It’s always that time of year; the tables in Zeus are filled with coffee chatters, students are being called into their third rounds of interviews, and rushing Greek life has proven to be a full-time job.
It is understandably stressful. After all, you’re being interviewed by students who are barely older than you. However, these interviews are there to separate the wheat from the chaff, and you want to be the wheat.
Likability is a skill that anyone can acquire. While you can go more in-depth about long-term habits, here are a few key points to help with your future interviews.
As soon as you secure an interview, begin researching the position. Interest is as much of a factor as skill in many clubs. These clubs want active members, not just another G-Body skipper. Thus, when asked why you want to join a sorority, show your interest in the detail of your answers. Instead of saying “I want to make a lot of friends,” reply with “the girls I have met today are beyond kind, and I love how you require weekly community service at the animal shelter. I’ve always been passionate about helping stray dogs.” The latter is more personal and demonstrates a deep connection to the community. Research when the club was founded, what their mission statement is, big events in years prior, and the vibe of the club . This research can also help you decide if you want to join their group as well. Finally, preparation includes wearing appropriate attire – interviewers will judge you based on your outfit.
Make sure to arrive early. You are being judged on your ability to show up to meetings or events and be a productive member of the club. It also helps the interviewer gauge your enthusiasm for their team.
Typically, the first question an interviewer asks is “How are you doing today?” This is where many people go wrong. This opening question sets the entire tone of the future conversation and is their first impression of you. The correct way to answer is positively. While it may be tempting to mention feeling overwhelmed with prelims or always doing work. , it could signal that you might not be able to handle what the club demands, or that you don’t need any more work on your plate. In an interview, it is best to stay positive and relaxed.
After this point, interviews tend to vary. Most interviews ask the candidate to “tell me about yourself.” The upside is that everyone feels like they are the most boring and uninteresting person when they respond to this question– just look at Reddit. Interviewers want to hear about your other extracurriculars, and what you can offer them. You only have the interview to demonstrate that you are the best candidate, so you need to maximize your time delivering essential information. If you play a sport, whether varsity or club, it’s beneficial to mention that fact since it shows that you can work on a team. Unless the interview is for a political club, I would refrain from mentioning your political and religious beliefs. Not only is this topic very divisive, but it also comes across as feisty and eager to start a debate.
Another topic I highly recommend avoiding is mentioning if you work out or run. Unless it is something as niche as competitive power lifting or college athletic clubs, it is best to avoid mentioning it. While you could see it from the perspective that it shows you have discipline, in reality, it can be very alienating. First, most people are insecure about how they look. This can be heightened if they’ve recently gained weight or had to skip a workout for the interview. Your interviewers are human; they’re judging you based on how you made them feel, not what you say.
Humble bragging is also detrimental to your interview. You shouldn’t mention your SAT score unless explicitly asked, even for STEM clubs. Additionally, please do not mention the car that you drove in high school.
Oversharing is another mistake that everyone makes. Your interviewer is not a doctor nor a therapist. They do not need to know what medicine you are taking, anything about your (failed) relationship, or how many times you’ve cried this week. You can share this information with your close friends or family, but it is irrelevant for an interview.
Never badmouth your previous jobs and employers. You want to convey that every job you have had was absolutely lovely and that you got along very well with the other staff. If they ask you why you are leaving a previous club for this new one, you can say that you are looking for a new challenge, or that you wanted to join this club specifically. You can state that you were highly impressed by their Instagram page and have heard great things about the club from other students. It is also important to be positive here.
After the interview, make sure to send a follow-up email within 24 hours. This shows a sense of etiquette and genuine interest in the club. In fact, many clubs include this as part of their acceptance criteria. It should be brief, but thoughtful.
In your interview, just remember that you are amazing. Getting into Baja Racing or Cornell Financial Analysts is not going to determine your worth as a person. Don’t ramble or make the conversation just about you, but also do not hide yourself and be proud of your accomplishments. Project confidence, maintain eye contact, and don’t forget to smile. Good luck!
