"Always have 2 stories and a quote"

During these interviews I learned that even though you come prepared that doesn’t mean it will go as planed. Some of the questions that I was really prepared for and felt confident answering were not chosen. This just shows me that no matter how prepared I think I am I need to be able to think on my toes. I did very well in the interview when it came to adapting what I had done in my life to fit the desired questions. I easily took one story or idea and morphed it into the answer they were looking for. I was lacking however, in the “UM” department. As I was considering what to say I needed some form of filler word and that is the filler I would use. Instead I need to become comfortable with the silence and think for a second and then deliver what I have to say. As the interview progressed I became more fluid. The initial nerves were my biggest issue. My advice to someone in this position would be the same advice my Public speaking teacher told me. “Always have 2 stories and a quote.” Basically what this is saying is come prepared with some material. Then from there you can adapt the story or example to fit precisely the question that was asked. Being prepared is key. However, trusting yourself to think on your feet is just as important.