FPT Education Global’s Remote Internship Scholarship (FEGRIS) is offered to students applying for the Remote Internship placement program provided by FPT Education Global with a company in Vietnam.
In addition to the application, the interview is one of the important criteria to decide whether the candidate is eligible for the scholarship or not. Preparing for these interviews can be stressful. Students unused to the interview process may find the prospect daunting, but there are some basic tips and skillsets that will help you prepare for a successful meeting with the scholarship review board.
With the magnitude of coronavirus hitting the globe and the steady spike in safety regulations in the last year alone, many of us (students and workers) had to quickly adapt to the transition of taking things online. Adapting to the “new normal” has expanded to include telework and frequent online engagements as a way to contain the spread of this virus. Here are some scholarship interview tips that can help you boost your chances of success, putting you in the best position to score coveted awards.
Test Your Technology
Virtual interviews rely heavily on technology. Everything must be working properly for a successful session. Check the strength and signal of your internet one week before (in case of technical issues which may need adequate lead time to be fixed) and again, one day before your interview.
Once you are confident of your internet connection, check if your camera and microphone are working clearly.
Create a Distraction-Free Environment
After testing your technology, the next thing to decide on is where to take the interview. Find a bright and clean room under flattering lighting. Your best bet is near natural lighting, preferably someplace facing a window.
Here are some things you can do to create a distraction-free environment that more conducive to a successful interview:
- Inform all family members about the scheduled time for your interview.
- Set up your computer so you are against a blank background. This keeps the attention on you.
- If your room is dark and you need to keep a light on, pay attention to the placement of your lighting.
- Close the windows to eliminate all road noises.
- Close your room door to muffle noises from inside the home.
- Turn off your cell phone. There’s nothing more distracting than receiving a phone call or even a text midway through the interview.
- Clear away all visible clutter and tidy up your surroundings. You want to appear organized.
Be On-Time
This can not be stressed enough. The review board’s first impression of any applicant can color any subsequent interview. Being late to the interview only shows a lack of respect for the interviewer and a lack of interest in the scholarship being offered. Allow plenty of extra time to arrive at your interview, and try to be a few minutes early. Professionalism is the key.
Practice and Prepare
You should know enough about the courses you are interviewing with to be able to tell your interviewers exactly what you’d like to be involved in once you attend the course or why the scholarship is for you.
Speaking online might feel awkward and unnatural to some, so practice really does make perfect in this scenario. When answering any scholarship interview questions, it is important to focus on taking it slow and speaking clearly. Do a test virtual interview with family or friends and allow them to give you feedback on your online decorum.
As with all scholarship interviews, it’s always best if you focus on being yourself. Remember that these tips are just that – pointers designed to help you be your best self. Good luck, keep calm and enjoy your interview!