Mock Interview Scenarios

Teacher Note: Choose 1-2 scenarios relevant to the student's current goals (job or college). Adapt follow-up questions as needed based on the student's responses.

Scenario 1: College Admissions Interview

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, [Student's Name]. Thank you for coming in today. To start, please tell me a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in our university."

Teacher (Follow-up if needed):

• "That's interesting. Can you elaborate on what specifically about our program excites you?"
• "What do you consider your greatest strength, and how do you think it will help you succeed here?"
• "And what about a challenge you've faced or a weakness you're working on?"
• "Where do you see yourself in five years after graduating from our university?"
• "Do you have any questions for me about the university or the program?"

Scenario 2: Entry-Level Job Interview (e.g., Retail, Customer Service, Office Assistant)

Teacher: "Hello, [Student's Name]. Thanks for coming in. Please tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to this position at [Company Name]."

Teacher (Follow-up if needed):

• "Can you give me an example of a time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation and how you handled it?"
• "How do you prioritize tasks when you have many things to do?"
• "What do you know about [Company Name]?"
• "What are your salary expectations for this role?"
• "Do you have any questions for me or about the company?"

Scenario 3: General Behavioral Interview Questions

Teacher: "Tell me about a time you had to work as part of a team. What was your role, and what was the outcome?"

Teacher: "Describe a situation where you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and ensure you completed the task?"

Teacher: "Have you ever made a mistake at school or in a previous role? How did you handle it, and what did you learn?"

Teacher Note for Feedback: After each question or after the scenario, provide specific, actionable feedback. Focus on:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Was the answer easy to understand and to the point?
• Relevance: Did the answer directly address the question?
• STAR Method Application: For behavioral questions, was the STAR structure evident?
• Confidence and Delivery: How was their tone, eye contact, and body language? (Refer back to Ace Your Interview Slide Deck for reminders).

Powerful Responses Practice

Instructions: For each question below, thoughtfully write out your best response. Try to incorporate the strategies we discussed, especially the STAR method for behavioral questions. Use clear, concise language and showcase your strengths and experiences.

Section 1: Common Interview Questions

1. "Tell me about yourself." (Think: Who are you academically, what are your passions, and what are your future aspirations? Keep it relevant to the role/program.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. "Why are you interested in this position/program at [School/Company Name]?" (Think: What specific research have you done? How do your goals align with theirs?)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. "What do you consider your greatest strength?" (Think: Choose a strength that is relevant and back it up with a brief example.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. "What do you consider your greatest weakness?" (Think: Choose a genuine weakness, but frame it positively by explaining what you are doing to improve it.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 2: Behavioral Questions (Use the STAR Method!)

5. "Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it."

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6. "Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team."

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7. "Give an example of a time you demonstrated leadership skills."

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Section 3: Your Questions for Them

8. What questions do you have for the interviewer? (Think: Show genuine interest in the role, team, or organization.)