Class: ESL English Grade: 7-8

Unit: Applying to a Job Lesson: Interviewing

WIDA Level: Beginning

Standards

SOL 8.1 The student will use interviewing techniques to gain information.

Content Objectives

1. Students will compare and contrast a strong interview and weak interview.
2. Students will prepare responses for mock interview questions.
3. Students will interview and be interviewed by a peer.

Language Objectives

1. Students will write responses to interview questions.
2. Students will listen to peers responses and ask questions.
3. Students will read notes on strong interviewing skills.

Key Vocabulary

Interview, professional, strength, weakness, application

Materials

Question & Answer sheets
Peer Interview sheets
Completed job applications (form + essay)

Motivation

In class, students have all applied for a summer job internship through Charlottesville
County. They have all filled out the application form and written the required essay.
Students will be preparing for the real interview they will all have as part of the application
process!

Presentation

Step 1: Mock interview presentation + discussion (Good vs. Bad interviewing)

Students view a poor mock interview skit (between myself and a tutor).

Class discussion/brainstorm on what the interviewee did wrong. Students should suggest
no eye contact, no hand shake, whisper/mutter, slouching, inappropriate dress, I dont
know, etc.

Students view a strong mock interview skit.

Class discussion/brainstorm on what the interview did well. Students should suggest
strong hand shake, smile, eye contact, posture, speak clearly, etc.

Make a T-Chart on the board of Good and Bad, for students to take notes.

Step 2: Present Interview Questions + student answer composition

Go over the language in the six standard interview questions (see Question & Answer
sheet): describe, strength, weakness.

Brainstorm vocabulary to use in interview answers together on the board (ie. hard worker,
team work, etc.)

Give students time to compose answers (1-2 complete sentences each).

Step 3: Peer interview practice

Pair students. Student 1 will interview Student 2, noting his/her answers. Student 2 will
then interview Student 1, noting his/her answers (see Peer Interview sheets). Allow
students to use their own Question & Answer sheets for reference.

Review/Assessment

Students turn in Peer Interview sheets.

Step 4: Review + exit tickets

Review what a good interviewee does: eye contact, smile, hand shake, clear voice, posture,
etc.

Exit ticket: Do you feel more prepared for your job interview? (Yes, OK, No)
What do you need more practice with?

Extension

The next class, students will circulate around the room to practice being interviewed by
their teachers and tutors, one-on-one. Students will not be able to use their Q&A sheets,
increasing the demand for more advanced practice.

Interview Question & Answers

Write 1-2 complete sentences to answer each question. You will use these to help you in your
interview.

1. How would you describe yourself?




2. Why do you want to work this summer?




3. What interests you about this job position?




4. What is your greatest strength?




5. What is your greatest weakness?




6. Why should we pick YOU for the job?

Peer Interview

Your name:
Your partners name:

Take notes on your partners responses (you do not have to write in complete sentences).

1. How would you describe yourself?




2. Why do you want to work this summer?




3. What interests you about this job position?




4. What is your greatest strength?




5. What is your greatest weakness?




6. Why should we pick YOU for the job?




*List one thing your partner did well:




*List one thing your partner could work on: