3 Things Not to Do in an Interview

Interviewing for camp staff is one of my favorite things that I get to do. I love getting to know applicants and hearing their heart for ministry! These week-long adventures of 8-12 interviews each day are always a learning experience as well. Here are three things I learned from interviewing this time: 

1. DON’T laugh after every answer.
The after-laugher is always thought to be extremely nervous, even if you aren’t nervous and just genuinely think the last few words of each answer are hilarious.  

2. DON’T get frustrated.
If there was crazy traffic and you are 30 seconds late, it’s ok. If I’m interviewing you on Skype and it takes you a minute to figure out how to turn your volume up, it’s ok. (Also, make sure that you don't get verbally frustrated when I can hear and see you, but you just can't hear me yet... funny... but answers some of my questions for me before i ask them). Don’t let frustration get to you and affect your entire interview.

3. DON’T try to oversell yourself.
You are, in a sense, trying to sell yourself, but an interviewer can sniff out an overly “I am awesome” agenda immediately. If you tell me that you know everything there is to know about kids, already worked a camp basically just like ours, and really feel like you could be a camp director one day I’m going to worry about your teachability. I want to get to know you, not the idealistic vision of what you think I’m looking for. Just be you, be honest, and be real.

Our entire office interviews for staff… you can read some of their interview DOs and DONTs on JE’s blog or Meredith’s blog.

Mary Carlisle serves on the CentriKid interview team, and recruiting is one of her favorite projects during the year. Each summer, Mary leads a number of staff members she has interviewed as she serves as Camp Director for the CK3 team at Millsaps College. Learn how you, too, can apply for camp staff. Follow Mary on twitter.