Guide to Pageant Interview Questions

There are so many steps in the process of preparing for a pageant. From walking in their shoes to practicing hairstyles and talent presentations, pageant contestants most remain focused. When, it comes to practicing for the interview portion of the competition there are several ways to practice, but the most effective method is mock interviews. The key to mock interviews is to practice answers and presentation but not to memorize the answers to possible questions. There are many different types of questions that can be asked in a pageant interview. By understanding the types of questions that can be asked and by practicing how to put one's thoughts together for each type of question to answer it well, a pageant contestant will be well prepared and will feel comfortable in their pageant interview.

1) General Information

Some of the most common questions in a pageant interview are questions about a contestant herself. These questions are very straight forward and should be answered in a very clear manner. A person should not brag about their accomplishments, but should be proud of all of the good they have done for their communities and all of the time they have put into their own ventures. These questions should be the easiest of the types of questions that can be asked in a pageant interview because a contestant knows more about their life than anyone else. These questions can usually ruin an interview but do not usually make an interview stand out for a panel of judges.

Please, Tell us a little about yourself.
What are your future plans?
What are your hobbies and interests?
What is your platform and other community service projects?

2) Theoretical

The questions whose answers will stick out in a judge's mind are those where as contestants answer is related to a theoretical comparison question. It is important when answering these questions to think outside the box, but remember that there is no wrong answer. The key is to be sure and related the answers back to a characteristic or skill that the contestant possesses.

If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be and why?
If you could be either a door or a window, which one would you like to be?
What kind of flower would be if you could be a flower?

3) Morals and Ethics

These questions are worded in a way that can be somewhat sneaky. The judges have a correct answer that they would like to here in there heads, when they ask this type of questions. These questions can be a direct and about a persons ethic and moral beliefs or can be worded as a situation and the response being the actions that the contestant would take.

If you were shopping with a friend and she shoplifted. What would you do?
How do you feel about under aged drinking and how would you encourage young people to not drink alcohol?

4) Whys

These are the questions that are most important to pageant judges and are their way of determining which candidates will be the best titleholder. These questions are often practiced by candidates, but it is very important that the answer to this type of interview questions seem very sincere and honest.

Why do you want to be the state titleholder?
Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for this position?
Why did you decide to run for Miss Blank?