1. The Interview – a WebQuest
The Job Interview – a WebQuest
The Interview – a WebQuest

2. Introduction
Meet Josh and Jane. They just graduated from high school! Yeah! Now they need jobs.
In the coming month, they will be interviewing with prospective employers.
Because they don’t know much about interviewing for a job, your assignment is to help them prepare for a job interview.

3. Task
Your task is to help Josh and Jane prepare for an upcoming interview—they need good jobs, and they need your help with the following items:
1st – What do you wear to a job interview? (What is the difference between casual, business-casual, professional business, and formal attire? What do you wear to an interview? to work? to a company social event?)
2nd - What qualities is an interviewer looking for in an employee?
3rd - Should an interviewee ask questions during the interview? What kind of questions are appropriate? What questions are not appropriate?
4th - Does nonverbal communication play a role in the interview? Please explain. Give examples.
5th - Are there any questions that an interviewer shouldn’t ask you? What are they? Why shouldn’t they be asked? What should you say?
6th - What are some of the common mistakes made by interviewees? How can these mistakes be avoided?

4. Process You will assume the identity of an investigative journalist.
Six groups of students will work together to gather information about job interviews.
To narrow your focus, sign up for the question you wish to research.

5. Question – Sign up Sheet Write your name in a box indicating the question you will work on.
3rd
4th
5th
6th

6. Process You will have one class period to research.
You will have one class period to collaborate with your group and create a PowerPoint presentation.
You will have one class period to present your information in a 10 slide (minimum) PowerPoint presentation or role play to the other class members.
All group members will participate and evaluate each other using scoring rubrics.

7. Process PowerPoint presentation will include: Presenters will wear
10-20 slides
at least 5 objects
title slide
summary slide
information that is relevant to the topic
Presenters will wear
appropriate business dress

8. Process
Use the following web sites to answer the 1st question--What do you wear to a job interview? (What is the difference between casual, business-casual, professional business, and formal attire? What do you wear to an interview? to work? to a company social event?)
About: Job Searching
How Not to Act in a Job Interview
How to Ace Your Job Interview: 88 Surefire Tips and Tricks
Quintessential Careers
How to Dress for an Interview
CollegeGrad.com

9. Process
Use the following web sites to answer the 2nd question--What qualities is an interviewer looking for in an employee?
Monster Career Advice
How Not to Act in a Job Interview
How to Ace Your Job Interview: 88 Surefire Tips and Tricks
GrooveJob.com
Ten qualities of a valuable employee

10. Process Quintessential Careers
Use the following web sites to answer the 3rd question--Should an interviewee ask questions during the interview? What kind of questions are appropriate? What questions are not appropriate?
Pam Pohly's Net Guide
JobWeb.com
How to Ace Your Job Interview: 88 Surefire Tips and Tricks
Job Interview Questions
Quintessential Careers

11. Process
Use the following web sites to answer the 4th question--Does nonverbal communication play a role in the interview? Please explain. Give examples.
How Not to Act in a Job Interview
A Successful Job Interview
How to Ace Your Job Interview: 88 Surefire Tips and Tricks
Forbes.com

12. Process
Use the following web sites to answer the 5th question--Are there any questions that an interviewer shouldn’t ask you? What are they? Why shouldn’t they be asked? What should you say?
About: Job Searching
How Not to Act in a Job Interview
Handling Illegal Job Questions
Illegal Job Questions
WashingtonPost.com

13. Process
Use the following web sites to answer the 6th question-- What are some of the common mistakes made by interviewees? How can these mistakes be avoided?
jobweb.com
Monster Career Advice
How Not to Act in a Job Interview
How to Ace Your Job Interview: 88 Surefire Tips and Tricks
WorkTree.com

14. Job Interview WebQuest Rubric
Task 1 2 3 4
Total
Research/Preparing
Research & gather information
Doesn’t collect any information that relates to the topic
Collects very little information—some relates to the topic.
Collects some basic information—most relates to the topic.
Collects a great deal of information-all relates to the topic.
Help team fulfill responsibility
Does not help team
Helps team very little
Helps team with most duties
Performs all duties of assigned team
Share responsibility equally
Doesn’t help with the work
Rarely does the assigned work
Usually does the assigned work
Always does the assigned work
Cooperate with teammates
Usually argues
Sometimes argues
Rarely argues
Never argues
Presenting
Time
Less than 10 minutes
10-12 minutes
12-14 minutes
15 minutes
Business Dress (percentage of group)
25%
50%
75%
100%
Demonstrates depth of knowledge
Doesn’t understand
Understands little
Understands most
Understand subject well
Subject is thoroughly covered
Inadequate coverage
Covers some, but not all
Covers most
Covers all & asks for ?’s
15-20 slides
10 slides or less
11-12 slides
13-14 slides
Title & summary slides; 5 objects
Title slide
Title & 5 objects
Title & summary
All requirements met
_____/40

15. Conclusion
Whether you are new to the workforce or are switching jobs, you have learned how to prepare for and have a successful job interview.
Being prepared promotes confidence!
Most interviewers make their decision within the first three minutes, so make a terrific first impression.

16. Teacher’s Page
In this WebQuest, students will investigate all aspects of a professional job interview.
Students will work in teams to find information and then present it to the other class members.
This WebQuest will take 3-4 school days.
This WebQuest is designed for a Business Communications II high school class and helps teach Standard 5 of the Utah State Business Education curriculum.
Author: Nancy Gale