Comm 202 final tutorial

1. LastModified2017-06-2110:13PMPacificStandardTimePrinted
1
COMM 202:
Career Fundamentals
T33 & T34 with Jason Mah

2. Agenda
1. Employment
Interview
2. Interview Q&A
3. Action Items
4. Final Messages

3. Course Timeline
Where are we and what’s coming up?
This Week Week 13 Week 14
Final tutorial:
Interview questions
Optional Interview
Stream:
Due April 2nd
11:59PM
Final lecture:
Offer negotiations
(Friday Lectures cancelled
-please pick a different on
to go to)
Employment
Interviews (20%):
-Tue, April 3rd
-Wed, April, 4th
-Thu, April 5th
Informational
Interview report
(15%):
Due April 20th @
11:59PM on
Turnitin

4. Employment Interviews

5. When: April 3rd, 4th, 5th
Mandatory items to print:
Resume (PRINT)
Cover Letter (PRINT)
Job Posting (PRINT)
Optional items:
Padfolio (keep it simple)
Pen
Research notes
*We have a seating area to put your
bags, but do so at your own risk*
What to Expect?
20% of Grade
No print-outs of the
mandatory items
= Automatic 0

6. Be EARLY! –10 minutes. If you’re not there by your scheduled
interview time, you will receive an automatic 0!
• Check in with the ”reception” in Birmingham (It is the student’s
responsibility to find the check-in desk. There will be signs
everywhere so it will be very obvious)
• Interview will be exactly 20 minutes with one BCC coach/external
consultant/COMM 202 TA
(15 minutes interview time + 5 minutes feedback)
• Make sure you have your PRINTED documents (resume, cover
letter, job posting)

7. • Inappropriate physical contact
• Inappropriate questions
• Late for interview
• Missing documents (resume, cover letter and job
posing)
Ways to fail automatically

8. Dress Code:
Business Formal
*We’ve seen students
wear fancy sneakers -
this is NOT acceptable

9. Interview Q&A

10. Question # 1
Tell me about yourself
What’s the point?
• Most common question you’ll get
asked during an interview
• Can be asked in several different ways
-“Tell me about yourself”
-“Who is ____?”
-“Walk me through your resume”
• PRACTICE PRACTICE
PRACTICE! (with Interview
Stream)

11. Question # 1
Tell me about yourself
• Keep it between 90 - 120 sec
• Brand yourself – give them something to remember you by
• Sound natural – don’t sound like you’re reading off a script
• Skills & accomplishments – briefly touch on these aspects
• Show your passion & authenticity
• Provide a well-rounded picture of who you are as a person

12. Tell your own story
The
Beginning The Spark
Growing
Interest
The Future Why Are
You Here?
Introduction Realization that
this is the right
career for you
Your formula
and how it has
helped lead you
to this role
Where do you
see yourself in
the future
(in 5 years, in 10
years, etc.)
How this
position ties
into it all
GOAL: Tell them a story that no one else can replicate and impress them in the first 2 minutes
PAWS: Personal, Academic, Work and Skills

13. • Remember to tailor your TMAY to the job
• This is one of the most standard questions, and it will
take you time to come up with a TMAY that you’re
happy with!
Keep working at it
Grading Rubric

14. Question # 2
What are your strengths?
What’s the point?
• A way to see if you really know
yourself
• May also be asked in different ways
(listen carefully)
• “What can you bring to the
table?”
• ”Why should I pick you over
other candidates?”
• “What would your
colleagues/friends say about
you?”
• Around 90 sec
• Mention 2-3
(but prep 4-5 in case)
• Provide a bit of proof but don’t
go too much into detail
• Tactfully relevant to the job
you’re applying for
(look at the job description!)

15. • Look for a blend of quantitative and qualitative traits
(refer to your skills matrix and/or StrengthsFinder if you need to)
• Try to relate to job description
Grading Rubric

16. Question # 3
What are your weaknesses?
What’s the point?
• A way for the interviewer to see if you are able to identify weaknesses and
have a plan in place to improve them
• Assess self-awareness and spot red flags
• Around 90 sec – 120 sec
• Mention 1 (but prep 2-3 in case)
-Best to give an example
• Talk about weaknesses that would not
hugely impair you from doing the job
you are applying for
• Stay away from Clichés!!!

17. Grading Rubric

18. Question # 4
Tell me about a time when...
What’s the point?
• To test if you have the necessary skills/experience for the job
• To look for your thought process in given situations
• Around 2 mins
• Demonstrates the skill with the
right answer
• Doesn’t re-use the same experience
too many times
• Clear & concise
Review Skills Matrix
Examine job posting

19. Use the STARL Format
S
T
A
R
L
What position and where were you?
What was the challenge you faced?
What did YOU do and HOW did you solve the problem?
What was the accomplishment and the impact?
BE SUCCINCT
Some interviewers will cut you off.
Link back to the job and why the story is relevant!

20. What’s the point?
• Could be industry/job specific… or a surprise!
• Random questions that you cannot prepare for
• To test how you react under pressure & deal with uncertainty
• To see how you think your way through a problem
• Bonus points!
• Tell them what you’re going to 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

21. Questions that we’ve been asked

22. Last Part: “Do you have any questions for me?”
Always prepare at least 2 questions!
• No questions that can easily be found on Google
• Do not asking something that has already been addressed in the
interview – unless it’s a specific follow-up questions
• Always safe to get them talking about themselves – maybe ask
something directly related to their job/industry
• Example: “What specific traits and qualities do you look for in a
successful candidate?”
• Don’t ask something the interviewer can’t answer
• Another example: “What do you think about the xyz trends in the
industry? Do you think they’re just a fad?”
*Expected in the employment interviews next week!

23. • Thank them for their time
• Reiterate your interest
• End with a FIRM handshake
• Ask how you can best follow up
• Use their name
Closing the Interview

24. • 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
• Reference an answer or insight they
gave you during the question period
• If you interviewed with multiple
people, make sure the follow-up is
personalized to each person
* Remember the 24 hour rule!
Follow-up
*On the day of the mock
interviews:
We will give you ‘fake’ thank-you
cards AFTER your interview.
DO NOT expect this in real life!
DO NOT send a real email to
your mock interviewer

25. • Listen to they’re asking
Stay alert, don’t be afraid to ask them to clarify
• Answer the question
Do not beat around the bush
• Take your time if you need to
“That’s a good question – may I have a quick minute to collect my thoughts?”
• Smile & keep up the energy – they’re human too ☺
They want you to do well, so show your personality!
• Use a spreadsheet to write down your answers- (don’t take these to the actual interview),
practice with your friends, utilize Interview Stream
• Interview ends when the interviewer says “thank you” and wraps it up. Mock interview ends
when you send in your thank-you card!
General Tips

26. ACTION ITEMS
1. Prep and show up for the Employment
Interview (optional Interview Stream
assignment)
2. Informational Interview reflection due
April 20th by 11:59PM on Turnitin
3. Student Experience Survey: due April
2nd. Go to: https://bit.ly/2GGzZAC
4. Next week: final lecture!

27. Closing remarks

28. Reflections and questions?

29. Thanks for a great semester and
good luck with finals!!