Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

X`
University Town, Catarman Northern Samar

College of Arts and Communication

Prepared by:

Glaiza G. Esposo, LPT

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 WORK IMMERSION MODULE

Module is made and designed to ensure that learners in the new normal
teaching and learning can acquire essential knowledge and skills in the course.
Flexible learning modalities learning with multimodal resource has an impact to the
students’ understanding in learning effective communication which entails the
strategic use of technology and appropriate media that offers convenience and
leniency in learning.

This module aims to expose students and prepare them with work-related
environment and enhance them to be confident and competent individuals.
Specifically, the module aims to develop students to gain relevant background of the
work field; develop students to the right theories and applications as well as real life
stories and grind.

Work Immersion is a subject offered to graduating students. This is a four-unit

course that analyzes the working environment to enable the students to prepare for
the real working world, enrich them with communication skills and human relations
with promoting values for appreciation and respect for work. Students will be given
opportunities to analyze and discuss future work-related issues presented in the
document.

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 INTERVIEW

3 MODULE 3
FUNDAMENTALS

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:

➢ Obtain an in-depth understanding
and knowledge of interview;
➢ Analyze and inculcate interview
tips;
➢ Apply values and practice
interview rehearsal through a
video presentation.

Hi guys! Welcome to the third part of our module. Earlier you have been
exposed to writing your resume. In this module you will be presented with tips on
how to ace interviews in your future applications.
Before we proceed discussing interview guidelines, let us first get you
acquainted what is interview and why it concerns you.

The Wikipedia defines interview as a structured conversation where one

participant asks questions, and the other provides answer. Interviews almost
always involve spoken conversation between two or more parties. In some instances
a "conversation" can happen between two persons who type their questions and
answers, this is usually used by employers to screen candidates in filling out a
position.

There are several circumstances that interviews are conducted, but in this
module, we will be focusing on employment purpose. The Wikipedia defines job
interview as a formal consultation for evaluating the qualifications of the interviewee
for a specific position. One type of job interview is a case interview in which the
applicant is presented with a question or task or challenge, and asked to resolve the
situation. A series of interviews may be arranged, with the first interview sometimes
being a short screening interview, followed by more in-depth interviews, usually by
company personnel who can ultimately hire the applicant. Technology has enabled
new possibilities for interviewing; for example, video telephony has enabled
interviewing applicants from afar”.

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 As you browse the internet you would find that there are a lot of tips and
guides to help you get through interviews, you may find that the information is
overwhelming, so I have picked out the one’s that deemed more important.

Interview Tips for Fresh Graduates

1. Perform a research on the company and the role.

Researching the company, you’re applying to is an important part of
preparing for an interview. Not only will it help provide context for your interview
conversations, but it will also help you when preparing thoughtful questions for your
interviewers. Knowing the background of the company will show that a candidate
actually spent time in getting to know about their prospective employers.

Researching the role – It is important to read the job description carefully

and make sure that you understand all the requirements and responsibilities that go
along with it. This will not only prepare you with thoughtful, targeted questions about
the position during the interview, but it will ensure that you're truly qualified and
prepared to tackle the responsibilities if you get the job

2. Practice your speaking voice and body language.

Remember the saying that “first impressions lasts”. How you will carry your
self during interview will be the employer’s impression so make sure to make a
positive one. You can create a positive impression by practicing being confident,
speaking with a well-modulated voice, and open body language. Remember to keep
your back straight and avoid slouching.

3. Prepare several thoughtful questions for the interviewer(s).

Some employers feel confident about candidates who ask thoughtful
questions about the company and the position.
Samples questions can be…
- What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?
- Why do you enjoy working here?
- What qualities do your most successful employees have?
- I’ve really enjoyed learning more about this opportunity. What are the next
steps in the hiring process?

4. Print hard copies of your resume and other credentials.

Employers usually ask resumes prior scheduling an interview but they may
not have easy access to it during the interview itself. Having copies to present to
multiple interviewers will show that you are prepared and organized. Prepare least
three copies to provide for multiple interviewers, plus one for you to follow along.

During your preparation, read over your resume and rehearse explanations
for any gaps that may appear or other oddities. For example, you may have taken
time off work to care for a child or family member, switched careers or had other
legitimate reasons for employment gaps. These can be a concern for employers, so
it's best to prepare your explanation to show them that you're not a risk.

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 You may also encounter questions about your resume that are awkward. It's
important to be honest but diplomatic in addressing them. For example, you may
have left a job because of your supervisor or manager, or policies that you didn't
agree with, but you don't want to speak negatively about a former employer.
Consider these possible questions and prepare your answers in advance, so you
don't accidentally say something you'll regret.

Like the rest of the interview, it's best to prepare for these questions by writing
notes and rehearsing your answers out loud multiple times prior to the interview.

5. Prepare travel arrangement

Getting to the interview is a challenge especially when the interview area is
unfamiliar; it may cause you anxiety and may lose your confidence as you trudge on
your way.

Search the location in advance: Most interviews are scheduled days or

weeks in advance, so you have time to research the location. If your interview is
close enough, you can take a day to go to the location and check out the parking,
take note of the traffic and find the suite or office where your interview will be. If
you're anxious about parking or any other aspect of the location, contact your
interviewer to ask them for more information.

Leave early: This may seem obvious, but it's better to leave with plenty of
time to get to your interview, even if it means arriving way too early. Even if you
leave yourself a few extra minutes to get there, small obstacles can be enough to
make you late, such as heavy traffic, accidents, no parking or trouble finding the
building. If you arrive too early, just use the time to go over your notes and mentally
prepare for your interview.

6. Avoid Fake or Generic Answers.

There is no standard, ‘right,’ answer to any question. Remember, the
interviewer sitting across you has ample experience, knowledge and the perspective
to decide what kind of candidate they want on their team. You should avoid
rehearsing lines and giving generic answers to seemingly common questions. This is
your time to talk about your strengths, how you are the right fit for the job and what
you can give them if they hire you. Be original. Be humble. Be confident.

7. Avoid Overselling Yourself

The art to a successful interview is knowing where to strike the balance. Be
confident, but not arrogant. Be vocal but not annoying. Be smart, not egoistic. Sell
your potential and your talent, but don’t overdo it. You may not have experience if
you’re a fresh graduate so your key advantage should be your people skills.

Interviews for fresh graduates are always a difficult experience but the more
prepared, focused and determined you are, the better your chances in securing your
job. At the end of the day, it all depends on how badly you want the job and why you
believe you are the right fit for it. Best practice would be to write down things you
know about yourself, including your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Think
about stories, experiences or situations where you were able to utilize the best of

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your skills and changed the situation for the better. The more you know yourself, the
better you will ace the interview!

8. Avoid Fillers.
Fillers are words like ‘uhm’ ‘you know’, ‘like’, ‘like you know’. Interviewers
have a lot on their plates, or rather has many candidates to evaluate and choose
from. It would be good avoiding saying these fillers as it may just send interviewers
the impression that you are wasting their time. Instead of using fillers, you may
however ‘pause’. Taking a pause will help you regain your thoughts and organize
them in a matter that is much understandable.

10. Do not lie.

Interviewers have many ways rephrasing their questions, and are good at
following them up to get the answers they need. So, do not ever lie, if you will be
proven to lie by the interviewers, your character will be on jeopardy and may not land
the job you are applying for.

11. Conduct mock Interviews.

Just like public speaking, practicing interviews is the best way to relieve
anxiety and improve your confidence. Practice may feel tedious, but repeatedly
experiencing the interview process will make you more comfortable and help you
give the right impression.

If you have friends or family to help, conduct mock interviews as much as you
can. If you don't have another person, practice your questions and answers out loud.
You may find that an answer sounds awkward or doesn't convey what you wish
when it's spoken, so this gives you an opportunity to refine your answers and commit
them to memory. The more you repeat your interview, the more confident you'll be
during the real thing.

As you practice mock interview, you will need to know some common
interview questions. Interviewers may not all asked these common questions but it is
worth to prepare as you never know what will be asked.

Here is some common interviews question from Grammarly.com that you

need to know…

1. Tell me about yourself.

This question is among the first that most interviewers ask, so it’s tempting to
jump right in and start listing off all the qualities that make you the best person for the
job. But resist. You’ll get to those questions soon. This one’s about breaking the ice.

Rather than talking about your professional skills, share something interesting
that the interviewer might find relatable. You might talk about your hobbies or an
interesting major life event you’ve gone through recently. Don’t forget to include
activities like volunteer work. It’s helpful if you can point out how you’ve parlayed
your interests into desirable job skills. Your oil painting hobby, for example, might
translate to excellent attention to detail.

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 Be sure to keep the interests you share neutral. You’ll want to keep your
participation in things like political rallies low key unless you’re applying for a job
where political activity is relevant or expected.

2. What are your greatest strengths?

Here’s your opportunity to shine and match your skills to the employer’s
needs. What professional talents are you most proud of? What do people often
compliment you on? If those skills intersect with what you know the employer is
looking for, this is the time to talk about them.

Don’t forget about soft skills. If you’re a good listener, or a lifelong learner
who’s always trying out new things, or a versatile person who’s able to fill lots of
roles, share that information.

Script the answer to this question before your interview. Make lists of your
strengths and then figure out which are the most relevant. Write out your answers.
Then, pretend you’re a hiring manager and read what you’ve written. How would you
react to the answers you just gave? Are there any red flags? Adjust accordingly.

3. What are your weaknesses?

Don’t you love this question? It’s like the interviewer is saying, “Tell us why we
shouldn’t hire you.” How do you respond?

Avoid mentioning any weaknesses that you don’t already have a plan for
addressing. If you admit to being unorganized, tell the interviewer that you’ve started
using some cool new apps that are helping you stay on task. However, don’t be
afraid to let yourself be a little vulnerable—knowing and acknowledging your flaws
shows that you value self-reflection and personal growth.

Can’t think of an honest answer to this question that won’t sink your career
chances? Reflect on your last performance review. No one’s perfect, so it’s likely you
were told to improve in an area or two. Now you can own up to those problem areas
and share your methods for addressing them with the interviewer.

4. Tell me about an achievement you’re really proud of.

Be prepared to share a significant professional achievement, and be prepared
to back it up.

Just as when you’re writing a resume, remember that “show, don’t tell” is the
golden rule. “I single-handedly turned our sales department around” is bragging, but
when you say “Under my management, our sales team was able to increase their
conversion rate by 87 percent over six months,” you’re showing that your efforts had
a measurable effect.

5. Why are you leaving your current job?

Make sure you keep your answer to this question short and positive. This isn’t
the time to badmouth your current or previous employer. Rather than saying

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something like “There wasn’t enough opportunity for growth” you could say “I’m
looking to expand my horizons and move into a more hands-on developmental role,
which is where I know I’d excel.”

Things get trickier if you were fired from your last gig. The best response is a
neutral one like “Unfortunately, the company and position were a mismatch for me,
so I needed to find a new challenge.” Check Business Insider’s tips for other
situations and possible answers.

6. What brought you to [Company]?

Here’s where your research skills are going to shine! Prior to interviewing, a
savvy job-seeker will have spent time on the company’s website and read articles
about the company and its key players to develop a feel for its brand presence and
culture.

Write down keywords you see frequently on the company’s About Us, Culture,
and Employment pages. Look for adjectives used to describe the company and its
team. If you see terms like innovative or competitive, you can use them in your
answer:
“I’ve been eager to join a team that’s innovating in a way that keeps them
competitive in this space.”

7. Tell me about a time when a customer or colleague disagreed with you.

What did you do?
Here’s your chance to prove that you are so chill. Someone disagreed with
you, but you kept your cool and worked through it. You could certainly talk about how
you were able to persuade someone to see your point of view, especially if the role
you’re applying for values that ability. (A sales role would be a good example.)
However, this could also be the perfect opportunity to show that you work and play
well with others. Try talking about a time when you learned something as the result
of a disagreement and how it changed your perspective.

It’s all about story. Pick one that shows conflict with a good outcome and
makes a positive statement about your ability to collaborate and grow. The Muse has
more advice.

8. What would your boss and colleagues say about you?

Honesty is the best policy here for many reasons. If you’re a first-class
procrastinator, for example, don’t try to pass yourself off as super efficient. The key
to a great interview is to emphasize your strengths while demonstrating an ability to
learn and grow from your weaknesses.

Be specific and give examples. It may be true that your colleagues would say
you’re a hard worker, but without a story to back that up, you’re just tossing out a
cliché the interviewer has probably heard hundreds of times. Instead, tell a story
about a time you put in extra effort and your colleagues and friends congratulated
you on your hard work.

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 Look at past performance reviews if you’re having a hard time coming up with
a specific example. It’s perfectly okay to quote from a positive review:
Example “In my last performance evaluation, my boss praised me for my creativity in
putting together a new content strategy.”

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Most job-seekers take this question in one of two directions—they’re either
aggressively ambitious (“I want your job!”) or they’re too humble (“I just want to do
the best work I can and see where my talents take me.”) Neither answer will do
much to win you a position.

Instead, respond in a general way. Rather than saying “I see myself as

Director of Marketing,” say “My goal is to be in a position where I can take on new
challenges. I’d like to take on more management responsibilities, so I’m on the
lookout for opportunities to develop my skills in that area.”

10. Why should we hire you?

Don’t you just hate this question? It’s tempting to list your sterling qualities,
but odds are that your competitors have a lot of the same qualities, which doesn’t
exactly make you stand out. Instead of repeating a laundry list of skills and attributes,
try restating what you understand about the company’s needs and the position, and
then explaining why you’re a good fit. Here’s an example of that strategy in action
from Forbes:

” From what I understand about the job, it’s a position that requires a lot of fast
activity during the day, and that’s the kind of job I thrive in. I love to stay busy and
wear a lot of hats. Is my assessment of the environment on target?

NOTE:
Dress for the job you want, smile confidently, and offer a firm handshake, but
remember to do a little behind-the-scenes interview prep. It can mean the difference
between walking away with a sinking feeling and walking away with a job.

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Name:___________________________Schedule:__________ Class#:_________

ACTIVITY 6 (Final Output)

Knowing the interview tips above, create your very own mock interview through
a video presentation not exceeding with three (3) minutes as maximum and
post it on our Facebook Group. Choose at least five (5) questions from out of
the ten (10) common interview questions mentioned above.

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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name:________________________ Course:__________ Schedule:____________

FEEDBACK
Now is the time that you give me what you THINK and let me know how you FEEL
about this module by answering and encircling your answers.

1. How are you right now?

Feeling Good
Feeling Bad
Feeling Confused

2. Were you able to grasp everything in the module? Rate and encircle the
number of your answer:
5 – Able to grasp everything and relate to personal experiences
4 – Able to understand the topics and activities
3 – Moderately understand the topics
2 – Need more clarifications
1 – Did not able to understand topics

3. Are the readings and lessons clear? Rate and encircle the number of your
answer:
5 – All the lessons are clearly stated in just one reading.
4 – The lessons are comprehensible even without others aid.
3 – Need others to help me occasionally in understanding the topics.
2 – Need assistance from others to understand the terms.
1 – All the lessons are unclear.

4. Tell me the items that need to be clarified.

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

5. Feel free to comment and suggest about module.

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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 REFERENCES/SOURCES:

• K-12 Basic Education Curriculum Senior High School DEPED

• Wikipedia Online
• Merriam Webster Online
• Philippine Labor Code
• Skills You Need - Workplace Confidentiality
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/lead/workplace-confidentiality.html
• Skills You Need - Writing Skills https://www.skillsyouneed.com/writing-skills.html
• NIH VideoCast, Youtube.com
• Team Lyqa, Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9iH9UfqOM4
• Jobstreet https://www.jobstreet.com.my/career-resources/10-basic-powerful-resume-
writing-tips-fresh-graduates-downloadable-sample-resumes/
• Conrad Benz, Resume https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/what-is-a-
resume
• https://www.compassoffices.com/en/about-us/blogs/interview-tips-for-fresh-
graduates/
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
• Interview - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interview
• https://www.compassoffices.com/en/about-us/blogs/interview-tips-for-fresh-
graduates/
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
• Sample interview questions https://www.grammarly.com/blog/common-interview-
questions/?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=13168627151
&utm_targetid=aud-643433274876:dsa-43245954176&gclid=CjwKCAjwi9-
HBhACEiwAPzUhHDsob_mYgHrISe3mHtrnhasSBCB3GGl45i5XMe1X7cqvI1XFJIdw
nBoC6s4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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