In mastering the pageant interview, you need to ask the director what type of interview style the system uses. There are 5 different types of beauty pageant interview styles: one-on-one interview, panel interview, press conference style (or media) interview, on-stage questions, and talk show style. How to prepare for and have a winning pageant interview will be much easier once you know the style of interview and understand how each one is conducted.
Also, ask the director if the interview will be closed (for the judges); or done in front of the audience. Will you be standing or sitting? Will you be using a microphone? How long is the interview?
One-On-One Interview
- This is a closed interview where the judges are seated at individual tables around the interview room. Contestants will enter the room in groups based on the number of judges, and you will rotate around the room in a round-robin style. Each contestant in that group is being interviewed at the same time in different spots within the room. When the time runs out, you stand up and move to the next table. For example, if there are 5 judges and each interview is 4 minutes in length, you’ll be interviewing for 20 minutes. Each interview will be different because each judge is different.
Panel Interview
- Can be either a closed or open interview setting. All the judges are seated at one long table. You enter the interview space and will either sit or stand in front of the panel to answer your questions. The interview is usually 5 minutes in length, and every judge hears the same answer. Depending on how long it takes you to answer each question, every judge may not get an opportunity to ask you a question.
Press Style Conference or Media Interview
- Can be conducted in a closed interview setting, but it is usually held on stage where the audience can also participate. You will stand either holding a microphone or behind a podium and answer questions from the judges and audience. Questions can be random and are asked quickly. Think of a presidential press conference and that will give you a good idea of this type of interview.
On-Stage Questions
- You will be onstage with the emcee. You will be asked either predetermined questions that you pull out of a bowl; or the emcee will ask you impromptu questions based on the information you wrote on your emcee card.
Talk Show Interview Style
- Think Oprah, or any other talk show format, and you will know what this setting looks and feels like. The finalists are onstage as a group and sitting in chairs. The emcee will then ask each finalist a question or two. It is supposed to have a more casual, conversational feel so the contestants can express their personalities.
Pageants also have a tendency to shake things up from year to year. They may try a different style, or blend two of the styles to create a hybrid format. The more diversified and experienced you become in your interview skills; the less likely you are to be caught off guard or feel uncomfortable.
As a titleholder, you will be interviewed on stage, over the radio, on TV and for newspaper articles. Knowing how to express yourself in a concise and articulate fashion is very important. The best way to develop your Q&A skills is to practice, out loud, with an individual who can give you honest feedback and bring out your very best information.
If you want practice questions, be sure to request my interview card. Each month you will receive a new postcard with new questions to practice.
Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here or at the top of this page to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.
The $75 pageant entry fee ends in two days.
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Do you need practice for your summer pageant?
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Are you looking for a pageant with no swimsuit or talent requirement?
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Do you like the idea that 20% of all the money raised from this pageant is going to the American
Here's your opportunity.
When you use the coupon code RELAY and register before
March 31, your pageant fee is only $75.
April 1st, the registration fee will be the full amount of $100.
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Click here for full details about this opportunity and share it with your friends.
INTERVIEW CARD
The ability to answer questions about you, your purpose, current events, and controversial topics in a clear way is an important life skill that everyone can benefit from. The more you practice, the better you will get. These handy interview cards are a great way to practice with a partner or use by yourself to get you thinking about the topic.
The Beginning 10 Questions are the staple interview questions everyone must know the answers in an interview situation. Then each month you will receive a new card in the mail with fresh questions.
Now preparing for your interview is easy and for a limited time FREE.
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Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.
She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .
