If you’ve been called up for the EAE interviews, congratulations! This is a significant step in your academic journey. To help you navigate through this process and maximise your chances of success, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to excel in your interviews.
Preparing for your EAE Interview
1. Do your Research Before the Interview
Before your EAE interview, ensure that you thoroughly research the polytechnic and the course you are applying for. Use the institution’s website or course brochures to read up on the modules of the courses you’ve applied for. Understanding their values, culture, and the specific qualities they look for in a candidate will help you tailor your responses and showcase your genuine interest in their program.
2. Reflect on Your Experiences
Think about your achievements, extracurricular activities, and experiences that are relevant to the program. Be prepared to discuss how these experiences have prepared you for the course.
3. Practice Common Interview Questions with your Friends or Family Members
Familiarise yourself with common questions asked during the EAE interviews and practise your responses to questions about your goals, strengths, weaknesses, and how you handle challenges, etc. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently during the interviews. Here are some common EAE interview questions to prepare for.
1. Why did you choose this course?
2. Why should we accept you?
3. Tell me more about yourself.
4. Tell me one strength and one weakness about yourself.
Also, be prepared for your EAE interviewers to delve into your application details to understand your choices and motivations better. They may ask about your course preferences and why you selected certain programs over others.
For example, if you are interviewing for a course that you listed as your second choice when applying for EAE, be prepared to explain why you placed this course second and not first. The interviewers are likely to ask about your reasoning to understand your priorities and interest in the course.
On the other hand, if you applied for only one course instead of at least two or three, they will likely ask why you chose to apply for this single course and why specifically at the chosen polytechnic.
By practising these questions with your friends or family members, you can receive feedback and refine your answers to ensure you make a strong and positive impression on your EAE interviewers.
Excelling During the Interview
The EAE interview is a crucial step in securing your placement in your desired course, and is an opportunity to showcase your suitability for the program by making a lasting impression on the EAE interviewers. Here are some essential tips to help you excel during your EAE interview.
1. Dress Right for your EAE Interview
Looking presentable is an important part of the EAE interview process. Dressing appropriately leaves a good impression and helps you feel more comfortable and confident.
Wearing your school uniform is the safest and most appropriate choice, otherwise, you may also opt for smart casual attire.
2. Speak Up and Be Confident during your EAE Interview
Confidence is key during your EAE interview. You must remember to speak clearly and assertively! Show that you are confident in your own abilities and are excited about the opportunity to join the course through EAE. To build confidence, you should practise your responses to common EAE interview questions beforehand so that you are able to clearly articulate your thoughts during the actual EAE interview.
3. Be Sure of Your EAE Choices
Demonstrate certainty in your choice of course and polytechnic during the EAE interview. Explain why you chose this specific course and how it aligns with your career goals and interests. In your responses, ensure that you show that you have thoroughly researched and considered your options, so as to reassure the EAE interviewers of your commitment.
4. Highlight your Relevant Accomplishments and Stay Focused
During your EAE interview, it’s important to talk about your past experiences that are relevant to the course. Share your inspirations behind the project, roles that you’ve taken on, and the impact you’ve had on your audience. Then, explain how these experiences have led you to pursue the course and how the course will help you reach your fullest potential. It is important to stay focused and avoid discussing irrelevant topics to keep your responses concise and focused.
5. Focus on the Little Things
Pay attention to the small details during your EAE interview so that you appear open, friendly and engaged during your EAE interview, such as making eye contact, using appropriate gestures, maintaining an open body language, and smiling. These non-verbal cues can greatly influence the interviewers’ perception of you.
Watch this video on job interview etiquette!
6. Read the Room
For certain courses, polytechnics may opt to conduct group interviews where you are given case studies to work on and present together, in addition to your usual interviews. During this stage of the EAE interview, it is important to acknowledge, react, and respond to both your interviewers and fellow interviewees. This demonstrates your ability to collaborate, work in a team, and assert yourself appropriately during the EAE interview as interviewers are looking to assess whether you can lead, follow,and interact effectively in various situations.
For example, if an interviewer asks a follow-up question, take a moment to consider your response and then address it thoughtfully. If in a group setting, listen to others’ responses and build on them if relevant, showing that you are engaged and considerate of others’ contributions during the EAE interview.
All the Best for your EAE Interview!
Your EAE interview is an opportunity to shine and demonstrate your potential. Approach it with preparation and confidence, and let your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the course guide you.
Best of luck and may you secure a placement in your desired course!
