The Personal Interview – General Tips

Interviews are typically conducted by a panel of interviewers although in some circumstances the interview can be one-on-one. A panel interview usually involves two or more interviewers, often 3-5 people from different departments, and can last 30-90 minutes. It is normal to feel nervous. In fact most people are nervous, even those who appear confident. You should remember going into an interview that you have already made it through part of the process, so your application is of interest to the interviewers. This should help to boost your confidence.

Good preparation is the key to success

Interview preparation is essential, especially when applying for scholarships. Think about the questions that you might be asked and come up with answers. You will probably be asked about your CV so make sure you know it well. Think about how you will expand on the things that you have included in your CV when you are asked about them in the interview.

You should also research the organisation that you are applying to so that you can speak confidently about it during the interview. And you should prepare several reasons why you think you are the right candidate for the scholarship.

A useful framework for answering behavioural questions (those that begin with „Tell me about a time when...” or „Can you give an example of...”) is the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Start by briefly describing the Situation or context, then explain the Task or goal you were responsible for, outline the Action you took, and finish with the Result you achieved. For example: a client requested a full rebrand with only three weeks' notice (Situation); as project manager you were responsible for coordinating designers, copywriters and the client’s marketing team (Task); you organised daily check-ins, built a clear timeline with milestones and a shared drive for file management, and sent weekly progress updates (Action); the project was delivered two days early and the client renewed the contract (Result). Use STAR as a storytelling tool rather than a rigid formula, and choose real, specific examples that highlight impact, ownership and decision-making. Where possible, quantify the result so the interviewer can see the concrete impact.

In terms of clothing, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. You will want to leave the best impression possible so the best advice is to wear smart business clothing. And it is also advisable to have a pen and a note pad with you. Switch your phone off completely before the interview - vibration mode is still a distraction.

The first impression counts

The first few minutes of your interview are important as you will want to leave a good impression - interviewers often form their view within the first 30 seconds. Greet your interviewers standing up. Make sure you smile and make eye contact, and use the interviewers' names. Also, shake hands confidently (neither limp nor crushing) and be ready for some small talk. With small talk it is best to remain positive at all times. For example, if you are asked about your journey, say it was fine, even if it wasn’t. It’s all about how you present yourself to your audience.

Demonstrate motivation

Organisations that grant scholarships look for students who are motivated to achieve results for themselves and for others. So, show that you are determined and that you have clear goals in mind. At the same time, remain authentic and structure your arguments well.

And remember it is often not just about you. Organisations want their scholarship holders to be socially committed as well as personally motivated. You can show this by explaining how you have made contributions to your community.