LS 1 The Interview

THE INTERVIEW
Learning Strand 1: Communication Skills
Michael Cachero Gelacio / Teacher III – District I ALS Coordinator

OBJECTIVES
After studying, you should be able to:
● identify when and why interviews are conducted;
● explain how to conduct an interview;
● explain how to participate in an interview; and
● practice good interview skills.

LET’S SEE WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW
Check all the statements below that apply to you.
I know what an interview is.
I have been interviewed before.
I know how to interview people.
I have never been to an interview.
I want to know how to prepare for an interview.
I want to develop new interview skills.

WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW?
LESSON 1

LET’S READ
An interview? What’s
that, Kuya? Is it really
important?
Hey Rudy, the U.S.
embassy called. You are
scheduled for an
interview next Tuesday.

LET’S READ
Have you ever been
interviewed?
Of course, it is. An
interview is where
someone asks you
questions regarding your
application.

LET’S READ
So that’s why you got
a good job. I should
prepare for this
interview then. I
wouldn’t want my visa
denied.
Many times. People get
interviewed for different
reasons. I got interviewed
when I applied for a job.
It helped my employer
evaluate whether I am fit
for the job I applied for or
not.

LET’S READ
Will you help me,
Kuya?
You should, that is if you
really want to get that
visa.

a. he applied for a job.
b. a formal meeting and discussion
with someone to get more
information
c. of questions and answers from
the interviewer and interviewee,
respectively
d. regarding his visa application.
1. An interview is
2. Rudy needs to be interviewed
3. Interviews involve a series
4. Lito was interviewed when
Column A
Match the letter that corresponds to the answer that best completes
each sentence below.
Column B

INTERVIEW
● A formal meeting or a discussion with someone to get more information.

SELECTION INTERVIEW
● Type of interview used for screening, hiring and placing applicants,
employees and members of an organization.
○ In job interviews, you are screened based on your skills and the company’s
requirements.
○ Bank loan interviews are conducted to determine if you should be granted a
loan based on its purpose and your ability to repay it.
○ Interviews for visas are conducted to determine if a foreign government will
grant you permission to visit their country and issue the needed documents.

SELECTION INTERVIEW
● Other examples of this type of interview include:
○ college entrance interview;
○ promotion interview;
○ job interview for positions such as bank teller, nurse, secretary, carpenter
and plumber; and
○ interview for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

EXAMPLE
Why do you want to
work in Saudi Arabia,
Pablo?
I think it will give me an
opportunity to earn more
money and provide for
my family better.

INFORMATION-GATHERING
INTERVIEW
● Designed to obtain facts, opinions, feelings, attitudes and reasons for
certain actions.
● Commonly used by journalists who ask government officials to talk
about specific issues. They comprise what we often see in the news on
television.

● Other examples of this type of interview are:
○ surveys;
○ polls (during elections);
○ exit interviews (when people are about to leave their current jobs);
○ research interviews (by students); and
○ police interviews.
INTERVIEW

EXAMPLE
Can you describe the
suspect who snatched
your bag this
morning?
He has dark skin, he’s
probably five feet tall and
he has some kind of a
scar across his face.

PROBLEM-SOLVING INTERVIEW
● Conducted when a problem concerning two or more people needs to be
settled. This can also be used to gather suggestions for a solution.
● An example of this could be a barangay captain meeting with the
members of his/her community to solve their garbage problems.
● This type of interview can be used for problems like:
○ a decrease in the number of clients or sales of a company;
○ a computer breakdown in an office; and
○ a hospital patient’s puzzling symptoms.

EXAMPLE
It started last week,
right after our
basketball game.
How long have you had
this problem regarding
your breathing, Mr.
Lopez?

PERSUASIVE INTERVIEW
● used when you want to change how a person thinks, feels and/or acts.
● If you are in the market, for example, the tinderas will ask you “What are
you looking for?” and other questions to convince you to buy products.
● Other examples of this kind of interview include:
○ interviews for fund raising;
○ surveys for an election candidate; and
○ recruitment of an organization.

EXAMPLE
I’m not really sure. But
I was told it can help
me start a small
business at home.
Are you aware of the
benefits of joining this
cooperative?

WHY IS INTERVIEW IMPORTANT?
● Interviews are important because they create opportunities for people
to ask and/ or answer questions on subjects that concern them.
● We should not be afraid of interviews because they help us discover new
things about other people, particular situations, opportunities, and/or
problems.

If you were to interview someone in your
community, who would it be and why?
What type of interview will you conduct?
Contact that person and ask if you could interview
him/her on a particular subject. Schedule the
interview a few days after completing this module.
Fill in the blanks below.
I will interview Mr./Mrs./Ms. ____________ .
He/She is the ____________ in our community.
The interview will be about ____________ .
The interview is set on ____________ at ____________ .

THE INTERVIEWER –
THE ART OF ASKING
QUESTIONSLESSON 2

SELECTION INTERVIEW
What skills do you
think qualify you for
the secretarial
position?
I took up secretarial
courses and learned to
draft business letters in
my previous job, sir.

INTERVIEW
How can we solve the
garbage problem in
our community?
Well, Kapitan, we could
request the residents of
our community to
colorcode their garbage
containers . . .

PERSUASIVE INTERVIEW
After using this new
soap, will you still go
back to your old
brand?
I don’t think so, Super
Soap is better than my
old soap.

Answer the following questions based on the dialogs you have just read.
1. What does the interviewer generally do?
2. What does the interviewee generally do?
LET’S TRY THIS

INTERVIEWER
● The one who asks questions in an interview.
● He/She conducts the interview.
● Interviewers prepare questions they will ask depending on their
purpose.
● They also schedule when the interview will take place and what topics
will be discussed.

INTERVIEWEE
● The one who answers questions in an interview.
● He/She is called a participant in the interview.

Below are interview statements or questions for the Chief of Police. Determine
the proper order of questions. Number them accordingly.
1. Well, thank you sir for your time. Our viewers will be pleased to know that
the Manila police force is doing its best.
2. What can motorists do to avoid carnapping?
3. Chief Gonzales, has there been a substantial rise in carnapping cases in
Manila?
4. Out of the many carnapped vehicles, how many have been returned to their
owners?
5. Good morning, Chief Gonzales. I am a news reporter for TV News. I would
like to interview you regarding the alleged increase in carnapping cases in
Manila.
6. What punishment awaits carnappers?
LET’S TRY THIS

THREE MAJOR PARTS OF AN
INTERVIEW
A. OPENING
 the interviewer greets the interviewee, introduces himself/ herself and
states the purpose of the interview.
 A firm handshake and eye contact can help establish the formal nature of the
interview.

EXAMPLE
Good morning, Miss
Malou Whang. I am
John Cananga. I will
interview you today for
the vacant position in
our company.

INTERVIEW
B. BODY
 The interviewer asks the questions he/she prepared.
 There are different types of questions an interviewer can use. These
include:
• Open-ended questions- allow the interviewee to answer freely.
Example: Tell me about yourself.
• Closed questions - require only simple answers. The interviewee does not
need to give lengthy explanations.
Example: Are you familiar with our company?
(The interviewee can answer this question with only a yes or a no.

INTERVIEW
• Key questions - introduce topics to be discussed.
Example: What previous work experience do you have that can be of use to
the vacant position? (This question shows that the interviewer would now
like to talk about the qualifications of the interviewee.)
• Follow-upquestions - require further explanations from the interviewee.
Example: What edge do you think you have over the other applicants?
(This question is directly related to the key question example above.)

INTERVIEW
• Clearinghouse questions - are used when the interviewer has already
obtained all the information he/she needs.
Example: Is there anything else you’d like to say about yourself?
• Mirrorquestions - used when an interviewee’s answers need to be clarified.
Example: Are you saying that you work best under pressure?

Give examples of each type of question for a particular interview.
1. Interview situation: _____________________________________________
2. Open-ended question: ___________________________________________
3. Closed question: _______________________________________________
4. Key question: _________________________________________________
5. Follow-up question: ____________________________________________
6. Clearinghouse question: _________________________________________
7. Mirror question: ______________________________________________
LET’S TRY THIS

AN INTERVIEW GUIDE
• Is an outline of questions you will ask in the interview.
• These questions must be on one subject alone depending on the type of
interview you will conduct.
• Follow-up questions may also be included in an interview guide.
• Most interviews have at least three key questions and two follow-up
questions for each key question.

EXAMPLE
Key question 1:
Tell me about yourself.
Follow-up question 1-a:
What qualities do you
have that would benefit
your future employer?
Follow-up question 1-b:
Describe your
responsibilities in your
previous job.

EXAMPLE
Key question 2:
Are you familiar with our
company?
Follow-up question 2-a:
Where did you get that
information?
Follow-up question 2-b:
Why do you want to
work in our company?

EXAMPLE
Key question 3:
What previous work
experience do you have that
can be useful for the clerical
position?
Follow-up question 3-a: What
edge do you think you have
over the other applicants?
Follow-up question 3-b: What
do you know about using
computers and other office
equipment?
Follow-up question 3-c:
Will you be able to work full-
time?

INTERVIEW
C. CLOSING
• signals the end of the interview.
• This is where the interviewer thanks the interviewee and/or tells
him/her what will happen next.
• The interviewer then shakes hands with the interviewee as a sign of
his/her appreciation.

EXAMPLE
Well, Miss Malou Whang,
thank you for coming
today. I will call you as
soon as we have decided
who the right person for
the job is.

Answer the following questions based on the video that you have just role
played or script you just read.
1. What was the interview about?
2. How did Fe and Lara open or start their interview?
3. What questions did Fe and Lara ask? What types of questions do these fit
into?
4. How did they close or end their interview?
LET’S TRY THIS

Fill up the following interview guide keeping in mind all that you have just
learned.
1. Opening statement:
2. Body — Interview guide:
1. Key question 1: _______________________________________
Follow-up question 1: _______________________________
2. Key question 2: _______________________________________
3. Key question 3: _______________________________________
3. Closing statement:
LET’S SEE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

THE INTERVIEWEE –
THE ART OF ANSWERING
QUESTIONSLESSON 3

Rudy applied for a U.S.
visa to visit their
relatives and have a
vacation. He was
granted a two- to
three-week leave from
work. He is leaving by
himself since his wife
has to work and his
children have to go to
school.
Can you help Rudy
answer the following
questions?

Question 1
What type of visa are you
applying for?
Question 2
What supporting documents do
you have to show that you will
be able to finance your travelling
expenses?
Question 3
How can you assure us that you
will return to the Philippines after
your visa has expired?

STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING
AND ANSWERING
difficult questions. These include:
A. Give answers that are brief and straight to the point.
 Interviewer: What type of visa are you applying for?
 Incorrect response of an interviewee: I will only visit my relatives.
 Correct response of an interviewee: I am applying for a tourist visa.

AND ANSWERING
B. Be pleasant, polite and tactful.
 Interviewer: How long will you be visiting the United States?
 Incorrect response of an interviewee: Well, I still don’t know. It
depends . . .
 Correct response of an interviewee: Sir, I intend to stay there for
two or three weeks.

AND ANSWERING
C. Listen and react to the questions after hearing and
understanding each fully.
 Interviewer: I want to know if . . .
 Incorrect response of an interviewee: Oh, I know the answer . . .
 Correct response of an interviewee: (Does not interrupt, just waits
for the interviewer to finish his/her question then quickly thinks of
the answer.)

AND ANSWERING
D. Ask the interviewer to repeat, rephrase or explain
complicated or unclear questions.
 Interviewer: In which state will you be staying?
 Incorrect response of an interviewee: What state?
 Correct response of an interviewee: Sir, are you asking me whereI
will be staying during my visit to the United States?

AND ANSWERING
E. Choose not to answer an inappropriate question.
 Interviewer: How do you feel about Americans?
 Incorrect response of an interviewee: That’s none of your
business!
 Correct response of an interviewee: Sir, I don’t think I need to
answer that question since it has nothing to do with my visa
application.

AND ANSWERING
F. Be honest if you do not knowthe answer.
 If this happens, as a good interviewee you may respond by saying:
I’m sorry, sir, I do not have an answer for that right now. But I can
get that information for you as soon as possible.

LET’S TRY THIS
If you were Rudy, how would you prepare for the actual interview?
How can you be a successful interviewee? Check the items that you
will do.
Read the visa application you filled out. Its contents must
be complete, accurate and truthful.
Anticipate the questions that you may be asked.
Prepare your answers for the anticipated questions.
Pick out the clothes you will wear a day before the
interview.
Bring only the documents that support your application.
Determine how long it will take you to get to the venue on
time.
If you don’t know how to get to the venue of the interview,
ask for directions.

PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW
A. As an interviewee, first find out the exact venue of the interview and
how to get there. This way, you won’t get lost and can arrive on time.
B. Leave your house early and calculate how much time you will need to
get to the interview on time.
C. Prepare what you will wear at least a day before to make sure that you
have a suitable attire for the interview. Remember, how you look will be
the first thing the interviewer will see. You should therefore be
presentable.
D. Once you agree to participate in an interview, you should know why you
are being interviewed. This will help you prepare yourself as well as the
documents you might need in the interview. Doing this can save you the
trouble of going back just to show the interviewer the required
document.

PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW
E. Read and fill up the application from carefully. Know what you wrote by
heart. Always be honest when applying for something.
F. Since you know what the interview is about, think of possible questions
the interviewer might ask you and prepare answers for these.
G. Good interviewees also do research. Read or ask other people about the
topic or the type of interview you will participate in.

Answer the following questions based on the video that you have just role
played or script you just read.
1. Why do you think Peter’s application was approved?
2. Why do you think Juancho’s application was disapproved?
3. How could Juancho have improved his performance in applying for a visa?
LET’S TRY THIS

GOOD INTERVIEW SKILLS
LESSON 4

A. The participants must always be on time for the interview.
 It also helps for the interviewee if he/she is a few minutes early so that
he/she would not feel pressured about the time.
 Being on time for an interview is a good sign because this means one values
the time of the person he/she is meeting.

B. Both must always bringthe necessary documents they might need during
the course of the interview.
 People on their way to a job interview should bring their résumé / bio-data,
transcript of records, etc.

C. Both must always look presentable.
 They should wear the attire appropriate for the type of interview. Most
interviews are formal in nature.
 One should always wear decent, clean and well-pressed clothes.

D. Both shouldalways be polite and pleasant.
 Handshakes are welcome especially if you are meeting for the first time.
 They should smile at each other once in a while too.

ROLE PLAY
1. Conduct the interview you set up with the person you
chose from your community in Lesson
a. Apply the skills you have learned from the entire module. Use
the interview guide you prepared in Lesson 2.
2. Pretend that you are applying for a U.S. visa. Ask your
Instructional Manager or Facilitator to be the
interviewer.
a. Give him/her a copy of the questions found in Lesson 3. Make
use of the interview skills you have learned here in Lesson 4.

THANK YOU!
Michael Cachero Gelacio / Teacher III – District I ALS Coordinator

LS 1 The Interview

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