Navigating a Job Interview

Purpose: One of the skills in the Transitions Integration Framework is Navigating Systems. This skill includes evaluating processes (such as the process of getting a new job) in order to successfully operate in the workplace. The following activity ask students to reflect on the types of questions an applicant can ask during an interview in order to get more information before starting a job.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Materials: Thinking About Job Interviews handout (see link below), a board and markers.

Prep: Make copies of the handout—enough that you can give one copy to each small group; you may wish to write the questions in step 2 on the board before class starts.

Procedure: The following procedure is lengthy because it is a step by step lesson plan. Feel free to use the handout in whatever way is best for your students.

1. Set the context by asking students who has jobs. What do they like about their jobs? What is difficult? Did they talk about any of these things during a job interview?
2. Lead the class in brainstorming answers to two questions. You may wish to write a T chart on the board with the questions at the top.
   • What questions does a supervisor ask during an interview?
   • What questions can you ask during a job interview?

     Write students’ ideas on the board. Encourage students to think creatively about questions they might ask: How can you learn about difficulties? What do you wish you knew before you started your job?

3. Review the following vocabulary: temporary, assembly, first shift, second shift.
4. Form small groups. You may do this by having students count off.
5. Each group chooses a leader, reader, writer and presenter. The leader says, “What do you think?” and “Speak English, please.” The reader reads the handout, the writer writes the group’s answers and the presenter shares some of the group’s ideas with the class. To see if groups are ready, ask all the leaders to raise their hands, all the readers, etc.
6. Write these instructions on the board:
   • Introduce one another.
   • Read the handout.
   • Talk about questions 1 and 2.
   • Write answers to questions 1 and 2.
   • Talk about question 3.
   • Write answers to question 3.
7. Give each group one copy of the handout.
8. Have one group demonstrate how to work together on steps 1-3 above (see step 6 in this lesson) while you talk them through it and the other groups observe. Check that students understand to talk about answers first and then write them.
9. Note that when groups get to question 3 on the handout, the class may need an example or two before they are ready to write their own questions.
10. While students work in groups observe closely to note any misconceptions to address with the class later, any good answers to the questions, etc.
11. Call on a presenter from each group to share one or two good ideas with the class as time allows.