Personal statement mindmap
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ABCs
Activity - I regularly bake at home, trying out different recipes and techniques to improve my skills.
Benefit - This has taught me patience, creativity, and the importance of following precise steps to achieve the best results
Course - This experience relates directly to Culinary Arts, as baking requires attention to detail, creativity in presentation, and a strong understanding of flavors—essential skills for a successful career in the culinary field.
Personal statement first draft
Feedback
WWW:
The statement does a great job of communicating your authentic passion for baking, which has grown from childhood and evolved into a career ambition. It includes personal anecdotes that make your enthusiasm feel genuine and relatable, while also showing your commitment through experiences like volunteering, workshops, and courses. Your goal to create a bakery that fosters community connection also adds depth to your motivation, making the reader see that your aspirations are both personal and purposeful.
EBI:
To make the statement even stronger, you should consider expanding on specific skills you hope to learn in a culinary arts program. Mentioning areas you’re particularly eager to develop, such as pastry techniques or business management, would give your goals more focus. Additionally, sharing a bit more about practical challenges you’ve faced while baking, or unique ideas for your future bakery (like innovative flavors or themes), could highlight your readiness and vision for this career path.
Personal statement final draft
In-class work
Job advert analysis
The image displays a concise paragraph outlining the job description. It highlights the type of employee the company is seeking and details the responsibilities the role entails. This is essential as it helps attract suitable candidates who possess the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience for the position.
The image displays a job advert from Indeed.ae. At the top of the advert, the essential job details are provided, including the job title, the company's name, the monthly salary, the location, and the type of employment.
The image outlines the key responsibilities of the employee, beginning with managing and overseeing production. It then highlights that the employee will also be responsible for cost and quantity control.
The image highlights additional key responsibilities for the employee, including menu planning and development, ensuring health and safety standards, collaborating with others, and possessing the ability to train colleagues.
The image highlights another key responsibility for the employee, which is innovation and development. Listing these responsibilities is essential as it informs applicants about the tasks they will be expected to undertake in the role. The image also specifies the qualifications required for candidates to be eligible to apply for the job.
The image outlines the various benefits the job offers to the employee, such as a competitive salary, opportunities for professional growth, and a creative working environment. It also provides additional details, including the job type, required level of education, and the necessity of having at least five years of experience to apply for the role.
Questions about the job
Question 1: How do you manage your time when handling multiple tasks?
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Question 2: Are you willing to learn new things?
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Question 3: Are you comfortable working as part of a team?
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Question 4: Why do you think this position is fit to be your long-term career?
Cover letter first draft
Feedback
WWW:
Your cover letter has a good structure and design, and you communicated the purpose of a cover letter effectively.
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EBI:
It would be helpful to expand on your points slightly, as the letter feels a bit short for a cover letter.
Cover letter final draft
Mars interview question video 1
Feedback
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Self-reflection
To film with confidence, I'll prepare by knowing my message and practicing key points. I'll ensure a good filming setup—well-lit, quiet, and distraction-free. If I make a mistake, I'll pause and continue, knowing confidence comes from being real, not perfect.
Mars interview question video 2
Final mars interview question video
Interview questions
1. If you were a dessert, what would you be?
2. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
3. If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?
4. If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?​
First interview practice
Class feedback
Classmate 1:
WWW: I like that you spoke confidently and had a great tone that kept my attention. It felt like you really knew what you were talking about.
EBI: If you could expand a bit more on some of your answers, it would give a clearer picture and add greater depth to your responses.
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Classmate 2:
WWW: I like that your body language was friendly and welcoming, making the conversation feel genuine.
EBI: Maybe try adjusting the lighting a bit so we can see your face more clearly. It would make your video stand out even more.
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Classmate 3:
WWW: I could clearly understand everything you said, and your speaking pace was great!
EBI: It would be great if you added more details to each answer to provide extra context and depth.
Second interview practice
Small group feedback
Person 1:
WWW: You did a great job of speaking clearly and staying focused. Your enthusiasm really came through, which made your responses feel authentic.
EBI: It might help to vary your tone a bit more throughout the interview. Adding some variation could make your answers sound more dynamic and engaging.
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Person 2:
WWW: I liked the way you added personal examples to your answers made them much more relatable and real.
EBI: It would be helpful to answer a question more thoroughly before moving to the next. Maybe give a bit more time to really dive into each point.
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Person 3:
WWW: Your confidence was noticeable, and you maintained eye contact throughout, which made your responses feel more sincere.
EBI: Adding an extra question would help to further highlight your strengths and provide a bit more balance to the overall interview.
Final interview practice
Individual feedback
WWW:
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I did a good job by including an extra question in the interview, which allowed me to cover more aspects of the topic and showcase more of my thoughts.
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I was able to express myself clearly and confidently, which helped me communicate my ideas effectively and made my responses sound more genuine.
EBI:
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Next time, I could try to avoid repeating myself in some answers to make the interview flow more smoothly and sound more polished.
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I should work on managing my pace better, as I sometimes rushed through certain answers. Taking a bit more time could help me give even better responses.
List of interview Do's and Dont's
Do's:
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Decrease your stress. Remind yourself that the interview will be more of a conversation rather than an interrogation.
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Prepare some anecdotes. Be ready to talk about your interests, skills, and experiences – your career story – and provide examples from your life that demonstrate your professional and behavioral capabilities.
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Arrive 10 minutes early. No more, no less. Late attendance is never excusable. Arriving too early may be seen as an intrusion for those who aren’t ready to receive you.
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Check your appearance (teeth, hair, clothes) prior to the interview.
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Shake hands with everyone you meet during the interview.
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Choose to sit in a chair rather than on a couch for better interview posture.
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Rise from your chair to shake hands with and greet new people who enter the room to join the interview.
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Dont's:
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Interrupt the interviewer. If you don’t have time to listen, neither will he/she.
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Answer vague questions. Rather than answer puzzling questions, kindly ask the interviewer for clarification and then respond.
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Smoke, chew gum, or place anything on the interviewer’s desk.
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Be overly familiar (address by first names, joke excessively, give pats on the back, etc.) even if the interviewer demonstrates familiarity.
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Wear heavy perfume or cologne.
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Ramble. Long answers can sound apologetic, indecisive, or unfocused in your thinking. Conversely, avoid answering questions with a laconic “yes” or “no.” Support your answers with brief, specific anecdotes from your employment history.
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Consume alcoholic beverages or order expensive entrees if the interview comprises lunch or dinner.
List of interview questions you might be asked
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How did your early experiences with baking inspire your passion and influence your decision to turn it into a lifelong career?
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Can you share an example of a time when you experimented with a classic dessert recipe by adding unique flavors or ingredients? What did you learn from that experience?
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How do you envision your future bakery serving and connecting with the community, and what impact do you hope to make beyond serving baked goods?
Your original responses to those questions
Evidence of you practicing and editing your answers
Blooper:
Final:
Evidence of editing:
Interview index card
Final recorded interview
Your reflection on the recorded interview
Pro's:
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My response was clear and well-structured, showcasing my ability to express my ideas confidently. This demonstrated strong communication skills, which is crucial in interviews.
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I provided thoughtful and detailed answers that reflected a deep understanding of the topic. It was evident that I prepared well and put effort into analyzing the questions.
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Cons:​​
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At times, my delivery felt slightly rehearsed. Practicing a bit more or using a conversational tone could help make my answers feel more natural and engaging.