OK...so Miss America has changed the rules so the judges get to know the REAL you...you know, that gal behind the false eyelashes and spray tan? You. Your brain. Your thoughts. Your goals. Your drive. Your personality. Your genuine self. Does that completely and totally freak you out? You true "people person" types, I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to those that get nervous at the sheer thought of speaking to strangers. Who don't feel like they have much to offer.
WHY INTERVIEW?
Oh, Queen...let me tell you. You have a TON to offer. You are a smart, intelligent young woman with many, many dreams and aspirations. You may have an incredibly strong desire to change the world or at least the slice of the world you live in. And beginning your journey NOW to learn how to speak to strangers is a life-lesson you need to learn. This lesson will make you interview for your future jobs in your career choice like a boss. And there is no time like the present to get that figured out.
I saw this on a blog (PR Pageant Coaches):
"Whether you are speaking to a small group in an intimate setting or an auditorium filled with guests, it is all about staying confident. Being confident and having grace under pressure is something that every titleholder should possess. By being “in the moment” and EMBRACING the OPPORTUNITY in front of you, let that moment in the spotlight be YOUR moment to impress by the way you address! Whether you are meeting the judges on a one-to-one basis, a panel setting or answering an onstage question in front of thousands of people, your delivery should be confident and to the point. No need to paraphrase, elaborate, ramble and recite the theory of relativity…just BE YOU! One of the biggest mistakes contestants make is to be a lightning fast talker! Getting through your interview or on-stage question should NOT be your goal! You goal is to make a positive impression. Pace yourself and remember to speak at a normal (or even slightly slower) pace when you’re speaking publicly."
OK Miss Director: how the heck do I do that? I'm so glad you asked! No really. I am.
You need to talk to actual people. A lot. Remember that platform thing? Yeah, that really, really important thing that you should be working on RIGHT NOW? Yes, that one. Tell people about it. All. The. Time. Develop relationships with people that could help you expand your platform into something that can really make a difference. Go talk to the Rotary Club (they are always looking for speakers), talk to the local Chamber of Commerce. Take the mayor or the city manager out to lunch and learn about their jobs.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to speak about something that you are passionate about. Sometimes, we get so impassioned that we are almost WILLING the person we are speaking to to understand our perspective and to just "get it." Find that kind of passion in your platform. And then share it. Share it all over eight states and halfway to Georgia (I've been dying all day to use that phrase)!
Have your parents start asking you questions about what is in the news. Download a news app to your phone. And then, oh I dunno, USE IT. Your brain starts firing on all cylinders when you start to stimulate it. Truly it does. Being informed also doesn't mean you are an expert. But if you hear something in the news that intrigues you, try to learn more about it. Become a willing learner and windows and doors will open for you that were previously shut to you. Become a sponge. Take it all in. Then? KNOW YOUR OPINION on the major issues. Especially the ones you are most passionate about.
TALK TO FORMER CONTESTANTS. Seriously. I'm not kidding. These young women went through the process and can tell you exactly how they prepared (or didn't), what they would have done differently, what worked for them, how to pick an interview outfit, and more. These gals are a resource. Use them. And guess what. They will probably talk to you in a heartbeat. Because now? They are "people person" types. The growth they experienced while competing in pageants have made them more confident whether they did the pageant thing once or for many years. I can't tell you how "the change" is completely evident every single year in all of our title holders. It's a bit creepy to be honest. It's like some sort of switch gets flipped and the ball of nerves from our local then comes out of the state competition full of confidence, spitfire, and determination for the next competition or phase of their lives. I love watching it.
That paperwork thing? Yeah, it's annoying. I get it. But get used to it. Trust me. Filling out paperwork for a pageant competition is soooooo much easier than paperwork to purchase a house. Or a car. Or financial aid for college. But I digress. Anyway, review your paperwork...keep copies. Of ALL OF IT! Study it. The paperwork is often the first resource that judges turn to when formulating questions for individual contestants. The judges draw information from the paperwork and ask questions relating to what the contestant wrote about themselves.
Because paperwork is often used as a tool for formulating questions, it’s good to review what you wrote. This can give you a good idea of what questions you may be asked to answer.
For instance, if you wrote that you love working with animals in your bio, you may be asked in your interview what laws or regulations you think there should be in place to stop cruelty to animals.
If you wrote that you love painting, you might be asked a question about why the arts are important to society.
Practice your answers to common interview questions. Hold mock interviews with your coach or with a trusted mentor. Even though it’s only practice, speak and hold yourself as you would for the real interview. Practicing will make the real interview feel more familiar and less scary. I mean, who wants to go on stage without practicing your talent. Unless you're some sort of savant guru with supernatural powers of perfection. Then just wing it. But if you're normal. Practice.
Ignore the ceiling tiles. They may be pretty. Heck, maybe they are from France (I doubt it). But your eyes need to be focused on the judges. Speak TO them not around them. Eye contact makes you more personable and natural. And smile. That can reduce stress, too. A smile usually elicits a responding smile from at least one person in the room. Then that helps you be in a conversation instead of "giving a speech." Save that for your political career in Washington, you future president, you.
So yeah, our biggest advice is to practice. Being prepared is the a MAJOR step to being confident in all aspects of interview, even if you are naturally comfortable speaking with people.
Make it happen, Young Lady. You can do this. See you in October. Actually, I want to see your paperwork in September. So get busy on that platform.
And for the love of all that's glitter: Find an answer better than, "World Peace" *headtilt*
(Interview sources:
https://www.pageantplanet.com/article/how-to-prepare-for-pageant-interview
My favorite: https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-i-learned-about-interviewing-from-miss-america)
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