What You Didn't Know About Pageant Interview Prep

Elizabeth M. in her interview suit before she won her NAM State Title

Here are 3 Rookie Mistakes in Pageant Interview Prep.

1. Practicing a zillion interview questions every day. There is an infinite amount of pageant interview questions and even more ways that each question can be asked. It will only stress out a contestant when she feels she has to "know" all the answers to those questions. Instead, think of it like this: You already know the answers because they're about you! Just relax and focus on communicating your strengths, activities and community work. Three answers seem a lot less daunting than a zillion!

Jada M talked about what she's doing in her community in her interview and later won her state title

2. Memorizing Answers. When you practice a zillion interview questions, you tend to think you should be able to memorize the answer to them all. Giving a memorized or cookie-cutter answer will stifle a contestant's true personality. Instead, just speak from your heart. Moms: try your best not to deter your daughter from saying what she really wants to say. If her favorite food is hot-cheetos, then let her say that instead of Fettuccine Alfredo because it "sounds better". If your daughter would really rather spend a million dollars on hoover boards or American Girl Dolls, don't tell her to say "I'll give it to charity" because it sounds like more....whatever. All she has to do is be herself.

Bria, ready for interview just before winning her state title

3. Repeating the question and formula-izing the answer. This is not the way to have an awesome interview. A less experienced contestant will repeat the question in her answer, answer the question, and then say "because (blah blah blah)".  And that's it. But have you ever seen a talk show or a news segment where the host interviews the guest? Have you ever noticed the guest never repeats the question? And it's just a regular conversation? That's the same way a pageant interview should go. Very light and conversational, just the way you would talk to a regular person. Think of interview as a conversation rather than an interview.

So, what you may not have known about preparing for interview is this: all these things may sound like a good idea, but they can actually hurt an interview score more than help it. Avoid these rookie mistakes to take you one step closer to the crown.

Damacia winning her fist state queen title

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