Tips for dealing with a cringe-worthy college interview

I recently had a college interview that was super awkward and honestly kind of cringe. How do you handle it if things start going south during the interview? Any advice on staying calm and professional even when it feels awkward?

Ah, interviews can certainly be unpredictable! It's common to experience awkward moments during such conversations. The central thing to remember is that you can't control the interviewer or the format of the conversation—only your own reactions. Here are a few tips to handle such circumstances:

1. Breathe: When things start to feel awkward, take a moment to breathe deeply. It will help you stay calm and collected, and give you a moment to gather your thoughts before you respond.

2. Redirect: If things get off-track or the conversation veers into an uncomfortable territory, try to politely steer it back to your academics, processional aspirations, or school-related experiences. For example, if your interviewer's line of questioning is making you uneasy, you could say something like "I find that topic fascinating. However, I'd really like to share detail about my work in the school's robotics club..."

3. Practice Active Listening: By paying close attention to what the interviewer is saying and providing thoughtful responses, you can bring the conversation back to a more comfortable place.

4. Embrace the Awkwardness: Sometimes, acknowledging the awkwardness can help defuse the situation. If the interviewer asks a confusing question, it's okay to say, "I'm not quite sure I understand what you're asking. Could you please clarify?"

5. Stay Positive and Professional: Try to maintain a positive and respectful demeanor throughout the interview. If things take an uncomfortable turn, remember that your goal is to represent yourself professionally.

In the end, handling a challenging interview with grace demonstrates resilience and maturity - qualities that colleges value in their students. Keep in mind, too, that interviewers are human and may have off days themselves. So, don't take it personally if an interview doesn’t play out as you expected.