COMM 202Tutorial 7: Employment Interviews &

Farewell

Minyoung HwangT27 & T34

Today’s Agenda

Employment Interview1

Interview Q&A2

Final Messages3

Coming Up4

Due: Informational Interview Assignment On April 14th @ 11:59PM On Turnitin

Course Outline

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Tutorial: Interview Prep & Farewell

Happening: Sign Up For Employment Interview On COOL (March 29th For Wave 1, March 30th For Wave 2)

Lecture: When You Land The Job

Happening: Employment Interviews (25%)

Optional: Practice On Interview Stream, Available Until April 7th

What to expect in the Employment

Interviews next week!

Employment InterviewWhen: April 3rd, 4th, 6th

What to Bring (MANDATORY - PRINTED): ● Resume● Cover Letter● Job Description

What You Should Also Bring (OPTIONAL):● Padfolio● Pen● Research Notes

25% of your mark!

No Print-Outs of The

3 Mandatory Items

= Automatic 0

Employment Interview

At the Interview:1. Be EARLY! If you are even 1 minute late, you will

not get to interview and receive an automatic zero.

2. Sign in to the reception area in Birmingham.3. Complete the interview - it will be ~20 minutes

consisting of behavioural questions, followed by some feedback.

Not Signing Up on COOL = Automatic

0

Late / Not Checking In = Automatic

0

Before the Interview1. If you submitted on COOL before the first

deadline, sign up for your timeslot on COOL by Wednesday March 29.

2. If you submitted on COOL before the second deadline, sign up for your timeslot on COOL on Thursday March 30.

Employment Interview

Dress Code = Business Formal

Interview Q&A

Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself

What is it?● Typically the first question

an employer may ask = your first impression

● May be asked in different ways○ “Walk me through your

resume”

What Makes a Good TMAY Answer?● Under 2 mins - 1.5 mins is the

sweet spot● Sounds natural, not

robotic/memorized● Balance between personal and

professional answer● Contains passion & authenticity● Mentions skills/accomplishments● Memorable & unique to who you

are● Shows that you’re a well-rounded

and personable hooman

Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself

The Beginnin

gThe

SparkA

Growing Interest

Your Future

Why Are You

Here?

Life Journey

Goal: Tell them a story no one can replicate & impress them under 2

minutes.

Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself

Dunno why I came to biz

school

Arc Initiative Ethiopia in 1st year summer

Learned via internships @ Coke &

Pepsi

Learned via exchange,

case comps, SCI

Continue learning,

solve issues with biz

Minyoung’s Life Journey

Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself

Life FormulaSocial

Entrepreneurship

Arc Initiative @ Ethiopia

Strategic Thinking

Internships, SCI

TeachingTA & Junior

Achievement

Personal Growth

Case comps, exchange

Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself

TMAY: Your Turn!1. Grab a partner.2. Take a couple minutes to think about your TMAY answer3. Share your answer with your partner - partners should time (2.5 mins)

&give feedback afterwards.

TMAY: My Least Favourite Question

It will take time to come up with a TMAY answer you’re happy with. Keep working on

it.

Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?What is it?● A way to see if you really

know yourself● May be asked in different

ways○ “What can you bring to

the table?”○ “Why should I pick you

over other candidates?”

What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Around 2 mins● Mention around 2-3 (but prepare 4-5

just in case)● Provide a bit of proof but don’t go too

much into each detail● Tactfully relevant to the job you’re

applying for

Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?

Team Facilitator

Gauge people dynamics, be inclusive - lots of experience

working in teams

StorytellingAble to simplify

and explain things clearly in

an audience-centric way thanks to TA background

Strategic ThinkingHigh level

thinker that values great questions,

practice from internships &

SCI

Curiosity/Drive

Always hungry to learn through

work, ECs or even reading &

listening to podcasts

Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?

Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?What is it?● A way to assess self-

awareness & spot red flags

What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Around 2 mins● Mention one but prepare 2-3● Not something that would impair you

from doing the job

Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?

Flipping strengths into weaknesses“I’m TOO detail-oriented sometimes”

Using cliches“I’m a perfectionist” “I work too much”

What not to do!

Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?

Describe Weakness

Describe Improvement

Plan

Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?

Asking for help from

teammates

Set expectations

from the beginning & check in with teammates

Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?

Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."What is it?● Testing if you have the

necessary skills/experiences for the job

● Looking for your thought process in given situations

What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Around 2 mins● Demonstrates the skill with the right

answer● Doesn’t re-use the same experience

too many times● Clear & concise

Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."S

TARL

What position and where were you?

What was the challenge you faced?

What did YOU do to solve this situation?

What was the result?

How does this relate back to the position?

Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."

How do I prepare?

Review Skills MatrixDon’t go into too much detail though!

Examine job postingWhat would you ask if you were the employer?

Question #5: Wild Card Questions

What is it?● Industry/job specific

questions to test your knowledge

● Random questions that you cannot prepare for

● Testing how you react under pressure & deal with uncertainty

● Want to know how you think your way through a problem

What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Tell them what you’re gonna do, do it,

then tell them what you just did● If it’s a joke question, take it easy and

be personable● Stay professional● Don’t panic!

Question #5: Wild Card Questions

Question #5: Wild Card Questions

Last Part: “Do You Have Any Questions?”Always have 2 questions!● Avoid asking questions you could find the answer to on Google● Do not ask something that has already been addressed in the

interview● Always safe to get them talking about themselves – maybe ask

something directly related to their job/industry or some career

Expected in the employment interviews next week!

Closing the Interview

● Thank them for their time● Reiterate your interest (might be awkward, give it

a try in the employment interviews)● End with a handshake● Ask for a business card● Ask how you can best follow up● Use their name (write it down in the beginning in

case you forget)

Follow-Up● Send an email or handwritten card ● Reference the interview – something you want to emphasize or

something unsaid that you want them to know● Reiterate your interest in the position● Thank them for the opportunity again● Reference an answer they gave you to one of your end of interview

questions● If you interviewed with multiple people make sure the follow-up is

personalized to each person

Remember the 24 hour rule!

General Interview Tips

Take Your Time If You Need To“That’s a good question - can I have a quick moment to think about that one?”

Listen to What They’re AskingAnswer the question, don’t beat around the bush

Smile & Keep Up the Energy - They’re Human TooBe yourself & don’t forget about the airport test

What’s Coming UpSign up for employment interview timeslots on COOL this week

1

Prep and show up for employment interviews next week (optional Interview Stream available)

2

Next week: final lecture ONLY on Tues & Wed4

Informational interview reflection due on Turnitin @ 11:59PM April 143

Final Messages

STAY CURIOUS& NEVER STOP LEARNING.

Find YourOwn Path.Don’t bedefined byother people.

BE AFRAID,BUT DO IT ANYWAY.

Be Kind -Character matters.

Final MessagesThank you!msg me if you ever, ever need

anything.