Interview Aces Slides Interview Aces
Mastering the Social Side of the Job Search
The First 10 Seconds
The Entrance
Walk in with purpose. Stand tall and smile as you enter the room.
The Greeting
"Hello, I'm [Name]. It's a pleasure to meet you today."
The Handshake
Firm but not crushing. Two pumps, then release. (Or a polite nod if preferred).
7 SECONDS
The amount of time it takes to make a first impression. Make it count!
The Power of Presence
Posture
Sit upright. Lean slightly forward to show you are engaged and listening.
Face
Keep a natural, pleasant expression. Avoid looking bored or overly tense.
Hands
Keep hands visible. Avoid fidgeting with pens, hair, or clothing.
Eyes & Expressions
1
The Triangle Rule
Move your gaze between the interviewer's eyes and mouth to maintain natural eye contact without staring.
2
Active Listening
Nod occasionally to show understanding. Match the interviewer's level of enthusiasm (Mirroring).
3
Blink & Breathe
Remember to blink naturally. Deep breaths help keep your facial muscles relaxed.
The Art of the Answer
Listen First
Don't rush to speak. Wait for the interviewer to finish the entire question.
The 2-Second Pause
Take a breath. It shows you are thinking and helps you stay calm.
Be Concise
Aim for 60-90 second answers. Stay on topic and be polite.
Polite Tone
Avoid "um," "like," and "you know." Use clear, professional language.
Tackling the Big Ones
"Tell me about yourself."
Keep it professional.
Past: School/Previous experience.
Present: Your current skills.
Future: Why you want this job.
"What is a strength?"
Choose a skill related to the job.
Provide a specific example.
Explain how it helps the company.
Curiosity Counts
Asking questions shows you are interested and prepared.
GREAT QUESTIONS
"What does a typical day look like?"
"What is your favorite part of working here?"
"What are the next steps in the process?"
SAVE FOR LATER
"How much money will I make?"
"When do I get vacation time?"
"Can I change my schedule next week?"
Ready for Practice?
The best way to become an Interview Ace is through practice. Use your scorecard, find a partner, and get started!
Remember: Social skills are just as important as job skills .
Interview Aces Teacher Guide Interview Aces
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration
60-90 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Demonstrate professional greetings and introductions in a simulated interview setting.
Identify and apply positive nonverbal communication cues (eye contact, posture).
Formulate polite and concise responses to common interview questions.
Identify appropriate questions to ask an interviewer to demonstrate interest.
Required Materials
Interview Aces Slide Deck
Mock Interview Scorecards (1 per student)
Interview Prep Worksheets (1 per student)
Optional: Video recording device for self-reflection
Key Concepts
First Impressions
The "7-second" rule for nonverbal impact.
Triangle Rule
Natural eye contact technique.
Curiosity
Why asking questions is a power move.
Lesson Flow
1
10 Mins
Hook: The Bad Interview
Perform a 2-minute "worst-case scenario" interview with a volunteer or co-teacher. Exaggerate poor posture, lack of eye contact, and "um/like" fillers. Ask students to list everything that went wrong.
2
20 Mins
Direct Instruction: The Slides
Use the Interview Aces Slide Deck to present key skills.
Discussion Prompt:
"Why do you think an employer cares about your body language as much as your actual answers?"
3
15 Mins
Brainstorm: Prep Worksheet
Hand out the Interview Prep Worksheet. Students individually draft their "Tell me about yourself" responses and select 2 strengths to focus on. Circulate and provide feedback on their concise phrasing.
4
30 Mins
Active Practice: Speed Interviews
Pair students up. Distribute the Mock Interview Scorecard. Each student gets 5 minutes as the interviewer and 5 minutes as the interviewee. Rotate pairs at least twice to allow for practice with different personalities.
5
10 Mins
Reflection & Wrap-Up
Re-group and ask: "What was the hardest social skill to maintain under pressure?" or "What is one thing you'll definitely do in your next real interview?"
Pro Tips & Differentiation
For Shy Students
Allow them to practice in a smaller group or with a trusted peer first. Focus on one goal at a time (e.g., "Just focus on the greeting today").
Interview Prep Worksheet Interview Aces Prep
Name
Date
1. Your Personal Pitch
Draft your response to "Tell me about yourself." Remember the formula: Past (School/Experience) + Present (Current Skills) + Future (Why you're here).
2. Strength Spotter
Identify two strengths you have and a brief example of how you've shown them.
Strength A
Example
Strength B
Example
3. My Curiosity List
List 3 thoughtful questions you could ask the interviewer at the end.
1
2
3
Pro Tip: Re-read your answers aloud. If it sounds like you're reading a script, try to simplify the language to sound more natural!
Mock Interview Scorecard Interview Ace Scorecard
Interviewee:
Interviewer:
Total Score
/ 20
Social Skill Category Points (1-5)
The First Impression
Walked in confidently, clear greeting, firm handshake/polite nod, and stated name clearly.
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1
2
3
4
5
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Body Language
Maintained good posture, consistent eye contact (triangle rule), and avoided fidgeting.
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1
2
3
4
5
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Communication Flow
Answered questions politely, stayed on topic, spoke clearly, and used professional language.
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1
2
3
4
5
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Curiosity & Interest
Asked at least one appropriate, thoughtful question about the job or the company.
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1
2
3
4
5
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High Five (Strengths)
One Level Up (Growth)
Interview Ace Peer Review Tool • Professional Social Skills Series
Interview Roleplay Cards Interview Role-Play Cards
Cut these out to provide variety during mock interview practice.
Scenario 01
The Local Grocer
The Role: Part-time Stock Associate.
Company Vibe: Busy, community-focused, values efficiency and friendliness.
The Challenge: The interviewer is in a bit of a hurry but very friendly.
Practice Professionalism
Scenario 02
Paws & Claws Pet Shop
The Role: Kennel Assistant.
Company Vibe: Passionate about animals, laid back but very organized.
The Challenge: The interviewer wants to know how you handle stressful or messy situations.
Practice Calmness
Scenario 03
Sunshine Cafe
The Role: Weekend Barista/Server.
Company Vibe: High-energy, customer-service focused, team players only.
The Challenge: The interviewer values "personality" and "smile" above all else.
Practice Energy
Scenario 04
Tech Support Hub
The Role: Junior Tech Assistant.
Company Vibe: Professional, detail-oriented, logical, and punctual.
The Challenge: The interviewer is very formal and uses a very serious tone.
Practice Formal Tone
How to use: Give the "Interviewer" a card. They should act out the "Company Vibe" and "Challenge" while the "Interviewee" focuses on maintaining their social skills (eye contact, greeting, clear answers) despite the scenario's specific personality.
