Workshop 04 — Interview Skills · Facilitator Lesson Plan

For: CSC office staff (not career counselors). You read this 15 minutes before the workshop, walk in, run it. You don't need to be an interview coach. You need to be a calm bilingual presence who can follow this script, point to the slide, and route hard questions (legal, immigration, salary negotiation) to the right place.

1 · At-a-Glance

2 · Learning Objectives

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Name the three phases of a US interview (Before / During / After) and one concrete action for each.
2. Recognize a behavioral question ("Tell me about a time when…") and answer it with the four STAR steps.
3. Use four English rescue phrases ("Could you repeat that?", "Let me think for a moment", "Could you speak more slowly?", "Could you write that down?") when they don't understand.
4. Send a thank-you message within 24 hours of an interview, in 1–2 sentences.
5. Book a free CSC mock interview — know the phone number and that it costs nothing.

3 · Pre-Workshop Checklist (15 minutes before start)

Tech

• Open slides at https://interview-skills-workshop.pages.dev/ — test language toggle (top-right, "中文")
• Default 中文 — leave it unless audience asks for English
• Click through slides 5 and 10 once — they have Reveal buttons that GATE advancing
• Test projector mirror; load one external link from resources to confirm WiFi
• Bookmark slides URL on phone as backup (works offline via service worker)

Materials

• ~20 copies of resources handout (/resources)
• Quick Reference Card (section 12) on the podium
• Bilingual sign-in sheet at the door
• Pens at every seat — people will write down phrases

Room

• U-shape if group ≤ 12; rows if ≥ 13
• Water available; accessible aisle if needed

Yourself

• Skim this plan once (15 min)
• Say the STAR worked example on Slide 6 out loud once — hardest to deliver cold
• Read Q1–Q4 in section 8 — be ready for "they asked my age, is that legal?"

4 · Audience Snapshot (read before walking in)

Mandarin-speaking adults, 40s–60s, from Alhambra / Monterey Park / Rosemead / El Monte / San Gabriel. Many had white-collar jobs back home and are now interviewing for restaurant, home care, retail, or warehouse roles. Several have already interviewed once or twice in the US and walked out embarrassed — didn't catch a question, didn't know how to answer a "weakness," or felt American-style self-promotion is uncomfortable. They came hoping to leave with concrete sentences they can practice tonight.

5 · Cultural & Bilingual Tips for This Workshop

• Tip 1 — Name the 自夸 discomfort, don't moralize. Don't tell them to "be more confident." Say: "STAR 不是吹牛,是一个模板,帮你说清楚事实。在美国面试,你说'我没什么经验',雇主就真的以为你没经验。" — "STAR is not boasting — it's a template for stating facts. In a US interview, modesty reads as 'no experience.'"
• Tip 2 — Eye contact is a range, not a rule. "看着对方的脸,大约说话时间的一半就够了。" — "Look at their face about half the time you're speaking. You don't have to stare." Lands better than a Western confidence rule.
• Tip 3 — Bilingual cadence. Chinese first, then the English phrase verbatim. For Slide 8 (rescue phrases), say each English line TWICE slowly — that's the memorize-able content. Translate one key phrase per slide, not every sentence.
• Tip 4 — Face-saving framing. Never ask "who failed an interview because of English?" Use "如果有人…" (if someone…) or "我们假设…" (let's imagine…) instead.
• Tip 5 — No legal advice. Discrimination / "is this question legal?" → route to Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) or EEOC. Don't try to answer.

6 · Slide-by-Slide Script

How to use: One block per slide. Time budgets sum to ~30 min. SAY = your opening, verbatim or close. POINT TO = keep your finger on the visual so participants follow your eyes. ASK = a real question with a real expected answer. WATCH FOR = the confusion that usually shows up here. IF SHORT = your trim card if you're running behind. The deck has 12 slides — slides 5 and 10 are interactive and require clicking a "Reveal Answer" button before you can advance.

Slide 1 · Title (面试成功指南 / Interview Skills Workshop) · ⏱ 1 min

SAY: "欢迎大家。今天三十分钟,讲三件事:面试前、面试中、面试后。" — "Welcome. Thirty minutes, three things: before, during, after the interview."

POINT TO: The title and the CSC name above it.

ASK: "在座有没有人下个月内有面试?" — "Anyone has an interview coming up in the next month?" (Count hands. If 3+, say: "好,今天讲的,你下周就能用。")

WATCH FOR: People still finding seats. Wait 30 seconds before starting content.

IF SHORT: Skip the ASK. Welcome and advance.

Slide 2 · Three Key Steps (三大步骤) · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "面试不是只有'当天'。三个阶段:① 准备 ② 面试中 ③ 跟进。最容易忽略的是第三个。" — "An interview isn't just the day-of. Three stages: prepare, during, follow up. The most-skipped is #3."

POINT TO: The three agenda cards. Tap each.

ASK: "你猜:面试结束后,大概多少求职者会发感谢信?" — "Guess: what % of job seekers send a thank-you message?" (Take 2–3 guesses. Answer: under 25%. Hook for Slide 9.)

WATCH FOR: Confusion about 跟进 / "follow up." Say: "面试后给雇主发一句话,谢谢他的时间。"

IF SHORT: Skip the ASK. Name the three stages, advance.

Slide 3 · Before — How to Prepare (面试前准备) · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "面试前五件事。最重要是第三件:练习回答。" — "Five things to do before. The most important is #3 — practice your answers."

POINT TO: Walk down the 5 items: 了解公司 / 准备服装 / 练习回答 / 准备文件 / 提前出发. Pause on #3.

ASK: "你上次面试,练习过回答吗?对着谁练?" — "Last interview, did you practice? With whom?" (Common answers: "no" / "mirror." Bridge to Slide 11: CSC offers free mock interviews.)

WATCH FOR: Clothing anxiety. Someone will say "I don't have a suit." Reply: "整洁、干净、深色衣服就够了 — 不需要西装。" Handout section 3 has the dress guide.

IF SHORT: Read the 5 items, point at #3, skip the ASK.

Slide 4 · Common Interview Questions (常见面试问题) · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "这五个问题几乎一定会问。提前想好答案,就不会卡住。" — "These five come up in almost every US interview. Prepare and you won't freeze."

POINT TO: Each numbered card. Linger on ① — say "Tell me about yourself" slowly TWICE in English.

ASK: "'请自我介绍' — 一分钟,你会先讲什么?" (Take 2–3 answers. Coach: "1) 名字 + 现在做什么 2) 一段相关经验 3) 为什么想这个工作。")

WATCH FOR: Question ⑤ ("Do you have any questions for us?") — people often say no. Tell them: "答 NO 是错的。准备两个问题。比如 'What does a typical day in this role look like?'" Give them one English sentence to memorize.

IF SHORT: Read ① and ⑤ only. The rest is on the handout.

STRETCH (advanced): "如果你已经面试过几次,这五个问题里,哪一个你答得最弱?为什么?" — "If you've interviewed before, which of these five do you answer worst? Why?" Take one volunteer; coach a 30-sec rewrite using STAR (preview of Slide 6). Land it as a teaser, not a full detour.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Don't ask the full open question. Instead point to ①, say "Tell me about yourself" twice slowly, then say "三件事:名字 — 经验 — 为什么。Say it after me: My name is ___. I worked in ___. I want this job because ___." Chorus-style fill-in-the-blank — no individual cold-call.

Slide 5 · Activity — Match the Answer (配对练习) · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "现在练一练。左边三个回答,右边三个问题。哪个回答配哪个?" — "Let's practice. Three answers on the left, three questions on the right. Match them."

POINT TO: Read each Answer (A, B, C) in Chinese, then each Question. Give 30 seconds of quiet.

ASK: "A 配哪个问题?" — "Which question does A match?" (Take answers. Then B. Then C.) Click 揭晓答案 · Reveal Answers. Correct: A → Tell me about yourself, B → What are your strengths?, C → Why do you want this job?

WATCH FOR: People conflating B with A. A is background (5 years restaurant); B is a specific trait (reliable). Coach: "优点要说一个具体的词 — 认真、可靠、耐心 — 加一个例子。"

Important — Next button is GATED until you click Reveal. Intentional — forces discussion. Click reveal, then advance.

IF SHORT: Run only Answer A and its three options. Click reveal. Skip B and C discussion.

Slide 6 · 如何回答行为问题 / How to Answer Behavior Questions (STAR Method) · ⏱ 5 min — THE BIG ONE

SAY: "美国面试有一种问题叫 behavioral question — 行为问题。格式是 'Tell me about a time when…' '请讲一个您…的例子。' 这种最容易卡住。STAR 是模板。" — "US interviews have behavioral questions. The pattern is 'Tell me about a time when…' Hardest type to answer cold. STAR is the template."

POINT TO: The four STAR cards: S 情境 → T 任务 → A 行动 → R 结果. Tap each.

Then point to the weak/strong comparison at the bottom. This is the heart of the workshop. Read both columns OUT LOUD:

• Left (red ✗ Too vague): "我做事很认真,会解决问题。" / "I work hard and I solve problems." Then: "雇主听完不知道你做过什么。" — "After this, the employer has no idea what you actually did."
• Right (green ✓ Using STAR): "上周餐厅很忙(S),我负责前台(T)。我请同事帮忙打包外卖,自己专心接待客人(A),没有一个客人投诉(R)。" / "Last week the restaurant was busy (S). I was at the front desk (T). I asked a coworker to handle takeout while I greeted guests (A). No customer complained (R)."

ASK: "哪个回答,雇主更可能记得你?" — "Which one will the employer remember?" (Make them say it out loud.)

Name the discomfort: "STAR 听起来像'夸自己'。其实不是 — 你说的是事实:当时发生了什么、你做了什么、结果是什么。不是吹牛,是模板。" — "STAR can feel like boasting. It isn't — you're stating facts. Not bragging, just a template."

Handle "what's your biggest weakness?" (someone will ask): "选一个真的、但你在改进的缺点。比如 'My English is still improving, so when I don't understand I ask the person to repeat.' 把缺点和你的应对方法一起讲。"

WATCH FOR: Blank faces at "behavioral question." Reassure: "你不用记英文名字。听到 'Tell me about a time when…' 就是信号,用 STAR。"

IF SHORT: Skip the four-card walk-through. Go straight to the weak/strong comparison — that's the payload.

STRETCH (advanced): "现在用 STAR,讲一个 不同 场景的例子 — 不要餐厅,换工厂、家政、零售。30 秒。" — "Use STAR for a different scene — not restaurant. Factory, caregiving, retail. 30 seconds." Take one volunteer; the room hears STAR transfer across job types, not just the slide's example.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Don't ask the room to compose a STAR answer. Read the green column out loud, then say "Repeat after me, 一句一句": "Last week the restaurant was busy. (停)I was at the front desk. (停)I asked a coworker to help. (停)No customer complained." Four short lines, chorus repeat. They feel STAR before they have to make one.

Slide 7 · First Impressions (第一印象很重要) · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "头三十秒,雇主已经开始判断。四件事:握手微笑、眼神接触、坐姿端正、手机静音。" — "In the first 30 seconds, the employer is already judging. Four things: firm handshake + smile, eye contact, sit up straight, silence your phone."

POINT TO: The four icon cards. Tap each.

ASK: "握手 — 用力还是轻?" — "Handshake — firm or light?" (Firm, not crushing. ~2 seconds.) Then "眼神接触 — 一直看吗?" (About half the time you're speaking. See Tip 2.)

WATCH FOR: Handshake discomfort — especially women, older participants. Say: "对方先伸手,你也伸手。对方点头,你也点头。跟着对方走就行。"

IF SHORT: Read four card titles. Skip the ASK.

Slide 8 · Helpful English Phrases (语言小技巧) · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "听不懂不丢人。这四句话,记下来。" — "Not understanding is not embarrassing. Memorize these four."

POINT TO: Each phrase card. Read the English OUT LOUD TWICE, slowly:

• "Could you please repeat that?" (×2)
• "Let me think for a moment." (×2)
• "Could you speak a little slower?" (×2)
• "Could you write that down?" (×2)

ASK: "哪一句最有用?" — "Which one is most useful to you?" (Most common: "speak slower." Confirm: "对,不是听不懂英语,是对方说太快。")

WATCH FOR: Pronunciation worries. Reassure: "雇主每天听口音英语,不会扣分。但你不说话,他们以为你不懂。"

IF SHORT: Read all four English phrases twice. Skip the ASK. Handout has them written out.

STRETCH (advanced): "这四句之外,你想加一句什么?面试时你最常卡在哪种情况?" — "Beyond these four, what one phrase would you add? Where do you actually get stuck?" Common adds: "I'm not sure I understand the question — could you give an example?" / "Could you tell me what that word means?" Note the add on the whiteboard; the room sees the list grow.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Chorus repeat. Say each phrase, then "大家一起说一遍" — the WHOLE room repeats it back in unison. Do all four. Repetition + group cover = no individual put-on-the-spot. This is the lesson's safest place to drill English aloud.

Slide 9 · Follow Up After the Interview (面试后:跟进) · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "大部分求职者面试完什么都不做。你发一句感谢信,就比 75% 的人多走一步。" — "Most people do nothing after. Send a thank-you and you're ahead of 75%."

POINT TO: Day 1 (thank-you), Day 7 (polite follow-up), Day 14 (keep applying).

ASK: "感谢信要写多长?" (Answer: 1–2 sentences. Example: "Thank you for your time today. I'm excited about the opportunity.") Add: "邮件、短信都可以,两句话就够。"

WATCH FOR: Day 14 misread as "give up." Reframe: "不是放弃 — 是不要只等一家。继续申请。"

IF SHORT: Read Day 1 only. "发完感谢信,继续找下一家。" Advance.

Slide 10 · 对还是错？/ True or False? (Quiz) · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "两道题。我读,你举手 — 对还是错?" — "Two questions. I read; you raise your hand."

POINT TO: Q①: "面试可以穿休闲装(如牛仔裤)。" / "You should wear casual clothes (like jeans) to a job interview."

ASK: "对的举手。错的举手。" (Count both.) Click 揭晓答案 1. Answer: FALSE. "要穿专业、整洁的衣服。"

Then Q②: "面试结束时可以向面试官提问。" / "It's okay to ask the interviewer questions at the end."

ASK again. Click reveal. Answer: TRUE. "提问表示有兴趣、有准备。"

WATCH FOR: Slide 10 has TWO reveal buttons. Both must be clicked before you can advance.

IF SHORT: Run Q1 only; skip Q2.

Slide 11 · CSC Services (我们可以帮你) · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "STAR、感谢信、英语短语 — 都需要练习。CSC 免费提供模拟面试。" — "STAR, thank-you messages, English phrases — all need practice. CSC offers free mock interviews."

POINT TO: Five service cards. Linger on 模拟面试 (Mock Interview).

ASK: "五个服务里,你最想用哪个?" (Take 2–3 answers. Note names — these are follow-up leads.)

WATCH FOR: "我没有身份证明,可以来吗?" Reply: "可以。免费,双语,不查身份。"

Phone number: 213-808-1758. Say it twice. "打这个号,说要做模拟面试。讲中文也可以。"

IF SHORT: Point at the phone number; "免费、双语,打这个号。" Advance.

Slide 12 · 更多资源 / More Resources (+ QR) · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "三件事:① 面试前 — 练习回答 ② 面试中 — 用 STAR ③ 面试后 — 发感谢信。请拿一张资料,扫二维码带回家。" — "Three things: ① Before — practice ② During — STAR ③ After — thank-you. Take a handout, scan the QR, take it home."

POINT TO: QR code; the three resource cards (CSC, AJCC, EDD) with phone numbers.

ASK: "下一步,你想做什么?一件事就好。" (Common: "practice STAR," "call CSC," "apply for an interview." Affirm each.)

WATCH FOR: People who linger near the front have a private question. Stay 5 extra minutes after close.

7 · Interactive Moments

8 · Common Participant Questions (Q&A Anchor)

Rule: Never give legal, tax, immigration, or salary-negotiation advice. Always route to a named resource.

Q1: 他们问我的年龄/婚姻/孩子 — 合法吗? / Can they ask my age, marital status, kids?

You say: "这种问题在美国通常不可以问 — 跟工作无关。你可以礼貌回答:'I'd prefer to focus on my qualifications for the job.' 想正式投诉的话,我帮你联系 AAAJ 或 EEOC。" Route to: Asian Americans Advancing Justice LA (213-977-7500) · EEOC (1-800-669-4000)

Q2: 他们问期望工资,怎么答? / They asked my expected salary — what do I say?

You say: "反问:'What is the range for this role?' 让他们先说。一定要你说,给范围,不要单个数字。CSC 一对一辅导可以帮你查行业标准。" Route to: CSC 1-on-1 counseling (213-808-1758) · EDD job listings at edd.ca.gov

Q3: 我没有美国工作经验 / I have no US work experience

You say: "讲你之前国家的经验 — 用 STAR 讲一个具体例子。雇主在乎你能做什么,不只是在哪做过。'In China I worked X years as a Y. I handled Z.' 然后讲 STAR 例子。" Route to: CSC mock interview (213-808-1758) to practice this pitch

Q4: 我的英语不好,会被嫌弃吗? / My English is weak — will they reject me?

You say: "你已经在用英语面试 — 这就是努力的证明。用 Slide 8 的四句短语,听不懂请对方再说一遍。雇主看到你愿意问、愿意学,是加分。" Route to: CSC ESL classes · AJCC East SGV (626-934-5700)

Q5: 几天没回音,可以再问吗? / No response after a few days — can I follow up?

You say: "可以。第七天发一封礼貌的邮件或短信:'Hello, I wanted to follow up on my application.' 不要每天问 — 一周一次就够。" Route to: Slide 9 timeline (Day 7 follow-up message) · CSC 1-on-1 (213-808-1758) if no response after Day 14

Q6: 我可以带翻译一起去面试吗? / Can I bring a translator?

You say: "正式面试通常不可以,雇主想看你的英语沟通。但你可以提前发邮件:'My English is improving — I may ask you to repeat sometimes.' 让雇主有心理准备。" Route to: CSC mock interview to build confidence (213-808-1758)

Q7: 视频面试跟现场不一样吗? / Video interviews — different from in-person?

You say: "差不多。三点不同:① 提前测试网络和摄像头 ② 看摄像头,不是屏幕 ③ 背景干净,光线在你前面。" Route to: CSC mock interview practices video format too

Q8: 微信群里看到的工作,面试要注意什么? / I found this job on WeChat — anything different about the interview?

You say: "蒙特利公园、阿罕布拉、罗斯密这边的华人雇主很多 — 餐厅、家政、零售。面试常常用中文,但也有老板会突然切英文,看你能不能跟客人沟通。准备好中英文两版自我介绍。工资、工时、有没有报税 — 一定要当面问清楚,不要只看微信群截图。" — "SGV Chinese employers in Monterey Park / Alhambra / Rosemead often interview in Chinese — but some switch to English mid-interview to test you with customers. Prepare both Chinese and English self-intros. Always ask about wages, hours, and whether they report taxes IN PERSON, not just from a WeChat screenshot." Route to: CSC 1-on-1 counseling (213-808-1758) to review the offer · Labor Commissioner if wage/hour concerns

9 · Recovery Plans

If the internet fails: Slides work offline (service worker cache). Reload from the bookmark. Use printed handouts for resources. Skip the QR demo on Slide 12; tell people to type the URL.

If only 3 people show up: Sit in a circle, run it as a conversation. Skip the match activity (Slide 5) and the True/False vote (Slide 10) as activities — discuss each item as a group instead. Spend the recovered time on one-on-one STAR practice.

If 25+ people show up: Move chairs into clusters of 4. Use the mic. On Slide 8, have the room repeat each English phrase TOGETHER out loud — turns scale into energy. Stay at the door 5 extra minutes for private questions.

If the group is silent: Wait 7 full seconds before re-asking. Re-ask using "如果有人…" framing. Share your own story: "我第一次美国面试,只会笑。后来我学会问 'Could you repeat that?',就好多了。"

If one participant dominates: "好的,谢谢分享。我们听听其他人的看法。" Walk physically toward another part of the room while saying it.

If you're running long (>5 min over past Slide 6): Skip the ASK on Slide 7. Run Slide 10 Q1 only. Move Slide 11 to "here's the phone number, call us — questions?" Skip the service-card walk-through.

If someone asks a legal question you can't answer: "好问题。这个我不能直接答 — 我帮你联系 AAAJ / EEOC。" Write down name + question. Don't improvise legal advice.

If the Slide 5 or 10 reveal button is stuck: Click the button text directly. If still stuck, tell the answer verbally and advance with the keyboard right-arrow. Log it after.

If you finish early (5 / 10 / 15 min spare):

Don't default to "any questions?" — silence will eat the time. Run one of these activities matched to your spare-time budget.

• 5 min spare — Round-the-room one-word check: "用一个词说说,明天面试你最想做对的一件事 — 准备、STAR、感谢信、还是别的?" / "In one word, what's the one thing you most want to nail in your next interview?" Take 8–10 quick answers. Closes the loop without dragging.
• 10 min spare — Run the Finish-Early Extension in §13: a round-robin STAR drill on the five common questions from Slide 4, followed by a chorus repeat of the four English rescue phrases from Slide 8.
• 15 min spare — Use the first sub-block of the 60-Min Variant (see §13) — Sub-block 1 (Interviewer round) stands on its own as a hands-on applied block.

If a question goes runaway long:

• "好问题。让我先记下来,我们在 1-on-1 / 资源页面里看更深。" — "Good question. Let me write it down — we'll go deeper in 1-on-1 / on the resource page."
• Write it visibly on a whiteboard or paper "parking lot." Move on.

10 · Closing & Next Steps (last 5 minutes)

SAY (verbatim): "今天就到这里。三件事请记得:1) 面试前 — 练习回答,五个常见问题先准备 2) 面试中 — 用 STAR 讲行为问题,听不懂就问 3) 面试后 — 24 小时内发感谢信。下一步:1) 拿走资料 2) 扫二维码看在线资源 3) 想做免费模拟面试的,打 213-808-1758。"

Translation: "Three things to remember: 1) Before — practice answers; prepare the five common questions 2) During — use STAR for behavioral questions, ask if you don't understand 3) After — thank-you within 24 hours. Next steps: handout, QR code, call 213-808-1758 for a free mock interview."

Hand out: Resources handout. Point to QR code and CSC phone number.

Send them to:

• /resources — full bilingual reference (questions, STAR guide, dress, phrases, local orgs)
• CSC mock interview: 213-808-1758 — free, bilingual, no status check
• AJCC East SGV: (626) 934-5700 — multilingual job coaching
• EDD: 1-800-300-5616 (press 2 for Chinese) — state job listings

11 · Post-Workshop Tasks (within 24 hours)

• Save sign-in sheet (scan/photo)
• Note attendance + mood in workshop log
• For anyone with an upcoming interview — WeChat or call to offer a mock interview slot
• Legal/discrimination questions: write down + forward to case manager for AAAJ referral
• Flag any slide that got blank looks — note for next audit
• If Slide 5 / 10 reveal buttons malfunctioned, file the issue

12 · Quick Reference Card (print this page)

One sheet. Clipboard. Lectern. Glance during the workshop.

Workshop 04 — Interview Skills · 30 min

Agenda strip:

1. (1–2) Welcome + 3-step agenda — 3 min
2. (3–4) Before: prepare + common Qs — 6 min
3. (5) Match activity (REVEAL gates next) — 3 min
4. (6) STAR + weak/strong example — 5 min
5. (7–8) During: impressions + English phrases — 5 min
6. (9) After: thank-you + follow-up — 3 min
7. (10) True/False quiz (TWO reveals gate next) — 3 min
8. (11–12) CSC services + QR close — 4 min

If running long: cut the slides flagged in §9 first (Slide 7 ASK, Slide 10 Q2, Slide 11 service walk-through); convert Slide 4 / Slide 8 ASKs to "think 30 sec + raise hand."

If you finish early:

• 5 min spare → round-the-room one-word check ("明天面试最想做对的一件事")
• 10 min spare → §13 Finish-Early: round-robin STAR drill + rescue-phrase chorus
• 15+ min spare → §13 60-Min Variant Sub-block 1 (triad mock — interviewer round)

Top 5 questions you'll get:

1. Age / marital / kids — legal? → AAAJ 213-977-7500 / EEOC 1-800-669-4000
2. Expected salary? → "What is the range for this role?"
3. No US work experience? → Home-country experience + STAR example
4. English is weak — rejected? → 4 rescue phrases; effort counts
5. No response after interview? → Day 7, polite one-line message

Emergency phrases:

• Silence: "如果有人…" (if someone…)
• Redirect: "我们听听其他人的看法。"
• No answer: "好问题。让我跟同事确认一下,我们再联系你。"
• Out of scope: "这个法律问题最好问 AAAJ 或 EEOC。我可以帮你联系。"
• 自夸 discomfort: "STAR 不是吹牛,是模板,帮你说清楚事实。"

Three numbers/facts to know cold:

• CSC mock interview: 213-808-1758 — free, bilingual, no status check
• Thank-you timing: within 24 hours, 1–2 sentences
• STAR = Situation / Task / Action / Result

Four English rescue phrases (read TWICE on Slide 8):

• "Could you please repeat that?"
• "Let me think for a moment."
• "Could you speak a little slower?"
• "Could you write that down?"

If something breaks:

• WiFi out → printed handout + phone backup (slides cached offline)
• Slide 5 / 10 reveal stuck → tell the answer verbally, advance via → key
• Projector dies → walk slides 3, 6, 9 as printouts
• Legal question → "我跟同事确认,联系你。" + write it down + route to AAAJ

13 · 60-Minute Variant (when you have a full hour)

Use this when: Your slot is 60 minutes instead of 30+10, OR you finish the core 30-min teach with significant time remaining, OR the room asks for hands-on practice. The variant ADDS 30 min of applied work after the 30-min core — it does NOT re-run the same slides.

Don't lecture longer. The 30-min core is calibrated to LEP-adult attention. STAR, eye contact, and the rescue phrases all need reps to stick. Extra time goes to PRACTICE, not more teaching.

Finish-Early Extension (10 min — drop in after Slide 10, before Slide 11)

A round-robin STAR drill on the five common questions from Slide 4, capped with a chorus repeat of the four English rescue phrases from Slide 8. Goal: every participant says ONE STAR answer aloud, in the room, with low stakes.

• Setup (1 min): "下面十分钟,每个人讲一个 STAR 例子。我会从 Slide 4 的五个问题里选一个给你。短的 — 30 秒就够。不评分,练嘴。" — "Ten minutes, each person tells one STAR example. I'll pick a question from Slide 4 for you. Short — 30 seconds is fine. No grading; we're warming up the mouth." Pre-write the five Slide 4 questions on the whiteboard or hold the slide up.
• Activity (7 min): Go around the room. For each participant: facilitator picks one of the five questions (rotate so every question is used at least once), participant answers in 30 sec using S-T-A-R. After two or three weak answers, pause and do ONE live weak-to-strong rewrite — pick the participant's own example, show them how to insert the missing letter (usually R — the result). "你刚才说 S、T、A 都有了 — R 是什么?结果?" 30-second coach. Keep moving. For shy participants: offer them ① (tell me about yourself) — it's the safest. Skip nobody, but never insist; "想听别人先讲也可以" lets them ride one round and come back.
• Debrief (2 min): Close with the chorus: "最后,Slide 8 的四句话,我们一起说一遍。" — "Let's say the four rescue phrases together one more time." Read each, whole room repeats. Land one strong example you heard ("Wang 大姐 的 R 讲得很清楚 — 'no customer complained' — 这就是 STAR 的 R") and one stretch ("Lin 大哥 if you add one number — 'I served 30 customers in 2 hours' — even stronger"). End there.

60-Minute Variant — Applied Block (30 min, added after Slide 10)

Triad mock interviews. Groups of three: interviewer / candidate / observer. Rotate three times so everyone plays every role. The observer scores against a single-sheet rubric — that's the second layer of learning. Built on the deck's STAR + rescue-phrase content; no new teaching required.

Time: 30 min (35 if you include the 5-min wrap below)

Materials added:

• Single-sheet Observer Rubric (print 1 per participant, double-sided with role notes on the back). See template at the end of this section.
• The five Slide 4 questions printed on a half-sheet for the interviewer (one set per triad — saves them re-reading the slide).
• A timer visible to the whole room (phone on the lectern is fine).
• Optional: 4-rescue-phrases mini-card (already on the resources handout — point to it).

Sub-block 1 — Interviewer round · ⏱ 10 min

Form triads. If the room doesn't divide by three, make one pair (interviewer + candidate, facilitator observes) — never leave anyone out.

• (1 min) Set roles: Each triad picks A / B / C. A = interviewer, B = candidate, C = observer. Hand out one rubric to C (and explain the back side has role notes).
• (1 min) Brief A: "Interviewer 拿这张五个问题的纸。问两个问题。一个简单的(自我介绍 or 强项),一个行为问题('Tell me about a time when…')。问完听就好,不评论。" — "Pick two questions: one easy, one behavioral. Ask, listen, don't comment."
• (6 min) Run it: B answers using STAR. C watches and ticks the rubric. Facilitator floats — listen for missing R (most common gap), missing rescue phrase, weak eye contact. Don't interrupt mid-answer.
• (2 min) C debriefs B in the triad ONLY: "S/T/A/R 全有了吗?哪一个最弱?用了哪句 rescue phrase 没有?" — "Did S/T/A/R all show up? Which is weakest? Did B use a rescue phrase?" Keep it inside the triad — no broadcast yet.

Sub-block 2 — Candidate rotation · ⏱ 10 min

Same triads, rotate roles. Now B = interviewer, C = candidate, A = observer. Repeat the same flow.

• (0 min) Rotate: "换位置。B 变 interviewer, C 变 candidate, A 变 observer。" Hand the question sheet to B. Hand the rubric to A.
• (8 min) Run it: Same as above. Facilitator floats. By now the room has heard STAR twice — listen for candidates who copy the previous candidate's structure (good) vs. who freeze (offer the chorus phrase as a real on-ramp: "Let me think for a moment").
• (2 min) Triad debrief: Same — internal to triad only.

Sub-block 3 — Observer round + room debrief · ⏱ 10 min

Final rotation. C = interviewer, A = candidate, B = observer. Then the room comes back together.

• (0 min) Rotate: "最后一轮。C 问,A 答,B 观察。"
• (6 min) Run it: Same flow. By round three, candidates should be measurably tighter on STAR's R.
• (4 min) ROOM DEBRIEF: Bring everyone back. "每组,observer 说一件你听到最好的 — 一句话。" — "Each triad's observer: one sentence on the strongest answer you heard." Round-robin the triads. Facilitator names the pattern: "我听到 R 越说越具体,这就是 STAR 的力量。"

Close (5 min, optional — only if you have 65 min total):

"再来一次今天的三件事:面试前练习 — STAR 讲行为问题 — 24 小时内发感谢信。一句话:你这周会做哪一件?" Round-robin one-sentence commitment from each participant. "我会打 213-808-1758 约模拟面试。" / "我会写好感谢信的模板。" / "我会练 STAR 三次。" — write nothing, just say it aloud. The commitment to the room is the close.

Observer Rubric (single sheet — print one per participant, hand out at start of Sub-block 1):

``` TRIAD MOCK INTERVIEW · OBSERVER SHEET 观察者打分表

Candidate 候选人: _________________________

Question asked 问题: _________________________

STAR — did each part show up? 四步齐了吗? [ ] S — Situation 情境 [ ] T — Task 任务 [ ] A — Action 行动 (most common: present) [ ] R — Result 结果 (most common: MISSING — listen for it!)

Eye contact 眼神接触 [ ] About half the time speaking 大约一半时间 [ ] Stared down at table 一直看桌子 [ ] Stared too hard 一直盯着

Rescue phrase 应急短语 — did the candidate use one? [ ] "Could you please repeat that?" [ ] "Let me think for a moment." [ ] "Could you speak a little slower?" [ ] "Could you write that down?" [ ] None used (that's OK if they didn't need one)

One strong thing 一件做得好的: _________________________

One stretch 一件可以加强的: _________________________ ```

(On the back: a one-line reminder of each role — "Interviewer: ask two questions, listen, don't comment. Candidate: STAR. Observer: tick boxes, no talking during the answer.")

When to use what — quick rules

Differentiation in the variant

• For advanced learners (room has 2+ people who've interviewed in the US recently): Run the 60-Min Variant as the default. They already know "what" — they need reps on STAR's R and on switching to a rescue phrase smoothly. Push observers to also note 自夸 calibration ("说得太轻、还是合适?") — that's the deeper coaching.
• For mixed-proficiency rooms: Pair an advanced participant with two beginners in the triad. Advanced person goes FIRST as candidate (models STAR), then observes (teaches). Beginners get to see one strong answer before they have to produce one.
• For beginner-heavy rooms: Shrink Sub-blocks 2 and 3 to 6 min each, expand Sub-block 1 to 18 min. Inside Sub-block 1, let beginners answer ① (tell me about yourself) using the chorus fill-in from Slide 4's SCAFFOLD ("My name is ___. I worked in ___. I want this job because ___."). STAR can wait for round two. Keep it concrete, language-light, low cold-call.

Routing & boundary

Same rules as the 30-min core: no legal, immigration, salary-negotiation, or medical advice. Triad mocks practice STAR delivery, eye contact, and rescue phrases — NOT how to answer "is this discrimination?" If a triad's chosen question drifts into legal territory (age, marital, kids — see §8 Q1), facilitator routes to AAAJ (213-977-7500) or EEOC (1-800-669-4000) and moves the triad to a different question. Always close by naming CSC mock interview (213-808-1758) — free, bilingual, no status check — for the 1-on-1 follow-up.

14 · Flashcards & Activities · 随身卡片与活动

There is a 6-card take-home deck for this workshop — vocabulary, a dialogue, a fact sheet, tips, useful info, and a diagram. 这个工作坊有一套 6 张随身卡片:关键词、对话、数据、小贴士、有用信息、图示。

Print 打印: 打开卡片 Open the deck · 直接打印 Print now. Prints 2 cards per landscape sheet (3 sheets per deck). Print one deck per participant, plus 1–2 spare decks for games; cut along the dashed lines. 每人一套,另备 1–2 套做游戏用。

Hand them out at the close (§10) — the deck is the take-home companion to the written action plan. 在结尾(第 10 节)发给大家,和写下的行动计划一起带回家。

Best-fit activities for THIS workshop (full menu of 8 at the flashcards page) · 这个工作坊最适合的两个活动(完整 8 个活动见卡片页):

1. 对话练习 · Dialogue Role-Play (对话卡 dialogue · 3 分钟) — 两人读对话,中英各一遍,换角色,再换成自己的情况。 Pairs read the dialogue in both languages, switch roles, then swap in their own situation.
2. 快闪 · Quick-Flash (关键词/数据卡 · 1–2 分钟) — 讲师出一个词或问一个数据,全班齐声回答,翻面确认。 Facilitator calls a term or fact; the room answers in chorus; flip to confirm.

Always close with · 收尾必做 — 带走一张 Keep One Card (whole deck 整套 · 2 min): each participant picks the ONE card most useful to them right now and tells a neighbor why. 每人选一张对自己最有用的卡,告诉旁边的人为什么 — 给他们一个具体的、带得走的东西。