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Day 4: Mock Interview Prep + Fishbowl Demo

Lesson Overview
Time 50 minutes
Objectives Read H&L Job Interviews background; prepare answers to 8 standard interview questions; observe a fishbowl mock interview demonstration
TEKS d(6)(B) (d(6)(C) demonstrated for all students on Day 5)
Deliverable 8 interview question answers prepared + fishbowl observation notes
Materials Chromebooks, H&L Workbook (Ch 11, pp. 178-181 Job Interviews & Practicing for a Job Interview), printed Mock Interview Question Cards, Mock Interview Rubric, projector

Warm-Up (5 min)

WARM-UP: What is the SCARIEST part of a job interview for you? Write it down. We are going to practice until it is not scary.

Take 3-4 student responses. Common answers: "I won't know what to say," "I'll forget my words," "they'll ask something hard." Bridge to today: every fear has a fix, and today is about fixing them with practice.

Activity 1: H&L Job Interviews Reading (10 min)

Source: H&L Workbook Ch 11, p. 179, "Job Interviews"

Students read the workbook section "Job Interviews" (Ch 11, p. 179) silently or with a partner. The section covers four key topics:

  1. Dress for Success: The 6 dress code rules (covered Wk 4 Day 4 but reinforced today)
  2. Getting Ready for an Interview: Research the company, practice common questions, plan your outfit, bring resume copies, use good body language, prepare your own questions, arrive 10-15 minutes early
  3. Remote & Phone Interviews: Test your tech, find a quiet space, dress professionally even on video, speak clearly
  4. Follow Up: Send a thank-you email after every interview

After 5 minutes of reading, ask students to share ONE tip from the workbook they did not know before.

Facilitation Tip

The workbook says to "arrive 10-15 minutes early." Students always think this means "be on time." Stress the difference: 10-15 minutes EARLY means you walk into the building 10-15 minutes before the interview start time. This is a make-or-break professional habit.

Activity 2: Eight Standard Interview Questions (15 min)

Source: H&L Workbook Ch 11, pp. 180-181, "Practicing for a Job Interview"

The workbook (Ch 11, p. 180) gives students 8 standard interview questions. These are the most common questions employers ask. Students will use these in tomorrow's mock interview.

The 8 questions (from the workbook):

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. Why do you want this job?
  3. What are your strengths?
  4. What are your weaknesses?
  5. Describe a time you solved a problem.
  6. How do you handle stressful situations?
  7. Why should I hire you?
  8. Do you have any questions for me?

Student task: Pick a job (Warehouse Associate, Office Assistant, or Social Media Assistant — the workbook options on Ch 11, p. 180). Write bullet-point answers to ALL 8 questions for that job. NOT essays, bullet points only. The point is to think through what you would say without writing a script.

Tips for each question:

  • Tell me about yourself: 30 seconds. Name, school, two or three relevant skills, why you want THIS job. Do not list your life story.
  • Why do you want this job: Connect to specific things about the company or role. Avoid "I need money", even if true.
  • Strengths: Pick 2-3 that are RELEVANT to the job. Give a one-sentence example for each.
  • Weaknesses: Pick a real one, then say what you are doing to improve it. NEVER say "I don't have any weaknesses", that fails the question.
  • Solved a problem: Tell a SHORT story (Situation, what you did, the result). 30 seconds.
  • Handle stress: Give a specific strategy (deep breaths, make a list, ask for help). Show self-awareness.
  • Why should I hire you: Repeat your top 2-3 strengths and connect them to the job's needs.
  • Your questions: ALWAYS have 1-2 questions ready. ("What would my first week look like?" / "What do you like about working here?") Never say "no", it signals lack of interest.

Students complete their bullet-point answers individually. Teacher walks around with one check: "Show me your answer to question 8, your questions for the interviewer." Students who don't have any are reminded that having no questions kills an interview.

Activity 3: Fishbowl Mock Interview Demo (15 min)

Source: Fishbowl strategy + Mock Interview Rubric

Demonstrate a real mock interview live. Two options:

Option A, Teacher as interviewer, student volunteer as interviewee. Teacher reads the 8 questions. Student volunteer answers as if applying for one of the workbook jobs.

Option B, Two student volunteers. One is the interviewer, one is the interviewee. They use the question cards.

The rest of the class observes and scores using the printed Mock Interview Rubric. They watch for:

  • Body language: Eye contact, sit up straight, no fidgeting
  • Voice: Clear, audible, not too fast, not too quiet
  • Answer quality: Specific examples, on-topic, appropriate length
  • Professionalism: Greeting, handshake, "thank you" at the end

After the fishbowl, lead a 3-minute debrief:

  • What did the interviewee do well?
  • What is one specific thing they could improve?
  • What surprised you?

This demo shows students exactly what they will do tomorrow. It removes the mystery.

Facilitation Tip

Pick a confident student volunteer for the fishbowl. The point is to model success, not to embarrass anyone. After the demo, briefly run a "what NOT to do" version where the volunteer slumps, mumbles, and gives one-word answers. The contrast makes the rules visible.

DOK 2: What body language signals professionalism in an interview? Name 3 specific things you observed in the fishbowl.

Exit Ticket (5 min)

EXIT TICKET (Short Constructed Response) · Printable PDF:

Write your answer to the question: "Tell me about yourself."

Keep it under 30 seconds when read aloud (about 60-80 words). Include: your name, your grade/school, 2-3 relevant skills, and why you want THIS job.

ONE body-language rule I will follow tomorrow during my mock interview (eye contact, posture, handshake, etc.):

(d(6)(B), d(6)(C))

Differentiation

  • Support: Provide answer frameworks for each of the 8 questions ("My biggest strength is _. For example, ___."). Allow students to use their notes during tomorrow's mock interview. Pair anxious students with the most confident peer for tomorrow.
  • Extension: Students prepare answers for ALL 8 questions for TWO different jobs (Warehouse + Office Assistant). They compare which answers had to change and why.
  • ELL: Pre-teach: Strengths = Fortalezas, Weaknesses = Debilidades, Body Language = Lenguaje corporal, Eye Contact = Contacto visual. Allow ESL students to write answers in Spanish or bilingual format. Pair with bilingual peers for tomorrow's mock interview.