How to Teach Interviewing Techniques

Prepare your students to be effective interviewees

Interviewing is requisite for obtaining a job in nearly any field. As a teacher, you can prepare your students for the workforce by engaging them in interview activities that both teach them the techniques of effective interviewing and offer them the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills. Interviewing lessons often intrigue students because these lessons offer them the uncommon opportunity to talk about their interests and sing their own praises while selling themselves as candidates for hypothetical jobs.

Instructions

1. Discuss the do's and don't of interviews. All interviewees must know what they should and shouldn't do at an interview. Begin by asking students what they think interviewees should and shouldn't do. Students will likely be able to suggest some common items like "Do dress up" or "Don't be late." Record the student's suggestions on the chalkboard. After creating a list with your students, round it out by adding more specific do's and don'ts such as "Do ask questions" or "Don't ramble on when answering questions."

2. Engage students in the creation of interview do's and don'ts posters. By having your students create do's and don'ts posters, you can cement their understanding of the rules. Assign each pupil a do or don't and ask her to create a poster featuring the rule. Place the completed posters on a classroom wall.

3. Review standard interview questions. While no two interviews are exactly the same, some interview questions are standard, and interviewees should prepare for these questions. Prior to your lessons, create a list of standard interview questions, including common queries such as "Tell me about yourself" or "What are your strengths/weaknesses." When composing your questions, create queries that could be applicable to an assortment of jobs. Aim for around 10 questions so students are not overwhelmed by the list. Provide your students with this sample list of interview questions.

4. View videos of interviews with pupils. Obtain videos of sample interviews to review with your pupils. Purchase these videos from educational video companies, or obtain videos from Internet video sources such as YouTube.

5. Engage your students in a critique of each interview. After watching each video, ask your pupils to reflect upon what the interviewee did well as well as what he did poorly. Encourage your students to think about the previously learned do's and don'ts while completing this task.

6. Hold mock interviews. Mock interviews give students the opportunity to try out their interview techniques. Sit down with each student individually and interview her as if you were a potential employer and she is interviewing for a job. Discuss the effectiveness of her interview with her after the mock interview.

References

• Money Instructor: Job Interviews

Resources

• University of Texas: Interview tips and Sample Questions