This document provides an agenda and guidance for students participating in a mock employment interview assignment. It includes sections on the interview assignment details, common interview questions to expect and tips for how to answer them, examples of "wild card" questions, tips for following up after the interview, and words of encouragement from the instructors. The key topics covered are introducing oneself in an interview, discussing one's strengths and weaknesses, sharing examples of past experiences, being prepared to answer unexpected questions, and following up professionally after the interview. The goal is to help students practice their interview skills for future job opportunities.

1. COMM 202 – THE LAST
TUTORIAL!
Alison Buchanan | T30 + T37 and guests!
#202forever

2. AGENDA
1. Employment Interview Assignment
2. Interview Q&A
3. Words of Wisdom from Alison & Sabrina 
4. Action Items

3. EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW (10%)
WHEN: April 4th, 5th and 7th
• Check in with “reception” in Birmingham 10
minutes before your scheduled time; your
interviewer will come to waiting area to get
you
• The interview will last 20 minutes with 1-2
Commerce 202 team members
• Please bring your pen, resume, job posting,
and cover letter in a padfolio

4. DRESS TO IMPRESS – BUSINESS FORMAL

5. INTERVIEW Q&A

6. QUESTIONS TO EXPECT
Tell me about yourself / Walk me through your
resume
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Tell me about a time when… x2
WILD CARD / Problem-solving / Creative stumper
question
1
2
3
4
5
6

7. Q1 – TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
The MOST COMMON QUESTION you will get in
an interview
Can be asked in different ways… PRACTICE MAKES
PERFECT
• 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

10. SABRINA’S FORMULA
Ice-hockey Education KPMG SR
Passion
Accountability
Perseverance
High Pressure
Learning
Problem Solving
Accounting & HR
Public Practice Exposure
Analytical
CPA

11. I would hire you on
the spot (2 points)
I would like to interview
you again (1 point)
I would not hire
you (0 points)
TELL ME
ABOUT
YOURSEL
F
Student provides a
relevant, chronological
“story” highlighting their
beginning, spark,
growing interest, goals
and fit to the
organization in a
concise manner (2
minute max)
The student provides a
chronological “story”
highlighting most but not all
of the 5 aspects listed in the
first column in a concise
manner and/or answer was
longer than 2 minutes
Student provided
“story” that is neither
concise (more than 2
minutes) nor
chronological/logical
✪ GRADING RUBRIC: ABOUT YOURSELF

12. ACTIVITY
Grab a partner and share
“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”
stories
2 minutes story-telling, 1 minute feedback!

13. #2 – WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?
• A way for the interviewer to tell if you know yourself and
that you know you have what it takes to do the job
• Can also be asked in different ways!
• There is no right answer – just good answers and bad
answers

14. I would hire you on
the spot (2 points)
I would like to
interview you again
(1 point)
I would not hire
you (0 points)
STRENGTH
S
Student is able to choose
strengths relevant to the
position, give a strong
example with proof of
execution and links the
experience to the job
opportunity
Student is able to choose
strengths relevant to the
position, gives a strong
example of execution,
but may lack a link to the
position
Student’s strength may
be irrelevant to the
position and/or lacks
proof of execution or
link to job opportunity
✪ GRADING RUBRIC: STRENGTHS

15. #3 – WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Do not flip
WEAKNESSES
into
STRENGTHS!

16. #3 – WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
✘ “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 have a plan to improve these
weaknesses
 Show the “lesson learned”

17. ✪ GRADING RUBRIC: WEAKNESSES
I would hire you
the spot (2
I would like to
you again (1 point)
I would not hire
you (0 points)
WEAKNESSES Student is able to
choose a
developmental area
not key to the
of the position and
share how they
overcame the
the lesson learned
action plan moving
forward, while
demonstrating self
reflection and
resilience
Student is able to choose
developmental area not
to the function of the
position and share how
overcame the situation,
however is not able to
articulate the lesson
or action plan moving
forward and/or student
choose cliché answer ex.
“My greatest weakness is
my greatest strength”
Student either
a skill essential to
position or was not
able to clearly
the lesson and/or
action plan moving
forward; student
unable to provide a
weakness

18. #4 – TELL ME ABOUT A TIME…?
S T A R
SITUATION ACTIONTASK RESULT
What position
and where were
you?
What was the
challenge you
faced?
What did YOU
do and how did
you do it?
What was the
accomplishment
and the impact?
+ LINK back to job and why the story is relevant

19. #5 – WILD CARD QUESTIONS

20. #5 – WILD CARD QUESTIONS
• 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!
YOUR
GOAL
• Walk them through your thought
process
• Stay calm and provide a clear answer

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?
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
EXAMPLES

22. ✪ GRADING RUBRIC: WILD CARD
I would hire you on
the spot (2 points)
I would like to
interview you
(1 point)
I would not hire you
points)
CREATIVE/
STUMPER
QUESTIONS
Student “aces” every
opportunity to differentiate
themselves during the
interview: e.g., they offer a
credible, logically-
and concise answer for
question. If on the rare
occasion, they don’t know
answer, they then respond
asking clarifying questions
and/or outlining the
solving approach they
use. Maintains composure.
Student “handles” some
opportunities to
themselves during the
interview: e.g., they offer
credible and/or
organized and/or
answers for many
questions. They
respond by asking
questions and/or
the problem-solving
approach they would use
They “miss” too many
opportunities to
themselves during
e.g., they offer widely
answers in terms of
and/or logical organization
and/or conciseness. If they
don’t know the answer,
often don’t seem to know
to respond by asking
questions and/or outlining
problem-solving approach

23. #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 you look for in candidates?” –
probably should have 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.

24. CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
THANK them
Reiterate your INTEREST
End with a HANDSHAKE
Ask for their BUSINESS CARD
Ask if you can CALL to follow-up
Use their NAME

25. FOLLOW UP
Don’t write an essay!
Email in 24
Hours
Thank Them
Refer to
Convo
Tailor to the
Reader
Re-iterate
Interest!
Check for
Typos

26. FOLLOW UP: EXAMPLE
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

27. GENERAL TIPS
Listen to the
question
Answer the
darn question
Use your
Skills Matrix
&
DON’T
FORGET
TO
SMILE


28. WORDS OF WISDOM 

29. ACTION ITEMS
• InterviewStream due April 3rd at
11:59PM EST
• Employment Interviews April 4th,
5th, and 7th (write down your time!)
• Informational Interview due April
14th via Turnitin
• Lecture next week!
!
Puppy of the term
(Alison’s puppy)