Job Interview Questions: Choose the Strongest Answer
Seven common job interview questions, each with three answers, for the student to pick the strongest and explain why.
The interviewer says "Tell me about yourself." Which answer works best?
Session summary (SOAP)
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Mark a card Correct, Correct with cue or Incorrect and the summary writes itself here.
How to run it
Read the question and all three answers aloud. After the student picks, ask what makes it stronger than the others: is it specific, does it connect to the job, does it answer the question that was asked. Then have the student write or say their own answer to the same question, using the strong one as a model rather than a script.
Cueing ladder
Start at the top. Add support one step at a time.
- IndependentPresent the item and wait 5 seconds of quiet before helping.Log as correct
- PromptAsk 'What's your first step?' or 'What would you say here?'Log as cued
- Two choicesOffer two responses and talk through which one fits the situation better.Log as cued
- ModelRole-play it yourself first, then the student tries it.Log as cued
Adjust it
Give the student a written script to read from during the role-play.
Drop the script, and play a less helpful partner who asks a follow-up question.
Matching IEP goal
Given a real-life scenario, Student will give a clear, appropriate response in 4 of 5 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, given no more than one prompt.
Send it home through the parent portal →About this activity
Seven questions that come up in almost every first job interview, from tell me about yourself and why do you want to work here to what hours can you work and do you have any questions for us. Each has three answers, and one is clearly the strongest because it is specific, honest and tied to the job. It is built for high school students heading toward a first job, where knowing what an interviewer is really asking makes the answer much easier to find.
What to listen for
Notice whether the student can say why an answer works, not just pick it. A student who chooses well but cannot explain may struggle once the wording changes. In their own answers, listen for specific details, such as a real volunteer job or real hours, instead of general claims like I'm a hard worker.
Carrying it home
Run a mock interview at the kitchen table using these questions, with a family member as the interviewer. Ask the student to prepare one real example for the strengths and mistakes questions beforehand. Keep it short and encouraging, and swap roles so the student hears what a strong answer sounds like from the other side.
What's in this activity
- The interviewer says "Tell me about yourself." Which answer works best?
- I'm a junior who likes fixing bikes and I help at my uncle's shop on weekends.
- I don't know. What do you want to know?
- Everything about my life starting from when I was born.
- The interviewer asks "Why do you want to work here?" Which answer works best?
- My mom told me to apply.
- I like helping customers and I live close enough to get here on time.
- I'm not really sure.
- The interviewer asks "What is one of your strengths?" Which answer works best?
- I'm good at everything.
- Nothing really.
- I'm reliable. I showed up for every shift at my volunteer job this year.
- The interviewer asks "Tell me about a time you made a mistake." Which answer works best?
- I once gave a customer the wrong change. I told my manager and we fixed it.
- I never make mistakes.
- I'd rather not talk about that.
- The interviewer asks "What hours can you work?" Which answer works best?
- Whenever.
- Weekdays after 3 and all day Saturday.
- I'll tell you after I get the job.
- The interviewer asks "Do you have any questions for us?" Which answer works best?
- No.
- How soon can I take a vacation?
- What does a typical shift look like?
- The interview is over and the interviewer stands up. What could you do?
- Thank them for their time and say you hope to hear from them.
- Leave without saying anything.
- Ask if you got the job right now.
Questions
- Who is this for?
- Students in grades 9 through 12 preparing for a first job, volunteer role or work-based learning placement.
- Are the weaker answers wrong?
- Not wrong as people. They just give the interviewer less to go on. The point is noticing what makes an answer specific and connected to the job.
- Is it free?
- Yes. It plays free in the browser with no login. An account adds session data, goal scoring and assignment to a student.
Use this board with your caseload
With a free account, every correct, cued and incorrect mark is saved to the student and scored against their IEP goal, with the data written up for you. Assign it as home practice through the parent portal.
Track progress freeFree for SLPs. No card, no trial clock.