How to make an interview more conversational and less rehearsed

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

soldier boy

Full Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2024
Messages
129
Reaction score
86
Hello everyone!

I am starting to get into the interview practice process before hand and just preparing some responses. I just have this overwhelming fear that if I do rehearse answers beforehand, I'm going to sound more robotic instead of make the interview more conversational. Does anyone who has been on adcoms before have any advice on how to combat this? Would appreciate any advice!

Members don't see this ad.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Most of the time, the interviewer has orders about what to ask you. Most formal, structured interviews have questions the interviewer must ask everyone (for the sake of fairness). In those situations, you must be calm and answer the questions as best as possible.

When answering questions in informal meet-and-greets, like virtual interviews, where all the candidates gather with admissions staff or faculty members, you have to balance your "rehearsed" answers with an authentic, natural delivery. You should expect "tell us about yourself, you have 1 minute," and you better hit it by 59 seconds... you don't want to be the candidate that doesn't give your peers the same chance to answer the question with the same amount of time.

Also, no alcohol/mind-altering drugs before interviews or meet-and-greets.

If it's online, bring your cat... but don't answer your interview question like you're talking to your cat. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Just be honest/yourself. Seriously.

It helps if “yourself” doesn’t suck.

If you’re one of those people who are only in this field to get wealthy, I can’t help you. But if you really care about people, just talk about that, it shines through
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
Have talking points but never have the full sentence rehearsed. Let it flow naturally.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Have talking points but never have the full sentence rehearsed. Let it flow naturally.
This. Don't memorize your full answer for "tell me a time you made a mistake". It's very obvious when someone has memorized a full length answer for the most generic interview questions and that's when it becomes rehearsed and not a conversation. Just make a list of the generic questions, and for each one write down "I want to talk about xyz". That way you know where to start your answer, and the conversation can guide you where to take it. Same as any other conversation you've ever had.

Also, for the love of god, don't talk uninterrupted for >1 minute for every question.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 1 users
Hello everyone!

I am starting to get into the interview practice process before hand and just preparing some responses. I just have this overwhelming fear that if I do rehearse answers beforehand, I'm going to sound more robotic instead of make the interview more conversational. Does anyone who has been on adcoms before have any advice on how to combat this? Would appreciate any advice!
PRACTICE! Practice with mock interviews if they have that at your college.
Also >smiling and laughing => < chance of being deemed a robot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Listen to the question. If I ask a specific question, I don't want a rehash of the entry in your AMCAS application as background before you get to the actual question.

@Goro and I ask questions you can't have prepared for and that are a little off-beat so that you can give us something unrehearsed and more sincere.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Top