Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will have a solid understanding of successful job interviewing skills, including how to prepare for an interview, answer common interview questions, and present themselves confidently. The student will also develop a personalized interview preparation checklist.

Materials and Prep

• Notebook and pen for note-taking
• Mirror for practicing body language and facial expressions
• List of common interview questions (can be created together during the lesson)
• Timer (optional, for practice sessions)

Before the lesson, it would be helpful to have a brief discussion about the student's career interests and any specific jobs they are considering, so that the lesson can be tailored to their needs.

Activities

• Interview Role-Play: Conduct a mock interview where the teacher plays the role of the interviewer. Use common interview questions and provide constructive feedback on the student's answers and body language.
• Body Language Workshop: Use a mirror to practice maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using appropriate gestures. Discuss how these non-verbal cues can impact an interview.
• Personalized Interview Checklist: Help the student create a checklist of things to prepare before an interview, such as researching the company, preparing questions to ask, and dressing appropriately.
• Success Stories: Share a few success stories of people who nailed their interviews. Discuss what they did right and how those strategies can be applied.

Talking Points

• "Preparation is key. The more you prepare, the more confident you'll feel during the interview." - Discuss the importance of researching the company and understanding the job description.
• "Practice makes perfect. The more you practice answering questions, the more natural it will feel." - Emphasize the value of rehearsing answers to common interview questions.
• "Your body language speaks volumes. Make sure your non-verbal cues align with your verbal message." - Explain how body language can influence the interviewer's perception.
• "Asking questions shows your interest. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer." - Highlight the importance of engaging the interviewer and demonstrating curiosity about the role.
• "Follow-up is crucial. Sending a thank-you note can leave a lasting impression." - Discuss the significance of following up after an interview to express gratitude and reinforce interest in the position.