<p>I’ve been an alum interviewer for several years and I’m starting to notice that my interviewees are more “coached.” They’re not polished, but they seem to have “scripted” answers to the more common questions. I’d rather have a discussion than listen to scripted answers, so I try to change the pace and get them away from the script. Do your kids’ high schools offer interview prep and, if so, in what form?</p>
<p>My daughter’s high school (large urban public) offered three classes after school on interviewing techniques. I encouraged her to sign up because she tends to be shy, and I was hoping it would also help her when applying for a summer job. She was in a group of maybe 25 kids, and they all took turns talking about themselves. She said that it helped her, but I don’t think it prepared her to the degree you’re describing.</p>
<p>The career center in our kids’ HS (large urban public) offered practice interviews on a 1:1 basis with the center head. Students had to schedule appointments either during free blocks or after school, but the opportunity was available.</p>
<p>Not ours. You might be seeing the effect of the explosion of college admissions books – many of the ones I have include some discussion on interviews.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of practice interviews, but if students are prepared, shouldn’t that be a good thing? sounds like they are taking it seriously
if you want to get away from the script, think outside the box and ask questions that are not so predictable.
Have them tell you about a favorite family trip or a school sporting event, for example.</p>
<p>Our high school does nothing in this area of interview prep…it actually does barely a thing in terms of college admissions prep! </p>
<p>I am also an alum interviewer and have been conducting interviews for ten years. I have not noticed any “scripted” responses from anyone whom I have interviewed. Then again, I don’t live in an area where there is a college admissions frenzy or where there is a competition of getting ahead, etc. However, I do interview for a very selective university. </p>
<p>With my own children, we did dicuss interview prep and making sure that they went into the interview with things that they had hoped to get across about themselves (not unlike doing an application…what you hope the school will learn about you, etc.). I ran sample questions by them and they thought of what they wanted to say. Their answers weren’t scripted in the sense of what is right or wrong but more that they had thought ahead about what sorts of things they might talk about and what they wanted to get across no matter what the questions may be. Even with students whom I counsel, I give general interview “tips” (never have discussed scripted answers, though) and also I provide them with a list of sample questions to expect in an interview so they can think ahead of time about the sorts of things that might be discussed. Even for a job interview, a well prepared applicant is a good thing, no?</p>
<p>So, the answers are not scripted and nobody is telling the kid what to say in the interview, but rather the kid has read about or discussed with someone what interviews are about and how to use the opportunity to present oneself. I think being prepared as to what to expect and thinking ahead of time about what you hope to talk about is a positive thing. I would not expect that someone drilled the “right answers” into a kid, however. There are NO right answers. It is a chance to sell themselves and to share their interests, strengths, attributes, and personality. If you are finding that kids are interviewing well and are at ease with the interview process, that is a good thing, in my opinion. Frankly, the kids who interview well and can think of things to say or tell why they want to go to the college or share openly, come across better in the interview than the kids where I feel like I am pulling teeth and have nothing too much to contribute. When I ask a kid if they have any questions about the college and they can’t think of any…well, it doesn’t look so good. Kids who can present themselves well and engage in the interview simply come across better though I try hard not to take it against accomplished kids who simply don’t interview too well and may be shy or such. Clearly the kids who are at ease in the interview and contribute to it come across better in some ways. I see this as a positive. However, I have not noticed scripted answers like you are observing so I can’t say what that is like.</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I agree with lderochi - everything is distilled down to a science these days with these books! Also, there is far more awareness by this generation of parents, determined as they are every step of the way to be more involved with their children’s lives. They have a greater understanding of the process, since many went through it themselves and they’re more likely to encourage the child to prep for the interview.</p>
<p>not in our district – heck, with a GC/student ratio of 1/700, we’re fortunate to get the transcripts out in a timely manner. But, I would assume that private, external counselors include interview prep as part of thier services.</p>
<p>I know what you mean by “scripted” answers. It’s not that they necessarily have been told what to say, but rather they’ve thought out the answers ahead of time and are essentially reciting what they would put in a written essay. I don’t hold it against the interviewee that they were prepared – partly it’s my fault for asking such a predictable question. Presentation does count for something, though. Just like giving a prepared speech to a group, you may have it memorized, but you should try to deliver it in such a way that shows the person behind the words.</p>
<p>I try to put my more predictable questions at the beginning of the interview. I think it helps put the applicant at ease – and if reciting a response from memory for the first questions helps them feel more comfortable when we get to the more insightful questions later on, that’s fine with me.</p>