Activity Pack

Module 18 – Ace Your Interview

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Ace Your Interview

This pack contains seven activities to help you check that you can apply what you
have learned in the ‘Ace Your Interview’ module.

In Activity 1 you will find a checklist to help you prepare for a face to face
interview.

In Activity 2 you will be given a set of top tips to help you in a face to face
interview.

In Activity 3 you will find a checklist to help you prepare for a phone interview.

In Activity 4 you will be given a set of top tips to help you in a phone interview.

In Activity 5 you will find a template to help you prepare for common interview
questions.

In Activity 6 you will find a template to help you start to think about answers to
difficult interview questions.

In Activity 7 you will find a template to help you prepare your answers to common
interview questions.

In Order to Ace Your Interview, It Is Important To:

1. Practice and prepare answers for interview questions.
2. Have your own questions for the interviewer to show your interest.
3. Display good body language and make a good first impression.
4. Remember the interview is about your answers and body language.

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 3/11

ACTIVITY 1: Face to Face Interview Checklist

Here is a list of some important things that you need to remember to do before
and during a face to face interview.
Check the boxes as you complete the ‘On the day’ tasks and remind yourself of
what you need to remember to do during the interview.

Checklist
On the day
 Check your route.
 Dress appropriately.
 Be well groomed – check the mirror.
 Take everything you need.
 Leave early so you can arrive on time.
 Turn your phone off.

In the interview

 Smile and introduce yourself.

 Have a strong, confident handshake.
 Make eye contact.
 User the interviewer’s name.
 Remember to breathe!
 Take your time.
 Avoid rambling.
 Avoid jargon, slang, and swear words.
 Avoid negative language.
 Thank the interviewer for their time.

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 4/11

ACTIVITY 2: Face to Face Interview Top Tips

Here is a set of useful tips for your interview.
Read through each point and visualize how you would do this on the day of your
interview. Use a mirror to help play through some of the body language points in
your head.

Top Tips
o Smile!
o Look the part.
o Be punctual.
o Remember your research.
o Know what you’ve told the employer (resume, application form, etc.).
o Use the CAR technique.
o Be aware of your body language.
o Be enthusiastic.
o Don’t lie (because it shows!).
o Advertise your strengths.
o Rehearse (but don’t recite) answers.
o Relax, take your time - it’s OK to pause for thought.
o Avoid one word answers.
o Be confident, not arrogant.
o Ask questions.

Remember: The interview starts from the moment you walk into the building.

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 5/11

ACTIVITY 3: Phone Interview Checklist

This is a list of some important things that you need to remember to do before and
during a phone interview.
Read and complete the ‘On the day’ tasks. Remind yourself of what you need to
remember to do during the interview.

Checklist
On the day
 Keep an eye on the time.
 Make sure you are in a quiet place.
 Have a pen and paper in hand.

In the interview

 Answer the phone with your name and a greeting.

 Be polite.
 Use the interviewer’s name.
 Ask questions based on what the interviewer has said.
 Avoid jargon, slang and swear words.
 Sit upright or stand, this will affect your tone.
 Smile (you can still ‘sense’ a smile).
 Thank the interviewer for their time.

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 6/11

ACTIVITY 4: Phone Interview Top Tips

This is a set of useful tips for your phone interview.
Read through each point and visualize how you would do this on the day of your
interview.

Top Tips

o Smile when you dial!

o Be in a quiet place.
o Answer the phone on time.
o Remember your research.
o Know what you’ve told the employer (resume, application form, etc.).
o Use the CAR technique.
o Be aware of your tone of voice.
o Be enthusiastic.
o Don’t lie (because it shows!).
o Advertise your strengths.
o Relax, take your time - it’s OK to pause for thought.
o Avoid one word answers.
o Be confident, not arrogant.
o Ask questions.
o Remember: Have your pre-prepared answers in front of you!
o Thank the interviewer for their time.

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 7/11

ACTIVITY 5: Common Interview Questions

No matter what job you are interviewing for, the same common interview
questions often come up. It is important to prepare for these so that you have
strong answers when asked and do not panic.
Use the template below to record your own answers to these typical questions.
Some of these are company or role specific so it will help to have a job in mind
when you fill them in. You should also think about questions you can ask an
interviewer as well – there is a space for that here too!

Question Answer

Tell me about yourself? Answer 1

Why do you want to work for this

Answer 2
company?

What attracts you to this role?

Why should I hire you?

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

Where do you see yourself in five
years?
What are your hobbies?

What qualifications do you have?

Can you tell me about any relevant
experience?
What do you want from a career?
What do you do in holiday time and
why?
What other companies have you
applied for?
Do you have any questions?

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 8/11

ACTIVITY 6: Difficult Interview Questions

There are a couple of questions you may get asked that are more difficult to
answer. Here the interviewer is looking for honesty and openness more than
anything. However, make sure your answers are always appropriate.
Start to think about how you may answer some of these questions by filling in the
answer column below. Only choose the ones that apply to you.

Difficult Interview Questions

Question Answer

Describe your ideal employer and

Answer 1
why?

How would your friends describe you? Answer 2

Can you explain the gaps in your

employment?

Can you explain the reasons behind

your criminal record?

How do you handle criticism?

Why were you with your last employer

for such a short time?

Why did you leave your last job?

Do you have any commitments that

will require you to take time off?

Are you applying for other jobs?

You seem overqualified for this job?

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 9/11

ACTIVITY 7: Competency Interview Questions

Competency questions are used in many different kinds of interview to find out
about your skills and experience. The template below contains many key
competencies that employers are looking for.
Go through each competency listed and think of a relevant example of when you
have displayed this competency in the past. Remember to use CAR (Context,
Action, Result) to help structure your answers.

Question Answer

Tell me about a time when you

Answer 1
displayed leadership?

Tell me about a time when you

Answer 2
displayed organizational skills?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed problem solving?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed resilience?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed responsibility?

What example do you have worked

with stakeholder management?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed teamwork?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed career focus?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed commercial awareness?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed communication skills?

Tell me about a time when you

displayed flexibility?

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 10/11

The checklists, top tips, and templates in this pack can be relevant for any
interviews you might have, so you can keep them and reuse them when
necessary.
Once you have filled in the templates, they can be especially handy to keep hold
of, as this information can be useful in interviews for a wide range of jobs.

Additional Links
o Job Interview Tips
o Job Interview Tips & Hacks
o Body Language
o JobStreet
o jobsDB
o Philjobnet

REMEMBER

These Activity Packs are yours to keep. Make sure you review them regularly and keep
them updated.
You could also discuss them with advisors, friends, family and anyone else who you think
could help you get some feedback.

For any questions or concerns on the context, please email us

at [email protected].

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph
Ace Your Interview Activity Pack 11/11

This document is made available for your training and is not to be copied or
used for any other purposes. Skills to Succeed Academy: www.s2sacademy.ph