Top 5 Tips to Ace an Interview as High Schooler (from a High Schooler!)
Daunting, stressful, don’t like to do something without knowing what to expect? You just defined an interview. While an interview does have many of these qualities, it is one of the most important experiences you may have because it is so life changing. An interview is what finalizes a first impression and lands you an internship or a job. It is what helps you get a feel of the other people they might have the opportunity to work with. It might be the factor that helps a college admissions officer understand who you are and accept you.
Overall, an interview is to gauge who you are. In addition, an interview is associated with many opportunities such as jobs, internships, college admissions, club officer positions, and more. Unfortunately, not many people are comfortable with interviews, but from one high schooler to another, I have some tips that can help anyone ace their interview.
Tips to Ace an Interview
Do Your Research
It is very important in order to know the place you are applying to. Before you go to an interview, research about the internship, understand what opportunities are offered there that makes them unique to you. Often times, interviewers ask about why you were interested in working with them and what qualities you have that make you stand out to them. Doing some background research about the program and tailoring your responses about your interests to your answers can help you standout among a crowd of people. Doing some research about the program can also help show how interested you are to your interviewer since you took the time to learn more about their program which can create a positive first impression.
Take Care of the Small Things
Oftentimes, it is the small things such as being on time, knowing the interviewer’s name, etc. that most people forget that can cost them a successful interview. This is why it is extremely important to be around 10 - 15 minutes early. A high schooler should also be properly dressed, have multiple copies of their resume, know their interviewer’s name and a little bit about them, and should focus on being calm. You got this!
Expected Questions
The most terrifying part of an interview is the dreaded possibility of not knowing an answer to a question that you are asked. The best way to combat this feeling is to practice answering questions that you think might appear. You can research interview questions that pertain to your program that you are applying to and get a promising number of questions that could potentially be asked. You can then practice with those question types. It is also important to remember to stay calm during these questions and answer them the best you can.
Know Yourself
One aspect that might help you answer interview questions a lot better is to come to terms with who they are. High schoolers should be aware of their strengths, weaknesses, future goals, and their interests. A high schooler who is more aware of themselves is not only better able to answer interview questions, but to help their interviewer get a clear view of who they are. This can also help them sell themselves and promote a long lasting positive impression because they are sure of who they are.
Optimism
A positive impression is made by a positive person. After all of the hard work that you put in, it is important to be professional yet create a sense of enthusiasm throughout your interview. Everyone wants to talk to someone who is calm and good-natured because these are the qualities that make someone appealing and memorable. At the end of the day, you want to end on a positive note during your interview.
What Next?
With these top tips, anyone can ace any interview that they attend. An interview might be a dreaded part of a lot of people’s life, but I hope with these tips that it can turn an interview into a mildly relaxing experience where you get a chance to know someone and let them know you in a professional setting!
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
