Making an impact and why schools need to teach it

[philmophlegm]

Day 1 of this year's 'You're Hired!' final is on Thursday, with day 2 the following Tuesday. I'll post about these next week or the week after if I get the chance. (For the third straight year I have managed to combine the YH final with my absolute busiest time of the work year

Comments

[kargicq]

My number one hint for making a good first impression: nod and smile a lot.

Looking professional: tricky one, this, but our students returning from uni interviews often comment on how awkward some of the other candidates look in formal clothes -- our sixth-formers wear suits at school and so they're used to them. Don't know how to get around this one (other than encouraging them to 'break in' their smart suit).

My hair is generally a complete mess, as getting it cut is near the bottom of my 'to-do' list -- but if I had an interview coming up I'd get it sorted!

As for your questions: I think I'm good at talking to an audience, either at work or socially. (Just as well, as that's a large part of my job.) I also think that I make a good first impression both to colleagues and students (confident and professional but relaxed is what I aim for).

I can't remember having any formal training in this -- but thinking back to how awkward I was as a young teenager, the real key was doing (some) essay subjects at A-level and then university,

[philmophlegm]

"Nod and smile a lot" - good one, noted.

The suits thing is difficult - posh kids, even if they don't have to wear them to school (and none of our schools have suits, even Plymouth College) may well own them. Most 17 year olds won't. Your pupils' point about many applicants looking awkward in formal clothes is very good though. Badly fitting suits is definitely something you see.

(Actually a question here: what is the usual dress code for university interviews?)

There's definitely a correlation between amateur dramatics and confident presenters - although it might not always be cause and effect.

[kargicq]

I've spoken to various admissions tutors, who all say: wear whatever you are comfortable with. (For our students, this is a suit since it's standard school-wear!) I genuinely think that in this case the appearance doesn't matter much (the academics are likely to be in more casual clothing anyway...) but a lot of nervous sixth-formers decide to go for a more formal look than they are comfortable with (possibly on parental/school advice) and just end up with even more to worry about. One of my students described the next person after him at his Oxford interview -- "he had a shiny new suit, and the suit was wearing him."

Am Dram definitely gave me confidence rather than attracting me because I was confident -- I loved (and still love!) reading plays and thinking about their staging, and that's what drew me in. Not sure how common that is, though.

[kargicq]

I haven't got anything specific to suggest, but can I just say what a great idea this is. Go you. -N.

[philmophlegm]

Thank you!

[wellinghall]

Seconding this! Oh, and to say that the only training I got was in how to read the lesson in church.

[miss_next]

Excellent idea! I have to say I can entirely sympathise with the kids who don't feel at home in suits - I don't either, not unless I've made the suit myself so that I get a perfect fit and have specifically chosen the fabric so that it creases as little as possible. I could pretty much rumple a suit of armour

[philmophlegm]

Suits arguably less important for women; but then there's an entirely different dilemma - give the wider range of options, what should the professional lady wear

[miss_next]

I'm not a fan of sleeveless tops on either sex, to be honest. Having seen Charles' cycling vest, I hope not to do so again... :-)

[philmophlegm]

Here's a tip:

Never go to see Australian Rules Football.

[louisedennis]

I think I do Ok with the public speaking, but I've had to do a lot of it in my career

[philmophlegm]

I think I've also picked up the same hints and tips on presentations over the years. They're easy once you know them, but they make a big difference

[bunn]

My generally quite crap school none the less did offer some presentationy things - poetry readings, drama, etc, which help with confidence. Though personally I hate acting, but am happy to stand up and talk, so the two things don't necessarily go together

[philmophlegm]

For the most part, the less confident people don't make it through to the final, because they're less likely to shine in the heats