While interviews are often associated with adults, they are becoming increasingly common for primary school students. In Singapore, interviews are held for opportunities like Direct School Admission (DSA), entry into international schools, boarding schools, school leadership roles, Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), and special academic programs. The idea of an interview can be intimidating for young children, but with the right preparation, they can approach it with confidence. Here are some tips to help both students and parents navigate this process.
1. Understand the Purpose of the Interview
For students:
Imagine you’re placed in a room full of strangers, and you’re asked to choose someone to spend every recess with. Would you want to know more about them before making your choice? Of course! In the same way, schools use interviews to get to know you—not just your grades, but who you are as a person. They want to understand your character, your values, and what drives you.
For parents/caregivers:
Help your child see the interview as an opportunity for the school to understand them better. Emphasize that it’s a chance to showcase their personality, interests, and motivations, not just their academic abilities.
2. Know Your Passion and Interests
For students:
Think about what you enjoy doing and why. Do you love dancing or solving math problems? What makes these activities meaningful to you? Understanding the "why" behind your passions helps others connect with your values and the things that motivate you, even when faced with challenges.
For parents/caregivers:
Take some time to talk with your child about their hobbies and interests, both inside and outside school. Encourage them to go beyond simple answers like “it’s fun.” For example, if they enjoy dance, explore how the movements, music, and choreography come together to create something powerful. The more they can express their feelings and reasons clearly, the better they will be able to communicate their motivations during the interview.
3. Know Yourself
For students:
You might not have thought much about it, but it's important to reflect on your strengths, challenges, and experiences. What have you learned from the activities you participate in? Recognizing and understanding these aspects will help you articulate them confidently.
For parents/caregivers:
Encourage your child to reflect on what they’ve learned from the various activities they engage in. If they enjoy tennis, for example, what have they gained from it—resilience, discipline, or the ability to stay calm under pressure? Help them connect the dots between the skills they’ve developed and how they can share these insights during the interview. This kind of self-awareness builds confidence and clarity.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
For students:
Just like studying for a test or learning a new skill, practicing for an interview is key. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel.
For parents/caregivers:
Encourage your child to practice speaking their answers aloud, rather than writing them out and memorizing a script. Interviewing is about communication, not memorization. Ensure the practice is balanced, too—do not aim for perfection, but aim to build up their self-confidence.
5. View It As A Life Skill for the Future
For students:
Interviewing is a life skill that can serve you well beyond primary school. As you grow, you’ll encounter many situations—whether in secondary school, university, or in a future job—where you’ll need to speak clearly, express yourself, and engage with others in an authentic way. The earlier you start, the easier it becomes.
For parents/caregivers:
Help your child see the value in honing their interview skills early. By practicing and reflecting on who they are, they can develop the confidence, poise, and communication skills they’ll need for future challenges.
Final Thoughts
By approaching interviews as a chance for self-expression and growth, your child can turn a daunting experience into an exciting opportunity. With the right mindset, preparation, and support, they can walk into any interview feeling confident and ready to showcase the best version of themselves.
Written by Siew Ling Hwang, Founder, Discovering Potential Pte Ltd
Siew Ling is the founder of Discovering Potential and she specialises in providing Interview Skills Coaching and Communication Skills Coaching to youths and adults. Her experience includes both 1-on-1 coaching and workshop coaching for clients that come from a wide range of industries and age groups.
Siew Ling coaches students for their Primary 6 and JC DSA, as well as EAE interviews and university entrance interviews in many areas including medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, law, business, accounting, renaissance engineering and more for both local Singapore universities and overseas universities. In addition, Siew Ling has coached students for scholarship interviews including ASEAN scholarship, PSC scholarship, SAF scholarship, MOH scholarship, MOE scholarship and others.
Some of Siew Ling's coaching experiences includes (but not limited to):
Confirmed DSA P6 offers for the following schools:
RI, RGS, HCI, NYGH, MGS, SCGS, NUSH, Dunman High, St Nicholas Girls, Crescent Girls, SOTA, NJC, TJC, Chung Cheng High, Nan Hua, Nan Chiau High, Maris Stella, Fairfield Methodist, Catholic High, Temasek Sec, Victoria School, Singapore Sports School as well as entrance into international schools including SJII, ACSI and HCI.
Talent areas: Leadership; Academic - English, Bilingualism, Science, Math, STEM, Humanities; Sports - Track & Field, Tennis, Shooting, Sailing,Rugby; Performance/Visual Arts/Literary Arts - Choir, Band, Chinese Orchestra, Dance, Chinese Dance, Visual Art, Literary Art; Infocomm, Girl Guides
Her 5 star Google reviews, the schedule for DSA Interview Workshops as well as links to her 1 on 1 coaching sessions can be found on the website www.discoveringpotential.com.sg
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