. You'll be sure to ace the scholarship interview and develop a skill that will give you an upper hand on any future job interviews.

Before your scholarship interview, get yourself aligned with the organization you're applying for a scholarship with. Review their mission statement, their website, read any material on the company, and get a good feel for what they are looking for. Make sure to review the application you sent them to see how you positioned yourself on paper, and remain consistent.

Write down the top things you discovered about the organization and what they value. Then shape the answers to the scholarship questions accordingly, while being natural. The "natural" part will take some practice, so have a friend interview you. I strongly suggest you buy a scholarship interview question book and practice with it.

Take your research and boil it down to three key attributes that you want to get across to the person or the committee interviewing you. Although you may have more, you want to limit the messages you focus on to your top strengths during the interview. The reason is that if you send the scholarship committee nine different messages during the interview, they probably won't remember any of them. If you send them three messages three times, they will. Keep your messages consistent and repetitive.

Your objective in the interview is to show them that you are the best person for the scholarship. Don't just tell them you are, be sure to share stories that illustrate this. For instance, if the scholarship posting states:

"We are looking for applicants who have overcome adversity, are team oriented, have a strong work ethic, and serve the community."

Then a story like this would fit in well:

I tried out for the track team in my freshman year but did not make it. But I kept training and showed up at every track meet to support the team. In the off season I coached the special Olympic track team to continue my training, plus it was really rewarding. I tried out again my sophomore year and I made the team. It was a great feeling, especially because the entire team was pulling for me.

This is a great story that shows that you are not afraid to work hard and have a positive attitude. This "feel good" story is exactly what they are looking for, and you just covered several key points.

Deliver personal stories that make an emotional impact to the scholarship committee. Memorable stories will help the people on the committee remember you and have an emotional investment in your success.

Before you head out to the scholarship interview, you need to understand that you can have the best application in the world, but if you don't fit the organization's image, you may be passed over. I hear people tell me "They should like me for who I am." I agree; however, first impressions count. Be real, be yourself, but if you have 20 face piercings, you probably want those out before interview time. You are giving them the image they want to see, and over time, as you both gain mutual respect for each other, you can let your unique personality shine through.

Grooming

Yes, that means brushing your hair and teeth, and possibly even ironing your shirt! If you do not take the time to dress right, it tells the person interviewing you that the scholarship is not that important to you. You need to show them that you will be a good investment and that you are willing to make an effort. Scholarship committees are sizing you up to see that you match the image they want for their organizations.

Attention to detail

The details shouldn't be overlooked, so here are some before you head off to the scholarship interview. Make sure you have:

• Clean, polished, conservative dress shoes
• Clothes that fit the organization
• Well-groomed and conservative hairstyle
• Cleaned and trimmed fingernails
• Minimal cologne or perfume
• No visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings
• No visible tattoos (that's what long sleeved shirts were made for)
• Fresh breath - being nervous makes your breath stink, so be prepared
• No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth
• Minimal jewelry
• Deodorant - when you're nervous, you sweat more

Fashion Sense

What you wear for a scholarship interview, and at school, is probably not what you may prefer to wear in your off hours. Always dress to impress, and a good way to do this is to look at the people and organization interviewing you. If you're interviewing for a business scholarship - suit and tie are a must. If it's an art or environmental group, you may tone it down. Many websites have pictures of employees. Check out what they're wearing, and dress appropriately.

Waiting at the door

Look good, feel good is the mantra for the world of getting scholarships. Once you are dressed right and look great, you have to continue this by projecting a positive, friendly, and confident attitude. This is not the same as cocky or self-important. Be sure of yourself, but not a know-it-all.

Before you enter the face-to-face interview or a phone interview, review the main points you want to cover and get mentally ready. It's important to build up your confidence and get into a positive state of mind. Listen to music that gets you motivated, pray, repeat positive phrases, or do whatever makes you feel more self-assured. Most people are nervous before interviews, but follow these suggestions and you walk in there feeling like the scholarship committee is just holding that money for you!

• Be yourself-there's no point them meeting a fictional person. Of course, be on your best behavior.
• Calm your nerves-this is just a scholarship interview. The worst that can happen is that you don't get the money. Remember, too, that the people interviewing you have likely been in your position before - they are human.
• Review the scholarship interview posting and company research. Knowing what the company is looking for and basic information about the company will put you far ahead of other candidates.
• Practice what you intend to say mentally. Go over your stories and the points you want to get across to the employer. Having these prepared will always give you something to say, so you won't have that uncomfortable silence.
• Pump yourself up! You are the right candidate for the scholarship. They cannot do any better than you. The sooner you can get them to realize that, the sooner you can get your money. Positive thoughts will influence how you speak to the scholarship interviewer, and you will get the award.

The scholarship interview

Some of the scholarship interviews you will have are in person, and others will be over the phone. We'll discuss face-to-face interviews first, then give you some additional tips for phone interviews. These are skills that will help you get money for school.

Body language - The way you carry yourself speaks volumes in everyday life, and is vital to making a lasting impression at scholarship interviews. Did you realize over 50% of the impression you give someone is from your body language? The words and tone you use account for the other half. Smile and have a firm handshake, even if you are nervous. Keep your back and shoulders straight and do not slouch when seated. This helps keep your breathing steady and will steady your nerves.

Keep your eye on the prize: eye contact - You want to look the scholarship interviewer in the eye, but this is hard to do when you are feeling nervous. A trick is to slowly look from right eye to left eye, and to the mouth, in a triangular pattern.

Deep breaths: relax - Start by thanking the scholarship interviewer for taking the time to meet you. It is natural to be a bit anxious about what you are going to be asked and what you are going to say. Relax yourself and remember to listen carefully.

Conversation counts - The person interviewing you for the scholarship is trying to find someone that he or she is confident can be a good fit for the organization. Have fun, enjoy the conversation, and try to find things that you can both talk about in a relaxed way. Is there anything on their desk that also interests you? That could be a perfect conversation starter.

No "yes" or "no" answers - How you handle the scholarship interview and conversation is important. Keep your answers to the point. Ultimately, try not to give yes/no answers. If an interviewer asks, "Are you a hard worker?" Rather than saying "Yes," your answer should be something like:

I would say I am a very hard worker. For the last four summers I worked with my dad in his cabinet company. Sometimes we would work 14 hours on just one day, then go back the very next morning. I learned a lot working with him, especially about doing a job right and being dedicated and a team player.

Have questions ready for the scholarship committee - It is common for the interviewer to signal that the interview is coming to an end by asking if you have any questions. Have something prepared. Here are a few ideas.

I like your mission statement of________ and feel that's the direction I'm heading. Do you have any advice for me that may help reach that goal?

Do you have any concerns about me being the most qualified for this scholarship? - Now this is a scary one to ask, because you're basically asking them to tell you why you may not be the one to receive their funds. This takes courage; however, it's a lot better to get this out while you're there. Maybe it was something that you forgot to mention or something that you can address diplomatically. Either way, I'd rather have the committee tell me than discuss their concerns when I leave, or file my app in the trash can.

Vince Shorb, author of 'Graduate with Money' and 'Financially Free by 30', is dedicated to providing young adults practical money advice so they can truly enjoy life free of financial worries. For more information and free videos visit www.FreeBy30.com.