Youth Pageant Interviewing

For many young girls entered in pageants the whole experience is very foreign, and they are not very confident when interviewing with adults, speaking to a large group of people or modeling. The most important and biggest impression a young girl can make with pageant judges is having a great interview. There are simple things that any young girl can complete in an interview to wow the judges, and they all can be easily practiced.

First, is introducing one's self. When a young girl introduces herself to the judges it should be the first thing she says upon entering the interview room. She should also shake the judges hands while introducing herself. In her introduction, she should state her name and one other fact about herself. She should not include more information then that because the purpose of the interview is to get to know the young lady. The facts that are good options when considering what to include are, her age, hometown, grade, or qualifying title. She should know to start shaking the judges hands from one end of the table and then shake each judges hand down the table. While, shaking a judges hand or immediately after she should say, "Nice to meet you," or another appropriate phrase. It is also very important to be confident with shaking their hands. Practicing shaking hands is a great and easy thing to practice because it will make her more confident and comfortable with the action of shaking an adults hand.

The next part of the interview is sitting down and posture. She should be sure to sit up straight and tall in a chair. The young lady should cross her legs at her ankles rather than her knees. It is important that she does not wiggle or do some kind of nervous movement. By fidgeting around this is distracting to the judges and they will not be able to focus on what the girl is saying. If the young lady tends to mess with a bracelet, ring or other clothing accessories, then they should be removed from the outfit. Additionally, she should sit with her hands folded in her lap unless using them to gesture.

Finally, by practicing some simple possible interview questions the young girl will feel more prepared. Even if none of the questions practiced are actual interview questions she will benefit through the confidence that comes from preparation. Additionally, she will have some answers in her head to work from.