Activity 1: The Job Interview


Scenario:

Imagine you’re at a mock job interview for a position you’re genuinely interested in. This exercise allows you to practice formal introductions, articulate your qualifications, and ask pertinent questions about the job.

Instructions:

  1. Student A (Interviewer):
  • Begin the role-play by welcoming the interviewee and introducing the company and the role.
  • Example: “Good afternoon. Welcome to [Company Name]. I’m [Interviewer’s Name], and I’ll be conducting the interview for the [Job Title] position. Please, have a seat.”
  1. Student B (Interviewee):
  • Start with a formal greeting and introduce yourself.
  • Example: “Good afternoon. Thank you for having me. My name is [Your Name], and I’m very excited for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position.”
  1. Interviewer (Student A):
  • Ask common interview questions related to the job and the candidate’s qualifications. For instance:
    • “Can you tell us about your relevant experience?”
    • “What skills do you bring to this role?”
    • “How do you handle [specific challenge relevant to the job]?”
  • Example: “Certainly. Can you share some details about your previous experience that make you a good fit for this role?”
  1. Interviewee (Student B):
  • Respond professionally and highlight your qualifications, skills, and any relevant experiences.
  • Example: “Of course. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I was responsible for [specific tasks or achievements]. This experience equipped me with strong [relevant skills] which I believe would be valuable in this position.”
  1. Interviewer (Student A):
  • After the candidate’s response, follow up with additional questions or prompts as necessary. This could include questions about how the candidate handles specific situations, or any specialized knowledge they might have.
  • Example: “That’s impressive. Can you give an example of a time when you had to [address a specific challenge relevant to the job]?”
  1. Interviewee (Student B):
  • Provide a specific example or situation, showcasing your problem-solving abilities or relevant experience.
  • Example: “Certainly. In my previous role, we faced a similar challenge where [describe the situation and your approach to resolving it].”
  1. Interviewer (Student A):
  • Towards the end of the interview, invite the candidate to ask any questions they may have about the company or the role.
  • Example: “Now that we’ve discussed the role, do you have any questions for us?”
  1. Interviewee (Student B):
  • Ask relevant questions about the company culture, team dynamics, or any specific responsibilities of the role that were not covered during the interview.
  • Example: “Yes, I’m interested to know more about the team dynamics and how this role interacts with other departments.”
  1. Interviewer (Student A):
  • Conclude the interview by thanking the candidate for their time and expressing interest in their potential contribution to the company.
  • Example: “Thank you for taking the time to interview with us. We appreciate your interest in [Company Name]. We will be in touch soon regarding the next steps in the hiring process.”

Conclusion:

This role-play exercise not only allows you to practice formal interview etiquette but also provides an opportunity to articulate your qualifications effectively. Remember, preparation and confidence are key to acing any job interview.


By engaging in this mock job interview, students can gain valuable experience in presenting themselves professionally and effectively answering common interview questions. It’s a valuable exercise for anyone preparing for real job interviews in the future.