There’s a reason why everyone’s heard the saying “Pageants are won in the interview room.”  It’s because it’s true!  But in order to get a winning score you’ve got to look at your personal interview as more than just an string of pageant interview questions – you’ve got to look at it with a strategic perspective.  And in order to help you do that, here are 4 Secrets to having a great pageant interview:

1.  Get Personal:  don’t just keep repeating over and over again the same key words and phrases you’ve heard other contestants say.  You’ve got to really understand who you are and what you’re all about in order to express why you’re a unique, stand-out contestant to your judging panel.  Get personal – what have you done, what is you unique background, what qualities do you possess that make you a winner?  By getting personal the judges will see what really makes you the obvious choice for the crown!

2.  Listen, Listen, Listen: most contestants listen for just the first 3 to 5 words of the question before they “tune out” the judge and start formulating their answer.  And while you may think you’re being very clever, the judges can tell you’re not paying attention and you risk giving an answer that doesn’t match the back end of their question.  Make sure you’re confident enough in your pageant interview skills to listen to the entire answer before you jump in with your answer.

3.  Read Between the Lines:  sometimes the question you “hear” the judge saying is not really the question the judge is asking.  For example, we all know that “How do you juggle the many activities you’re currently involved in?” is really code for “How will you manage to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the titleholder?”.  Make sure you understand what’s behind the judge’s thinking so that you’ll be able to deliver the content that matches their real question.

4.  Know Your Content: make sure you absolutely know your content before you even step one toe into the interview room.  The #1 reason contestants are worried about their personal or on-stage interview is because their concerned they’ll get a question they don’t have an answer to.  The only way to avoid that problem is to practice developing content.  Notice that I didn’t say “practice answering questions” – I said practicing developing content.  Your interview should be more than just repeated memorized answers.  It should demonstrate your ability to listen, think critically, and communicate.  These are the skills of a winning interview!

Learn how to strategically practice your pageant interview so that you’re ready to Answer Any Question! Just click here.

Your on-stage performance is an important opportunity to impress the judges as the obvious choice for the crown. Check out these 5 tips to instantly improve your next on-stage performance!

1. Play Up Your Strengths: Everyone has one or more particular areas in which they really shine. If you’ve got great legs, wear a gown with a slit so you can show them off when modeling. If you’re arms are toned, make sure to wear a sleeveless or strapless gown and look for opportunities to show off your arms in your opening number attire. Accepting yourself, and the many things about you that are wonderful, is absolutely the first step towards a fabulous on-stage performance!

2. Design Your Look: It’s just human nature for people to make assumptions about you based on your appearance. Judges are human too and will develop initial opinions about you as a contestant based on your overall look. It’s important for you to design a look that meets the criteria of the pageant, but is true to who you are as a person. Your look should be empowering, polished, and create the impression that you’re prepared to wear the crown!

3. Photograph Your Competition Wardrobe: I’m always amazed when I’m at a pageant and a contestant is asking for advice on what earrings to wear or which evening gown looks the best on her. Take some time to “practice” your competition wardrobe in advance. Try on all your competition outfits, complete with accessories and undergarments and take a photo of each complete competition wardrobe choice. Then, review the photos with a critical eye as though you are one of the judges. By photographing your wardrobe and analyzing your options prior to the pageant, you’ll avoid having your own wardrobe malfunction on-stage!

4. Develop Great Posture: Okay, on this one your mother really did know best. When she told you to sit up straight and sit like a lady or to practice walking with books on your head, it was actually good advice. Lifting your head and letting your shoulders drop back and down is the fastest way to give your physique a makeover. You really can visually shave 5 to 10 pounds off your silhouette by using correct posture on-stage. So, take a deep breath, put your best foot forward, and maintain proper posture throughout your competition. I won’t tell your Mom she was right all along!

5. Exude Confidence: Many of the most memorable beauty queens aren’t the most beautiful, but they do exude great confidence on-stage. They have accepted their own physical strengths and weaknesses, and celebrate themselves and how they look. Yes, not only is it okay to like the way you look, you must be happy with your look in order to project confidence! If you have the least little bit of insecurity about the image you’re projecting, the stage lights will magnify that insecurity 10 times. Confident contestants are able to look the judges in the eye knowing that they look their best. And other than a crown, confidence is the best accessory any pageant contestant can possess!

XOXO,

Make sure you’re spending just as much time being smart as you’re spending on looking beautiful!

Big hugs to YOU!