It’s not just oral exams that require children to speak up — we know of parents who worry whenever their children need to attend an interview!

Curious about why children are interviewed? Here are some common local scenarios, where a primary or secondary school child might have to face an interview:

• Interviews are conducted as part of the Direct School Admissions (DSA) process for secondary schools.
• At the end of Secondary Two, students interested in transferring to the Integrated Programme or a new secondary school will likely have to attend an interview. 
• Students applying for scholarships may need to be interviewed.

If your child feels uncomfortable talking to adults or tends to give short answers during casual conversations, it’s likely that they won’t be able to highlight their strengths during an interview. But at this stage, what’s more crucial is using interviewing opportunities to identify gaps, so that they can work on improving their communication skills.

Below, we have some tips on helping your child to improve their interview skills. These suggestions also apply to being a better conversationalist, so the benefits extend beyond interviews, and can positively impact your child’s day-to-day interactions.

Giving Thoughtful Responses

When someone asks your child what they think of something, do they tend to give a brief answer like “It’s nice,” without elaborating? 

If this sounds like your child, you can help them develop the habit of providing more detailed responses, by encouraging them to think about why they feel a certain way and to express those thoughts. For example, if they say, “It’s nice,” prompt them with follow-up questions like, “What do you like about it?” or “How does it make you feel?” This practice can help them articulate their opinions and feelings more fully. 

Relating this back to interviewing skills, being able to elaborate on answers is crucial. It demonstrates a person’s ability to think critically and communicate effectively, qualities that interviewers look for. By practising this habit in everyday conversations, your child can become more proficient at giving richer answers during interviews. They don’t have to master this now, but they’ll definitely have an edge if they can develop this skill by young adulthood.

Handling Unfamiliar Questions

What if an interviewer asks your child a question, and your child doesn’t know the answer? 

When this happens, it’s important that your child doesn’t panic. Instead, they should try to draw on the information that they know, in order to work out a response that shows their thinking process. For example, if your child is asked in a STEM interview, “What do you think about renewable energy?” and they’re not familiar with the topic, they can start by saying, “I’m not very familiar with renewable energy, but I know that it’s an alternative to fossil fuels and it helps reduce pollution. For example, solar panels use the sun to generate electricity, which doesn’t produce harmful emissions. So, I think renewable energy is important for protecting the environment.”

How can parents help to hone this skill? One effective approach is to create opportunities for your child to practise thinking on their feet. Role-playing exercises are particularly useful, where you ask your child open-ended questions on various topics, and encourage them to think out loud as they formulate their responses. For instance, during a family dinner, you might ask, “What would you do if you were in charge of reducing waste in your school?” Prompt them to consider different aspects of the problem, and draw from what they know about recycling and environmental conservation.

Another strategy is to discuss current events or subjects that your child is learning in school. Encourage them to explain these topics to you, and if they encounter something they don’t know, guide them to use related information that they do know to build their explanation. This exercise will help them to become comfortable with articulating their thought process.

Additionally, praise your child’s efforts to reason through answers, even if they don’t get everything right. This builds confidence and reinforces the value of critical thinking for your child. 

Providing the Best Support for Interview Preparation

When the stakes are high, parents might unintentionally add stress if they try to help their children prepare for important interviews. This added pressure can make a child feel anxious and less confident. 

If this is the case, consider asking a close family friend (or any trusted adult) to assist with preparations on your behalf. For example, if your child has an upcoming school entrance interview, ask a family friend who works in education to conduct mock interviews with your child. This can make the practice sessions feel less formal and more like a casual conversation, putting your child at ease.

In addition to seeking help from loved ones, children can also use AI tools like ChatGPT to prepare for interviews. For instance, your child can provide some context to ChatGPT, in order to generate a list of potential interview questions and sample answers. They can then edit the answers to reflect their own experiences and thoughts. 

To take this a step further, your child can even use ChatGPT to simulate an interview, by asking the AI bot to play the role of the interviewer. This way, they can practise answering questions in real time and receive immediate feedback. This form of interactive practice can be fun, and more importantly, it can help your child to feel comfortable with interviews, while providing a safe space for accepting feedback.

Want interview tips specifically for the DSA? Read our guide!