Preparing for 6th Form/College Interviews

Please, make sure to follow this link or scan the QR code once you havecompleted the session.

You will be given a short form to complete, which will let us, and your school,

know that you have completed the session!

We will remind you at the end too.

Before you start...

1-2 sheets of lined or scrap paperto write notes and complete tasks

Speakers or earphones (thispresentation includes a youtubevideo)

You might want to ask someoneat home to help you practise theinterview task or video call/phonea friend to practise together.

For thissession youwill need...

Starter ActivityOn your paper, list the type of

interviews you might come acrosswhen applying for 6th Form/College.

Think about the alternatives theymight offer with the current self-

isolation situation.

Learning ObjectivesTo identify the different types of interviews you might comeacross when applying for 6th Form/College for September 2020.

To understand the importance of preparation endpresentation prior to an interview.To prepare and practise answers for potential interviewquestions.

Different types of interviews you might come across:

Telephoneinterview

One to oneinterview

Videointerview

Groupinterview

Panelinterview

Telephoneinterview

Often used as an initial conversation but willbe the option of choice for September 2020starters, because of the current situationwith social distancing and self-isolating.

Popular: saves time and eliminates travel costs.

Might be followed up by a more 'formal' interview.

Usually takes about 30 minutes.

Check your voicemail message and missed calls

regularly.

Time limit is stricter.

Not possible to see people's reactions, but tone ofvoice is very important.

Traditional interview.

Face to face with a teacher/tutor of yourchosen subject - but can also be done as a

phone interview.

Focus on skills, experience andaccomplishments.

Judged on body language if you are face to

face.

Can take from 30 minutes to over an hour.

Easier to build rapport.

One to oneinterview

Can be done on Skype, Google Hangouts,Zoom, FaceTime, Whatsapp...

Easier alternative to face to face whilst

still being able to see the person.

Requires a space with no backgrounddistractions.

Useful to avoid travelling.

Look professional and focused.

Check your connection and set up

carefully beforehand.

Videointerview

Less regular but quite common for somecourses.

Can include tasks to assess teamwork.

To show ability to work with new people.

More competitive interview: individual

questions asked openly to the whole group.

Groupinterview

Interviewed by 2 people or more.

Usually future teachers/tutors.

Each asking questions in turns.

Good judgement of how you performunder pressure.

Engage with the whole panel.

When asked a question, maintain eye

contact with the person asking but whenanswering, make sure you address

everyone.

Panelinterview

6th Form/College Interviews during self-isolation and socialdistancing

6th Form and Colleges will keep accepting applications so if you have not appliedalready, make sure you make the most of this free time to do it now. If you are 16 or under, interviews are most likely to be done by phone. Prepare yourself for a video interview just in case and double-check with the school orcollege you are doing the interview with. With exams being cancelled, schools/colleges will be asking you about your predictedgrades and/or your mock exam grades. Make sure you know what they are - if youare unsure, contact your school/teachers before the interview to ask for this information.

What do you need toknow/do to succeed in a

phone interview?

Activity

Write down 3 things or more.

You can do some research online if youneed some help with ideas.

A few top tips for phone interviewsDo your researchMake sure you know what the course you applied for is about, the type ofassessments/exams it will include, etc.Have a look at the school's/college's website to familiarise yourself withtheir values, the support they offer, etc.

Find a good locationMake sure you are in a quiet room with enough signal and no distractions.

Prepare notesThe biggest advantage with phone interviews is that they can't see you so it isthe perfect opportunity to use notes for support.Keep it clear and simple so that you don't have to panic looking for theinformation you need. The best way is to have simple bullet points, especiallyfor questions like 'Tell me about yourself' or for any questions regarding yourpredicted /mock exam grades.

A few top tips for phone interviewsPractice your answersLater in this presentation, you will be given a list of common questionsasked during 6th Form/College interviews. Make sure to prepare someanswers to these as most interviewers ask the same kind of questions.Feel free to have some of these on your notes if you are nervous aboutnot remembering how to answer a specific question.

SmileIt might seem weird to smile if you are not actually facing the person,however your tone of voice sounds completely different when you speakwith a smile and you will sound more confident and friendly.

Get dressed for an interviewAgain, you might think why bother if they can't see me? Making sure youare dressed appropriately and not in your pyjamas will help you focusmore and will be a constant reminder that you are in an interviewsituation.

A few top tips for phone interviewsSpeak clearly and sit upIf you are sitting up on a chair or at a desk, your voice will sound clearerand louder than if you are slouching/lying down.Make sure you articulate and speak clearly (no need to shout): Phoneconversations are always trickier than face to face conversations as youcan't see people's facial expressions or read their lips.If you can't hear the interviewer properly or you are not sure youunderstood what they said, do not hesitate to ask them to repeat orclarify.

Show enthusiasmAgain, this will be heard in your tone of voice and the way you speakabout certain topics/subjects. It is key to remember that your interview has to be convincing withoutthem being able to see you, your facial expressions or body language.

Watch the video and note asmany top tips for videointerviews as you can.

Activity

Write down 3 things or more.

You can do some extra research onlineif you want to add other tips to your

list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydlSq1siuvI&feature=youtu.be

A few top tips for video interviewsDo your researchMake sure you know what the course you applied for is about, the type ofassessments/exams it will include, etc.Have a look at the school's/college's website to familiarise yourself withtheir values, the support they offer, etc.

Find a good locationMake sure you are in a quiet room with no distractions or risks of peopleinterrupting/showing up in the background.

Test your computer and set upMake sure your webcam and sound are working properly and that there isenough light.Laptops will usually have a microphone embedded and you can test it in thesettings. If you prefer, you can use your hands-free kit from your phone as ithas earphones and microphone.Some people might have a computer or gamers headset which can work too.

A few top tips for video interviewsDress to impressDress like you would for a normal interview. For 6th Form and Collegeinterviews, you should be ok with a smart casual outfit. Make sure if youare wearing a t-shirt that it is plain, with no swears or inappropriateslogans on it.The safest bet is to wear your school uniform if you're not sure.

Maintain eye contactIt always feels weird when you are talking to your computer but since yourinterviewer will be able to see you, make sure you are making eye contact withthe camera when addressing them and listening to their questions.It's ok to use notes but make sure not to be reading off the whole time.

Act natural and showcase your personalityIt can be nerve wracking to do a video interview but make sure you arerelaxed, take a breath before speaking and avoid fidgetting as much aspossible.

A few top tips for video interviewsTurn your phone offJust as you would for a normal interview, make sure your phone doesnot interrupt your interview: put it on silent or even better, turn it offcompletely!Make sure you have also closed any unnecessary web browser tabs andapps on your computer so that the notification sounds don't disruptyour interview.

The most common questions in 6th Form and College Interviews

Tell me/us about yourself.Why have you applied to this 6th Form/College?Why have you applied for this course?Why are you interested in these subjects?What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?What are your most/least favourite subjects at school?What are your strengths/weaknesses?What do you want to do after leaving 6th Form/College?What careers are you considering? Do you have any questions?

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.

Take a few minutes towrite down your own

answers to the interviewquestions, on your paper.

Activity

Practise your interviewquestions:

Person A asks the interview

questionsPerson B answers

Activity

Now switch roles

Person B asks the interviewquestions

Person A answers

Activity

During an interviewDress to impress Turn your phone off Look confident Smile and make eye contact Open body language Think before you speak - take time to breath, take a sip of water Ask them to repeat the question if you are unsure ALWAYS have a question ready to ask at the end

Any questions?You can email engage@chesterfield.ac.uk

Make sure to title your email

'Questions - 6th Form/College Interviews'

Remember to click on this link or scan the QR code tocomplete the form so you can let us and your school

know you have completed this activity.