Interview Resource - Keller ISD Schools

INTERVIEW RESOURCE | 15
admit that, well, you mainly just like it because of the awesome bassoon solo in the middle. As a
bassoonist yourself, you love that the instrument is spotlighted—and you’re so impressed by the player’s
talent; you wish you had that kind of skill! Judges will have heard so many technical explanations and
restatements of the USAD resource that your personal insight will be a breath of fresh air. Besides,
you’ve just furthered the ultimate purpose of the interview, which is to allow your judges to get to know
who you are and what you care about.
Be as original as you can without lying or putting on a false front. There’s just no need for anything that
drastic. Say what you mean, and don’t be afraid to be funny or different—while still being respectful.
Modesty
As a successful student with the stamina to read seventeen pages of a guide to the Interview, you may
think of yourself as someone of remarkable academic caliber, with mighty aspirations and a special
intelligence that has chaperoned you from one success to the next. Under pressure, you may
instinctively, even defensively, flaunt your achievements—taking on a declarative voice and selling
yourself long.
It’s human nature to want to impress; even a well-meant response can carry the baggage of a heavy ego,
or be perceived that way. For example—suppose you were asked what qualities you admire. Many
people might answer honesty or courage or faith. These are all fine answers, particularly if explained
briefly and with specific reasons.
However, one student in Texas, wanting to be original, said something like:
“I value people who exhibit visionary thinking. In the world, there are many people who are
honest or caring. These people may be first class citizens—but when it comes down to it,
they aren’t the ones who change the world. People with vision change humanity for the
better because they come up with revolutionary ways of thinking. Albert Einstein’s theories
altered the way we view the universe. Mahatma Gandhi realized that people could achieve
their goals through nonviolent protest. Steve Jobs invented a computer anyone could use.
These people are great because they had more vision than everyone else.”
There’s plenty of meat to the answer, but it’s dangerously abstract and, worse, actually dismisses being
honest and caring. With answers like this one, beware of sounding snobbish. Is changing the world really
what matters most to you?
The moral of the story: always qualify answers that may come off as arrogant. If you’re going to say the
people of small town America cling to their churches or their guns—well, there’s not much you can say
to qualify that one, except maybe redefine “cling” as something positive.
Suppose you were asked what event was the most difficult for you. Many people would respond
Mathematics or Super Quiz. Don’t be afraid, however, to admit to weakness in Speech and even
Interview—though this, too, gets old after a while for the judges, unless you offer it with the right blend
of authenticity and vulnerability.