Lesson
Interview Prep
Summary
Hiring managers decide whether you're a serious contender before you've answered a single technical question. Explore first impressions, the STAR method for behavioral questions, and how to turn the interview around by asking smart questions of your own.
Bellringer: The 3-Minute First Impression
- Display the multiple-choice question and give students 1 minute to lock in an answer
- Ask a few students to share their reasoning before revealing the answer
Instruction
- Walk through pre-interview etiquette (punctuality, body language, attire)
- Introduce traditional vs. behavioral questions and teach the STAR method
- Cover reverse interviewing — why candidates should always ask questions
Discussion: Decoding Interview Questions
- Present each "trick" interview question one at a time
- Ask students to guess what the manager is really evaluating before revealing the answer
- Connect each decoded question back to the STAR method
Activity: Job Interview Prep
- Students complete the Job Interview Prep worksheet: target job blueprint, strengths/weaknesses, and relevant experience
- Students use the STAR Method Matrix to structure their Action-focused response
- Assign Group A/B mock interview days for the next two class sessions
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What do the letters in the STAR method stand for?
- Name 1 question that is great to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview.
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The 3-Minute First Impression |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 10 min | Discussion: Decoding Interview Questions |
|
| 15 min | Activity: Job Interview Prep |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Job Interview Prep
Prepare answers and questions ahead of a job interview.
Class Presentation
Includes a 19-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 4: Job Search & Interview Prep
Cover Letters & References
A resume proves you did the work but a cover letter proves you actually want this job. Explore the Hook-Alignment-Call-to-Action formula for cover letters and learn how to build a trustworthy reference list.
Interview Prep
Hiring managers decide whether you're a serious contender before you've answered a single technical question. Explore first impressions, the STAR method for behavioral questions, and how to turn the interview around by asking smart questions of your own.
Mock Interviews: Day 1
A great interview partner isn't the one who says "you were amazing." It's the one who tells you exactly what to fix. This is Day 1 of 2 dedicated to formal 1-on-1 job interviews with the teacher.
How do Banzai lesson plans work? See the FAQ.