Teacher Script: Career Interview Prep

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought experiment. Imagine any job in the world – it could be something you know a lot about, or something you're just curious about. In your journals or on a scrap piece of paper, jot down what job sounds most interesting to you and one quick reason why. You have about 60 seconds to think and write."

(Allow students to write for 1 minute.)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share the job they thought of and why?" (Call on a few students.) "Those are some fascinating choices! Today, we're going to dive into how we can learn more about jobs like these, directly from the people who do them."

(Transition to Is Your Career Calling? Slide Deck - Slide 2: 'Our Mission Today')

Teacher: "As you can see, our objective today is to learn how to ask great questions when interviewing someone about their career, and to understand how to conduct a thoughtful and respectful interview. Why is this important? Well, it helps you explore different jobs, learn from real-world experiences, and practice really important communication skills!"

What Makes a Good Question? (10 minutes)

(Transition to Is Your Career Calling? Slide Deck - Slide 3: 'The Art of Asking Questions')

Teacher: "So, when you're trying to learn from someone, what do you think makes a question 'good'? What kind of questions help you get a lot of information, versus just a little? Turn and talk to a partner for 30 seconds about what makes a question interesting or helpful."

(Allow 30 seconds for partner discussion.)

Teacher: "Any thoughts? What did you and your partner discuss?" (Call on a few students, guiding them towards ideas of detail, depth, and insight.) "Excellent points! One of the biggest differences between questions is whether they are open-ended or closed-ended."

(Transition to Is Your Career Calling? Slide Deck - Slide 4: 'Open vs. Closed Questions')

Teacher: "A closed-ended question is like a 'yes' or 'no' question, or one that has a very short, specific answer. For example, 'Do you like your job?' What kind of answer would you expect for that?" (Pause for student response - 'yes' or 'no'.) "Exactly! It doesn't give us much to go on.

"Now, an open-ended question encourages a much more detailed answer. It often starts with words like 'what,' 'how,' or 'why.' Look at this example: 'What do you enjoy most about your job and why?' How is the answer to that question different?" (Pause for student response - 'more detail,' 'stories,' 'reasons'.) "Precisely! Open-ended questions are our secret weapon for learning a lot in an interview. They invite people to share their experiences and feelings."

Brainstorming Interview Questions (10 minutes)

(Transition to Is Your Career Calling? Slide Deck - Slide 5: 'Brainstorming Good Questions')

Teacher: "Now it's your turn to start thinking like an interviewer. I'm going to hand out this Interview Question Brainstorm Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll find different categories related to a person's career. Your task is to brainstorm open-ended questions you would ask a professional about their job. Think about their daily tasks, the challenges they face, what they find rewarding, their education path, or any advice they might have for someone your age. You can work individually or with a partner for the next 10 minutes. I'll be walking around to help and give feedback."

(Distribute Interview Question Brainstorm Worksheet. Circulate, provide assistance, and check for understanding. Encourage students to think of at least 2-3 questions per category.)

Share & Refine (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, let's bring it back together. Who has a really insightful or interesting question they came up with?" (Call on a few students to share, provide positive feedback, and prompt others to consider if they have similar questions or variations.)

Teacher: "Fantastic questions! Before we wrap up, let's quickly discuss how to actually conduct an interview. It's not just about asking questions, but also how you interact."

(Transition to Is Your Career Calling? Slide Deck - Slide 6: 'Interview Etiquette')

Teacher: "Remember these key points for any interview: Be Prepared – have your questions ready and a way to take notes. Be Respectful – listen carefully, don't interrupt, and always thank the person for their time. And finally, Be Curious – don't be afraid to ask follow-up questions if something they say sparks a new thought. Showing genuine interest goes a long way!

"For our cool-down today, think about all the amazing questions you just brainstormed. If you could only ask ONE question to a professional about their career, what would it be and why? Write your answer on an Cool Down ticket or in your journal."

(Collect cool-down responses as students leave or transition.)

Interview Question Brainstorm Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Directions: Brainstorm thoughtful, open-ended questions you would ask someone about their career. Try to come up with at least two questions for each category. Remember, open-ended questions encourage detailed answers!

Section 1: The Job Itself

1. What does a typical day look like for you in this role?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What are the primary responsibilities and tasks you handle?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 2: Path to the Career

1. What education, training, or experience did you need to get into this field?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Were there any unexpected turns or opportunities in your career path?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. If you could go back, what would you do differently in your career preparation?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 3: Skills & Advice

1. What key skills do you think are most important for success in this career?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What advice would you give to a middle school student interested in a career like yours?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How do you see this career changing in the next 5-10 years?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 4: General Reflection

1. What is one thing you wish you had known before starting this career?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Is there anything else you would like to share about your professional journey?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Career Interview Warm-Up

Directions: In the space below, write down one job or career that you find very interesting. Then, write one quick reason why it sparks your curiosity.

Interesting Job/Career:

Why it interests you:

Career Interview Cool Down

Directions: Think about all the different types of questions we discussed and the ones you brainstormed today. If you could only ask ONE question to a professional about their career, what would that question be and why is it the most important to you?

My Most Important Question:

Why it's the most important: