Monday 16 January 2017

Mandela Washington Fellowship Interview Tips

By Adeniyi Philip Ayoola

Congratulations to those of you that made it to the interview stage. Below are my tips for you. They are in no particular order.

1. The best way to succeed in your MWF interview is to be yourself. Be honest. I hope you have a copy of your application? If you do, download it and master everything you wrote in it. Most of the questions will be asked from there. You will have to prove you did many,  if not all of the things you wrote in your application.

2.  Dress like a leader.

3. Look into their faces when speaking. Be bold and confident.

4. Ask #relevant questions where necessary, especially, at the end of the interview.

5. If you can recall their names, call them by their names.

6. They want to be sure you did those wonderful things in your application. So, don't be too #humble not to talk about your achievements.

7. They want to be sure you understand the American accent (listening skills). Avoid bad mannerisms like "come again please", " You said"? etc.

8. They want to be sure you're bold and you can speak intelligently.

9. Don't be too conscious of yourself. Just relax, make them feel comfortable. If possible, let it be interactive.

10. If you have #data to back your work up, especially from a trusted authority, tell them. If you don't, its not a must. Avoid unconfirmed reports. Some of them may be an authority in your field.

11. Avoid bad grammar. You're not there to impress them. Speak simple but correct english.

12.  Be ready to inform the interviewers where you see yourself or your organisation in 5/10 years time.

13. Assure them of your commitment to return to Africa.

14. Be real

15. Since you can't go to the interview venue with electronic devices, you may consider pictures and publications where you were duly captured engaging your community and stakeholders. Also consider newspaper or magazine reports where you were mentioned and or captured.

15. I wish you goodluck.

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