Interview Skills Practice

Unit: Rebuild & Rise: A Second Chance

Lesson 6 of 14: Interview Skills & Workplace Readiness

Duration: 90 minutes
Class Size: 20 students
Grade Level: 12th Grade

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Develop and articulate a clear and concise 30-second elevator pitch that communicates their skills, experiences, and goals.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills during mock interviews.
• Analyze and critique interview performance using reflective feedback.
• Connect interview preparation skills to broader concepts of personal responsibility and accountability.

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Common Core State Standards Alignment

Reading: Informational Text (RI)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (Used when analyzing sample interview questions and job descriptions.)
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media to address a question or solve a problem. (Analysis of mock interview scenarios and feedback.)

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.6: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Writing (W)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly. (Use for crafting the elevator pitch statement.)

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Materials Needed

• Printed copies of sample interview questions
• Rubric for elevator pitch and interview skills assessment
• Devices or paper for writing elevator pitch
• Timer or stopwatch
• Chairs arranged for interview pairs
• Feedback forms for peer assessment

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Lesson Activities

1. Warm-Up: Reflect on Personal Responsibility (10 minutes)

• Begin by revisiting concepts from MODULE 1: "Identity & Ownership," particularly personal responsibility and accountability as related to professional behavior.
• Prompt: “How does being accountable and responsible in your personal life translate to being prepared and professional in a job interview?”
• Quick think-pair-share: Students discuss in pairs and share insights with the class.

2. Elevator Pitch Introduction & Workshop (20 minutes)

• Explain the purpose and power of a 30-second elevator pitch in interviews and networking.
• Break down components: brief introduction, key strengths/skills, career or learning goals, and a closing statement.
• Show a model elevator pitch aloud.
• Students spend 10 minutes drafting their own elevator pitch using a guided worksheet that aligns with CCSS Writing standards (W.11-12.2).
• Volunteers read their pitches aloud with constructive feedback from teacher and peers.

3. Interview Fundamentals Mini-Lesson (10 minutes)

• Discuss verbal and non-verbal communication skills during interviews: tone, eye contact, posture, clear responses.
• Review common interview questions and expectations.
• Connect to CCSS Speaking & Listening standards, emphasizing formal and appropriate communication.

4. Mock Interview Activity (35 minutes)

• Students pair up (two groups of 10 simultaneously). One student is the interviewer, the other is the interviewee.
• Provide the interviewer with a set of standard interview questions.
• Each interview lasts approximately 8 minutes: 6 minutes for the interview, 2 minutes for immediate peer feedback using a simple rubric focused on clarity, confidence, and communication skills.
• Roles switch after the first round, ensuring all students practice both interviewing and interviewing skills.

5. Group Reflection & Debrief (10 minutes)

• Reconvene as a full class.
• Discuss what they learned about their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Prompt: “How does practicing accountability in your identity connect to your responsibility in preparing for a job interview?”
• Encourage students to think about ongoing growth and commitment aligned with the unit theme.

6. Exit Ticket: Personal Commitment for Next Interview (5 minutes)

• Students write a short, one-paragraph reflection integrating the lesson’s goals with their personal accountability statement from the identity audit.
• Example prompt: “What is one specific way I will hold myself accountable to prepare better for future interviews?”

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation during elevator pitch sharing and mock interviews, peer feedback contributions.
• Summative: Written elevator pitch assessed using a rubric aligned with CCSS Writing standards, and exit ticket reflection demonstrating understanding of personal responsibility and workplace readiness.

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Differentiation & Adaptations

• Provide sentence starters or outlines for students struggling with writing their elevator pitch.
• Allow students uncomfortable with public speaking to record their pitch via audio or video.
• Pair students thoughtfully for peer support.
• Offer extended time for reflection or writing if needed.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor engagement during mock interviews; consider providing additional support for students who are shy or anxious.
• Adjust timing based on class energy and discussion depth.
• Encourage students to keep refining their elevator pitches throughout the unit and in future lessons.

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This lesson plan integrates critical Common Core standards in reading, speaking, listening, and writing, supporting 12th graders’ transition from personal accountability to professional workplace readiness in a structured, engaging, and student-centered environment.