COMM 202Tutorial 7: Employment Interviews &
Farewell
Minyoung HwangT27 & T34
Today’s Agenda
Employment Interview1
Interview Q&A2
Final Messages3
Coming Up4
Due: Informational Interview Assignment On April 14th @ 11:59PM On Turnitin
Course Outline
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Tutorial: Interview Prep & Farewell
Happening: Sign Up For Employment Interview On COOL (March 29th For Wave 1, March 30th For Wave 2)
Lecture: When You Land The Job
Happening: Employment Interviews (25%)
Optional: Practice On Interview Stream, Available Until April 7th
What to expect in the Employment
Interviews next week!
Employment InterviewWhen: April 3rd, 4th, 6th
What to Bring (MANDATORY - PRINTED): ● Resume● Cover Letter● Job Description
What You Should Also Bring (OPTIONAL):● Padfolio● Pen● Research Notes
25% of your mark!
No Print-Outs of The
3 Mandatory Items
= Automatic 0
Employment Interview
At the Interview:1. Be EARLY! If you are even 1 minute late, you will
not get to interview and receive an automatic zero.
2. Sign in to the reception area in Birmingham.3. Complete the interview - it will be ~20 minutes
consisting of behavioural questions, followed by some feedback.
Not Signing Up on COOL = Automatic
0
Late / Not Checking In = Automatic
0
Before the Interview1. If you submitted on COOL before the first
deadline, sign up for your timeslot on COOL by Wednesday March 29.
2. If you submitted on COOL before the second deadline, sign up for your timeslot on COOL on Thursday March 30.
Employment Interview
Dress Code = Business Formal
Interview Q&A
Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
What is it?● Typically the first question
an employer may ask = your first impression
● May be asked in different ways○ “Walk me through your
resume”
What Makes a Good TMAY Answer?● Under 2 mins - 1.5 mins is the
sweet spot● Sounds natural, not
robotic/memorized● Balance between personal and
professional answer● Contains passion & authenticity● Mentions skills/accomplishments● Memorable & unique to who you
are● Shows that you’re a well-rounded
and personable hooman
Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
The Beginnin
gThe
SparkA
Growing Interest
Your Future
Why Are You
Here?
Life Journey
Goal: Tell them a story no one can replicate & impress them under 2
minutes.
Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
Dunno why I came to biz
school
Arc Initiative Ethiopia in 1st year summer
Learned via internships @ Coke &
Pepsi
Learned via exchange,
case comps, SCI
Continue learning,
solve issues with biz
Minyoung’s Life Journey
Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
Life FormulaSocial
Entrepreneurship
Arc Initiative @ Ethiopia
Strategic Thinking
Internships, SCI
TeachingTA & Junior
Achievement
Personal Growth
Case comps, exchange
Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
TMAY: Your Turn!1. Grab a partner.2. Take a couple minutes to think about your TMAY answer3. Share your answer with your partner - partners should time (2.5 mins)
&give feedback afterwards.
TMAY: My Least Favourite Question
It will take time to come up with a TMAY answer you’re happy with. Keep working on
it.
Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?What is it?● A way to see if you really
know yourself● May be asked in different
ways○ “What can you bring to
the table?”○ “Why should I pick you
over other candidates?”
What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Around 2 mins● Mention around 2-3 (but prepare 4-5
just in case)● Provide a bit of proof but don’t go too
much into each detail● Tactfully relevant to the job you’re
applying for
Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?
Team Facilitator
Gauge people dynamics, be inclusive - lots of experience
working in teams
StorytellingAble to simplify
and explain things clearly in
an audience-centric way thanks to TA background
Strategic ThinkingHigh level
thinker that values great questions,
practice from internships &
SCI
Curiosity/Drive
Always hungry to learn through
work, ECs or even reading &
listening to podcasts
Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?
Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?What is it?● A way to assess self-
awareness & spot red flags
What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Around 2 mins● Mention one but prepare 2-3● Not something that would impair you
from doing the job
Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Flipping strengths into weaknesses“I’m TOO detail-oriented sometimes”
Using cliches“I’m a perfectionist” “I work too much”
What not to do!
Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Describe Weakness
Describe Improvement
Plan
Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Asking for help from
teammates
Set expectations
from the beginning & check in with teammates
Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."What is it?● Testing if you have the
necessary skills/experiences for the job
● Looking for your thought process in given situations
What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Around 2 mins● Demonstrates the skill with the right
answer● Doesn’t re-use the same experience
too many times● Clear & concise
Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."S
TARL
What position and where were you?
What was the challenge you faced?
What did YOU do to solve this situation?
What was the result?
How does this relate back to the position?
Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."
How do I prepare?
Review Skills MatrixDon’t go into too much detail though!
Examine job postingWhat would you ask if you were the employer?
Question #5: Wild Card Questions
What is it?● Industry/job specific
questions to test your knowledge
● Random questions that you cannot prepare for
● Testing how you react under pressure & deal with uncertainty
● Want to know how you think your way through a problem
What Does a Good Answer Look Like?● Tell them what you’re gonna 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
Question #5: Wild Card Questions
Last Part: “Do You Have Any Questions?”Always have 2 questions!● Avoid asking questions you could find the answer to on Google● 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
Expected in the employment interviews next week!
Closing the Interview
● Thank them for their time● Reiterate your interest (might be awkward, give it
a try in the employment interviews)● End with a handshake● Ask for a business card● Ask how you can best follow up● Use their name (write it down in the beginning in
case you forget)
Follow-Up● 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 again● Reference an answer they gave you to one of your end of interview
questions● If you interviewed with multiple people make sure the follow-up is
personalized to each person
Remember the 24 hour rule!
General Interview Tips
Take Your Time If You Need To“That’s a good question - can I have a quick moment to think about that one?”
Listen to What They’re AskingAnswer the question, don’t beat around the bush
Smile & Keep Up the Energy - They’re Human TooBe yourself & don’t forget about the airport test
What’s Coming UpSign up for employment interview timeslots on COOL this week
1
Prep and show up for employment interviews next week (optional Interview Stream available)
2
Next week: final lecture ONLY on Tues & Wed4
Informational interview reflection due on Turnitin @ 11:59PM April 143
Final Messages
STAY CURIOUS& NEVER STOP LEARNING.
Find YourOwn Path.Don’t bedefined byother people.
BE AFRAID,BUT DO IT ANYWAY.
Be Kind -Character matters.
Final MessagesThank you!msg me if you ever, ever need
anything.