Interview Tips for SLPs

In this Blog, Interview Tips for SLPs will be discussed

What to wear

  • Whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident!
  • If you’re having trouble deciding some options are:
    • skirt or pant-suit with a nice blouse
  • Personal tip: Wear either flat shoes or comfortable heels, I was so nervous when I interviewed the last thing I wanted to have on my mind was my feet hurting
  • TIP: if you wear a jacket–on the back of jackets there is sometimes a little “x” that is usually made out of thread…cut this off so your jacket will be able to move around a bit more!

How to style your hair

  • Any style you feel most comfortable with
  • I did some loose curls, I have long hair and knew a ponytail or bun would be too difficult to keep nice and neat–also I didn’t want to give myself a headache

Make-up + jewelry

  • Be yourself; you want to feel confident! 
  • I wore my normal jewelry (necklace, rings, earrings-I have 3 piercings in each ear and I left them all in)

Things you can do beforehand to prepare

  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Eat a good meal
  • Drink water, talking a lot sometimes makes your throat dry
  • Look up exactly where you need to go and leave early just in case
    • Keep in mind you have to find parking and the building
  • Print out copies of your resume
  • Prepare questions to ask them
    • This means you need to take time before your interview to look up that program so you can ask anything you’re interested in or have concerns about
    • What I did for grad school interviews was that I thought of 2 questions that were important to me that I asked at every interview and then had specific questions for programs after doing research.

Commonly asked questions

  • Why do you want to go here?
  • What are your research/clinical interests?
  • How will you contribute to our program?
  • What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
  • What do you see as the major trends in your field of study?
  • Tell me about a time you achieved a significant accomplishment?
  • Lists some of your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Tell me about your hobbies and interests.
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why did you choose our program?
  • What experiences have you had to prepare you for this program?
  • If you are accepted to another program, how will you decide between programs?
  • Tell me about a recent volunteer experience.
  • What questions do you have for me?

Random tips

  • Be yourself, don’t be too nervous cause this might mess you up!
  • Answer honestly, if you don’t know how to respond to something ask them for a second to think and then get back to them.
  • Try your best to not compare yourself to others.
  • If you’re doing a group interview don’t always be the first to answer but also don’t always be the last, mix it up!
  • Remember your why–in moments where you feel very nervous or overwhelmed it might help to remind yourself why you are going through all of this.

YOU GOT THIS!