Interview tips from an Actor: Part 3

In Part 3 of ‘interview tips from an Actor’, I’ll be looking at how you prep information and remember the important points you need for the interview.

Rehearsing your ‘lines’

Everybody retains and learns things in different ways ( 4 – 8 depending on what article you look at!). When it comes to getting lines down/prepping answers for an interview, you need to make it work for you. Concentrating on the 4 different types of learning (for the sake of not boring you to death with 8), here are some ways to make sure you aren’t lost for words on the day.

1. Visual

If you’re someone who has to see to believe, then this is for you. The best way I’ve seen visual learning work is through mind maps. Mind maps help you create a visual construct that will help you retain information. You can create your own mind map or there are several online mind maps you can use.

2. Auditory 

The easiest way for me to learn lines is by practising them with someone else. Hearing it out loud helps to build auditory memory, it also helps to hear how they sound. Practising your interview questions with a friend/discussing what you might say with one of our consultants can solidify those answers in your head for when you get similar questions in an interview. It’ll also clarify what sounds good and what doesn’t.

3. Read/Write

Another way I learn lines is by writing them all out. There is something about seeing them in my own handwriting that gives me more ownership over them. So, if you’re someone who soaks up knowledge from reading and writing, then writing out your potential questions and answers on paper may help you feel more confident in what you’re saying. Also, keep in mind bullet points and key areas to talk about that could help trigger talking points in the interview.

4. Kinesthetic 

Some people learn best by doing. As an actor, the more auditions I go to the less daunting they become and the more I get used to the different format styles (TV, film, theatre, etc.). The same can be said for interviews; the more of them you do the more comfortable you’ll be in those scenarios. It also gives you a chance to explore what you really want from a new job and company. Embrace the idea of becoming a passive candidate, taking interviews that come your way even if you aren’t actively looking. You’ll feel more confident, and gain knowledge of the right questions to ask and the right answers to give, and you never know, you might end up finding a role you’d never even thought about!

In case you missed them, take a look at parts 1 and 2 for more interview tips from an actor.

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Alex Louise is a member of the Operations team at Harvey John and has an extensive acting background.

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