1. Georgia Academic Decathlon
Preparing for Interview

2. About me… Jodi Murphy 8th Year GAD Volunteer
4th Year GAD Interview Coordinator
17 YEARS With ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Quality Assurance Supervisor
WIFE
MOTHER OF 2 College Students

3. Session Agenda What is an Interview? Interview Rules
Basic Interview Process
Judging Criteria / USAD Scantron
Video Time! & Discussion
Areas to Practice
Questions /Concerns?
Preparing for Interview Activity

4. What is an Interview? Involves two-way exchange of conversation
Includes the transfer of information through the use of closed-ended and open-ended questions
Determines something about the person being interviewed
Establishes an impression off of verbal & non-verbal cues given
Provides an opportunity to sell oneself—especially by starting with an excellent resume!

5. What is an Interview?
Closed-Ended Questions
Examples:
Typically involve a specific answer such as “Yes,” “No,” or “I live in Georgia”
Help to jump start an interview
Useful in stopping stories that go on for too long
Where do you live?
Do you like school?
What is your sister’s name?
How old were you when you got your first job?

6. What is an Interview?
Open-Ended Questions
Examples:
Call for non-specific answers & possibly follow up questions
Start the flow of a conversation to get someone talking
Useful in eliciting stories & putting interviewee at ease
What was your town like where you grew up?
What are some things you like about school?
What do you think it will be like for you to go off to college?

7. Interview Rules
Participate in a 7 minute interview judged by adult volunteers
Dress is business dress, just like any real life interview
Resume should be provided and should be typed and neat in appearance
Sit, relax, and engage but be polished and professional
NO profanity & NO off topics

8. Basic Interview Process
Decathlete Interview Schedule
Room Set Up
Introductions & Resume Review
Interview Conducted
Interview Concludes
Judges Score Decathlete
Judges Prepare For Next Decathlete

9. Judging Criteria
USAD SCANTRON

10. Video Time!
&
Discussion

11. Areas to Practice Perfect Listening skills Eliminate Slang Talk
Control nervous habits
Study own body language
Give open-ended responses
Being Polite/Well-Mannered
Know your resume!

12. Questions/Concerns?

13. Preparing for Interview Activity
Yes/No (Closed-Ended) Question = Character Gets 1 Point
Open-Ended Question = Interviewer Gets 1 Point
Follow Up Question = Interviewer Gets 1 Additional Point

14. Preparing for Interview Activity
Character Reaches 5 Points = Automatically Wins Game! Interviewer Reaches 5 Points = Gets 1 Guess Winner Declared When Character Reaches 5 Points -OR- When Interviewer Guesses Correct Character

15. Good Luck, Have Fun, & Practice, Practice, Practice!
You can do it!