Interviews

Interviews can be one of the more crucial elements in the job searching process and it can play an important role in the university application process as well. In the button below you will be able to access to some generic interview practice, please remember to see your university counsellor if you have an interview for a work shadowing opportunity, a job application or as part of your university application process. 

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Activity 1: Let's start by introducing ourselves. For this activity I would like for each one of you to look for a random image which you can relate to, and you should introduce yourself to the audience for 2 minutes (you should learn to estimate this without looking at your watch or phone) and explain how you relate to the picture you have selected. The objective is for you to learn to time yourself as well as gaining confidence when talking in front of others.

Activity 2: Please answer the following questions:

1. Why do you think companies have job interviews?

2. What do you think you should do at a job interview to be successful?

3. What shouldn’t you do at a job interview?

We will discuss this as a group.

Activity 3: Let's discuss the following text.

Are you preparing for a job interview? A job interview can be challenging if you have not done it before, or if it’s been a while since you have interviewed. Companies use job interviews to get to know you, learn about your work experience and skills, and to see if you would be a fit for an open position. Because first impressions at a job interview are very important, it’s necessary to present yourself in a positive way. When you are at an interview, you are also looking to see if the company is a fit for you. Being prepared will help you to overcome any uncertainty you feel about interviews. There are techniques you can practice that will give you confidence. There are also tips you can learn that will make your interview experience a success. 

Activity 4: Let's revise some important vocabulary

1. Experience: what you have learned from doing a job or going to school, e.g., volunteer, work, intern.

2. Skills: your talents or ability to do an activity or job well, e.g., customer service, communication, planning, computer.

3. Fit: whether a job is right for you.

4. First Impression: what a person first thinks about you when they meet you.

5. Techniques: a way of doing something by using special knowledge or skills.

6. Confidence: a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something.

7. Job Applicant: the person who applies for a job.

8. Employer: the company or organization that has a job opening.

9. Accomplishment: your achievements or things you have done very well.

Activity 5: Look at the following list of DOs and DON'Ts:

Let's discuss the following:

* Why is it important to prepare in advance? Where can you learn more about the company? (Website, from friends, etc.)

* What does it mean to dress nicely? e.g. no sweat suits, wrinkled clothes, shorts, etc.

* Why should you arrive early?

* How can you show that you are respectful?

* Discuss positive “body language” (when you shake hands -if applicable, smile, make eye contact)

* Why breathe and be relaxed?

* How can you show a positive attitude during the interview?

* Why should you give specific examples when you respond to questions?

* What does it mean to be thorough? Concise?

* Why should you tell the truth?

* Why shouldn’t you do the things listed under “Don’ts?”

* Note that “fidget” means movement, typically a repeated one, caused by nervousness.

* Why do you think that this list of tips will help you have a successful interview?

Activity 6: Questions You Might Be Asked at an Interview (some of these will only be relevant once you are working)

​Tell me about yourself.

Talk briefly about your background including 1-2 key accomplishments to show why you are the best person for the job.

​Why do you want this job? ​

​Talk about why you are a fit for the job and how you can make a difference if you worked there.

​What do you know about our company? ​

​Based on research you do before the interview, share what you know about the company and why you are interested in joining.

​Use three words to describe yourself. ​

Think of three words that describe your strengths and show that you fit the job requirements, e.g., energetic, problem-solver, customer focused. Think of the IB learner profile and the ATL skills.

What are your strengths? ​

Think about your top 2-3 strengths or skills. Talk briefly about them with good examples, why they qualify you for the job and set you apart from other job applicants. You can use the online assessments available on this website to help you identify strengths.

What are your weaknesses? ​

Talk about how a “weakness” can actually be a strength. For example, if you are a perfectionist, say how you can use it to help you to do an excellent job (detail oriented, excellent follow through, etc.). ​

What are the responsibilities at your current job? 

This question will be oriented towards your responsibilities at school and in your personal life.

Briefly describe what you do in your current job (or at school / outside school) and how it relates to the one you are applying for. ​

Why do you want to leave your current company? ​

Talk about your interests to grow and learn new things.

​Why was there a gap in your employment between [insert date] and [insert date]? ​

Be honest. Explain the reason, e.g., took a gap year, etc. ​

​Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of. ​

Describe the accomplishment with examples of why you are proud of it.

​Tell me about a time you made a mistake.

Briefly share the mistake, but focus on how you corrected it. ​

Tell me how you handled a difficult customer. 

This could be asked as a conflict you have experienced at school. Give a specific example of how you handled a difficult customer situation well. What skills did you use? Why were you effective?

When can you start working? ​

Provide a potential start date (include “notice” if you are leaving an employer). A start date that is two or three weeks in the future is common. ​

Why should we hire you? ​

​Use this as an opportunity to sell your strengths and why you are a great fit for the job.

Do you have any questions for me?

​Always ask a question. Based on what you hear in the interview, ask a question such as “You mentioned that you have some problems with customer service. Can you tell me a little more about the current situation and what the first challenges would be for the new person?". Whilst carrying out your research previous to the interview, you should have prepared 2 or 3 questions to ask during the interview. ​

Additional resources: Please refrain from reviewing the questions in the file below until after your mock interview with your counsellor or until your counsellor suggests exploring them. Remember, maintaining the element of surprise when encountering interview questions is crucial.

Activity 7: Practice Interviewing

PART 1: Pick a job description that interests you. Prepare for a job interview by writing the answers to the questions we discussed before. 

​PART 2: Pick a partner and share the job description with him or her. Your partner will play the role of the employer. Pretend you are at an interview and answer the questions. Switch roles. 

Some more important interview tips:

We have discussed possible questions and answers, but there is much more to the interview than what is spoken. We need to look at body language.

Please remember that according that some of the following pieces of advise might not be applicable in every situation or country. It is always important to understand the cultural norms and what is considered appropriate.

Body language

Other types of interviews

Do all interviews consist of an interviewer and an interviewee only? No, there are different types of interviews. The following video will briefly discuss what an Assessment Centre is.

Concluding activity: We will discuss the different types of interviews you might face.