How does Kumon study prepare students for an interview?

It’s never too early to learn interview skills and, at Kumon, we understand the importance of preparation. Whether it’s to gain entrance to a private or independent school, to be awarded a scholarship, university entrance, or to land their very first job, your child will need to be able to handle an interview. Learning effective interview techniques can be very useful and, for many people, will be a vital step toward a successful future.

Every interview is different, but the skills to do well and present yourself in the best possible light remain the same, and these are skills that the Kumon programmes help students to develop!

Handling pressure
Many people find interviews to be a nerve-wracking and stressful experience. Fortunately, Kumon students are prepared for those high-pressure moments. Because Kumon students are familiar with focusing on a task, studying unfamiliar work and facing the unknown, they are able to thrive under these conditions. Their self-confidence in their own abilities, and experience in learning things for themselves, will come across during the interview. This can make them excellent interview candidates, equipped with the skills and ‘can-do’ attitude needed to overcome the fear and pressure of any interview.

Following instructions and interpreting
Behind every interview question, there’s usually a bigger picture that the interviewer is trying to paint. To succeed, candidates will need to be able to interpret the motivation behind every question.

Did you know that reading questions and following instructions carefully is a significant part of the Kumon Maths and English Programmes? Through long-term study, Kumon students become accustomed to interpreting questions as they routinely practice solving problems on their own. This is a useful skill in any interview situation where candidates will need to figure out what the interviewer is really asking in order to give an accurate and well-thought out response.

Responding to broad questions effectively and articulately
Children who study the Kumon English Programme benefit from being exposed to an array of extracts from books and articles from the beginning of their Kumon journey, and are encouraged to read for themselves from Kumon’s Recommended Reading List as early as possible.

Showing a genuine interest in books and being able to provide a critical analysis of them is crucial for some interviews. For example, common questions asked at private and independent school interviews include:

• What do you like to read outside of school?
• Who is your favourite author?

As your child starts to attend interviews for student jobs or voluntary work, they may come across questions like “what’s the last book you read for fun?” or “what book are you currently reading?”. Personal questions like this are asked to get a better idea of who the candidate is outside of their work experience and their ability to converse on a range of subjects. There is no right or wrong answer, but the interviewer is expecting a detailed response. Kumon’s positive influence on a child’s attitude to reading prepares them for such questions as our English programme aims to nurture a life-long habit of reading, not just educational purposes but also for enjoyment and interest.

As Kumon students cultivate the habit of reading books, they not only expand their knowledge of the world, they also develop a rich vocabulary bank. Having a wider vocabulary can help students to express themselves more articulately in an interview, making their expressions more powerful and effective – impressing the interviewer!

Tackling problem-solving questions
Problem-solving questions are used in interviews to identify, test and measure a candidate’s approach to difficult and unusual situations. Schools and employers want to know how your child will handle particular situations and if they’ll display the desired type of behaviour. Studying with Kumon offers countless opportunities for children to develop in their problem-solving abilities by encouraging them to work out sums and answer comprehension questions independently. The Kumon worksheets have been designed in such a way that they specifically encourage children to work things out for themselves and draw upon a student’s problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Feeling confident
Being confident can maximise the chances of success in an interview. The Kumon Method of Learning develops a child’s confidence to strive for their goals and aspirations. Students study at their ‘just-right’ level, meaning that they start at a comfortable level based on their ability and fluency. They progress at their own individual pace and eventually go on to study advanced work, beyond their school grade level. Through this method of study, students begin to believe in their own capability. Because they are confident in their abilities to tackle any challenge, they are ready for the unknown questions asked in an interview and can provide impressive responses, delivered with confidence!