Hey guys, it's been a pretty long while since I've last updated. About 2 months, in fact. This blog's dead - almost. :/ Haha nvm. So... I'm in the midst of my 8-month holiday. Yep. Hehe. Spent one month in the US. One month slacking. And the last two and a half months working. I'm planning to work until June. After that, I'll probably catch up on sleep, with friends and family. Been neglecting all three.:(
It's been especially hectic for the past few weeks, what with all the university applications and interviews for scholarships and courses. It has also been quite an experience. I'll now share some tips about not embarrassing yourself during interviews. I can only talk about law interviews as those are the only ones I've been to so far. It's just basicaly what I've gathered and summarized from family, friends, the Internet, and my personal experience. I hope that this would help some young, desperate souls roaming the Internet and who happen to come across my blog. Fat chance, I know. Haha. Okay, let's get on with it.:)
Before the interview, try chatting with fellow interviewees sitting next to you. They are equally as nervous as you are. You could start with a smile and just ask about their school and what they are there for. Make friends. Not only would it calm you down, it'd also make you more confident. And confidence naturally transcends to a wonderful ease in talking.
Things to watch out for during the interview
BODY POSTURE (Formal wear is a must. For guys - do not overdress, please don't wear a tie)
Don't turn your back on your interviewers when closing the door. If you have to, close the door behind you with your hands pushing behind.
Put your hands on the table all the time. It creates a more authoritative presence. Makes you look more professional too.
Back straight. That's a no-brainer.
YOUR FORM
Make sure you know whatever you've written on your form and that whatever you've written makes sense and is flawless such that you are able to elaborate further on it.
If you write interesting things like you being born in Indonesia, they will ask you about your country and may put it in relation to law so be prepared.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
They will look for things to question in your form.
Scenario-based questions - give you a scenario and ask for you to comment.
Current affairs
Things interviewers watch out for
CONFIDENCE
They want to see if you are able to carry yourself well and speak fluently and concisely
ABILITY TO THINK ON YOUR FEET
They want to test if you are able to think on your feet. So when they ask you for your opinion, you may hesitate a few seconds - but no longer than 5 - and please please answer fully and with elaboration. Make sure your arguments have no loopholes because for sure, they will find those loopholes and trap you within them even as you try to crap your way out of them. Or maybe we're not supposed to emerge winners of the argument anyway because they are the lawyers, and not you (wannabe lawyer).
INTEREST IN CURRENT AFFAIRS
They will ask if you've been reading the newspapers. Do answer truthfully if you have not. Because they will find out the truth sooner or later as they quiz you. Better to be a clueless person than a liar. Don't assume you can lie your way out cuz you have to think twice about tricking lawyers - not a wise thing. Oh and don't make the lame excuse of being too busy with work - what I did. They don't think it's a valid excuse at all.
Tips
Act like you're enjoying the interview and love to argue with them.
Don't be obnoxious and do affirm now and then that you accept their point of view and that they may be right.
They love it when you say you beg to differ from their opinion. To them, it means you can think with your own head and not be swayed by others.
Don't be round-winded. Go directly to your point. Better to have those awkward silences than presenting a long-winded case and then realizing halfway that you've forgotten the point you were trying to make.
Current Affairs
Important to know your ministers in Singapore. And at least the top-level ministers in Malaysia. Knowledge of Japan, China and the USA wouldn't hurt too.
Make sure you know the Dean of the university.
Japan's March 11 earthquake + tsunami. China's recent snarky accusations against Japan for keeping scale of nuclear radiation exposure under wraps until a month after damage.
General Elections - 24 new faces. Ms Tin Pei Ling, 27, youngest in ten years. PAP's aim for this election as compared to previous in 2006 and 2001 (which was to find experienced people to "hit the ground running") is to look for potential office holders - fourth generation and fifth generation leaders to take over in the future.
Libya (it's in Africa beside Egypt NOT the Middle East!) - something about the people trying to overthrow the dictator
Please read the newspapers on the day itself so you can impress them with 'hot-off-the-press' news.
Samples of Law Interview Questions
Ice-breaker: What is your favorite TV show?
What was the most important geo-political event in the last 50 years?
Do you feel that the government of Libya is transparent?
Is the role of the new media necessarily a devil to the government? Especially in the case of the Libya crisis?
Present an argument for/against the new youngest PAP candidate Ms Tin Pei Ling.
Is it considered theft if customers take away 20 satchets of sugar in a hotel cafe?
If not, what about customers taking wine?
Just because people do it, does that mean there is no law against it?
Should there be a law against it?
If no, then can the police be involved in it? Since this is a personal matter between the customer and the shop keeper?
Do you read the newspapers?
Tell me about a current affair.
Who is the Minister of Education?
Who is the Prime Minister of Malaysia?
Do you have any questions?
Do be prepared for other types of questions like why you wish to read law in that specfic university an not others. Also, be prepared to explain why you wish to study a second degree (if you applied for it) and how it is related to Law. Also, do read up a bit on law and state your interest in specific areas - to impress your interviewers by your research. Below are some links that may help to answer these questions.
NUS vs SMU law: http://forum.brightsparks.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2675
http://www.singaporelawreview.org/2009/09/what-nus-law-students-say/
Interesting aspects of law you may wish to delve into: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralty_law
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort
That's about all I have to say on this matter. If you have any other queries or wish to know how I answered my questions, you're welcome to tag:)
Do get a good night's sleep the day before. The interview will take about 10-15 minutes. They may be running late on schedule so you may have to wait nervously for 15 minutes. And that's already excluding the 15 minutes when you have to arrive earlier. Just go for the interview for the fun and experience of it. You'll learn loads of things from the professors. Just as they are trying to learn as much from you to gauge your competency for the course. Two-way learning process aye? :) And do expect the professors to be sharp, assertive and very updated on current affairs. But they are also friendly and nice people.
Alright peeps. Good luck for your interview!:D