The Importance Of Facial Expression

• Eye Contact: Eye contact signals that you are interested in others, attentive, confident, and respectful. Some people maintain excellent eye contact while listening, but lose eye contact when speaking. Or vice versa. Practice with someone until you are comfortable maintaining relaxed and continuous eye contact. You should focus your eyes on the interviewer, but don’t stare. Look down or away occasionally because no one wants to feel like they are being stared at. However, avoid looking at the floor, ceiling, or out the window; because it communicates that you are not interested or that you are bored.

• Facial Expressions: Facial expressions usually communicate emotions. A smile, frown, raised eyebrow, yawn, or snicker all express

This includes the way you talk, your dress attire, and your non-verbal communications. For any scholarship interview, your first impression is critical.

That's why it is always important to dress, act and look professional for any interview to make a good first impression. Remember, you're trying to promote yourself as the most worthy candidate for the scholarship and that you would make the most of their scholarship dollars. You have to look like a winner to be a winner.

If you are in doubt about how to dress for your scholarship interview, you should be “overdressed” than “underdressed.” If you attend an interview well-prepared and dressed professionally, you will feel a sense of confidence and others will sense your self-assurance. It's very difficult to overcome a poor first

Practicing will also help you sharpen your communication skills --- and poor communication skills will not look good during your interview.

Here are a few ways to help you prepare for your next scholarship interview such as:

• Practicing in front of a mirror.

Practicing in front of a mirror allows you to see how you would look and sound to the interviewer(s) after answering a question. Also, when practicing in front of a mirror, you should close your eyes beforehand and imagine a panel of interviewers in front of you. If you take it seriously, you can add an element of nervousness, which makes this exercise more realistic.

When practicing in front of a mirror, you want to ask yourself: o Did I maintain eye contact? o Do I make funny faces when I can't remember something? o Do I rock back and forth in the chair or sit with my arms folded? o How many times did I say, “Um,” “Like,” and “You know?” o How can I improve my responses to the sample interview questions?

Note: You should practice a few times in front of a mirror, but you should definitely practice at least one time with a parent, teacher, or