Got the e-mail yesterday; I’ve got an in-person in Tampa on March 21.
I’ve read the couple of threads floating around here about past experiences, but if anyone feels like offering any advice, anecdotes, or whatever, feel free.
As near as I can tell, I’ve got three basic decisions to make:
[ol]
[li]What to answer to the question, “How will you spend your winnings?” I’m leaning toward, “a SCUBA diving trip to the Maldives or Indonesia.”[/li][li]What to wear (this is actually pretty minor, but any advice is welcome), and,[/li][li]Whether to drive out that morning or the night before. I’m out on the opposite coast, and it’ll take me 2-1/2 hours or so to drive over to Tampa. My appointment is at 9AM, so I wouldn’t have to get up stupid early, but I’m not much of a morning person. I might be more relaxed and with it if I go out the night before.[/li][/ol]
I have to find moderately interesting things to say about myself, but I actually don’t think that will be too hard. I’m a house-husband (who used to be a mechanical engineer), and I think that’s still unusual enough to differentiate myself a bit. My favorite hobby is SCUBA diving, so I can mention having been cage diving with great white sharks. Then it starts to get a little more difficult.
You already sound WAY more interesting than I ever did, and I got on.
If I can suggest anything, it’s this: have fun. Seriously- they KNOW you’re smart because you passed the written test. The best thing you can do is relax, and have fun during the mock rounds of the game. This isn’t Let’s Make a Deal, so you don’t have to be silly or crazy, but it will help a lot if you appear to be lively. You don’t have to be over the top, but it will be helpful for your cause if you show some energy.
I’d second astorian’s suggestion of being enthusiastic. Everybody who gets past the written tests is a person who knows random stuff, they now want to make sure you won’t act like a robot on TV.
Make sure you follow the rules - don’t buzz in before they’re finished reading the clue, phrase things in the form of a question, etc.
I don’t think any of us can advise you on when to drive out. You need to decide for yourself which option will leave you the most on-the-ball and enthusiastic - an early morning and a long drive, or sleeping in a strange bed.
Wear what you see Jeopardy contestants wearing on TV. You’ll be fine in a button-down shirt and nice pants, but IMO you can’t go wrong with a suit.