physical, mental & emotional preparations for your USEM interview

[dbears 1]

Well, we have read all those document related preparations. Now, could we hear also about all the other special kind of preparations from those who have had their interviews and also for those who have upcoming interviews?

e.g. 1. did you or will you go to a spa a day before just to relax all your senses and be more emotionally and mentally ready for the interview?

2. prayed the rosary 10x just to make sure mother mary hears and extends help?

3. attended prayer warriors rally to have them pray over you and for you?

4. did you or will you memorize tons of basic infos about your fiance/fiancee (name of first pet, his/her fist crush, favorite subject in high school, favorite music, etc.) just in case they'd be asked during the interview?

5. did you or will you buy or have a dress made specially for the interview? if so, what style?: casual dress or strictly professional looking?

anything you guys (especially those who have done it already) can share will be of great help to all the future interviewees so pls share away.

[marie_9 0]

Well, we have read all those document related preparations. Now, could we hear also about all the other special kind of preparations from those who have had their interviews and also for those who have upcoming interviews?

e.g. 1. did you or will you go to a spa a day before just to relax all your senses and be more emotionally and mentally ready for the interview?

2. prayed the rosary 10x just to make sure mother mary hears and extends help?

3. attended prayer warriors rally to have them pray over you and for you?

4. did you or will you memorize tons of basic infos about your fiance/fiancee (name of first pet, his/her fist crush, favorite subject in high school, favorite music, etc.) just in case they'd be asked during the interview?

5. did you or will you buy or have a dress made specially for the interview? if so, what style?: casual dress or strictly professional looking?

anything you guys (especially those who have done it already) can share will be of great help to all the future interviewees so pls share away.

Hi! am going to have my interview on Feb. 14 and so far, the main thing am preparing right now are the documents, but talking about preparation physically, emotionally and mentally am making sure am physically fit to make sure I'll be present on my interview day! Praying to God always to give me healthy body and keep me away from any form of illnesses. Am drinking buko juice during the day and hot milk at night, il go to a spa before my interview day.. am sure it will help to relax my mind and body. Of course like you said, it's important to know the basic things about your fiance/husband.. in my case, I always ask my hubby what is his kuya's name (keep forgetting it!! hehe) mare sure you know his family members (names i mean).. Am making sure also that I know the basic info at the forms we submitted, and keep recalling the first things about our relationships such as first date, first dish, first gifts, and so on.. regarding mode of dressing, it's better to stick to a professional look like one of the member here posted in her interview experience, so to let the consul know that u mean business, as she qouted.. (slack pants and a blouse with collar will do) about praying.. well, pray to God only.. He's the only source of our strength and intelligence. God Bless us all

Edited January 28, 2008 by marie_9

[dwiz123 0]

Just be yourself!

[Sha and Scott 0]

My interview will be on Feb. 8 and yeah, I’m a little nervous already but I’m trying not to worry that much so I can be at ease and be myself during my interview. As to the preparation, I’m still working on the documents which I need to bring. I have to arrange and compile it in a way in which it will be just easy for me to remember and to pull out from the designated folders. I’m also trying to compile the questions posted in here by those members who already have their interview, just a little review materials in case I have overlooked something.

And most of all, I believe PRAYERS will be a big help. I have such great faith that GOD will guide me with the process and I’m sticking to that.

And for my attire during the interview, I just bought a new dress. It’s a semi-casual dress with collar and sleeves, almost like a typical Sunday dress. (Like I’m attending a baptism, heheheh, or having my first communion, heheheh). It’s not necessary that one should wear a dress for the interview, slacks and blouse with collar will do. I just choose a dress coz I don’t like slacks that much. I prefer dresses or skirts and blouses. I believe one should wear something she’s very comfortable of.

And oh, I’m planning to go to the spa too. Hope I can have enough time for that coz I would still be working the day before I’ll fly to Manila.

Good luck to us!

And God Bless!!!

[jom 4]

Day before the interview I talked to Joe online the whole day until about 4pm Philippine time until he could no longer open his eyes and had to sleep, lol. Had a nice dinner and bought food for breakfast. Evening time, I had my final document check if everything was there then reviewed the sample questions I copied from this site.

On what to wear, had to be professional looking so the consul knows you mean business,lol. I stayed with a fellow VJ member, Reggie in the same hotel so we ended up talking about the men until 12midnight. Woke up at about 430 am and after talking to our men, my sister and mother also called ( they called early to wish us luck) we were already on board the taxi to the USEM at about 5am for our 730am interview and by 9:30 we were both finished and gave the taxi driver a bit tip on our way back to the hotel because we were so happy.

Maybe a spa will help you relax,lol but the night before the interview day you will be awake and thinking how it will be. The bottom line is, just be confident and positive. As long as you have all the documents required in the packet 4, you are good to go. And of course, say a prayer before you enter the consul's room

Myla

Edited January 28, 2008 by jom

[mnieto 2]

I guess the most important thing is not to freak out about something you cannot influence. I'll try to make sure that I have all of my documents together, plenty of proof about our relationship and love, all papers signed and translated if necessary....stuff like that.

I'll try to have a positive attitude and be in good spirits,have enough sleep the night before the interview and the MOST important thing:

no silly quarrel with him about stupid stuff shortly before the interview!

No seriously, there's nothing much we can do except having the necessary paperwork together, calm down, look nice and friendly during the interview, do some meditation and pray beforehand and - take it from there....

Everything happens for a reason and is in God's hands anyway....

All the best of luck for our upcoming interviews!!!

Rahela

[David-and-Mae 15]

Well, we have read all those document related preparations. Now, could we hear also about all the other special kind of preparations from those who have had their interviews and also for those who have upcoming interviews?

e.g. 1. did you or will you go to a spa a day before just to relax all your senses and be more emotionally and mentally ready for the interview?

2. prayed the rosary 10x just to make sure mother mary hears and extends help?

3. attended prayer warriors rally to have them pray over you and for you?

4. did you or will you memorize tons of basic infos about your fiance/fiancee (name of first pet, his/her fist crush, favorite subject in high school, favorite music, etc.) just in case they'd be asked during the interview?

5. did you or will you buy or have a dress made specially for the interview? if so, what style?: casual dress or strictly professional looking?

anything you guys (especially those who have done it already) can share will be of great help to all the future interviewees so pls share away.

And yes, I did pray the whole time that I was inside USEM. As for the new outfit that I wore during the interview, it's just a casual one - white jeans, 3/4 blouse. You really don't have to memorize all the infos about your fiance/petitioner if you have known him that well. But because there's a possibility that you'll get mentally-blocked, mind-game won't be so bad. It's like while waiting for your turn, challenge your brain with questions i.e. When was *fiance* previous marriage ended? How many kids does he have? Can you name them all? ETC. Of course, these questions may not be asked but it's so much better that you know your fiance by heart and at the same time, you can recall everything even if you're under pressure or too nervous.

Making friends with fellow interviewees will help you relax. During my time, I even ambushed those who got out of the CO's booths and asked them what kind of questions they were asked. It helped me prepare answers if ever it will be asked to me too. But I found out that the questions were basically about you and your petitioner and your relationship. Once you are at ease in front of the CO, the interview will be like you are talking to a friend and proudly telling him/her about your love for your fiance and how the relationship started, working and will work in the future. Look the CO in the eye and if the question is to prove how sincere your love for your fiance, express it with conviction, without batting an eye. Believe me, it works. The entire interview, I looked the CO in the eye, it hurts after I was through. I realized, I didn't blink, not even once.

Goodluck to all with upcoming interview! Aim yourself with honest heart, famous sweet smile and of course, all the documents you need.

--Mae

P.S.

Don't stress yourself too much. I did that and as a result of being a full-blown worrywart, I was sick from the time that I had to have the medical until the day that I had the interview (even after the interview). I only felt better after I received my visa.

Edited January 28, 2008 by David-Mae Forever

[sofia2009 1]

Just be yourself!

Agree!Also answer the question based upon what you know and the truth and you don't have to worry about what kind of question the CO will ask..You just putting pressure on yourself when you try to worry about all those question and try to learn the answer..The CO will not expected you to know everything..Be confident and strong!It is just about 5 minutes conversation..You can do better than that!

[joemaria 0]

Just be yourself and ardently pray.

Honestly i made my self relax a month before my interview, i didnt think of it as much as possible I only remember it when someone ask me, lol! You dont need to memorize in detail abt ur fiance/hubby if u really know him well...be honest in ur interview and be patient waiting for ur visa.

[dbears 1]

We've just RE-STARTED our visa journey.. re-started in the sense that we just changed focus from an 8-8-08 beach wedding here in the Philippines which would have qualified us for the I-130/k3 visa... golly! 6 months (july-1st week of jan.) of wedding preparations and nonrefundable deposits on local wedding vendors down the drain.

Since we just submitted I-129F on January 29, interview is still so far down the road, but i will surely take all your advise to heart:)... heck, i might even start doing yoga as early as now. I don't have problem with infos about my guy, I believe our pre-marriage preparations (quizzing and grilling each other using online pre-marriage preparation tools) since we were engaged june last year will surely come in handy... but of course, i will surely have a body spa a day before the interview. ..

As for prayers, that has been a major part of our relationship long before... Everything is in His hands.

thanks for all the wonderful interview tips.. Congrats to all who have passed it and good luck to those who will be having it soon!!!

[mikeandlani 0]

prayers helped me a lot. chat with people around you to help you relax. get a good night's rest. as to information about your SO, know it by heart. there's less chance you'd get rattled during the interview if you do. i only wore my regular office attire to the interview. but as has been mentioned, wear what you're most comfortable in, as you would exude more confidence if you do.

let me share the Memo i saw tacked on my COs corkboard, i cant quote it verbatim, but here goes:

Do not deny unnecessarily. Look for:

1. Identity;

2. Relationship;

3. Eligibility/Authenticity (i'm not certain which is which between these 2)

i think knowing that these are the guidelines they use, would help everyone prepare for their respective interviews.

Goodluck everyone and God bless!

lani

[dbears 1]

prayers helped me a lot. chat with people around you to help you relax. get a good night's rest. as to information about your SO, know it by heart. there's less chance you'd get rattled during the interview if you do. i only wore my regular office attire to the interview. but as has been mentioned, wear what you're most comfortable in, as you would exude more confidence if you do.

let me share the Memo i saw tacked on my COs corkboard, i cant quote it verbatim, but here goes:

Do not deny unnecessarily. Look for:

1. Identity;

2. Relationship;

3. Eligibility/Authenticity (i'm not certain which is which between these 2)

i think knowing that these are the guidelines they use, would help everyone prepare for their respective interviews.

Goodluck everyone and God bless!

lani

WOW! Those items sure speak a lot! This is great and very reassuring info. Thanks for sharing this. Everyone who is in genuine relationship will surely pass these 3 guidelines.... pending of course, medical problems and other things beyond our control.

[RIDION 0]

Be yourself. Know the basics about your man (his Mom's maiden name, just to be sure ). Prayers do help.

And be presentable but don't ever wear heels!

Good luck & God bless.

Edited February 3, 2008 by RIDION

[dbears 1]

Be yourself. Know the basics about your man (his Mom's maiden name, just to be sure ). Prayers do help.

And be presentable but don't ever wear heels!

Good luck & God bless.

why are heels no, no?

[Sha and Scott 0]

Oh my, I don't have flat shoes. Why is it a no, no to wear high heels? :-(