One of the most overlooked, yet integral elements of a fantastic interview, is the bio submitted to the judges. If you think about it, you are handing a piece of paper to someone who holds your fate in their hands and saying, “this is what I would like to talk about”. So why wouldn’t I make sure that every piece of information on that paper was well-thought-out in advance? Hence, why I decided to share my experience via a blog on the importance of what you provide on your contestant bio/judges form.
The power your bio and the information you provide is underestimated. The only connection you have between the judges and you before you meet them is through your bio. It provides them with the initial first impression. Often, judges are sequestered so they spend their evening going over the judges’ packets, looking at the bios, and forming opinions about you before they even meet you. The next morning, during the interview, judges will usually ask open-ended questions … “tell me about this”, “how did you become interested in that”, “I see you wrote that, share with me a little more”. In essence, you absolutely control the interview! Think about it: the judges aren’t concerned with where you go with the answer, they simply want you to talk to them. YOU control what direction you go with your answer. Providing judges with only the topics that you feel comfortable discussing is a way to ensure a more prepared, confident interview. This is why it is so necessary to pay close attention to your bio’s content.
The opinions and experiences you provide the judges via your bio is open season. For example, if you put that you are a political science major, you open yourself up to all political questions. If you are an aspiring teacher, you need to be ready to answer questions concerning educational reform and know the Secretary of Educations name. If you want the judges to ask you about your volunteer work, your sorority, your dream of becoming a math professor, and/or why you want to be Miss Georgia USA, make sure you incorporate that information into your submitted answers. Once you finish your bio, go over your information with a fine-tooth comb and make sure you are prepared to answer any question that may come your way concerning any piece of information that you provide.
A common mistake that contestants make is over-answering a question and providing too much in their answer. If the question does not ask why then do not answer why. Save the “why” for the interview room. When you fully answer a question and then the judges ask you about it, if you answer the question with what you wrote on the bio, you are not providing any new information and are simply repeating yourself. Give a short answer on the bio and save the story behind it for the interview itself.
Please feel free to browse my website more to learn more about me and my skilled perspectives towards interview preparation. I offer an authentic approach to the interview process at a more reasonable rate. Thanks oh so much for taking the time to peek into my world and until next time … “be memorable”.
