INTERVIEW TRAINING
(2 sessions)
FOCUS
This class will prepare students to interview for jobs and college admissions.
We will focus on the following key areas:
A. How to answer questions correctly, i.e. give the appropriate information and illustrate
with examples.
B. What are appropriate questions to ask throughout the interview in order to show interest
and enthusiasm for the opportunity – preparation of written questions to bring to the
interview.
C. How to answer questions relating to money: “Please make me a reasonable offer”
D. How to properly end an interview and ask for the job – the three part close
Students will be expected to show ability and awareness of these four areas at the
mock interviews.
Session I
1. Introduction – Introduce yourself and tell the class what your career is.
CLASS ACTIVITY: Ask the Students what they would like to find out about interviewing and
write their questions on the board.
2. How do you prepare for the interview (in person or phone)?
(*Ask the class: How many students are currently working? How many people have been on
interviews before? How did it go? How many got the job? How many would have liked to get
more money? )
 Completing the application: leave salary desired open. Review spelling and accuracy of
information.
 Prepare at least 10 written questions about the company, the job and the people who work
there.
 Bring resume, references (former boss, teacher, mentor), social security card, driver’s
license, work permit (if first job)
 Appropriate dress (blend in) – (What do you wear?)
 Cell phones off (or leave in your car)
 Arrive early (arrive at least 5-10 minutes before & be prepared)
3. Goal of the interview: Getting an offer or getting the job?
 It is important to focus on getting the offer – no offer, no choices! If you get an offer, you
can negotiate.
 Who gets offers? Ask the class questions until they figure out the following: to make an
offer, they must like you!

What makes you likeable: showing interest through asking questions and giving complete
answers.
4. First impressions (why is this important?)
 Enter with a smile, walk, do not amble!, firm handshake, maintain eye contact. State your name
clearly and sit down when asked to do so.
CLASS ACTIVITY: Students come up to you in front of the class, make eye contact, shake hands
and state their name. First impression is important. Have class critique them. Ask class for
volunteers and have the class critique the volunteers.
 Discuss: Personality: body language, volume of voice, etc.
 Discuss Mirroring technique: mirror the interviewer- Ex: if they are laughing and smiling, you
laugh and smile. If they are very serious and intent, you need to do the same.
5. Ping pong game
 You are asking questions to get and give information
 Don’t say “ok” as your only answer: (3 words to avoid in an interview- Yes, No, Ok)
 Practice the ping pong game: Draw on the board a ping pong table with stick figures to show
class how it works – answering questions, commenting and then asking questions back and
offering a comment. Interactive conversation. Give info and get info by asking a question.
CLASS ACTIVITY: use this dialogue to role play the Ping Pong Game:
What not to do:
Student 1: I really like your shirt! Where did you buy it?
Student 2: I got it at Target.
Student 1: OK (this is where you’ve dropped the ball!)
How to do it right:
Student 1: I really like your shirt. Where did you buy it?
Student 2: I bought it at Target.
Student 1: Really? I was there yesterday looking for this type of shirt, but I did not see these.
(Student 1 has now shared some info about himself!)
What not to do:
Student 1: How many people work in this store?
Student 2: We have 3 people per shift.
Student 1: OK
How to do it right:
Student 1: How many people work in this store?
Student 2: We have 3 people per shift
Student 1: That is good, because I like working as part of a team and I have noticed that you’re
store is very busy. (Student 1 has given some good information about himself and shown that he
has done some research about the place.)
 Discuss active listening
6. Answering tough questions: Preparation and Practice!
 Tell me something about yourself: asking clarifying/focusing questions back!:
o What exactly would you like me to talk about?
o What part of my experience would you like me to describe to you?
 What do you want your career/profession to be and why are you making that choice?
o Describe your experience: The experience should relate directly
to the position you are applying for.
 Handout: Typical interview questions (time permitting, practice a few of them with the class,
where one student asks the questions and designates another to answer)
7. Asking Questions during the interview
Projecting interest: You do this by asking good questions. Ask class what they think are some
good questions to ask during an interview.
ACTIVITY: Encourage them to come up with questions about
 the company and it’s product or service,
 their customers
 the job
 the training
 and the advancement potential
 the work hours
 the team environment.
Hand out: Sample interview questions worksheet and encourage students to use it at the mock
interviews. Have them practice answering these questions orally or in writing as their homework.
SESSION 2
Start your lesson with a recap: have students come up to you, shake hands, say their name,
and make good eye contact. Answer any questions they might have from previously
covered material. Review answering questions, briefly, short role playing session with class
using ping pong technique.
8. Questions you should not ask at this stage (explain why!) :
 Will I have a window in my office?
 Will you give me a PC for my home?
 Money (salary)
9. Why are you leaving your company? (if applicable)
 Do not answer in the negative. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your career goals. See if
you can find matches with some of the things that you heard before.
10. Discussing Salary (or how to avoid the answer)
CLASS ACTIVITY: role playing
 What is your current salary? (Tell them in detail what you are making) *Let the interviewer/mgr
give a number first and negotiate up, instead of negotiating down the number you give)
 What will bring you on board? (I am currently making….If we have a good match, I would be
ready to consider a reasonable offer)
 I must have a figure! (Since I don’t have the details yet, about the benefits of the company, I’m
not in a position to make a decision.) *Ask the interviewer/mgr, where do you see me fitting in, in
terms of $ compared to other employees.
11. Do you have any other questions?
 Do not say that you don’t have any. Take this opportunity to set yourself apart by asking good,
well thought out questions about the company and your potential with them.
CLASS ACTIVITY: Sample questions to ask: *Use these questions with the Ping Pong hand out.
 What do you think is the most important thing I need to know about this job?
 What kinds of opportunities might there be for me to learn new skills here?
 Will I be trained on the job by you or someone else?
 What team/group would I be a part of?
 What are the responsibilities of the job?
 What made you decide to work for this company?
 Is there anything else you need to know about me?
12. The three part close
CLASS ACTIVITY: role playing
 Part 1: Show understanding of the position by briefly recapping the main themes of the
conversation.
 Part 2: Tell them that you can do the job.
 Part 3: Tell them you are interested. Ask about the next step and the timeframe for making a
decision. (What is the next step)? Ask for a business card for follow-up. Offer to provide
references. Thank them for taking the time to meet with you.
13. Telephone interview
 Be prepared, it’s formal
 Have resume handy and be prepared to take notes
 Use a high quality phone; smile and control your voice volume. Stand up to project confidence.
14. After the interview: Follow up
 Send thank you note (hand written or email) within 2 days
 Follow-up with phone call within 1 week with pertinent question. This shows you are interested.
15. Resources
 http://interview.monster.com
 http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Career Bytes/Articles.sapx
 www.srg.net
16. Conclusion
 Play a game with the class. (See attachment: Jobs for student interviews) Cut the boxes and
fold them and put into a hat. Have a volunteer from the class pick one and read the job to the
class. Then that volunteer has to interview for that job with the teacher being the interviewer.
Class can critique when finished.