MODELING & TALENT
By Lisa Maile
Selling
PHOTO BY GLENN HARRIS / PR PHOTOS
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE: Lisa Maile, above right, has worked with Miss America winners Erika Dunlap (top), Mandy Moore (middle) and Tara Dawn Holland (above left) in helping them put together interviews that were not only memorable but also accurate portrayals of the self-confidence a successful woman should possess.
28 PAGEANTRY
The young college graduate had always been strong academically, active in student government organizations, a very hard worker and dedicated to giving back through community service. Her life long dream was to work at the White House, but being keenly aware of the years of political experience most employees brought to their Washington D.C. positions, she feared she wasn’t old enough to be select-ed… and she had very little work experience on her resume. Still, employment at The White House was her No. 1 goal and had been for many years, as she knew she could make a major contribution.
Whether you’re interested in pageants, modeling, acting or a successful 9-to- 5 profession, your interview can create a highly memorable, distinctive first impression to help you reach your dreams, or be seen as average, nondescript, forgettable or worse — remembered for the wrong reasons. Having worked with thousands of professional performers and pageant winners (including actors Mandy Moore, Arielle Kebbel, Kirsten Storms, Gina Tut-tle and Miss Americas Tara Holland and Ericka Dunlap), along with successful execs worldwide, I know one constant holds true: regardless of the type of interview/audition, if you’re prepared and have practiced enough — where you can actually enjoy yourself and have fun projecting the real you in your interview “ conversation” — you significantly increase your chances of being selected.
Why do most people hate interviewing? It’s simple, actually — we get better at what we do often, and most of us just don’t
interview frequently enough to find our comfort level. Plus, since we’re usually not taught how to sell ourselves and rarely watch others interview, many of us assume we’re the world’s worst at it. Combine this with the idea that we’re taught to be humble, yet here’s a situation where you must sell yourself as the best candidate, it's no wonder interviewing seems scary. I’ve coached adults who’ve confessed they stayed in positions they despised for years because they hated the thought of employment interviews even more.
For pageants, modeling and acting, you’ll excel if you learn to love meeting people during the interview/audition process. Why would judges crown a contestant who didn’t appear confident, friendly and approachable? Your judges interview colors how you’re seen in every area of competition, so you must create a strong bond. And in the industry, PR skills are particularly critical, since agents know the way you present yourself to them is exactly the way you’ll meet clients when you’re sent to auditions… and the agent won’t make money with you unless you can impress. The way you present yourself is the most important part of your communication, especially significant when everyone has a great look and is equal in talent/skill.
So, how do you develop a winning interview?
Without preparation, will you be more impressive at your first interview… or
SHOWBIZ Continued on page 110
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