JPA Program Mahasiswa Cemerlang 2015 Interview Tips

Update 22/8/2015: If you have been awarded the scholarship and have inquiries about the documents/contract head on over to a Facebook group created solely for PMC scholars. See you there!

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Update 15/8/2015: Results were out yesterday, to those who secured the scholarship congratulations on being a step closer to furthering your studies. To those who didn't, I wish you all the best and may Allah give the best for you none the less. 

As for me, my funding pursuits end here. Alhamdulillah for this opportunity. A winding and treacherous road still lies ahead. May Allah ease :)

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Update 11/8/2015: Results are coming out on the 14th of August 2015, 5PM. All the best guys! May Allah ease :)

Click on the photo to go to JPA's website

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In my efforts to pursue my postgraduate dreams in the UK, there comes the long question of finding financial funding to actually realise that dream. 

And alhamdulillah, being selected to undergo an interview for JPA's Program Mahasiswa Cemerlang (PMC) Scholarship is one such effort. It's a scholarship specific for postgraduate students furthering studies in local/abroad institutions. 

The interview was held on 25th June 2015, during Ramadhan season. I like doing interviews while fasting, I think it brings a higher sense of peace and you're not so easily distracted by your hunger haha. 

It was my first time attending JPA's interview for educational sponsorship. And this one is definitely a tough one. But knowing how tough the process already is, I guess I wasn't expecting much and I was calm throughout the whole ordeal and just picked up lessons from myself and the other candidates on how to perform better in interviews. So, here's a breakdown of what happened.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED: 

First, if you're selected, you're gonna need to prepare some documents: 

I found the plan of study a bit challenging to prepare, but if you have your institution's course book then you just write down what subjects you'll be taking that semester as well as the points aforementioned by JPA.

1st SESSION: GROUP INTERVIEW

So I had my interview on the last days of the session, which I don't think is that advantageous. There probably had been far more competent candidates on previous days. But you do your best with what you're given with, no? I was placed in a group of other postgrad candidates of 4 girls and 2 boys. 

We were all from local institutions, and only 2 of us are furthering our studies overseas while the others continued in local ones. We were brought into a room consisting of 2 interviewers, both males. We sat in a straight line and the session lasted for 90 minutes. 

What happened during the interview: 

1. Candidates were asked about CURRENT ISSUES happening in Malaysia and asked to elaborate or give relevant opinions. 
2. Candidates were given certain problems regarding Malaysian's current issue and propose solutions to address them 
3. You can answer in either BM/English but if the interviewer specifically requests for answers in English, you will have to abide to it

Helpful tips I picked up during the interview: 

1. Always read newspapers and be in the loop of our nation's development programmes. They want to see students who are not only academically qualified, but have a keen interest in national and international news.
2. Structure your sentences before answering them. You don't want to keep on repeating your point when it could have been concise and direct. No one likes a candidate who talks in repeat
3. Give answers that are relevant and address the issue.
4. Answer creatively as possible when given a problem. Try to focus more on global standards or national development instead of focusing on individual problems
5. Speak up and be confident of your ideas. The interviewer will challenge them, so make sure you've got a solid point and ain't BS-ing around
6. Stand out. Either through your appearance or speech or thoughts, find the one thing about yourself you can present well, and do it. 

2nd SESSION: GROUP PRESENTATION

Right after the first session, we were brought into a room with another 2 interviewers and split into 2 groups. Each group was given it's own topic to find solutions to and given 20 minutes to do research and prepare a presentation. The whole session took roughly about an hour. 

This was a tough one as they want to see your resourcefulness when working in groups. I found this the most difficult as it's very challenging working with people you've only just known a couple of hours before. This session was the part where I didn't do my best, I believe. 

But some lessons I learned along the way include: 

1. Use Pareto Law to solve problems. Focus on top 20% root causes that are causing 80% of the problem. I actually forgot to use this during the session, and mentally kicked myself afterwards. Sigh. 
2. Take control of your team if you think they're going a bit out of hand
3. Let everyone contribute ideas, but organize them before presenting
4. Be serious, I find it off-putting that some of them were giggling and joking around when time is surely not on our side
5. Never dominate the group. Bring out the best in everyone

GENERAL TIPS:

There are some additional things I found to be helpful in preparing for the interview:

1. Always plan ahead (documents, journey, outfit, etc). Havoc is not what you want right before an interview, at least not for me anyway
2. Dress appropriately, make a good first impression
3. Develop your communication skills from early on (includes improving your English)
4. Make friends with your groupmates. It helps to calm down those nerves. And who knows, you might meet someone really interesting that makes the waiting period fly by! 
5. Help one another out when possible. Cause watching others stammer or stuck for answers is really frightening

So yeah that's pretty much it. A very short interview session but a tough process. I hope it helps you in your journey to postgraduate studies. As for me, I'll keep on striving and finding ways for ends to meet. Also, thanks to the friends I've made along the way and all the best guys! :)