Appendix C-1

Melanie R. Morris; Jennifer E. Potter, Ph.D.; Dr. Kanika Jackson

16 Appendix C-1

Interview Speech

Develop a 2-3-minute speech to learn some basic interviewing skills while making a connection with an audience of one – your interviewer. Specifically, you will “talk about a time when…” by describing a situation, explaining the task, telling the action you took, and then emphasizing the transferable skills you learned. This speech will help you strengthen your ability to be descriptive and concise when telling a story while giving you practice answering some common interview questions.

Your goal should be to convince a hiring manager that you are the best person to hire because of your awesome responses to their question.

Choose one of the questions below to answer as the content of your speech:

Tell me about a time when you did not agree with a teacher or a supervisor. How did you handle the situation?
Tell me about a time when you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Tell me about a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
Tell me about a time when you used good judgment and logic to solve a problem.
Tell me about a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
Tell me about a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and were required to prioritize your tasks.
Tell me about a time when you were able to successfully deal with a person even when they may not have liked you, or you did not like them.
Tell me about a time when you tried to accomplish something and failed.
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a very upset customer or coworker.
Tell me about a time when you motivated others.

2. Develop an answer to your chosen question using the STAR strategy described below.

Situation: Describe the situation you are addressing. Be specific and give enough detail so the interviewer (the audience) understands. The situation can be from a previous job, a volunteer experience, school, or another relevant experience. In the first main point you should be answering all of the 5W’s and 1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) that are needed, but do not answer it like you are reading a list. Set the stage and tell a story.
Task: Describe the task that needs to be accomplished in the situation and be specific. What expectations existed for the task? Who communicated this task to you, and why was it important?
Action you took: Describe what you did and keep the focus on you. Even if you discuss a group project or effort, talk about what YOU did, and not the efforts of the entire team. Do not say what you might do or might have done, only what you DID. Describe the action/s you took that helped to resolve the situation.
Results you achieved: What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? Talk about what you learned that you can use going forward. People interviewing you want to know how you will apply your experiences in their company, so focus on how what you learned can be applied in the professional workplace.

3. Specific requirements for your Interview Speech include:

Time Limit: This presentation should be 2-3 minutes in length. Any time over or under the time limit will result in point deductions. Your goal should be a 2 ½ minute (150 second) speech.
Outline: You are required to submit a full sentence outline. A basic outline template will be provided to help you create this outline.
Speaking Notes: Your speech is to be delivered extemporaneously, meaning that you may use a speaking outline when you deliver your speech, and not your full sentence outline or a script. You must stand up for this speech and use note cards, without relying on reading from your computer screen.
Required sources: You are not required to use any outside sources for this speech. However, your speech should reflect considerable critical thought and reflection on your actions. An HR manager or hiring committee is looking for someone who learns from previous experience, so demonstrate that you have done that.
Presentation Aids: Visual aids are not required or suggested for the Interview Speech.
Rehearsal: Practice your speech at least 6 times from beginning to end using your speaking notes.

Interview Speech Checklist

Situation:

Describe the scene using 5W and 1H.
Provide examples and details.
Use narrative format.

Task:

Share expectations of task.
Tell who assigned the task and why.
Explain why the task was important.

Action:

Describe the action you took.
Provide examples and details.
Leave no unanswered questions.

Result:

Describe outcome of situation or task.
Highlight accomplishments.
Emphasis on what was learned & how future behavior may change.
Provide examples and details.

Extra Details:

Speech needs to be 2-3 minutes long.
Speaking notes are on note cards.
Speech is adapted to audience (HR manager where you want to work).
Speech is presented professionally
The question chosen is directly answered.

Interview Speech Rubric (50 points)

Criterion	Description	Excellent	Good	Developing	Incomplete
Situation 7 points	The speaker clearly describes the situation using a narrative structure, addressing the 5Ws and 1H with relevant examples and details.	Provides a detailed narrative with all 5Ws and 1H addressed. The situation is specific, engaging, and relevant.	Addresses most of the 5Ws and 1H. The situation is mostly clear and includes relevant examples.	Provides minimal detail or addresses only some of the 5Ws and 1H. The situation lacks clarity or feels disjointed.	Does not describe a situation or provides unrelated or incomplete information.
Task 7 points	The speaker clearly explains the task within the situation, including expectations, who assigned it, and why it was important.	Fully explains task expectations, who assigned it, and its significance using specific examples.	Describes the task with some reference to expectations, assignment, and importance.	Mentions a task but lacks clarity about expectations, assignment, or importance.	Task is not described or lacks relevance to the situation.
Action 7 points	The speaker explains the specific actions they personally took to address the task and situation.	Clearly explains personal actions with specific details and examples, leaving no unanswered questions.	Describes personal actions with minor gaps in detail or clarity.	Provides vague or general actions; many questions remain unanswered.	Actions are not described or focus is on group actions rather than personal contributions.
Result 7 points	The speaker explains the outcome of the situation and reflects on what was learned and how it applies to future professional contexts.	Outcome is clearly explained. Reflection demonstrates insight and clear application to future work.	Outcome is mostly clear. Some reflection and application are evident.	Outcome is minimally explained. Limited reflection or connection to future relevance.	Outcome is unclear or not addressed. No reflection or application provided.
Verbal Delivery 7 points	The speaker’s tone, pacing, and vocal variety enhance the message and convey confidence.	Consistent vocal confidence, clear tone and pacing, with strong engagement.	Generally confident and clear, with minor delivery issues.	Lacks vocal variety or consistent tone. Delivery affects message clarity.	Monotone, rushed, or hesitant delivery that detracts from the message.
Nonverbal Delivery 7 points	The speaker uses appropriate eye contact, gestures, and posture to enhance delivery.	Delivery appears confident and natural. Effective use of eye contact, posture, and gestures.	Mostly natural delivery. Some minor issues with nonverbal behaviors.	Noticeable discomfort or lack of preparation in nonverbal behaviors.	Nonverbal delivery distracts or undermines the message.
Answered the Question 4 points	The speaker clearly responds to the chosen question using the STAR structure.	Clearly and directly answers the selected question using the STAR method.	Addresses most parts of the question using a STAR-like structure.	Response strays from the selected question or lacks a clear structure.	Does not clearly address or answer the selected question.
Time 4 points	The speech is delivered within the 2–3-minute time frame.	Speech is 2–3 minutes in length.	Speech is 30 seconds under or over the time limit.	Speech is significantly under or over the time limit.	Speech length makes it difficult to evaluate content appropriately.
50 Total Points