25 Most Common Interview Mistakes

Today we will be working on the 25 Most Common Interview Mistakes.  I will be going over a PowerPoint presentation (view it here) and you will be typing them in Microsoft Word as a bulleted (or numbered) list for inclusion in your portfolio.  At the end of class, please print and turn in your copy.  After I grade these, you will get them back to put in the "Interview Prep" section of your portfolio.

To see an example of an interview mistake...

Employment Portfolio Recommendations

Part of this course in Economics includes your move from school to career.  I call this section "Employability" and my intent is to give my students an advantage over other job seekers in the area.  We will be discussing résumé's, cover letters, interview techniques, letters of recommendation, etc.

Portfolio with Notepad

I would like for you to start a nice employment portfolio.  Although the examples on this page are ideal, you can start with a nice, thin, solid-colored binder with sheet protectors.

To begin your portfolio you will need:

• Decent Binder (for now)
• Sheet Protectors

You will [eventually] include in Section One of your portfolio:
Check out Amazon for some examples: (click here)

• Résumé
• Extra Copies of Résumé's in Pocket
• References
• Letters of Reference / Recommendation
• Awards or Certificates *
• Newspaper Clippings (showing community involvement) *

You will include in Section Two of your portfolio:

• Brag Sheet (Request for Letter of Recommendation)
• 25 Most Common Interview Mistakes
• 25 Most Common Interview Questions
• Questions You Should Ask in an Interview
• Handshake Etiquette Guide
• Cover Letters (5 of them)
• Business Cards of Previous Employers * 

Additionally you  may want to include:

• A notepad (which fits neatly in your portfolio)
• A pocket with:
• A blue and black pen
• A comb
• Floss
• Mints

---

* Recommended

Movie: Dreams of Flying

Today we're watching a movie called "Dreams of Flying."  It's a cheesy, 90's movie about careers, college, family expectations and peer pressure.  While some of the acting is horrible, it makes a valid point about who is really "flying your plane."

Open Microsoft Word and put your name and title ("Dreams of Flying") on the top.

Before we watch the movie, spend 5 or 6 minutes answering these questions:

1. Are there any careers that should only be performed by a man or woman?  Explain.
2. Do you have any family pressure to pick a certain career -- or to avoid a career?  Explain.
3. Do you have pressure from friends about your life choices -- or future goals?  Explain.

After we watch the movie, answer these questions:

1. Summarize the movie and give me some feedback about whether or not it's applicable to high school students today.
2. Do you relate to any of the characters in the movie?  Why or why not?

Making a Difference: Jellico Area Revitalization

Today we will begin brainstorming some ideas for making Jellico better.  Then we will compare to the ideas we came up with last year.

Get a piece of paper and start thinking about this.  If you were suddenly in charge of Jellico and could actually MAKE changes happen... what would you change?

Let's start with the basics:

• What businesses could succeed here?
• What is there for kids to do?
• What is there for teens to do?
• What can we fix up?
• What do we have to offer that other places don't?
• Why would people choose to live here of all places?
• What changes could make life here better?  Laws, improvements, or whatever?

When finished, drop your paper in the 3rd basket (ECONOMICS) on my desk and I will pick them up this weekend.

Journal: Ashton Kutcher Teen Choice Awards Speech

Journal Write: Ashton Kutcher Acceptance Speech

After watching Ashton Kutchers acceptance speech for the Teen Choice Award, discuss the following:

1. What is his view of hard work and opportunities?  How does his view compare to yours?
2. What is his opinion about what is "sexy"?  How does his view compare to yours?  
3. What is his view of what the world is?  How does his view compare to yours?
4. If you were given a platform like this and had a chance to give a huge crowd of teens advice about something you are passionate about, what would you tell them?

Getting a Roommate: Pro's & Con's

Moving out on your own can be a financial nightmare.  One way to cope with the extra bills (rent, utilities, and even transportation) is to get a roommate.  But having a roommate is not always what it's cracked up to be.  Friendships can be tested [and lost] over trivial things that you didn't think were a big deal.

A couple things you can do to prevent problems is to do a serious consideration of your compatibility (we will be working on a compatibility chart) and to work out an informal roommate contract.  The compatibility chart will bring up issues you may not have thought about and the informal roommate contract will help to settle disputes that will undoubtedly arise during your shared housing period.

The Roommate Compatibility Chart should include sections on personalities, sleeping habits, eating habits, housekeeping attitudes, social habits, etc.

The Informal Roommate Contract is not legally binding -- it's more of a guide to help you resolve little problems that come up (who is paying for what, who is in charge of taking out garbage, who is responsible for dishes on a certain day, what time visitors are allowed to stay, etc.).

In this example, Leonard meets Sheldon to discuss renting the room and Sheldon gives Leonard a compatibility questionnaire.  Although this is a parody, the idea was to prevent an incompatible person from becoming a roommate.  This is important to do even with people you have known for many years.