City and Guilds – L1 5546
Unit 407
Interview Skills
Tutor Notes
Timing
Topic & Activity
Resources
This session plan is for Unit 407 Interview Skills, which is 3 credits.
Each assessment criteria is listed against the appropriate activity in the
learner workbooks.
NB it is important that before you print out the portfolios, you enter
the address of your own learning centre.
Session Resources
The sessions 1 – 9 below should take approximately 7 hours to deliver.
Session 10 will take 40 minutes, plus an extra 5 minutes per learner
Session 11 will take approximately 30 minutes per learner
Resources required:
 Flip chart, pens, paper
 Laptops/desktops with internet access
 Activity workbooks
 PowerPoint
 Hand-out employability_skills_handout_types_of_interview
 Cards with Do and Don’t questions
 E learning modules. 104216EM02 Preparing for an interview
Preparation
For Activity 3 (planning to travel to an interview) – you should identify a
location to be used as the interview venue. The location you choose
should be in your town/city, but not too close to the learndirect centre,
(so that the learners cannot simply copy their travel directions to the
centre). Choose a civic building, such as a Town Hall, or an office or
retail headquarters, preferably on a bus route.
Give this venue to the learners when you set activity 3.
Use of e-learning
The e learning programme is used in this course as an interactive way
for the learners to gain knowledge. It does not form part of the
assessment.
15 mins
Learning Objectives
In today’s session you will completing the following objectives which will
form part of the evidence for your qualification. It is really important that
you understand these objectives and as we go through each one you
can ask questions about them.
Slide 2
Slide 2 The learning objectives are:
By the end of this session you will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Version: 1
State the information you need to prepare for an interview
Research company information to take to your interview
Prepare to travel to your interview
List the key considerations when preparing for an interview
Describe and demonstrate key interview skills
Page 2 of 11
Timing
Topic & Activity
6. Reflect on your performance
Resources
30 mins
Activity 1. Types of Interview
Slide3
Workbook
activity 1
Now we are moving on to look at the job interview itself.
Let’s start by thinking about the different types of interviews that you
might come across.
Show slide 3 - Ask the group for any ideas, then click to reveal
answers.
Divide learners into pairs and refer them to activity 1 in the workbooks.
Return to group and take their answers –
Tutor note – the answers are attached at appendix 1 of this session
plan.
60 mins
Activity 2. Preparing for an Interview
104216EM02
So now we know about different types of interviews let’s think about how
we prepare for them.
Preparing for
an interview
Workbook
activity 2
Divide learners into pairs and refer them to activity 2 in the workbooks
where they will login to their learning programme and find the course
104216EM02 Preparing for an interview.
The pairs are to complete the whole course. This should take
approximately 60 minutes.
30 mins
Tutor – support the learners with this activity.
Activity 3. Preparing to travel to an Interview
Workbook
activity 3
Show slide 4 – How you prepare for an interview.
Slide 4
We are going to start with the practical aspects, planning to get there
and what to wear.
Set the learners Activity 3 in the workbook. Provide learners with the
venue for the interview.
They must carry out the activity tasks:

Use an internet map site to find a route and timings from your
home address to the interview location.

Write down the documents will you bring with you to show proof
of ID and eligibility to work in the UK?
Return to group and discuss their answers.
Show slide 5.
Documents they may need to bring to an interview are:
• Passport or proof of residence
• Birth certificate if requested
• Copies of qualifications
• Driving licence if relevant to role
• National Insurance details
Version: 1
Page 3 of 11
Timing
Topic & Activity
• References
Resources
15 mins
Activity 4. What do you wear for interviews?
Slide 6
First impressions are important, so prepare your interview clothes
beforehand.
Discuss
What should you wear for an interview?
Does it depend on job role?
Workbook
activity 4
Learners can make notes at activity 4 in the workbooks
Show slide 6 to summarise
45 mins
Activity 5. Company Research
Workbook
activity 5
As you can see from the e-learning, you will make a better impression at
an interview if you know a little about the company and job you are
applying for.
internet
Ask learners “How can you research the company”
Look for:
 Internet
 Job advert
 Job description
 Visiting the company
 Talking to employees
Refer learners to activity 5 in the workbooks, where they will research
one of the companies they looked at when they were searching and
applying for a job. (Or if they failed to do that, research learndirect)
Tutor note – support the learners with the activity. Some of the answers
for learndirect are attached at appendix 2.
Return to group and ask what kind of information did they find and how
did it make them feel about the company?
120 mins
Activity 6. Interview Questions
Workbook
activity 6
Let’s move onto what happens during an interview.
There are three key things to think about during the interview. The first is
your appearance – which we have already covered.
Slide 7
The other two elements are what you say when you answer a question
and how you say it. Let’s look at what you say – the answers to
questions.
You can prepare beforehand for the kinds of questions that you might
get asked.
We’re going to look at some typical questions and answer them in a
group interview format. This gives you a chance to see some different
responses and consider the best way to answer that question.
Show slide 7 – Tips for a group interview
Version: 1
Page 4 of 11
Timing
Topic & Activity
Resources
Refer learners to activity 6 in the workbooks.
For each question you will be given 5 minutes to think about and note
down your answer.
After five minutes we will have a group interview, where each of you will
be asked the question and can give your answer.
Following that you can amend your written answer if you wish.
TUTOR NOTE
This session will run over 2 or 3 days. At the end of day 1 and/or 2,
remind learners that they will be having a mock interview on day 2
or 3 and that part of that will be dressing appropriately.
45 mins
Activity 7. Questions to ask an Interviewer
Cards with Do
and Don’t
questions.
Another thing that we need to prepare is questions that we might ask
and interviewer.
Back in the group – give each learner one of the questions cards. Note:
Ensure that all four “Do not ask” questions are handed out.
Workbook
activity 7
Slide 8
Each learner must tell the group what their question is and the group
must decide whether it is a good or bad question to ask an interviewer
and say why.
Tutor Note – observation of this exercise can add to evidence for this
criteria
After you have completed the group activity refer learners to Activity 7
in the workbooks:

Write down any questions you would like to ask an interviewer –
they may ones from the cards or others that you have thought of.
They should include questions about the company.

Add a short note to say what you say to an interviewer if you did not
understand a question.
Summarise by showing Slide 8. How to handle interview questions.
45 mins
Activity 8. How you say it
Workbook
activity 8
We have looked at:
How to present yourself and what to say, now let’s think about how you
say it. Divide Learners into teams. They have 15 minutes to complete
Activity 8 in the workbook. (Dos and Don’ts of non-verbal
communication)
After 15 minutes stop the teams and ask them to feedback their lists in
the main group.
Tutor Note: You could make this into a competition – the team getting
the most wins. Some answers are at appendix 3 of this session plan.
Version: 1
Page 5 of 11
Timing
Topic & Activity
Resources
60 – 90
mins
Activity 9. Presentations
Workbook
activity 9
(depending
upon
number of
learners)
Thinking back to the beginning of this session, one of the things that you
might be asked to do is prepare and deliver a presentation.
Discuss what types of presentations you could do :



Slide 9
Computer
Projector
Paper
pens
PowerPoint
Short narrative
Hand-outs
Usually you are sent the topic to present and how long your presentation
should be prior to the interview.
You are now going to prepare and deliver a presentation on one of these
two topics. - Show slide 9.
Refer learners to activity 9 in the workbooks and allow them 30 minutes
to prepare their individual presentations.
Return to group – each learner to present their presentation to the rest of
the group.
Tutor Note – the content is further evidence of criteria 1 and 2
30 mins per
person
Activity 10 Mock Interviews and Activity 11 Interview Reflection
Workbook
activities 10
and 11
Tutor – Create an interview timetable for the learners.
Refer learners to activity 10 in the workbooks.
Each of you will have a mock interview with me. I will ask you some
questions and give you feedback on your answers.
Whilst you are waiting for your interview you have the opportunity to
prepare for it or to carry on job searching or complete any unfinished
activities.
After your interview you should complete activity 11 in your workbooks,
reviewing your interview.
Tutor Note – the questions are attached at appendix 4 of this session
plan. After each interview, give verbal feedback to the learner, complete
the feedback form at appendix 5 of this session plan and hand the
completed form to the learner for use in activity 11.
At the end of all the mock interviews allow time for the last interviewee to
complete their review. During this time talk to each learner and check
their review activities and any other actions that are required.
15 mins
Summary
Complete of the assessment outcome sheet in the front of learners’
workbooks. Ask learners to verbally summarise one thing they have
learnt today.
Goodbye and see you tomorrow.
Version: 1
Page 6 of 11
Appendix 1. Types of Interview
Competency-based
Panel
Technical
Face-to-face
Presentation
Telephone
Group
Version: 1
These interviews are common and usually for job
roles that need specific skills and knowledge. You
will have to show how your experience meets the
requirements of the role.
Usually in a panel interview there is a panel chair
and other people known as panel members. Each
person will ask you questions during the interview.
It is good practice to direct your answer to the
person asking the question.
Technical Interviews are generally used for job roles
that have significant technical elements such as IT
or Science. You will be asked questions that will
show your technical knowledge or how you would
deal with a particular scenario.
This is an interview where you meet with the
interviewer in person, or by video conferencing or
Skype.
In some interviews you may be asked to give a
presentation. This allows possible employers to see
you understanding of the subject and your ability to
articulate yourself.
Telephone interviews are popular for reducing the
number of candidates who have applied for a job.
You may have time to prepare for a telephone
interview, but sometimes you are put on the spot.
These interviews are used so that the employer can
assess you as a team member. They are looking for
your leadership qualities, your communication skills
and how often you speak out.
Page 7 of 11
Appendix 2 Company Research
Name of the
Company
learndirect

What are its values?



Passionate We show pride, enthusiasm and dedication
in everything that we do, for our learners, our customers,
ourselves and each other.
Agile We positively embrace and respond quickly to
change through a flexible, proactive workforce that seizes
opportunities.
Courageous We challenge the norm, creating continuous
business improvement and opportunities through
entrepreneurial thinking balanced with a sound
commercial approach.
Empowering We trust and inspire people to do their best
and believe in themselves. We are open to a diversity of
ideas, approaches and points of view.


What services does
the company
provide?


Qualifications in everyday skills like Maths, English
and IT
Vocational qualifications and Apprenticeships in lots of
industries
Short online courses in subjects from software
packages to languages.
(whichever job the learner selects)
What is the job role?
https://jobs.learndirect.co.uk/Vacancy.aspx?MenuID=xCx
yEjU3b9E=
Inspiring people to realise their potential.
Please add any other
information you think
relevant
Version: 1
We are the UK’s largest provider of skills, training and
employment services. We’ve helped millions of people
like you gain the skills you need for work.
Page 8 of 11
Appendix 3 Dos and Don’ts – Body language
Don’t
Do

Greet the receptionist or
assistant with courtesy and
respect. This situation is where
you make your first impression
with the employer.

Chew gum during the interview

Have a limp or clammy handshake!

Fidget or move about

Shake hands firmly

Slouch

Smile

Smell like smoke

Sit upright and look alert and
interested at all times. .

Be aggressive


Let your nerves show too much
Make good eye contact


Touch your face
Show enthusiasm

Brush your teeth, use
mouthwash, or have a breath
mint before the interview.

Have a high confidence and
energy level,

Use your hands

Mirror the interviewer’s body
language
Version: 1
.
Page 9 of 11
Appendix 4. Interview Questions
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. Why do you want this job?
3. What are your key strengths or skills?
4. What would you describe as your greatest weakness?
5. Why did you leave your last job?
6. What achievements are you most proud of?
7. Tell me about a time when things didn’t go right and what you did?
8. What do you think makes excellent customer service?
9. Where would you like to be in five years?
10. What would you like to ask me?
Version: 1
Page 10 of 11
Appendix 5. Tutor Feedback – Mock Interviews
Learner Name:
Criteria
Tutor feedback
What went well?
How clear were the
learner responses?
How well did the
learner prepare?
Learner dress
code/hygiene – was
it appropriate
Learner body
language
Version: 1
Page 11 of 11