Common Question Brainstorm

Below is a list of common interview questions. Review each and circle three that interest you most. Be ready to discuss why you chose them and what experience or story you might share.

• Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge.
• Describe a situation where you worked successfully on a team.
• Give an example of a goal you set and how you achieved it.
• Share a time you had to solve a problem under pressure.
• Tell me about a time you showed leadership.
• Describe a moment you had to adapt to change quickly.
• Give an example of when you went above and beyond expectations.
• Share how you handle constructive criticism.
• Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone and how you resolved it.
• Describe a project you’re most proud of and why.
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• Why are you interested in this role/company?
• What motivates you to do your best work?
• How do you prioritize multiple tasks or deadlines?

Circle three questions and jot a quick note on what story or example you’d share.

STAR Method Practice Sheets

Use the STAR framework to structure clear, compelling answers to behavioral interview questions. Choose questions from the Common Question Brainstorm or ones provided by your teacher. Complete at least two full responses.

Practice Question 1

Interview Question: ____________________________________________

Situation:

Task:

Action:

Result:

Practice Question 2

Interview Question: ____________________________________________

Situation:

Task:

Action:

Result:

Practice Question 3 (Optional)

Interview Question: ____________________________________________

Situation:

Task:

Action:

Result:

When you finish, exchange with a partner to provide feedback on clarity, completeness, and impact of each STAR response.

Panel Interview Drill

Time: 15 minutes

Setup:

• Form groups of four students. In each group, assign roles: 1 Candidate and 3 Interviewers.
• Distribute the Common Question Brainstorm list to each group.

Instructions:

1. Round 1 (3 minutes)
   • Interviewers each select one behavioral question from the brainstorm list.
   • Candidate answers using the STAR method, aiming for a concise, complete response.
   • Interviewers take notes on clarity, STAR structure, and professionalism.
2. Rotate Roles
   • Candidate moves to interviewer role; one interviewer becomes the new Candidate.
   • Repeat Round 2 (3 minutes) and Round 3 (3 minutes) until each student has practiced as Candidate once.

During the Drill:

• Interviewers should ask follow-up questions for detail (e.g., “What was the biggest challenge?”).
• Candidate should maintain eye contact, use confident body language, and structure answers with Situation→Task→Action→Result.
• Teacher circulates to observe, offer on-the-spot feedback, and note strong examples.

Debrief (4 minutes):

• Gather students and ask:
  • What STAR elements helped your story shine?
  • Which follow-up questions led to deeper insights?
  • How did switching roles affect your perspective on interviews?
• Summarize key takeaways and encourage students to refine their STAR answers and question-asking skills for real interviews.

Post-Interview Email Draft

After an interview, a thoughtful follow-up email can reinforce your interest, thank your interviewer(s), and highlight key points from your conversation. Use the template below to draft your message. Fill in each section with details from your own experience.

To: [Interviewer Email Address]
Subject: Thank You – [Your Name]

Dear [Interviewer Name],

Thank you for [briefly describe what you appreciated—e.g., discussing the role’s responsibilities, learning about the team culture, etc.].

I enjoyed our conversation about [mention a specific topic, project, or insight you discussed] and how it relates to [company name or role].

I am excited about the opportunity to [restate why you’re a good fit—mention one or two key skills or experiences you bring].

Please let me know if you need any additional information or have updates on next steps.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]