New Orleans Guide to High School and Beyond 2018

not to focus on the negative, instead focus on your strengths and not
your weaknesses.
4. Practice Makes Perfect. Practice your interview techniques
with your parents, friends and even your current teachers. Be sure
to at least practice with one person with whom you may not be as
comfortable; this will give you a chance to get your nerves under
control and receive constructive criticism your parents or friends
may not share. By participating in these mock interviews, you may
become aware of things you do when you are nervous. For example,
some people twirl their hair, fidget or even continuously clear their
throat when they feel uncomfortable. These actions may be very
distracting to the interviewer. Practice being both the interviewer
and interviewee. This will give you a chance to practice answering
questions and also allow you to think of questions that may be
asked of you.
Time constraints. If your time has run out and you still have
a few more questions, ask the interviewer if you can contact them
at a later time to have them answered.
Thank yous. Before you leave, be sure to thank the interviewer
for meeting with you. You may also send a thank you note, which
will allow you to reaffirm one or two key points of your interview.
6. Sample Questions. Although the questions may vary a little
from school to school, they all want to know the same answers.
Take a moment to see if you can answer the questions below about
a school of your choice:
Why do you want to attend this high school?
5. Interview Etiquette. These are a few basic rules that you
should adhere to when going on an interview:
Dress nicely. If you are unsure of what to wear, you should
always go with your most conservative attire. In this case, it is
better to be overdressed than dressed too casually.
Arrive on time. This is probably one of the most important rules
to remember because it can set the tone for the entire interview.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early so that you may freshen up
or get a sip of water. By arriving early, you will be able to collect
your thoughts and stay calm.
Body Language. Sometimes we may not realize that our body
language gives off a different message than what we mean to
convey. Keep good posture at all times and do not slouch. Being
nervous is not uncommon. Participating in mock interviews will
help you overcome nervousness and maintain good eye contact,
showing that you are confident.
What can you contribute?
Why is it important for you to attend a Catholic
high school?
How did you spend your summer?
Stay positive. Always be polite and professional and never use
slang terminology.
Avoid making negative remarks about other teachers
or schools (even if they happen to be rivals). Schools
want students who are positive, enthusiastic and those who are
able to meet and deal with challenges.
What was the last book you read?
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