Assessment Cover Sheet

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Assessment Title

Assessment 1, Part 2

Programme Title:

Electives

Course No.:

GSP5203

Course Title:

Market yourself

Student Name:

Majeda Ali Yusuf

Student ID:

201401171

Tutor:

Eman AlShamlawi

24th of May 2015

Due Date:

24th of May 2015

Date submitted:

By submitting this assessment for marking, either electronically or as

hard copy, I confirm the following:
This assignment is my own work

Any information used has been properly referenced.

I understand that a copy of my work may be used for moderation.
I have kept a copy of this assignment
Do not write below this line. For Polytechnic use only.

Assessor:
Grade/Mark:
Comments:

Table of Contents

Date of Marking:

1.0 Give your opinion about whether or not you found the whole
experience valuable................................................................................................ 3
2.0
are

Connect the Simulated Interview to events in your life and to who you
3

3.0 Connect the Simulated Interview to any texts that you have read, see
or heard ................................................................................................................... 4
4.0

Conclusion....................................................................................................... 4

5.0

References...................................................................................................... 4

1.0 Give your opinion about whether or not you found the
whole experience valuable
The interview was done as a part of my assessments in the course. It was beneficial
experience as it gave me the opportunity of testing my interview skills. Since I am
applying to a job this summer, a mock interview would help me to do my best.
The interview was valuable as it made me gain insightful feedback to identify areas
that need improvements. For example, in the interview I noticed that when I do not
instantly know the answer for the question, I get nervous and start moving my
eyeballs all over the place as if I am literally looking for answers. Now I am going to
practice how to calm myself in such situations and show self-confidence. Another thing
is that I learned is that the body language is important as it can add value, which
makes the person sound more convictive. For instance, answering questions
enthusiastically while maintaining eye contact, keeping an even tone and moving
hands to explain is better than answering questions with dullness, avoid looking at the
interviewer, speaking with low voice and putting hands and legs crossed. (Reddy,
2014)
Before doing the mock interview I used to be insecure about my skills and language,
however; after the interview I felt more confidant since I saw what I am able to do. In
addition, this experience increased my knowledge about interviews. Now I know the
most common questions and the best way to answer them. For example, I learned
how to hide the fact that I left my previous job because I did not like my boss by
saying that I wanted to concentrate on my studies. I addition, I learned how to turn the
unacceptable into a good thing by highlighting the bright side of it. For instance, my
answer to the question what is your biggest weakness was negative, however; I
changed it in a way that it can add to my worth.
As for the covering letter and the CV, experiencing writing those documents according
to an advertisement gave me the chance to know what to include and what to not in
order to sell myself. I was not interested in the job advertised; however, I made it look
like I am passionate about its tasks and working environment. Therefore, if I was able
to mark my skills under the light of this job then I will be definitely able to do the same
to a job I am actually interested in it. This experience raised my chances of getting my
dream job.
In addition, currently I am two steps removed from getting a job; all I have to do is get
myself an interview at a good company.

2.0 Connect the Simulated Interview to events in your life and

to who you are
This mock interview was my first interview ever, which made me recall the first time I
did a presentation. It was a part of the PAL course assessments, which I took at
Bahrain Polytechnic. I was terrified of the fact that I will stand to have a class full of
people I never knew staring at me and listing to what I am saying. I did not have a

problem in what to say, as I was comprehensively aware of my presentation content;

my problem was how to present it in a good way. Aside of that, I was not sure if my
memory would help when presenting or I will just forget everything the minute I stand
on the spot of the presentation. For grading the presentation, we had two graders; one
is our tutor, which I know him very well and we are getting along. Unlike the second
grader who I do not know at all; therefore, I had to prove myself and I was not sure if I
can do that which made me more nervous. However, on the day of the presentation, I
tried to forget all my fears, pulled myself together, calmed myself and believed in my
abilities. Ultimately, I was able to conquer all my fears and give a great presentation,
which I came up with a merit.
This experience was helpful as it strengthened me for the mock interview, therefore;
the fact that I talked in front of someone I do not know was not terrifying at all and
neither that the interviewee was someone I do not know well. However, the same
previous problem of possibly forgetting what I want to say was still there. Fortunately,
my memory helped for the second time therefore I believe it would be the last time I
doubt it at all. These two experiences made me trust my skills and abilities as in both I
was afraid and in both things turned out to be good at the end.

3.0 Connect the Simulated Interview to any texts that you have
read, see or heard (film, music, articles, books, poetry, art,
etc.)
The pursuit of happiness is a biographical drama movie based on Chris Gardner's
struggle with homelessness. The movie starring is will smith and he has a famous
interview scene in this movie. It starts when Chris was arrested while coloring his
house due to unpaid parking tickets and required to spend the night in custody. The
problem is he had an interview tomorrow morning, therefore; the minute he was
released in the morning he went straight to the company for the interview. Of course,
after a night in jail he was not dressed probably for the interview as he was wearing
dirty clothes. The amusing part is that he walked with high self-confidence, hand
shake all the interviewers and make all what happened in his favor.
He started by apologizing for his appearance by telling the interviewers the truth.
Then, he dared them to ask him any question that even if he did not know the answer
he will surely find it. Chris took this chance to show off his sense of humor as all the
interviewers laughed at his jokes. Will Smith (Chris) turned the situation from how not
to get a job to how to. This scene shows the power the interviewee possess and the
control he have over the interview process. It highlights as well the importance of the
content rather than the style and appearance. (WingClips, 2015) (IMDB, 2015)
(NotJobs, 2011)
On Similarity, I believe that any interviewee is able to alter the interview in his favor.
In other words, the interviewee drives the interview process, as what he includes in his
answers what going to be asked about more. Therefore, an interviewee must know
everything he brings up.

4.0 Conclusion
To conclude, I believe this was a great experience that made me highlight my
weaknesses. In my next interview, I will have my feelings in place, calm myself,
control my body language, think smartly before answering and search about the
company I am applying.

5.0 References
IMDB. (2015, May 23). The Pursuit of Happyness - Plot Summary. Retrieved from IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/plotsummary
NotJobs. (2011, April 10). Job Interview from the Pursuit Of Happyness. Retrieved from
NotJobs: https://notjobs.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/job-interview-from-thepursuit-of-happyness/
Reddy, K. (2014, November 8). Top 10 Advantages and Benefits of a Mock Interview.
Retrieved from WiseStep: http://content.wisestep.com/top-advantages-andbenefits-of-a-mock-interview/
WingClips. (2015, May 23). The Pursuit Of Happyness- Internship Interview. Retrieved
from WingClips: http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/the-pursuit-ofhappyness/internship-interview