Pageant Interview: What Not To Do (And What To Do Instead)

Happy spring, friend. Fresh season, fresh energy – and the perfect time to tighten up your interview game. Today we’re tackling the part most people skip: the don’ts. Knowing what to avoid can calm nerves, save time, and help you show up as the job-ready titleholder you are.

Quick frame: Prepare for the real interview, not a mock. Mock panels are valuable because they nitpick to help you improve. Real judges are scanning the big picture: job fit, presence, clarity, connection. Train for that.

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1) Don’t try to “control” the interview

That old-school “lead the judges where you want them to go” approach reads as performative and tense.

Do instead: Control yourself, not the room.

• Listen fully.
• Answer directly.
• Follow up naturally.
• Let your presence, clarity, and composure lead the experience.

Why it works: Judges remember how you made them feel more than 100% of your words.

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2) Don’t spin every answer back to your platform/CSI

Yes, your initiative matters. No, it’s not the only thing. Over-spinning sounds political and one-dimensional.

Do instead: Respect the question.

• Answer what they asked.
• Weave your initiative only when relevant.
• Remember: You win with who you are, not just what you do.

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3) Don’t read judges’ faces

Smiley, stoic, or “tough” – you can’t know what they’re thinking. Trying to decode it ramps anxiety and derails your flow.

Do instead: Anchor in your energy.

• Breathe low and slow.
• Keep eye contact warm.
• Stay present to the next question, not their expression.

True story: the “tough” judge who pressed me hard once gave me a perfect score. You just never know.

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4) Don’t try to fit a mold

If you’re mirroring last year’s titleholder, you’ll blur into the background.

Do instead: Mold the title around you.

• Know your strengths and style.
• Lead with your values, voice, and vision.
• Authentic > identical. Every year’s winner is different for a reason.

If “be authentic” feels vague, that’s a cue to do identity work (therapy, mindset coaching, or guided self-reflection) to remember who you are and trust it under pressure.

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5) Don’t stall with filler phrases

“Thank you for that question.” “That’s a great question.” Repeating the question back… all of it eats time and reads like stalling.

Do instead: Hit it head-on.

• One beat to breathe.
• Clear opening line.
• Example or story.
• Land your point.

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Judge Mindset vs. Mock Mindset (Important!)

• Mock panels: Hyper-analytical to help you improve.
• Real panels: Big-picture scanning for job readiness: communication, poise, mission clarity, and whether they can see you doing the role for 365 days.

Train to be the titleholder in the room, not the “perfect answer machine.”

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Five Quick Swaps for a Stronger Interview

1. Control the interview → Control your presence.
2. Platform every answer → Answer directly; weave mission only when it serves the question.
3. Read faces → Regulate yourself (breath, posture, pace).
4. Fit the mold → Lead with your unique style and strengths.
5. Fillers & repeats → Concise, confident openers.

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A 10-Minute Pre-Interview Warm-Up

• 2 min: Box breathing (4-in / 4-hold / 4-out / 4-hold).
• 2 min: Voice + articulation (count 1–20 clearly, slow to fast).
• 3 min: Two practice answers:
  • One values-based (Who you are).
  • One issue-based (How you think).
• 2 min: Story flashcards (60–90 sec each: challenge → action → impact → lesson).
• 1 min intention: “Connect and contribute. I’m prepared and present.”

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Bottom Line

Interview isn’t about controlling the room, it’s about showing up as the job: calm, clear, connected, and authentically you. Drop the pageanty spin, answer like a human, and let your presence do the heavy lifting.

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Come Practice This With Me (Live)

I’m teaching a free March Masterclass: Interview Skills on Tuesday, March 25, 7–8 pm CT.
We’ll cover:

• Natural, compelling answer structure (without sounding rehearsed)
• Staying composed under pressure
• Exactly when and how to integrate your CSI
• The judge’s-eye view (and how to stand out in it)

Can’t make it live? Register to get the recording.
Sign-up link: see below this post.

If you want tailored feedback or feel stuck between “not enough” and “over-prepared,” let’s work through it together. You’ve got more readiness than you think. Let’s make it undeniable.