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Day 5: Mock Interview Day + Thank-You Letter

Lesson Overview
Time 50 minutes
Objectives Participate in a mock interview as both interviewer and interviewee; write a professional thank-you letter following the H&L workbook format
TEKS d(6)(C), d(6)(B), d(7)(B)
Deliverable Mock interview scored on rubric + thank-you letter
Materials Chromebooks, H&L Workbook (Ch 11, pp. 180-181 Practicing for a Job Interview), Mock Interview Question Cards, Mock Interview Rubric, timer, projector

Warm-Up (3 min)

WARM-UP: Review your 8 question answers from yesterday. Take 90 seconds to read them silently. Eye contact, clear voice, sit up straight, smile. You are ready.

Quiet warm-up. Project a 90-second timer. Students need calm focus before mock interviews.

Activity 1: Paired Mock Interviews (30 min)

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

The workbook (Ch 11, p. 180) explicitly walks through this activity: "Pair up with a classmate and take turns being an interviewer and the interviewee. The interviewer will ask the questions below, and the interviewee will respond as if they were applying for a real job. Afterward, partners will give each other feedback on their answers, body language, and confidence."

Format:

  • Pair students up (try mixed pairings, confident + nervous, ESL + bilingual, etc.)
  • Each interview is 5-7 minutes
  • Student A is the interviewee first; Student B is the interviewer
  • Interviewer reads questions from the workbook (Ch 11, p. 180) or the printed question cards
  • Interviewer scores the interviewee using the printed Mock Interview Rubric
  • After interview, give Two Stars and a Wish feedback (use the Powerskills training from Wk 4 Day 2)
  • SWITCH: Student B becomes the interviewee. Student A interviews. Repeat.

Total time: 5-7 min per interview × 2 students = ~12-15 min per pair. Builds in 5 minutes for transitions and feedback.

The 8 questions (from H&L Ch 11, p. 180):

  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?

Teacher's job during mock interviews:

  • Circulate constantly
  • Score 2-3 student interviews directly using the rubric
  • Give in-the-moment feedback: "Make eye contact" / "Slow down" / "Say more"
  • Catch students playing on phones — this is high-stakes practice, not free time

Facilitation Tip

Wear professional clothes that day if possible. Greet students at the door as if they are arriving for an interview, a handshake and eye contact at the threshold sets the tone without any verbal instruction.

DOK 4: Create a top 5 list of things that make or break a job interview. Rank them and explain WHY each one matters.

Activity 2: Write the Thank-You Letter (12 min)

Source: H&L Workbook Ch 11, pp. 179-181, "Follow Up" + "Practicing for a Job Interview" Step 3

The H&L workbook (Ch 11, p. 179) walks through how to follow up after an interview: "After an interview, it is important to send a follow-up email to thank the employer. This shows your appreciation and will keep you in the mind of the employer."

The workbook lists six rules for the thank-you email:

  1. Address the employer by name
  2. Thank them for meeting with you
  3. Tell them ONE thing you enjoyed or are excited about regarding the interview
  4. List 1-2 ways you would be a great fit for the job
  5. Let them know they can contact you with questions
  6. End with "Best Regards," + your full name

The workbook (Ch 11, p. 181) says: "Step 3: Write a Thank You Email. Use a digital tool or the space provided to write out your email."

Student task: In 12 minutes, write a thank-you email to your mock interview partner. Address them by name. Thank them. Mention one thing you appreciated about the practice. Include 1-2 fit statements. Sign your name.

This is the d(7)(B) deliverable for the thank-you letter.

Sample format:

Subject: Thank You for the Interview

Dear [Partner Name],

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me today. I really enjoyed our conversation about [job], and I appreciated the questions you asked.

I think I would be a great fit because [strength 1] and [strength 2]. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

Best Regards, [Your Name]

DELIVERABLE: Mock interview scored on rubric + thank-you letter saved or printed.

Exit Ticket (5 min)

EXIT TICKET (3-2-1 Reflective) · Printable PDF:

3 specific things I did well in my mock interview today (content or delivery):

2 things I would improve if I could interview again:

1 thing my thank-you letter included that the workbook required (from the 6 rules):

(d(6)(C), d(7)(B))

Differentiation

  • Support: Allow nervous students to interview with the teacher one-on-one instead of with a peer. Allow them to use their notes from Day 4 during the interview. Provide a fill-in-the-blank thank-you letter template with the structure pre-built.
  • Extension: Students do a SECOND mock interview with a different partner (if time allows). They compare what they did differently and write a 3-sentence reflection.
  • ELL: Allow Spanish or bilingual mock interviews. Bilingual interviews are common in DFW healthcare, retail, and customer service. Provide bilingual question cards. Pair ESL students with bilingual peers if needed.