I Survived...My Interviews

As the title states, I had my CBYX interview last weekend and my AFS interview the weekend before! I thought both of them went rather well.

AFS interview:

• Lasted probably an hour
• I wore a skirt, leggings, and a blouse and was, if anything, overdressed.
• Most of the questions were simple - choosing from two options or answering questions about your life/family/friends
• There were a few situational questions, but nothing crazy, just basic exchange situations
• If you're having yours, RELAX!! Don't be nervous - it's actually just pretty fun to get to talk about exchange with a volunteer. 
• Do think of WHY you're applying to the countries you're applying to

CBYX Interview:

• It was a three hour event: individual interviews first, and then a group interview
• They ask more challenging questions, as, unlike AFS, they are trying to narrow the number of people down
• Lots of situational questions and a few questions just designed to see how you react. For example, I was asked to mime something. I don't think they cared as much about my miming talent as how I reacted to the unexpected challenge of having to mime something.
• They may ask you questions about things you say on your application, so be familiar with your application. If they ask you a question based off of your application, think about WHY they're asking you that question: to clarify something, to make sure something (like very close family relationships) won't be a problem on exchange, etc.
• Don't worry about giving the "right" answer to situational questions - for most of them, there are many viable answers
• WORK TOGETHER in the group activity - they want to see teamwork, not domination
• Be outgoing and offer more information than may be needed
• Smile. Act approachable.
• In your interview and group interview after the group activity, remember that it's not as much about what you say as it is about the tone in which you say it.

I'm not going to post any CBYX interview questions until at least after the 23rd, when AFS CBYX interviews have to be finished. I know that, with AFS, interviewers are asking 5-8 questions from a sheet of maybe 20 or so questions, so if you know what questions other AFSers were asked, there is a likely chance that you can prepare yourself for questions they'll ask you. While practicing interview questions in general is, I think, a good idea, I think posting the actual interview questions and other AFSers practicing from those specific questions would be crossing the line.