Module 6: The Interview: Getting Your Foot in the Door

This part emphasizes how the interview begins before most applicants ever set eyes on the boss—in the front office. How a prospective employee treats staff during the waiting period definitely influences hiring decisions. Teach your students that being overly personal, superior, agitated, fidgety, unprepared or late are often reported to the boss and can create a negative image before they get a chance to showcase their skills and qualifications for the job.

Body language, presenting a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm and respect are the most important things you can communicate to a boss in the initial job interview. In this segment, your students will see several of the most common mistakes nervous interviewees can make during an interview. These mistakes include voicing more concern over vacation and benefits than the actual job, being overly personal with the boss, showing signs of disinterest or sleepiness, asking the boss to rearrange the schedule of the job, talking too much about irrelevant matters, and appearing nervous and fidgety.

A job interview should be considered a special occasion. Students will understand that appropriate clothing, grooming, and makeup are essential. This segment outlines for students the basics of coordinating conservative clothing that will signal to a prospective boss that they are serious, mature and ready for the professional world.