Preparing for The Interview
Most of this information will not shock you at all. The main goal here is to confirm your expectations.
The purpose of the interview is to determine if you have the personality and educational level to match the program. If you are rejected, it is usually not because they personally dislike you- it’s because you did not fit in with the culture or did not have the background necessary to keep up with program expectations. You should actually be grateful for being rejected when/if you do- it's both the recruiter’s and God’s way of saying: “This isn’t the best place for you.” Instead, God-willing you were wise and applied to more than 2 places, and you’ll go to your backup and be extremely happy there.
Nevertheless, everyone has been enrolled in a program/class before and thought: “This is not at all what I thought it would be like. This sucks.” Oftentimes, your rejection is saving you from making that very same statement. Obviously, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll land in the best place ever- perhaps you’ll even need to switch mid-year. Sometimes, we think that we have to be in “X” program, and have to be in the “X” area. Although it is not the most fun route, we may have to go to the place where we think we belong, as a means of understanding that that’s not really where we belong. There are plenty of people who did not go to the most ideal program for them, so they transfer, and appreciate their new program so much more and have a terrific year.
Being Yourself
These words may sound extremely cliche, nevertheless, the recruiter is looking to see if you fit into their program. If you have to act like someone else to get into the program- what are you even interviewing for? Why would you want to go to a place that doesn’t match your idiosyncrasies and interests? (Probably because you just want to go with your friends- which is a bad reason to pursue a program). If you have to fake it to make it, then that program isn’t right for you. Only look at places you legitimately want to go to and think will be to your best benefit.
What to Expect
Every place is testing for if you’re a genuinely nice person, if your interests match with the program’s values, and if you convey a clear interest in the program.
For yeshivas, the second aspect of the interview will likely test your Hebrew/learning proficiency levels, depending on how advanced the place is. Some programs will test you on a specific tosfos or rashi on a Gemara, and other places may just have you read a few lines of a Gemara. Some places don't use your Jewish/Hebrew proficiency skills as a selection factor at all, but just to gauge what level you’re holding at. You may need to ask alumni or the teacher who does Israel-gap year guidance at your school to determine the difficulty of the interview.
The recruiter will likely ask what interests you have in Judaism, why you want to go to Israel, and why are you specifically interested in their program. Your answers should be clearly sincere and/or unique. Your answer can be typical, but if that is a truthful answer- it is a great one, even if it sounds typical.
Come Prepared
Have at least 5 questions ready for the end. Some of the questions you had ready, may be discussed mid-interview. So, for the formal Q&A at the end, you should have extra questions prepared. Having 5 or more questions prepared will also allow you to use one of those questions mid-interview if it is appropriate to do so. If the conversation is going well, and you have a relevant question to keep the conversation going, go ahead and use one of your prepared questions.
Also, ask good questions. Don’t look stupid asking questions that can be answered on the front page of their website. Nevertheless, you can preface a question from something you got from their website to show the recruiter you did your research. Like saying: "I saw that your program goes on weekly chessed trips to places like "_" orphanage and "_" center for kids with disabilities. By the end of the year, what are the main takeaways that students have from these chessed experiences?”
That’s about it. Best of luck.
