capstone project - zohowinlearning.zohosites.com/files/pdf/softskills/soft...let’s imagine that...

Capstone Project

40121

2©WIN Learning. All rights reserved.These documents are proprietary material. Do not distribute or reproduce outside the terms of your license without written permission from WIN Learning.

Make Your Dream Job a RealityThroughout this series of lessons, you learned about professionalism including proper work attire, dependability, strong work ethic, and a positive attitude. We discussed how to communicate effectively through the use of active listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict resolution. We also discussed how communication can affect an entire orga-nization. You learned about the benefits and challenges of teamwork and collaboration as well as creativity and innovation. Finally, you had the opportunity to improve your critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Now is your chance to put all of your newly learned knowledge and skills into practice. As you enter a new phase of your life, whether it is the workforce, college, or both, you will need to be able to effectively use the skills you have learned. Read the instructions below to complete your final project.

Your TaskYour final task will be to work toward landing your dream job. Using reputable sources, research the knowledge and skills that you will need to obtain your dream job. Then, locate a person who currently has your dream job. Interview that individual to obtain more information about the job. Some questions will be provided for you, plus you will be asked to create some of your own.

Finally, pair up with a classmate. Ask your classmate to interview you as if you were applying for your dream job. Pretend that you are fully qualified for your dream job and answer questions based on skills and experiences you hope to have gained over the years. Again, interview questions will be provided for your mock interview. You will also be provided with suggestions on preparing for an interview and tips for answering interview questions.

Capstone Project


Your dream job:

Skills required for dream job: (List at least 5)

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Reference sources used:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Capstone Project


Interview of Person in Dream JobInstructions Locate a person who currently has your dream job. Interview the individual to obtain more information about the job. Some questions are provided to you, and you will also need to create at least two of your own.

Name and Title of Person Being Interviewed:

What led you down this path to the career that you have now?

Response:

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Response:

What are the biggest challenges in your job?

Response:

Capstone Project


Describe a typical workday for you.

Response:

What advice do you have for someone hoping to join your career field?

Response:

Create your own question:

Response:

Create your own question:

Response:

Capstone Project


Mock InterviewInstructions

1. Review the “Preparing for an Interview” and the “Interview Question Suggestions” handouts provided to you.

2. Pair up with a classmate. Ask your classmate to interview you as if you were ap-plying for your dream job. Pretend you are fully qualified for your dream job and answer questions based on skills and experiences you hope to have gained over the years. Your partner should use the questions below for the mock interview.

Tell us about yourself.

Please briefly summarize your background and skills as they relate to this position.

Please share an experience that demonstrates your excellent communication skills.

Describe your style when it comes to working with other people. Give an example that supports your style.

Let’s imagine that you are at your desk at work and the phone rings. You pick up the phone and the person on the other line begins yelling. How would you respond?

Let’s imagine that you are working on a major project with me, and we are approaching a major deadline tomorrow but don’t have all the resources to complete the task on time. What would you say or do?

Capstone Project


Describe a difficult situation that you faced in a prior job that you think you handled well. What did you do to handle the situation?

Describe a situation that you don’t think you handled very well. What would you do differ-ently today?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

When we contact your references, what do you think they will they tell us are your great-est strengths and weaknesses?

What do you think sets you apart from other candidates?

Do you have any questions for us?

Capstone Project


Preparing for a Job Interview

Always Prepare Before Your Interview

• Confirm the time, date, place, and details of the interview.

• Ask if there is anything you should bring with you to the interview.

• Take a practice run to the interview location at the same time of day so that youwill have a good idea of how long it will take to get there.

• Confirm the interviewer’s name and the position for which you are being inter-viewed. Ask for the correct spelling and pronunciation of the interviewer’s name(s).

• Prepare your clothes and everything else the night before.

• Make sure you get a good night’s rest before the big day.

• Eat something light a couple of hours before your interview.

What to Wear to the Interview

• Dress for success.

• Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

• Err on the side of conservative.

• Do not wear cologne or perfume.

• Ensure that your clothes are neat, clean, and ironed.

• Wear nice shoes that are clean and, if appropriate, polished.

• Do not wear anything that will distract the interviewer’s attention. Avoid excessivejewelry, makeup, bright clothes, or loud patterns.

• Watch for grooming. Make sure your hair is neat and styled, fingernails are cleanand trimmed, and for men, face is shaven or beard is trimmed.

• Do not have cigarettes visible, and if you are a smoker, do not smoke before yourinterview.

• Brush your teeth within an hour of your interview.

• Just before your appointment, visit the restroom to take a final look at yourself.

Things to Consider Bringing to a Job Interview

• Appointment book

• Notepad and pen (or laptop, if appropriate)

• Printed copies of resumé (one for each interviewer plus an extra)- with skills andbackground related to the position highlighted

• Bullet point responses to questions you might be asked (don’t memorize or readfrom your responses; just use them as visual cues)

Capstone Project


• Questions you have prepared to ask the interviewer

• Research on the job position and organization

• Documentation of relevant achievements

• Writing samples or other relevant examples of your work

• References and letters of recommendation

Arriving at the Interview

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your interview.

• Do not bring anyone with you to the interview.

• Always find a bathroom to freshen up. If possible, use a restroom on a different floor from your interview.

• While you are waiting to be called into your interview:

Review your notes and information.

Read organizational literature that is available in the waiting area.

Take deep breaths, relax, and visualize success.

Use a breath mint, even if you don’t think you need one.

Make sure you are ready to stand up quickly when someone arrives to greet you.

Turn off your cell phone (or just don’t bring it with you).

• Remember that your interview starts the minute you arrive.

• Be personable to everyone you meet to ensure a good impression.

• Being late is unacceptable. If for any reason you are running late, have the cour-tesy to call the office, though do not expect that you will still be considered for the position.

Greeting and Making a Good Impression

• When greeting the interviewer(s), smile and make eye contact.

• Offer a confident and appropriate (not too firm, not too limp) handshake.

• Introduce yourself, and say, “It’s nice to meet you.” or “I’ve been looking forward to talking with you.” Be polite.

• Wait to be told to take a seat or ask if you may, then say thank you. If you are of-fered a choice, select a chair closest to the interviewer’s desk.

Capstone Project


• Observe the interviewer’s office to see if there are personal or business items on display that you can use as a basis to establish rapport with the interviewer.

• Maintain good posture.

• Use positive body language.

• Don’t eat, drink, chew gum or smoke, even if the interviewer offers something to you. “I appreciate the offer, but I am fine, thank you.”

• Mirror the tone and body language including level of formality.

• Breathe deeply and relax.

• Speak clearly and meaningfully.

Following Up

• Always follow up in writing within 24 hours after your interview to thank the interviewer(s) for his or her time and to reiterate your interest in the position. Ensure accurate spelling of the interviewer(s) name before your interview.

• If you have not heard a response about a hiring decision in the timeline you were given during the interview (usually 2-3 weeks), follow up again in writing.

• Do not telephone the interviewer unless you were told to do so.

Capstone Project


Job Interview Questions and SuggestionsUse the questions below to prepare for your job interview. Be sure to be on time and be prepared to answer these frequently asked questions, as well as other questions. Do your homework before you go into any job interview, and take notes throughout.

• Tell us about yourself.

Suggestion: This question is meant to help put you at ease, but it is also your first verbal impression, so make sure you are personable, confident (not cocky), and organized with your thoughts. Keep your response to less than two minutes. Do not respond with too much personal information, but rather with a summary of your back-ground, characteristics, and values you share with the organization.

• Please briefly summarize your background and skills as they relate to this position.

Suggestion: Prepare for this question by looking at specific skills that you possess that were also advertised in the job vacancy. Think about where you used those skills previously. Focus on 2-3 primary skills

• Please share an experience that demonstrates your excellent communication skills.

Suggestion: Consider the communication skills discussed in the Soft Skills course, and stress those where you think you are best.

• Let’s imagine that you are at your desk at work and the phone rings. You pick up the phone and the person on the other line begins yelling. How would you respond?

Suggestion: This kind of question is intended to have you demonstrate your profes-sionalism and ability to solve problems. Remember that remaining calm and helping the individual on the line is key to providing excellent customer service.

• Let’s imagine that you are working on a major project with me, and we are approach-ing a major deadline tomorrow but don’t have all the resources to complete the task on time. What would you say or do?

Suggestion: This kind of question is intended to have you demonstrate your criti-cal thinking skills. Be creative yet reasonable including asking appropriate questions before providing your response. Try to be as positive as possible.

• What aspects of your last job did you like the most?

Suggestion: Think about the job that you are seeking and any parallels you see with what you liked about previous jobs.

• What aspects of your last job did you like the least? Why?

Suggestion: Be careful what you say here. Even if your prior work environment was dysfunctional, focus more on processes and procedures- rather than people- that you think could have used improvement. Try not to be too negative.

• Thinking about the various jobs you have held, please describe the management styles of your most favorite and least favorite boss.

Suggestion: Be sure to focus on the positive, and learn what you can about the po-tential new boss. If he or she shares characteristics with your least favorite boss, this could be a problem!

Capstone Project


• Describe a difficult situation that you faced in a prior job that you think you handled well. What did you do to handle the situation?

Suggestion: Put some thought into this question. What have you done in the past that would impress your interviewers and would show that you have what it takes to deal with conflict or difficult situations? Think of a few stories to share for similar questions.

• Describe a workplace situation that you don’t think you handled very well. What would you do differently today?

Suggestion: Again, put a lot of thought into this question. Make sure that the situation you describe is not too negative and that you actually learned from the experience.

• “What if...?” (The interviewer may provide a scenario involving a conflict or a chal-lenge, and ask you how you would resolve the issue).

Suggestion: Try to think about what kinds of scenarios you might be asked about in the potential work environment. When you are in the interview, feel free to ask ques-tions about the scenario or ask for a moment to think before you respond.

• What appeals to you the most and the least about this position? Why?

Suggestion: Do your homework. Make sure that what appeals most and least are in alignment with what the job duties entail.

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Suggestion: Put a lot of thought into this question. Avoid responses that would show you in a completely different environment in five years.

• When we contact your references, what do you think they will they tell us are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Suggestion: Strengths should mirror characteristics needed in the vacant position. Give your “weakness” some thought and consider something that might also be per-ceived as a strength (i.e. putting your heart into your job).

• Why do you want to work in this position and this organization?

Suggestion: Pay attention to comments that specifically tie in with your understand-ing of the job, position, and organizational values and mission.

• What do you think sets you apart from other candidates?

Suggestion: Be confident but not conceited. Think about unique skills that you pos-sess that would be helpful in the vacant position.

• Based on this interview and what you have learned today, what is your level of inter-est in this position now? Why?

Suggestion: Your interest level should be high, without the tone of desperation. Try to tie in your responses of “why” to the organization’s mission and values, as well as anything you know about the position that you may not have already addressed.

Capstone Project


• Do you have any questions for us?

Suggestion: Always have at least one or two questions for your interviewers. Comeprepared with questions and take notes during the interview of any questions youmight want to ask instead or in addition to what you had prepared. This will show yourinterviewers not only that you did your homework, but also that you were listeningto them. Do not ask more than three questions. Don’t forget to follow up after yourinterview to thank the interviewer(s) for his or her time and to reiterate your interest inthe position. Always confirm spelling and pronunciation of the interviewer(s) name(s)before your interview. Relax and be yourself!

Capstone Project

capstone project - zohowinlearning.zohosites.com/files/pdf/softskills/soft...let’s imagine that...

Documents