Mastering the Interview: Tips for Your First Interview

Interviews can be stressful experiences, especially for first-time interviewees. The pressure of impressing an interviewer and showcasing your qualifications can leave even the most confident candidates feeling nervous and anxious. However, participating in mock interviews can help ease anxiety and prepare you for your future internship, college admissions, and job interviews. 

Tips for First-time Interviewees:

• Preparing for the "Tell me about yourself" Question - One of the most common questions asked during an interview is "tell me about yourself." This question may seem simple, but it can be challenging to answer in a concise and compelling way. To prepare for this question, spend some time reflecting on your personal and professional experiences and identify a few key themes or accomplishments that you'd like to highlight. This will help you answer the question in a structured and thoughtful way and provide the interviewer with a clear understanding of your strengths and qualifications. It is also important to introduce yourself with your name, so the interviewer remembers you. Lastly, avoid assuming the interviewer knows specific acronyms or programs you may be familiar with.
• The Importance of Body Language - Body language plays a significant role in the interview process. Candidates may be nervous or anxious, leading to fidgeting or avoiding eye contact. To combat this, you should practice public speaking to better prepare yourself for nerves and anxiety. Being well-prepared can also help you feel more confident in the interview setting. Remember to sit up straight, as this shows that you are taking the opportunity seriously.
• Providing Specific and Concrete Examples - Answering interview questions with detail, specificity, and concrete examples is crucial for demonstrating your qualifications and suitability for a position or program. This approach allows the interviewer to gain a more comprehensive understanding of your abilities and potential fit. Without providing detail and specificity, answers may appear vague or generic and may even seem unauthentic.

Interviews are nerve-wracking experiences that can be challenging to navigate. Take the time to reflect on your experiences, practice your public speaking skills, and rehearse specific and concrete examples in your answers so that you can showcase your strengths and qualifications to potential employers, internship coordinators, or admissions officers. Remember that preparation is key, and with enough practice and confidence, you can ace your next interview. 

 

Hoping to participate in a mock interview to get some extra practice? Send our article “How Conducting Mock Interviews Can Prepare High School Students for the Future” to your NTHS Advisor and ask how you can help them coordinate a mock interview event. 

NTHS Honor Roll: Felicia Oliver

CTE Counselor, Felicia Oliver, has been involved with CTE for most of her life. As a former CTE student and teacher, Ms. Oliver has been a consistent leader in student success. Her dedication to making sure every student she comes in contact with has a plan for their future has impacted many students' lives.

 

She was nominated by multiple students and colleagues who had this to say:

 

"She is constantly striving to help students reach their full potential and grant them exposure to things that can better them." - Jamal Humphries

 

"She has made a very big impact on my life. She has given the tools to further my academic education."-Ralanta Abram

Visit the NTHS Blog to read more about Felicia and how she works to impact the lives of CTE students at her school.

 

"Students who were in CTE courses are able to return to their community with work-ready skills. Graduates become the spokespersons for the programs offered within CTE." 

-Felicia Oliver

Read more...

Who should be recognized next?

Is there someone who has made a significant impact on your NTHS chapter? Consider nominating them for the NTHS Honor Roll! Nominees can be NTHS members, advisors, principals, counselors, business partners, NTHS staff, and any other individual you think deserves recognition. 

2023 Scholarship Updates

Exciting Update: The Build Your Future (BYF)/NTHS Scholarship application deadline has been extended to April 1, 2023. 

This scholarship, awarded in partnership with NCCER and its Build Your Future initiative, provides five $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors or post-secondary members who are committed to pursuing careers in construction-related disciplines. Members should log in to apply today!

In addition, the applications for our partner scholarships with BPA, FBLA, HOSA, LAPSEN, and SkillsUSA all close in April. 

 

To apply, members should log in to the NTHS Portal today and follow the instructions provided. Don't wait until it's too late - members should submit applications as soon as possible to take advantage of these amazing opportunities!

Students must be logged into the NTHS Portal to apply for scholarships. Please use the link below to reset your password to the portal, if necessary. 

Reminders & Announcements

Have a question? Check out the NTHS Knowledge Base!

The Knowledge Base is easy to use and contains a wealth of information on topics such as member benefits, how to log into the portal, and much more.

 

To access the Knowledge Base, simply navigate to http://kb.nths.org/ and use the search bar to find the information you need. You can also browse the Knowledge Base by category to find information on a certain topic. Whether you are looking for information on how to order grad regalia or access member discounts, the Knowledge Base has you covered.

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