Career Launch Slides Career Launch
Mastering Research & The Interview Process
Why Research Matters
1. Confidence
Knowing the company reduces anxiety. You aren't walking into a mystery; you're walking into a conversation you've prepared for.
2. Tailored Answers
Align your skills with their specific needs. If they value innovation, talk about your creative problem-solving.
The "Secret Sauce"
"Research is the difference between asking for a job and offering a solution."
How to Hunt for Info
Website & Vision
Look beyond the homepage. Read the "About Us" and "Mission Statement" carefully.
• Company Values
• Leadership Team
• Recent News
Social Presence
Check LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram to see their brand "voice" and culture.
• Employee Highlights
• Industry Engagement
• Company Events
Industry Trends
What's changing in this field? Use Google News to find recent breakthroughs or challenges.
• Major Competitors
• Tech Advancements
• Market Shifts
The Interview "Menu"
01
Behavioral
"Tell me about a time when..." These focus on past experiences to predict future behavior.
02
Technical/Skills
Testing your hard skills (coding, design, math, or physical tasks) on the spot.
03
Panel
Being interviewed by 2-5 people at once. Keep eye contact with everyone!
04
Group
You and other candidates solving a problem together. Show leadership and teamwork.
Winning the Webcam
Tech Check
Test your mic, camera, and internet 15 mins before.
Eye Contact
Look at the LENS, not your own face on the screen.
Backdrop
Clean, neutral background. Check for "floating laundry."
Digital Presence
Google yourself. What comes up? Ensure your LinkedIn is updated and your public social accounts are "grandma-safe."
The "Big Three" Questions
Q1
"Tell me about yourself."
Focus on: Past achievement + Current role + Future goal.
Q2
"What is your greatest weakness?"
Focus on: A real skill you've improved + The steps you took to grow.
Q3
"Why should we hire you?"
Focus on: Your unique skills + How they solve the company's specific problems.
Ready for Takeoff
Today's Goal
Complete the Employer Intel and Interview Playbook worksheets to build your personal strategy.
Pro Tip
Practice your answers out loud. The first time you say them shouldn't be during the interview!
Let's Get to Work
Employer Intel Worksheet Employer Intel
Target Employer & Industry Research Log
Name:
Date:
The Target List
Identify three companies or organizations in your field of interest. Why are they on your radar?
Target 01
Company Name
Primary Service/Product
Target 02
Company Name
Primary Service/Product
Target 03
Company Name
Primary Service/Product
Deep Dive Research
Choose **one** company from your list above and perform a thorough investigation.
Mission/Vision Statement
Core Values (List 3+)
Recent News/Achievements
Why would you be a good fit for this specific company culture?
Industry Pulse
Key Tech or Innovations
What new technologies are changing this field?
Major Challenges
What hurdles is this industry currently facing?
Next Action Steps
I will follow these companies on LinkedIn.
I will update my resume to reflect their values.
Interview Playbook Worksheet Interview Playbook
Preparation & Response Strategy
Name:
Date:
The Format Radar
Quickly review the interview formats. Which one do you feel most and least prepared for?
Behavioral
Focus on past performance and stories.
Technical
Tests specific skills or industry knowledge.
Panel
Multiple interviewers questioning you.
Virtual
Conducted via Zoom, Teams, or recorded video.
Crafting Your "Big Three"
01
"Tell me about yourself."
Strategy: Past (one achievement) + Present (your current role) + Future (where you want to go).
02
"What is your greatest weakness?"
Strategy: Be honest about a real weakness + Show the specific steps you've taken to improve it.
03
"Why should we hire you?"
Strategy: Connect your specific skills to the company's specific needs identified in your research.
The STAR Method Storyboard
Use this to prep for "Tell me about a time when..." questions. Think of a challenge you overcame.
S Situation
Set the scene...
T Task
What was your goal?
A Action
What did YOU do?
R Result
What happened?
Virtual Pre-Flight Check
Camera at eye level & clean lens.
Quiet space with neutral background.
Good lighting (face a window).
Strong WiFi & laptop plugged in.
Browser tabs & notifications OFF.
Digital presence is "Professional."
Interview Prep Teacher Guide Career Launch
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Level: Grade 12
Learning Objective
Students will demonstrate the ability to research target employers and prepare strategic responses for diverse interview formats, including behavioral and virtual settings, using industry-standard tools and methods.
Materials Needed
• Career Launch Slides
• Employer Intel Worksheet (1 per student)
• Interview Playbook Worksheet (1 per student)
• Laptops/Devices for research
Instructional Sequence
01
The "Hook" (10 mins)
Ask students: "If you had to interview for your dream job tomorrow, what is the one question that scares you the most?" Collect responses and explain that anxiety is often caused by a lack of information.
02
Direct Instruction (15 mins)
Present the Career Launch Slides. Focus on the distinction between behavioral and technical formats. For the "Big Three" questions, model a bad response vs. a strong one.
Teaching Tip:
Emphasize that the "Tell me about yourself" question is NOT an autobiography. It's a 60-second commercial for their skills.
03
Employer Intel (20 mins)
Students use laptops to complete the Employer Intel Worksheet. Circulate to help students find "Recent News"—suggest checking the "Press Releases" section of company websites.
04
The Playbook (20 mins)
Students transition to the Interview Playbook Worksheet. This is independent work, but encourage them to whisper-read their answers to themselves to check the "flow."
Discussion Prompts
"What is one piece of company 'intel' that would make you change your interview strategy?"
"Why do employers ask about weaknesses? What are they really looking for in your answer?"
"How does your online presence (social media) act as a 'pre-interview'?"
Extension Activities
Elevator Pitch Speed Dating
Set a timer for 60 seconds. Students pair up and deliver their "Tell me about yourself" answer, then switch. Rotate 3-5 times.
Self-Video Audit
Students record themselves answering a behavioral question on their phones, then watch it back to check for filler words (um, like) and eye contact.
Key Terminology
Behavioral Interview
Focuses on past behavior to predict future success.
STAR Method
Situation, Task, Action, Result—framework for storytelling.
Panel Interview
