The document provides information and guidance for students preparing for an upcoming employment interview assignment. It outlines what students need to bring, interview logistics, common interview questions, tips for answering questions, closing the interview, and follow up expectations. Key details include interview dates in November and December, bringing a resume, cover letter, job description and portfolio, dressing professionally, practicing answers to common questions like strengths and weaknesses, having questions prepared for the interviewer, and following up with a thank you email.

1. Name Tents UP! Laptops DOWN! Sign the attendance
sheet 
COMM 202
Tutorial #8 – T14 + T15

2. Agenda
Employment Interview Assignment
Interview Questions
Closing
Words of Wisdom
Action Items

3. Employment Interview (10%)
Nov 30th, Dec 1st and Dec 3rd
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
RESUME
COVER
LETTER
JOB
DESCRIPTIO
N
PADFOLIO

4. Things to Remember
 Check in with reception at Birmingham
 Be Early! – ideally about 10 minutes
 If you are not there when the interviewer
comes out, you will receive an automatic
“0”
 Interview is approx. 20 minutes long

5. Dress to Impress:
Business Formal

6. Common Questions
Tell me about YOURSELF!#1
What are your STRENGTHS?#2
What are your WEAKNESSES?#3
Tell me about A TIME WHEN…#4
*WILD CARD* Question!#5
Do YOU have any QUESTIONS?#6

7. #1- Tell me about yourself?
The MOST COMMON QUESTION
you will get in an interview
Can be asked in different ways!
Keep it 2 minutes or less
Brand yourself – give them something to remember
you by
Sound natural, not like you’re reading off a script!
Speak to your skills and accomplishments
Show passion
Provide a well-rounded picture

8. Your Story
The Beginning
Growing Interest
The Spark
Your Future
Why you are
here
Introduction – quick background
Realization that this was the career for you
Your formula that makes you perfect for
the job!
Where you see yourself
How this position ties into it all

9. Your Story – What is your Formula
? + ? ?+
THE GOAL: Tell them a story that no one else
can replicate and impress them in the first 2
minutes

14. Activity
Grab a partner and share
“tell me about yourself”
storiesGive some feedback!

15. #2 - What are your strengths?
 Relevant to the position
 Links experience to job or
position
 There is no perfect

16. #3 - What are your weaknesses?
DO NOT FLIP WEAKNESSES
INTO
STRENGTHS!

17. ✘ “I’m such a
perfectionist”
✘ “Too detail-
oriented”
✘ “Over-achiever”
✘ “I work too hard
sometimes”
Weakness wouldn’t
impair you from
doing the job
Show you are
actively trying to
improve these
weaknesses
Show the “lesson
learned”
Think back to the
Skills Matrix

18. #4 – Tell me about a time…?
Don’t forget to link it back to the company
and position!
Resume
Cover Letter
Skills Matrix

19. #5 – Wild Card Questions

20. • A way for the interviewer to gauge your interest
and knowledge of the position and industry
• Test your ability to communicate clearly
• Shows the interviewer how you think
• TESTS BUSINESS ACUMEN: news, trends,
etc.
INDUSTRY/JOB SPECIFIC OR… A SURPRISE!
 Walk them through
your thought process
 Stay calm and
provide a clear answer
THE GOAL

21. FINANCE PITCH ME A STOCK
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS VS DOWNSIDES OF USING DEBT VS EQUITY
FINANCING?
HOW WOULD VALUE A PERPETUAL ZERO COUPON BOND?
DO YOU THINK THE FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE EFFICIENT?
ACCOUNTING WHY DO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A CPA?
WHY THIS FIRM?
WALK ME THROUGH THE MAJOR LINES OF A CASH FLOW STATEMENT?
MANAGEMENT
CONSULTING
HOW MANY WORDS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NY TIMES?
TELL ME YOUR 5 WEAKNESSES… AND ANOTHER… ANOTHER
DESCRIBE A PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON THAT CHALLENGED YOU?
CASE-BASED QUESTIONS…
MARKETING HOW WOULD YOU INCREASE SALES OF X PRODUCT BY X%?
SELL ME THIS PEN
HOW DO YOU THINK OUR BLOG IS DOING? WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER?
TLOG HOW COULD YOU IMPROVE THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTIVITY?
HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH A DIFFICULT FACTORY WORKER?
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU IMPROVED SOMETHING WHERE YOU WORKED?
HR TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD TO MOTIVATE A TEAM
ASSUMING YOU ARE SELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST CHANGE YOU
WOULD MAKE?
RANDOM WHAT IS 3/16 IN DECIMAL?
TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING IN THE NEWS, HOW IT RELATES TO THIS JOB?
WHY ARE MANHOLES ROUND?
TEACH ME SOMETHING YOU LEARNED IN SCHOOL?
Examples

22. #6 – Do you have any questions?
• Always have at least 2 questions
• Avoid asking questions you could find the answer
to on Google.
• Never ask a question like, “What do look for in
candidates?” – probably should of asked this
before the interview
• 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 advice.

23. Closing the Interview
ASK QUESTIONS IF IT NEVER CAME UP IN
THE INTERVIEW!
• Thank them
• Confirm follow up
• Solid handshake
• Re-iterate interest
• Exchange business cards
• Remember interviewer's name

24. Follow-Up
DO NOT WRITE AN ESSAY!
• Email within 24 hours
• Refer to conversation
• Tailor to reader
• Re-iterate interest
• Thank them
• Check for typos. Oh God please.

25. Hi Michael,
I just wanted to say a quick thank you for taking the time
to interview me. I really enjoyed our conversation, even
though you did not like my top two classic rock bands, at
least we could agree on Zeppelin. Good luck with your
future at Goldman, hopefully the transition continues to
be a smooth one for you.
Best Regards,
Curtis Kuznecov
Example

26. General Tips
 Guide the conversation to where
you’re comfortable
 Smile and nod
 Answer the darn question!
 Differentiate yourself!
 Bring the energy into the room

27. Words of Wisdom

28. Action Items
Interview Stream due November 27th
at 11:59 pm
Employment Interviews November
30th, December 1st and 3rd
Informational Interview due
December 13th at 1:59 pm