Professional Documents
Culture Documents
02 Activity 1
02 Activity 1
Directions: It is impossible to predict exactly what will be asked in an interview, but there are a few answers that you can prepare ahead
of time. Use this chart to practice your answers to these questions. (40 points)
Can you tell me a little about your strengths “My interpersonal skills probably top the “My personal skills probably my strengths. I
and weaknesses? chart of my strengths. I thrive on approaching am quickly learner, flexible, multipurpose,
• Identify 3 strengths—as they pertain people I don’t know and quickly establishing resilient, responsive, and able to work with a
to this job. rapport. I can think on my feet, and I manage team. One weakness and how I manage it. I
• Identify one weakness and how you stress well. One area that challenges me is of am always trying to improve my
manage it. delegating. It’s hard for me to delegate to communication skills. I’m not great at
other people, whether it be a team project speaking up for myself, so sometimes it can
for school or on the baseball field. I know this be hard for me to get my point across
is a problem, so I have trained myself to list clearly.”
the things I must do myself and those that
can be passed on. It’s still not easy for me,
but I have found that I get more done when I
consciously make that determination, and the
quality is better.”
Where do you want to be in 5 years? “Simply put, my ideal job at this stage in my “My ideal job at this stage in my career is to
• A dreaded question but frequently career is one in which I can learn the products have my own business that complies to my
asked. and industry and I can contribute to your course.”
• Be honest but keep in mind that most success. Eventually, I’d like a job that gives
entry-level positions don’t provide me control over my day, but I know I am not
much autonomy. in that position right now, and it will take
some time to get there.”
Can you tell me about your leadership “I oversaw the committee that was asked to “Taking a lead role in a school project and
experience? revise our school’s vision as they were being a good role model to my friends.
• Direct leadership – in a student transitioning to a co-ed school. There were Because I believe that communication is a key
organization some issues because not all the faculty agreed component of effective leadership, which is
• Indirect leadership – although not with the transition, and we had to get their why I will focus on listening to feedback and
buy-in within a tight time frame. fostering honest communication between my
specifically designated a leader,
maybe you assumed leadership in a team members and to my friends.”
I quickly realized that I had to include my
certain situation—a class project,
working with a group to plan an event, advisor in each step we took and each
a recognized leader. Use the meeting we held to communicate the
mnemonic STAR to provide a changes. We were able to come to an
framework for your answers: agreement and meet the deadline. I learned
the importance of ongoing communication.”
Tell me about a time when you failed. “When I was a freshman, I had a great “Many time I failed. I failed in different fields;
✓ They are trying to see how you would campus job, probably one of the best. I failed many exams and I failed to be a good
handle it when a mistake is made on Unfortunately, I didn’t take it seriously. I person (sometimes). What I did is simple, I
the job. showed up late, was not properly dressed, said to myself that those failures are going to
✓ Use the mnemonic STAR to provide a and probably showed some attitude. What a lead me to my success. I said to myself that
framework for your answers. shock when I wasn’t hired back the next year. failure is never a person, it’s an event. It’s not
It forced me to take a good, hard look at permanent, I said that I could be a better
myself and where I was headed. I made the person. I used my failures as challenges.”
conscious decision to turn my grades and
attitude around. I soon discovered that it felt
good to do good, and everything was on the
upswing from there. I was young but was able
to turn myself around.”
Why should I hire you over the next person? “You mentioned that the most important skill “You should hire me because I am very
✓ Opportunity to remind them why you you are looking for is the ability to passionate about this job, and that means I
are unique and the best person for communicate with diverse groups of people, will always take great pride in the work I do
the job. solve problems as well as developed business and take good care to your customers and
✓ Sell yourself again. acumen. My experience at the admissions clients.”
✓ Be sure to relate your qualities to the office required that I field answers quickly to
prospective students, parents, and
position you are interviewing for!
administrators.
Criteria 4 3 2 1
The interview script The interview script The interview script The interview script The interview script
presents the answers to presents an excellent presents the answers to presents the answers to presents the answers to
all the questions in the record of the answers to all the questions in the more than half of the less than half of the
instructions. (x5) all the questions in the instructions. questions in the questions in the
instructions. instructions. instructions.
The interview script shows The interview script shows The interview script shows The interview script shows The interview script shows
at least three pieces of at least three especially at least three pieces of at least two additional no additional information
additional information insightful pieces of additional information pieces of information compared to the given
compared to the given information compared to compared to the given compared to the given examples.
examples. (x4) the given examples. examples. examples.
The assignment uses The assignment has no The assignment has one The assignment has two The assignment has more
proper grammar and grammar or spelling grammar or spelling error. grammar or spelling than two grammar or
spelling. (x1) errors errors spelling errors