EXERCISE: Practice Interview

Think about a job in a specific organization for which you would like to interview. Tell your interview partner about the job and organization so that they can think of some good structured interview questions for you. They will tell you their chosen job and organization, and you will have 5-10 minutes to think of 5 structured interview questions for them. Try to come up with both behavioral and situational questions that will get at some of the key competencies required for success in that job and organization. Try to think of questions that tap specific job-related characteristics important to that job and organization rather than “Tell me about yourself” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

 

Now take ~10 minutes to think about your skills, work experiences, etc. and

create a good summary of yourself and statement of your personal brand and how you would contribute in this role. Be sure to relate this information to the job and organization you will be interviewing for with your partner.

 

Now conduct the interview while practicing good interview behaviors. Be professional, establish rapport, and use good communication behaviors. Monitor your non-verbal communication as well. When you have finished, switch roles. After each interview, give each other feedback about what went well and what could be improved.