DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATION
INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES
MCC-UE 1740
Course Description and Objectives
Interviewing Strategies is a course designed to teach you communication skills you will need to develop
your professional career. The course focuses on career development theory, career assessments, and the
principles and practices of successful interviewing techniques. Students are provided with background on
the structure of an interview and learn how to analyze success and/or potential problems. Review of case
studies and practice in holding interviews enable students to gain experience and to improve their own
abilities.
More specifically, as a result of taking this class you should be able to:
1. Develop a basic understanding of career development theory and how to apply its meaning in
everyday life.
2. Identify, explain, and apply general theoretical principles related to interviewing including the
major types of interviews, the parties involved in interviews, the roles enacted during interviews,
the role of perception in interviews, and the nature of interpersonal interactions.
3. Learn about the many resources available to individuals looking for career guidance.
4. Complete a self analysis based on career development theory.
5. Research an industry in which you believe you would fit most appropriately and conduct an
industry diagnostic.
6. Prepare a cover letter and resume appropriate for a position you intend to apply for with two years.
7. Prepare an interview guide based on a job description and answer questions during a mock
employment interview based on the job description, cover letter, and resume you create.
Textbook and Readings
Available at the NYU bookstore: Interviewing Styles and Strategies, by Aggie White. Thomson Learning
(2003).
In addition, readings will be posted on our Blackboard course site.
Policies and Procedures
Attendance
You are expected to not only be in class but to also make appropriate contributions to class discussion. If
you miss more than two classes for any reason, your final course grade will be lowered one-half letter grade
for each additional absence. You may not miss a day when you are scheduled to perform an interview. If
you do miss your interview day and your absence is not excused, you will receive a zero for the
assignment. Excused absences will be granted only when the reason for the absence can be documented in
writing. I reserve the right to decide excused absences on a case-by-case basis.
Academic Misconduct
Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in zero points for the assignment and/or an “F” in the course.
Students are encouraged to review the official university policy regarding academic misconduct found in
the undergraduate bulletin.
Late Work
You are expected to complete assignments on the due date indicated on the daily schedule. Late
assignments will have a 10% markdown the first day late and a 5% markdown for each additional day late.
(The grade will lower from 100 to 90 to 85, etc.) If you miss class on a day when a written assignment is
due, you must make arrangements to get the assignment to class (or my office mailbox) before the start
time of the class. Do not e-mail any assignments unless I specify it is ok to do so.
Course Assignments and Grading
Course assignments are described on a separate paper and will be distributed in class. Below is a list of the
assignments and the grading breakdown for the course. Completing assignments on time and being an
active participant in class activities is necessary to do well in the course.
Self Analysis
Industry Diagnostic
Resume/Cover Letter
Informational Interview
Presentation or Mock Interview
Class Participation and Attendance
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
94-100 points
90-93 points
88-89 points
84-87 points
80-83 points
78-79 points
74-77 points
70-73 points
65-69 points
64 points or below
10 points
15 points
20 points
20 points
25 points
10 points
100 points
Course Schedule (Tentative)
DATE
TOPIC
January 29
Overview of syllabus and
assignments;
Career Development
Theory; Self assessment;
Job resources
February 5
Resume & Cover Letter
Workshop
February 12
Resume Evaluations
Preparing for the Interview
Preparing for the
Interview-Making a good
impression,
Different Types of
Interviews, Creating
Answers
Common Interviewing
Questions
The Tough Questions &
The Illegal Questions,
Post Interview Follow-up,
Evaluating the Interview
and Decision Making
No Class Spring Break
Post Interview Follow-up,
Evaluating the Interview
and Decision Making
(cont); Practice/Overview
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews (if
needed)
February 19
February 26
March 5
March 12
March 19
March 26
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 23
April 30
May 7
May21
ASSIGNMENTS DUE
FOR NEXT TIME
On blackboard: Chapters 1
(optional), 2 and 3 from
Career Development and
Planning; Blackboard:
Chapter 12, “Written
Communications in Job
Hunting” from Career
Development and Planning
Self Analysis due,
Provide rough draft of
cover letter and resume
Self Analysis; rough draft
of cover letter and resume
Read Chapters 1, 3 & 4
Read Chapter 2 &5,
Industry Diagnostic Due
Industry Diagnostic
Read Chapter 6, 7 & 8
Final Draft of cover letter,
resume and job description
due
Final Draft of cover letter,
resume and job description
Informational Interview