For people around the world, a new year means fireworks, flashing lights, and celebrating with family. However, FFA members have something else to think about every new year: interviews! With the beginning of a new year comes plenty of interviews, ranging from chapter scholarships to State Officer interviews. It can be nerve-wracking to answer seemingly endless questions, knowing the interviewers are evaluating each of your answers. Interviews are scary, there’s no question, but they don’t have to be! These tried and true interview tips can help you relax and show your best side for any position or scholarship in and out of the FFA.

Tip #1: Make it a Conversation
Judges love to see the real you. If each of your answers are rehearsed or memorized, you can easily come across as flat or inauthentic. The point of an interview is to see how you react on your feet and obtain genuine information about you. Knowing your thoughts on common interview questions is great, but it is important not to rehearse answers for those questions. In addition, if you find yourself stuck with a question you were not prepared for, it can be hard to think on your feet if you rely on memorized answers. Act like you are simply answering questions in a normal conversation. Remember, the judges are there to get to know you, so show them the real version of yourself!

Tip #2: Expanding Your Skills
Authenticity is key, as you know, but it can come across in more ways than your answer. Tone, inflections, hand motions, and teamwork in a group interview can all influence judges, even without you noticing. Take time to schedule a practice interview to get feedback in these areas. Other members and advisors have loads of great feedback to give. It is important to remember that hand motions and tone can be overdone. If they don’t come naturally to you, don’t push it too far! Simply be yourself and the judges will see your qualifications.

Tip #3: Practice, Practice, Practice
The key to a strong interview is preparation. All the natural talent in the world cannot make up for sitting down and preparing for an interview. There are two main preparation tips. The first is to anticipate common questions and know your thoughts on them. If you predict you will be asked a certain question, know where you stand. This doesn’t mean to memorize an answer, but be sure to prepare for any questions you think may be asked. The other tip for preparation is to reflect on difficult questions you have been asked in the past, and consider what about the questions made them difficult. Whether it was randomness or you simply could not think of something, preparing now will help you when the interview rolls around.

Lastly, as your prepare for an interview, make sure to have at least one practice interview. Whether with family or your chapter, interviewing at least once before can be very important in reducing stress or anxiety The key is to prepare as much as you can, whether through practicing good hand motions or brainstorming answers. Interviews happen throughout our lives, they are unavoidable. Getting started now is the perfect way to get a head start.

Good luck with your interviews, Michigan FFA!

Written by Andy Yonker, Region V State Vice President