Counseling programs are competitive, and most have fairly stringent requirements for entry. If you’ve made the initial cut, you’ll be called for an interview. But the admissions committee will not tell you how to handle yourself in an interview.
That’s where I come in. Having recently interviewed students for entry into our program, and comparing notes with faculty, here are some tips for success:
- Don’t ramble on. LISTEN carefully to the question, and answer it. Don’t just throw buzzwords at the interviewer, and don’t answer questions that aren’t asked. Interviewers don’t think highly of counseling program candidates who have poor listening skills.
- But answer thoroughly. Don’t just give really truncated answers. Elaborate- show your passion! Entertain and inspire them! Make talking to you interactive and a pleasure, not like pulling teeth. Otherwise they have to work too hard, and they don’t like that.
- Don’t bad mouth your previous institution. Don’t blame your previous education for your current deficiencies, particularly if you are applying to the same university! They want hard working students with initiative, not whiners who can’t take personal ownership of their weaknesses.
- Have goals that are related to education. When they ask you what your five-year plan is, don’t tell them you want to get married. Respond with something that is related to the education provided by the program you are applying to. After all, isn’t that why you’re applying? If your education isn’t a priority to you, they probably don’t want you. Commitment and tenaciousness are the necessary qualities interviewers will be looking for.
- Be honest. They can easily pull your academic records and check your references. Be straightforward, take responsibility for your shortcomings, and show them that you are working to improve yourself. That will garner much more respect than subterfuge.
- It’s OK to say you are nervous. (They wonder about candidates who aren’t). If you really want this, then you should feel some measure of anxiety about performing. Otherwise, you are either over-confident, or overly passive. Neither quality is attractive in a counseling student.
- Do your homework. Research the institution and the department prior to your interview. Know who the faculty is, and what their research interests are. It shows that you have initiative, you are interested in the program, and you want to maximize your interview time by asking questions at a deeper level.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Barb LoFrisco
Also check:
• https://mastersincounseling.org/education/unhappy-with-your-current-job-heres-what-your-employer-doesn%E2%80%99t-want-you-to-know-about-online-classes-part-iii/
• https://mastersincounseling.org/counseling/what-a-mental-health-counselor-does-part-one-assessment/
• https://mastersincounseling.org/counseling/multicultural-considerations-for-latino-clients/
