Characters:
Lena – a recent university graduate
Ryan – Lena’s friend who works in HR and often helps friends prep for interviews
Lena: Hey Ryan, do you have a minute? I have a job interview on Friday and I’m kind of freaking out.
Ryan: Of course! What’s the position?
Lena: It’s for a junior marketing role at a tech startup. I really want it, but I haven’t done a real interview in ages.
Ryan: No worries, we’ll get you ready. First off, do you know what kind of interview it is? Online or in person?
Lena: It’s over Zoom. They said it’ll be about 30 minutes with two team members.
Ryan: Got it. Have you researched the company?
Lena: A bit, yeah. I read their “About Us” page and went through their blog. They seem really innovative, and their team looks super young and dynamic.
Ryan: That’s a good start. You’ll want to understand their values and be able to explain why you’re excited to join them specifically.
Lena: Right. I can say I love how they focus on creativity and user experience.
Ryan: Perfect. Now let’s talk about common interview questions. Have you prepared your answer to “Tell me about yourself”?
Lena: Kind of. I was going to talk about my degree and my internship last summer.
Ryan: That’s good, but make it more of a story. Try this structure: who you are, what you’ve done, and what you’re looking for.
Lena: Okay. Like… “I recently graduated with a degree in Business, and during university, I discovered a passion for marketing. My internship at BrightIdeas really gave me hands-on experience. Now I’m looking to grow in a company where creativity is key.”
Ryan: That’s excellent! Confident, concise, and relevant.
Lena: Thanks! What about behavioral questions? I’m terrible at those.
Ryan: Use the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result. Think of a few examples ahead of time. Maybe a time you solved a problem or worked under pressure.
Lena: Hmm… I did lead a group project where one team member dropped out last minute.
Ryan: That’s perfect. Just walk them through what happened, what you did, and how it ended successfully.
Lena: Got it. Should I ask questions at the end?
Ryan: Absolutely. Ask about the team culture, or how success is measured in the role. It shows you’re serious.
Lena: I’ll make a list. I don’t want to blank out during the interview.
Ryan: Good idea. Also, dress professionally even though it’s online. And check your background — clean and neutral is best.
Lena: I’ll set up in front of my bookshelf. And maybe add a plant?
Ryan: That works! Last tip: practice out loud. Want to do a mock interview tomorrow?
Lena: Yes, please! You’re seriously a lifesaver.
Ryan: Anytime. You’re going to do great — just be yourself, stay calm, and show them what you’ve got.
Lena: Thanks, Ryan. I’ll message you tomorrow to set a time.
Ryan: Looking forward to it!
