Post on 20-Aug-2020
English for Work Mock InterviewsMock Interviews
What to expect
Thank you for partnering with us!
Individuals assisting in Hopelink’s English for Work class mock interviews
can expect to:
• Be present for 3 hours and give two or three 25-minute interviews
• Provide written and oral interview feedback after each interview to
help students develop practical interviewing skills.
Although you will be role-playing the hiring manager of a business named in
a job posting selected by each of the students, past employers have found
(and subsequently hired) some strong candidates for their own companies.
About the English for Work Class
English for Work is a class for beginning, intermediate,
and advanced ESL students who are preparing to work in
the U.S. In this class, students learn to speak about their
skills and experience, search for jobs, write a resume and
a cover letter, perform a job interview, communicate via a cover letter, perform a job interview, communicate via
email, navigate U.S. work culture, and more!
Classes meet twice a week for one quarter. The class
moves quickly to prepare students to get a job in the U.S.,
and includes weekly online homework and one-on-one
coaching.
Who are the students?
Our students are adult immigrants and refugees who have come from all over
the world, and from all walks of life.
Some are highly educated and have been professionals in their native
countries; others may have come from more limited circumstances. countries; others may have come from more limited circumstances.
Some join the class nearly ready to enter the U.S. workforce, while others need
to improve their English and will need additional classes before they can begin
working.
All of them come with the hope of making a life in their new homeland.
Preparing students for an interview
Typically our students say that the interview is the most difficult/most feared
part of the job search process. Students often lack confidence in their oral
English communication skills.
The English for Work class seeks to help students build confidence in their The English for Work class seeks to help students build confidence in their
interview skills by offering two mock interview days.
The first of these is a short informal practice with volunteers.
The second is their opportunity to interview with real employers.
Employer Mock-interview Day
We expect each student to:
• come dressed appropriately
• provide a hard copy of their resume
• do two one-on-one interviews.
Students review questions and practice together
in a waiting area until they are called to do an
interview.
Room set-up
Hopelink is a busy, multi-purpose,
community action organization, so we use
a variety of rooms and shared spaces for a variety of rooms and shared spaces for
our mock interviews.
A staff member or volunteer will guide you
to your space.
The interview process: step by step
1. You will receive an interview time schedule,
and for each student you interview, we will
A staff member will go through the following information with you step by step prior to the interviews.
and for each student you interview, we will
provide a folder containing the student’s
resume and a job posting, along with copies
of the interview questions and of the
feedback documents*
*We will send an email with copies of the
questions and feedback forms for you to
preview before the mock-interview day.
The interview process: step by step
2. Once you have reviewed the information in the
folder, go to the waiting area. Call the name of the
student. Greet him/her and introduce yourself. Ask
a small talk question -- for example, “Did you have
any trouble getting here today?” Take the student any trouble getting here today?” Take the student
to your interview station and ask him/her to sit
down.
3. Ask the interview questions in any order, taking
notes as needed. You can ask any additional
questions you feel are needed to ascertain the
student’s ability to perform the job. Please stay
within the time allotted on your schedule.
The interview process: step by step
4. End the interview with a polite closing and ask the
student to wait while you fill out the feedback
forms.
5. Talk about the results with the student. Focus on
the interview. This is not the time to give resume the interview. This is not the time to give resume
feedback.
6. Optional: At this time you are welcome to share
information about any open positions in your
company.
7. Give the folder and all documents to the student
and ask him/her to return to the waiting room.
Be Calm and Confident
On mock interview days, many students
feel nervous. Your calm, friendly, composed
demeanor can provide just the encouragement
and support they need to prepare them for
actual job interviews. actual job interviews.
Thank you for your willingness to help
our English for Work students develop
confidence in their interviewing skills.
Your time and expertise make a difference!