As was the case last year, this year Cambridge and Oxford will conduct their interviews online. Welcome this opportunity of doing your interview in the comfort of your own environment and think about how to use the online platform to your advantage. Here are some suggestions of how to make the most of interviewing online.

Set yourself up for success

Find a well-lit, comfortable, quiet space to interview in. Try to remove distracting objects or decorations from your background to ensure you are the focus. If you are doing your interview in your school dorm or a busy, family home, make sure everyone around you knows not to disturb you while you are interviewing. Wear something you feel comfortable and professional in, as you would in an in-person interview.

Get to know your platform and practice with your tech

Your college will offer you an opportunity to test the platform used for your interview which is overseen by current students. For Maths subjects, getting used to the online whiteboard that you will use to complete problems is essential. Take the opportunity to test the tech and you will feel more confident going into the interview.

Speak to your interviewers as you would in person

Be enthusiastic and animated, do not hide behind a screen. You should look directly at your interviewers when they are talking and you are answering their questions, however tempting it may be to look at yourself! Exhibit warm and confident body language and use your hands when talking as engaging in this way will show you are passionate about your subject and ideas.

Have a pen and paper beside you

If you are asked a difficult question, having a paper beside you to write down keywords or elements of the question may be useful to ensure you are covering all elements of the question. Jotting things down can ease the pressure of having to remember every element of a question and can help focus your ideas. You may not feel the need to use it during the interview but it could be reassuring to have it beside you, just in case. 

We wish you all the best with your interviews. Be confident, enthusiastic and well-prepared and you will smash it!