Professionalism
Name one appropriate way to greet an interviewer at the start of an interview.
Offer a firm handshake and say, “Hello, nice to meet you.”
What is one reason you should research a company before an interview?
To understand company values, show interest, and tailor your answers.
Why is it important to listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions?
It prevents misunderstanding and lets you answer the question asked.
Name two nonverbal behaviors that create a positive impression during an interview.
Maintain friendly eye contact, sit up straight, smile, nod to show understanding.
After the interview, what is one appropriate thing to send to the interviewer?
A polite thank-you email or note.
True or False: It is acceptable to use your phone during the interview if it is on silent.
False - using your phone is unprofessional; turn it off or leave it elsewhere.
Give two pieces of information you should learn about the company before your interview.
Company mission, products/services, recent news, company culture, job responsibilities.
Give one example of a positive phrase to use when describing a past mistake.
“I learned from my experience by…,” or “I now handle it by…”
What is the importance of eye contact in an interview? Provide both a do and a don’t.
Do — maintain regular eye contact to show confidence; Don’t — stare or avoid eye contact completely.
When is the best time to send a thank-you message after an interview?
Within 24 hours after the interview.
List two examples of appropriate dress choices for a professional interview at a retail job.
Examples: Clean button-up shirt or blouse, slacks or neat skirt, closed-toe shoes; avoid graphic tees, ripped jeans.
You have 30 minutes to prepare right before the interview. Name three quick things you can do to get ready.
Review the job description, jot down two examples to share, practice a brief introduction, and breathe to calm nerves.
What does it mean to be concise?
Giving the relevant or necessary information clearly and in a few words, brief but comprehensive.
Describe how to sit in a chair during an interview to appear engaged and confident.
Sit with feet on the floor, back straight but relaxed, hands in your lap or lightly on the table, lean slightly forward to show interest.
What should you include in a brief follow-up email if you forgot to mention a key skill during the interview?
Briefly restate the skill, give a one-sentence example, and express continued interest.
You arrive 45 minutes early for a 10:00 a.m. interview. What is the best course of action to show professionalism?
Wait outside or nearby and arrive about 10–15 minutes early; use remaining time to review notes quietly.
Explain how to use the job description to prepare answers and examples for the interview.
Match your skills and experiences to the responsibilities listed; prepare examples showing those skills in action.
You are asked a behavioral question about handling stress. Give an example of how you handle stress in your life now.
Sample: “When I feel stressed, I prioritize tasks, break them into smaller steps, and ask teammates for help when needed. For example, I made a checklist during finals week and finished assignments on time.”
Explain how hand gestures can help or hurt your interview performance; give an example of each.
Controlled gestures can emphasize key points (example: open palms to show honesty). Hurt: Excessive fidgeting can distract (example: tapping foot).
If you don’t hear back after the suggested time frame, describe a polite follow-up strategy you could use.
Wait the recommended time, then send a short polite email expressing continued interest and asking for any updates; keep it to 2–3 sentences.
Describe a professional way to handle if you don't know the answer to a technical question during an interview.
Admit you don’t know, briefly explain how you would find the answer or relate a similar experience, and offer to follow up with more information.
What are some ways you could practice for your interview before you go?
Have someone give you a mock interview with practice questions. Prompt AI to provide interview questions for a certain position, respond, and see what feedback you receive for your responses. Rehearse answers for basic interview questions so you don't forget things you'd like to say.
Identify three ways to make your answers concise and relevant during an interview (explain each briefly).
Prepare examples tied to the job (keeps relevance); pause to collect thoughts before answering (keeps concision).
You notice the interviewer is taking notes and looking away while you speak. What should you do with your body language and tone to maintain engagement?
Maintain open posture, keep a steady voice, slow down, and make occasional eye contact—this reassures the interviewer and keeps engagement.
Draft a short professional thank-you email that a 10th or 11th-grade student could send that references something specific from the interview.
Sample email: “Thank you for meeting with me today. I enjoyed learning about the team and am excited about the role. I wanted to add that I have experience organizing events, which I didn’t fully explain—happy to share more. Thank you for your time.”