Before the Interview Worksheet (Page 1 of 4)	
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW WORKSHEET	
THINGS TO BRING:
	 Copy	of		resume,	personal	references	page,	copies	of	documents	(such	as	certificates	earned).
	 Social	security	card	and	driver’s	license.		Copies	of	your	recommendation	letters.
THINGS TO DO:
	 Go	into	the	interview	alone.		Turn	your	phone	OFF	—	no	calls,	no	texts,	no	pings.
	 Make	sure	teeth	are	clean	and	breath	is	fresh	(no	smoke	odor).		No	gum.
	 Make	sure	clothes	are	clean,	neat,	and	appropriate	for	the	job.	
THINGS TO SAY:  
 Pretend that you will interview for a 	sales clerk job at the Home Store.	
1.		Tell me about yourself.  	The	goal	of	this	question	is	to	see	how	you	handle	yourself	under	pressure.			
Tell	the	interviewer	about	your	skills	(including	computer	skills)	and	experiences	(club,	sports	team,	
etc.)	from	school,	volunteer	position,	or	job	—	not	about	your	hobbies	unless	your	hobbies	are	a	skill.		
In addition, list personal traits such as "I am a dependable person w
ho can be counted on to do the job 
right."		Personal	traits	include:		organized,	dependable,	self-starter,	work	as	a	team	member,	and	sales	
ability.		 The	answer	should	be	about	one	minute	long.			Write	your	answer	to	the	question	—		
 	"Tell me about yourself."	
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
2.		Why do you want to work for this company?  	The interviewer wants to know if you have made an 	
effort	to	learn	about	the	company,	products,	and	why	the	company	is	important	to	you.		 The	interviewer	
likes	to	feel	that	his	or	her	company	is	special	("I	think	this	is	a	great	store	with	quality	products").		
Let	the	interviewer	know	why	you	selected	his	or	her	company	as	a	special	place	to	work.			Write your 	
answer	to	the	question	—		"Why do you want to work for this company?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
3.		What did you dislike about your previous job? 	 Do not complain about your former supervisor or 	
coworkers.		There	is	no	guarantee	that	the	supervisor	and	coworkers	at	the	new	job	will	be	better.			
	 Only	mention	things	that	may	be	considered	positive.		For	example,	"I	liked	the	job,	but	there	was	no		
opportunity	for	advancement,"	"I	would	like	to	gain	additional	experience	and	learn	new	skills	in	a					
different	environment."			Write	your	answer	to	the	question	—		
 	"What did you dislike about your previous job?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
_________	
Say something positive.  Do not bad mouth former employer or coworkers:
Personal traits:
Skills and work experience:
Say something good about the company (Home Store) and company’s products and services:

Permission to use allowed with usworkworld.com subscription.	Before the Interview Worksheet (Page 2 of 4)	
4.		What are your strengths?  	Strengths include 	personal	 strengths:		"I	learned	excellent	teamwork		
skills	as	a	member	of	the	football	team	(or	debate	club)"	—	or	"I	enjoy	working	with	people	towards	
a	goal"		—		Skill strengths	:	"I	won	a	drafting	award,"	or	"I	enjoy	learning	new	computer	programs"—		
Work experience	 strengths:		"I	am	trained	in	customer	service	skills	from	my	job	at	Del	 Taco,"		or	"I		
learned	excellent	human	relation	skills	from	my	volunteer	work	at	the	hospital."			Write your answer to 	
the	question	—		"What are your strengths?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
5.		What are your weaknesses? 		Only	mention	one	(1)	weakness	and	turn	it	into	a	strength.		For	example,		
"It	may	take	me	longer	to	complete	a	task	because	I	want	to	make	sure	the	job	is	done	right,"	or	"I	like	
to	talk	a	lot	and	that	is	an	advantage	when	explaining	product	benefits	to	customers."		Do	not	mention	a	
weakness	that	will	affect	your	job	performance,	such	as	"I’m	always	late	for	class."			Write your answer 	
to	the	question	—		"What are your weaknesses?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
6.		What are your future plans? 		Interviewers	want	to	know	if	you	have	goals.		 You	do	not	have	to	have		
detailed plans, but you should know the general direction you want to go
 in your work life such as I 
plan	to	enroll	in	college	and	major	in	business.		Do	not	mention	a	future	plan	that	may	eliminate	you	
from	the	job	such	as,	"I	plan	to	quit	when	I	turn	18	in	three	months."			Write your answer to the 	
	 question	—		"What are your future plans?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
7. Do you have questions for me? 		Be	sure	to	have	one	or	two	questions	ready	to	ask	the	interviewer.			
Possible	questions	include:		"What	are	the	opportunities	for	learning	skills	and	promotions?"		"When	
do	you	expect	to	make	a	decision?"		"What	are	the	company’s	goals	for	the	future?"		"Do	you	have	any	
more	questions	about	my	skills	and	qualifications?"		Do	not	ask	about	raises,	and	vacation	pay.			Write 	
your	answer	to	the	interview	questions—		"Do you have questions for me?" 	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________	
Personal strengths:
Skill strengths:
Work experience strengths:
Weakness with a positive spin:
Your general future plans that would sound good:
One questions for interviewer.  Do not ask about raises, or taking time off:

Permission to use allowed with usworkworld.com subscription.	Before the Interview Worksheet (Page 3 of 4)	
8.		What will your former coworkers or classmates say about you?  	The interviewer wants to know 	
about	your	relationship	skills:		how	well	you	work	with	others;	how	you	handle	conflicts;	and	how	you	
improve	the	work	 environment.		 Answer	with	your		personality strengths:		"My	coworkers	 will	say	that		
I	am	dependable,	hard-working,	and	positive."		 And	your		teamwork strengths:			"My	coworkers	will		
say	that	I	am	a	valuable	team	member	because	I	do	my	work,	and	help	out	wherever	needed."	
	 Write	your	answer		—		"What would your former coworkers or classmates say about you?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
9.		What type of animal would you be and why?  	The interviewer uses this question to see if you can 	
think	quickly	to	provide	an	answer.		Select	an	animal	that	has	qualities	to	help	you	succeed	in	the	job	
opening.		"I	would	be	a	bunny	because	bunnies	get	along	with	everyone."		"I	would	be	a	dove	because	
doves	are	peacemakers."		"I	would	be	a	dolphin	because	dolphins	are	good	thinkers,	communicate	with	
others,	and	are	team	players.	"I	would	be	an	ant	because	ants	are	hard	working	team	workers."		
 	Write	your	answer		—		"If you were an animal, what type of animal would you be and why?	
 
  _______________________________________________________________________
_________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
10.		Tell me a story. 		The	interviewer	is	testing	your	thinking	skills	under	stress.		Don't	start	telling	about		
Alice	in	 Wonderland.		 Tell	a	short	story	(one	to	two	minutes)	describing	a	time	when	you	accomplished	
a project that took academic, technical, mechanical, or social skills su
ch as rebuilding a motor, starting 
a	club,	organizing	an	event,	helping	a	customer	or	other	person.		 Tell	a	story	that	makes	yourself	look	
good.			Write	your	answer	to	the	question	—		"Tell me a story." (Use back side of paper if necessary)	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
  
11.	 Tell me about one of your accomplishments in life. 	 Select an accomplishment that relates to your 	
skills	learned.		Start	with	general	comment:	"I	have	accomplishments	in	my	school,	personal	life,	and	
work	experience.		One	example	is	when	my	wood	working	class	designed	and	built	club	booths	for	
Back	to	School	night."	Or,		"Our	tennis	team	won	the	league	title	this	year."		"When	I	was	a	computer	
lab	assistant,	I	helped	students	learn	Excel."	
 	Write your answer:  	"Tell me about one of your biggest accomplishments."	 	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________ 
 ________________________________________________________________________
________	
Personality strengths: 
Teamwork strengths:
Animal with positive qualities that would fit the job:
Start off general, then provide one example:
One to two minute story:

Permission to use allowed with usworkworld.com subscription.	Before the Interview Worksheet (Page 4 of 4)	
12.		What skills will you bring to our company team?  	Managers need team players that will work 	
	 together	to	get	the	job	done,	satisfy	customers,	and	earn	money.		List	your	teamwork	skills	such	as:			
Good	listener	and	learner.		Help	clarify	team's	goals	by	asking	good	questions.		Respect	team	members.		
Encourage	team	members.		Share	information.		Accept	and	give	construction	feedback.		Keep	track	of		
	 progress	towards	the	goal.		Help	create	solutions	to	problems.		Committed	to	team's	success.			Organize		
and	keep	records.		Create	positive	environment	to	prevent	conflicts.		Cooperate	as	a	follower	and	can	
lead	when	necessary.		Willing	to	help	wherever	needed.		 Write	your	answer	to	the	question	—		
	"	What skills will you bring to our company team?"	 	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
   ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
13.		Give me 5 words that describe you. 		Include	your	transferable	skills	—	also	called	"work	ethic"	skills		
needed	for	all	jobs:		dependable,	punctual,	organized,	friendly,	honest,	cooperative,	outgoing,	easy	to	
get	along	with,	hardworking,	energetic,	take	pride	in	my	work,	responsible,	teamworker,	dedicated.		
Write	your	answer	to	the	question	—		"Give me 5 words that describe you."	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
14.		Why is this job opening interesting to you? 		Use	a	3-step	answer.		1)	Explain	why	you	like	the		
	 company.		2)	Explain	why	your	skills	and	experience	fit	the	job	opening.		3)	Explain	how	this	job	will		
help	your	future	career.		"The	Home	Store	has	quality	lumber	and	paint	supplies.		My	classes	in		
	 drafting	and	wood	shop	prepared	me	with	skills	to	work	in	the	Home	Improvement	Department.		
	 Work	experience	at	the	Home	Store	will	help	my	future	plans	to	become	a	contractor."		
 	Write	your	answer	to	the	question	—		"Why is this job opening interesting to you?"	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
15.	 How do you handle criticism? 	 The interviewer wants to know if you handle being corrected without 	
getting	upset	and	negative	acting.		 Answer	with	positive	comments:	"I	see	criticism	as	an	opportunity	
to	learn	how	to	improve	my	work."	"I	prefer	to	think	of	criticism	as	feedback.		I	welcome	feedback	to	
help	me	improve	my	skills."		"When	I	am	corrected,	I	do	not	make	excuses;	I	prefer	to	talk	and	reach	
solutions."			Write	your	answer	to	the	interview	question—		"How do you handle criticism?" 	
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________
 ________________________________________________________________________
________	
List your teamwork skills in complete sentences:
List 5 words that describe your transferrable skills (also known as work ethic sk
ills):
Positive answer to show you are not offended by criticism: