Job Interview Role Play
Note to Instructor
This exercise may be used as an alternative to requiring a job interview from each student. Optimally, another adult should be recruited to play one role, with you playing the other. The situations may be changed to suit your needs.
Job Interview Role Play
NOTE: The script can be changed or adapted to your situation or needs. This is just a general idea of how to do the interview. If any questions are changed, be sure to change them on the evaluation form as well.
Each student should complete an evaluation form. You may use them as a basis for discussion or for an individual grade.
Interviewee: Chris Mason
PREPARATIONS:
1. Setting: Two desks or a table with two chairs arranged at the front of the classroom to simulate an interview situation. Placement should allow all students to observe and hear what is happening.
2. It is helpful to have a completed application for the interviewer to look at. The interviewer should also have the set of questions to ask.
3. The position for which the person is interviewing should be determined before the role-play so that the interviewee can refer to different aspects of the job during the interview. In the scenario given, the position is for an entry-level sales position at Old Navy. Adjust the script to reflect any other position chosen.
4. The interviewer is seated in one of the seats and rises to greet the interviewee as he/she enters.
5. The interviewee (Chris Mason) is dressed inappropriately for an interview. Jeans, casual shoes, flashy jewelry, gum, etc. may be used to create this impression.
(Chris Mason, the interviewee, enters the room.)
Interviewer: (Rises to greet Chris and offers his/her hand) Hello, Chris. I am
(States his/her name) .
Chris: (Shakes interviewer’s hand) Hello Mr./Ms. (states his/her name) . Thank you for taking the time to see me today.
Interviewer: You’re welcome. Have a seat. (Motions to the interviewee’s seat, then sits)
(Chris sits)
Interviewer: Chris, why don’t you start by telling me a little bit about yourself.
Chris: (Fidgets while talking and does not exhibit good eye contact) Well, I am currently a senior at High School. I am involved in the Key Club and am in my second year of marketing classes. For the past year, I have worked as a sales associate at The Limited. I am consistently near the top in sales among the part-time workers. I enjoy retail, but think I would prefer to work with more than just women’s clothing.
Interviewer: Why do you want to leave your position at The Limited?
Chris: I hate the hours and my manager can be a real jerk most of the time. I need to move on to better things.
Interviewer: Chris, tell me what you consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Chris: (Fidgets while talking and does not exhibit good eye contact) As I said before, I am a good salesperson. I get along with people good and like working in a store. I am also real responsible about work. They even let me close the store sometimes. My main weakness is that I get bored easily. It happens often at The Limited, which is another reason I want to leave.
Interviewer: Why should I hire you?
Chris: I have experience, I am responsible, and I like working with people. I can sell and would represent the company well. I also am creative and good at making displays.
Interviewer: Chris, I appreciate your coming today. Do you have any questions for me?
Chris: Would I get an employee discount on your clothes?
Interviewer: Yes, all employees are eligible for a 20% discount on regular-priced or sale merchandise.
Chris: Okay, good.
Interviewer: Any other questions?
Chris: No.
Interviewer: Then I thank you for applying for the position. We will make a decision within the next couple of weeks and will contact you then. (Stands up and offers his/her hand)
Chris: (Stands and shakes hand) Thank you. (Exits the room)
Job Interview Role Play
Interviewee: Pat Jones
PREPARATIONS:
1. Setting: Two desks or a table with two chairs arranged at the front of the classroom to simulate an interview situation. Placement should allow all students to observe and hear what is happening.
2. It is helpful to have a completed application for the interviewer to look at. The interviewer should also have the set of questions to ask.
3. The position for which the person is interviewing should be determined before the role-play so that the interviewee can refer to different aspects of the job during the interview. In the scenario given, the position is for an entry-level sales position at Old Navy. Adjust the script to reflect any other position chosen.
4. The interviewer is seated in one of the seats and rises to greet the interviewee as he/she enters.
5. The interviewee (Pat Jones) is dressed appropriately for an interview.
(Pat Jones, the interviewee, enters the room.)
Interviewer: (Rises to greet Pat and offers his/her hand) Hello, Pat. I am
(States his/her name) .
Pat: (Shakes interviewer’s hand) Hello Mr./Ms. (states his/her name) . Thank you for taking the time to see me today.
Interviewer: You’re welcome. Have a seat. (Motions to the interviewee’s seat, then sits)
(Pat sits)
Interviewer: Pat, why don’t you start by telling me a little bit about yourself.
Pat: (Sits up straight and has good eye contact) Well, I am currently a senior at High School. I went to Middle School and was in the band there. I have two brothers and one sister. I like to hang out with my friends and go to movies. I work at The Limited about 20 hours per week. That’s about all.
Interviewer: Why do you want to leave your position at The Limited?
Pat: I really enjoy retail and selling. I think that by working at a store, like Old Navy, I can gain experience selling men’s and children’s clothing. Since I want to pursue a career in the retail clothing industry, I feel this would be a good move for me.
Interviewer: Pat, tell me what you consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Pat: One of my strengths is that I am goal-oriented and go after what I want. I know how to sell and am good at it, and I am very responsible. As far as my weaknesses, I really don’t have any.
Interviewer: Pat, briefly tell me, why should I hire you?
Pat: I will be an asset to your business. I want to learn everything I can about the business and have the skills to succeed. I have experience and am a hard worker.
Interviewer: Pat, I appreciate your coming today. Do you have any questions for me?
Pat: Yes. Is there room to move up within the company?
Interviewer: Yes, there is. In fact, we like to promote from within. A sales associate would move up to assistant manager, then to store manager. After that, there are several regional and corporate positions available, depending on your interests and skills.
Pat: Great, thanks.
Interviewer: Any other questions?
Pat: No, that is all for today.
Interviewer: Then I thank you for applying for the position. We will make a decision within the next couple of weeks and will contact you then. (Stands up and offers his/her hand)
Pat: (Stands and shakes hand) Thank you. (Exits the room)
Professional Development
Evaluation Interviewee: Chris Mason Name
QUESTION/BEHAVIOR
/ A / I / REASONS1. Appearance
2. On time
3. Eye contact
4. Seated at appropriate time
5. Body language
6. Answered questions appropriately
A. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”
B. “Why do you want to leave your position at
The Limited?”
C. “Tell me your strengths and weaknesses.”
D. “Why should we hire you?”
7. Verbal communication
8. Asked appropriate questions
9. Exits the interview correctly
A = Appropriate I = Inappropriate
Evaluation Interviewee: Pat Jones Name
QUESTION/BEHAVIOR
/ A / I / REASONS1. Appearance
2. On time
3. Eye contact
4. Seated at appropriate time
5. Body language
6. Answered questions appropriately
A. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”
B. “Why do you want to leave your position at
The Limited?”
C. “Tell me your strengths and weaknesses.”
D. “Why should we hire you?”
7. Verbal communication
8. Asked appropriate questions
9. Exits the interview correctly
A = Appropriate I = Inappropriate
Professional Development