Employability Job Interview Practice Pack for SEND: 36 Question Cards + Mock Interview Rubric

A first interview is nerve-racking for anyone, and for many young people with SEND it can be the point where a placement or job slips away. This resource gives them plenty of low-pressure practice before it counts.

What’s included:

• 36 interview question cards, from “tell me about yourself” to “why do you want this job?” and “what would you do if…?”
• Support cards with sentence starters and example answers
• A simple mock interview rubric covering greeting, body language, answers, asking a question and ending well
• A self-reflection sheet for the learner after each practice
• A short guide for staff on running mock interviews in class or with outside volunteers
• A “before the interview” checklist: what to wear, what to bring, how to get there and who to tell

How to use it:

• Careers and employability lessons in KS4, sixth form or Foundation Learning
• Preparation for work experience, supported internships, college interviews or a part-time job
• Mock interview days with employers, governors or other staff as interviewers
• Evidence of progress towards the Employment outcome in Preparing for Adulthood

The rubric gives clear, repeatable evidence of progress, which is useful for annual reviews and for careers records against the Gatsby Benchmarks.

I’m a teacher with 20+ years in education, and I’ve run a lot of mock interviews. The young people who practise four or five times walk in a different person from those who try it cold.

Also part of my Preparing for Adulthood Pack.

Differentiation ideas: start with five familiar questions and the sentence starters, then remove the supports one at a time. Record practice interviews (with consent) so learners can see their own progress.

Format and licence: PDF, prints clearly in black and white on A4. Single teacher licence; please buy an extra licence for colleagues. If something doesn’t work for your learners, leave a review or send me a message through Tes and I’ll look at updating it.