Are you entering your first pageant and want to ace your pageant interview? Have you entered a pageant before, but felt that your pageant interview fell a little short? Do you want to regularly place as a Semi-Finalist or Finalist, but don't know what to do to get there? Do you need to take your pageant interview skills to the next level, but just don't happen to have a pageant interview coach?
The ability to easily and confidently handle pageant interview questions is the key to becoming a top contestant.
You just can't ace your pageant interview if you don't have the confidence and skills to handle the judge's questions. We've all been to pageants where the contestant who is absolutely stunning on-stage doesn't win of even make the Top Five. In many cases, her pageant interview was probably the problem. The pageant interview is your first chance to really impress the judges and establish yourself as a serious contender for the title. If you want to be a top pageant contestant you need a pageant interview that rocks!
The ability to answer pageant questions during your personal and on-stage interview is a skill that will not only boost your pageant score, but it's a skill that will last a lifetime. Public speaking and interview skills help to improve your performance during interviews.
Are you competing in the wrong Pageant?
One of the most often overlooked secrets to pageant success is selecting the pageant system that is a perfect fit for you. Every contestant is not a fit for every pageant, and every pageant is not a fit for every contestant. In most cases, contestants start in a particular pageant system and then are so determined to win in that system that they don't stop to ask if it's the right pageant for them. You should evaluate a pageant system just like you would a potential job. Are they looking for the skills and abilities you possess? Does their mission statement connect with what you're looking for in a pageant? Take some time to evaluate your skills, do a little research on the pageant and then make a decision. Follow the four steps below to help you pick the correct pageant system:
1. Evaluate your own unique gifts and talents. Stop and take some time to make an honest inventory of your natural gifts and abilities.
a. Public Speaking/Interview Abilities
b. On-stage Modeling Skills
c. Fitness in Swimsuit
d. Community Service Experience
e. Talent Presentation
f. Academic Record
Make a list and rate yourself on a scale of one to five stars in each category. Now check your list with a family member or friend. Are there areas that you can improve with a little work of coaching? Are there areas that realistically are never going to be your strength? Making an objective evaluation of your natural skills and abilities is the most important step to selecting your perfect pageant.
2. Review the pageant judging criteria and compare it with your strengths.
Check out the pageant website or information packet you received and pay close attention to the judging criteria. Look for pageants that focus on your top three areas. If you're strong in public speaking and interview, look for a pageant with 40% of more of the score based on your interview. If your strong area is on-stage modeling, look for a pageant with at least 65% of the total depending on your on-stage presentation (evening gown, fashion or sportswear). If you're strong in academic achievements and student leadership, look for pageant that include your academic record and community service as at least 30% of your overall score. Always look for pageants that emphasize on other aspects in the scoring. Taking the time to evaluate judging criteria will definitely increase your chance of getting a top score.
3. Take a look at their website and check out the previous winners.
Most pageants will include a brief bio of the reigning queen and it can provide helpful information for you. If the bio emphasizes her strong community service and leadership accomplishments, you'll probably need to have a similar background in order to stack-up. If the emphasis is on her academic achievements, you'll know that academic achievement is important in that pageant system. Really read the bio and look for hints about what made the current titleholder the perfect choice for that particular pageant system.
4. Check with your pageant friends, hair/make-up artist, pageant boutique owner, or pageant coach for feedback about the pageant.
Experts in the pageant industry get pageant feedback from contestants all the time. While most pageants are absolutely fabulous, some aren't. Check with your pageant support team and ask if they've heard of the pageant you're considering. What feedback have they received from the contestants competing in this pageant in the past? Make sure you take the time to investigate the reputation of the pageant you're entering so you won't be disappointed after spending all your time and money preparing to wear the crown.
