3. 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
5. Employment Interview
When: 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
6. 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 Interview
1. 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.
9. 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
10. Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
The
Beginning
The Spark
A Growing
Interest
Your Future
Why Are
You Here?
Life Journey
Goal: Tell them a story no one can replicate &
impress them under 2 minutes.
11. 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
12. Question #1: Tell Me About Yourself
Life Formula
Social
Entrepreneurship
Arc Initiative @
Ethiopia
Strategic Thinking
Internships, SCI
Teaching
TA & Junior
Achievement
Personal Growth
Case comps,
exchange
14. TMAY: Your Turn!
1. Grab a partner.
2. Take a couple minutes to think about your TMAY answer
3. Share your answer with your partner - partners should time (2.5 mins) &
give feedback afterwards.
15. TMAY: My Least Favourite Question
It will take time to come up with a TMAY answer
you’re happy with. Keep working on it.
16. 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
17. Question #2: What Are Your Strengths?
Team Facilitator
Gauge people
dynamics, be
inclusive - lots of
experience
working in teams
Storytelling
Able to simplify
and explain things
clearly in an
audience-centric
way thanks to TA
background
Strategic Thinking
High 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
19. 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
20. 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!
21. Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Describe
Weakness
Describe
Improvement
Plan
22. Question #3: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Asking for help
from teammates
Set expectations
from the
beginning & check
in with teammates
24. 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
25. Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."
S
T
A
R
L
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?
26. Question #4: “Tell Me About a Time When..."
How do I
prepare?
Review Skills Matrix
Don’t go into too much detail though!
Examine job posting
What would you ask if you were the employer?
27. 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!
30. 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!
31. 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)
32. 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!
33. 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 Asking
Answer the question, don’t beat around the bush
Smile & Keep Up the Energy - They’re Human Too
Be yourself & don’t forget about the airport test
34. What’s Coming Up
Sign up for employment interview timeslots on COOL this week1
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 14
3
