The following scenario will enhance your ability to navigate difficult questions in an employment selection interview. As you watch the first video, recall what you’ve learned about interviewing. Then complete the Your Turn prompts. Finally, watch the Take Two! video to explore how this scenario could have gone differently.
1. The Problem
Hannah is interviewing for a new job that she is really excited about. The interviewer, Lynn, has hit her with a number of tough questions, but Hannah has kept calm and feels that she has given a strong answer to each question so far. Next, Lynn asks Hannah how her team members at her current job would describe her. Hannah is ready with a response for this question, too, and she answers with confidence.
2. Your Turn
Observations. Reflect on how Hannah and Lynn communicated in this scenario by answering the following questions:
- How would you feel if you were in Hannah’s situation?
- Were there missed opportunities to practice competent communication? If so, what were they?
Discussion. In class or with a partner, share your thoughts about the interaction between Hannah and Lynn and work to answer the following questions:
- Why do you think Lynn responded to Hannah’s answer in this way?
- Do you think Lynn should have responded differently? If so, how do you think she should have responded?
3. Take Two!
Watch the Take Two! video to see one possible example of how the interview might have gone if Lynn and/or Hannah had communicated differently. As you watch the video, consider where the dialog reflects communication competence. After watching the video, answer the questions below:
- Did Lynn and/or Hannah take advantage of opportunities that they missed in the first scenario? Which ones?
- Did their different actions result in a more productive interview? Please explain.