Full Mock Interview Session: Your Turn to Shine!

Objective:

To practice and refine your interview skills in a realistic setting, both as an interviewee and an interviewer.

Materials Needed:

• This activity guide
• Interview Performance Assessment rubric (for Interviewer/Observer)
• Pen/Pencil
• Optional: Notebook or scrap paper for notes

Instructions:

1. Form Your Teams: Get into pairs or groups of three. If you are in a pair, you will alternate between Interviewer and Interviewee. If you are in a group of three, one person will be the Interviewer, one the Interviewee, and one the Observer.

2. Understand Your Roles:

   • Interviewee: You will answer the questions, demonstrating your best communication skills, body language, and thoughtful responses.
   • Interviewer: You will ask the questions from the list below, listen actively, and use the Interview Performance Assessment rubric to provide constructive feedback.
   • Observer (Optional): You will solely focus on using the Interview Performance Assessment rubric to provide detailed, constructive feedback to the Interviewee. You are like a silent coach!

3. Choose a Scenario: Imagine you are interviewing for one of the following:

   • A volunteer position at a local community center (e.g., tutoring, animal shelter, food bank)
   • A part-time job (e.g., barista, retail assistant, library aide)
   • Entry into a specific school club or leadership role (e.g., Student Council, Debate Team Captain)
   • Your Own Idea! (Get teacher approval if creating your own scenario)

4. Time Allotment:

   • 20 minutes per interview round. If in pairs, you'll conduct two rounds (40 minutes total). If in a group of three, you'll conduct three rounds (60 minutes total) for each person to experience being the interviewee.
   • 5 minutes for feedback immediately after each interview round.

5. Let the Interview Begin!

Interview Questions (Interviewer, use these!):

Remember to take notes on the interviewee's responses and overall performance using the rubric.

Interview Performance Assessment Rubric

Interviewee's Name: _____________________________
Interviewer/Observer's Name: ______________________
Date: _____________

Instructions: For each criterion, circle the score that best describes the interviewee's performance during the mock interview. Provide specific comments and constructive feedback in the space provided.

I. Preparation & Knowledge

II. Communication Skills

III. Professionalism & Demeanor

Overall Feedback:

Strengths:

Areas for Improvement (Be Specific!):

Actionable Next Steps:

Post-Interview Reflection: My Interview Growth Journey

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________

Now that you've completed your mock interview, take some time to reflect on your experience. Your honest thoughts will help you learn and improve for future interviews!

Part 1: My Performance

1. What did you feel were your biggest strengths during your mock interview? (Think about communication, preparation, body language, etc.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one area you want to improve for your next interview? Be specific!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How did you feel about your answers to the questions? Were you able to use strategies like the STAR method effectively?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Did you ask any questions to your interviewer? If so, what did you ask and why? If not, why do you think it's important to ask questions?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Learning from Feedback

1. What was the most helpful piece of feedback you received from your peer interviewer/observer?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Was there any feedback that surprised you? Explain.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Looking Forward

1. Based on today's practice, what is one concrete step you will take to prepare for your next real-world interview?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How has this simulation changed your perspective on interviews?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Thank you for your thoughtful reflection!