Task3: A Guide to a Successful Job Interview
Script
There are times that you will be asked a hard question during a job interview. Don’t panic, they just want to see how you handle a difficult situation. Being prepared is always the best policy. Here are some samples of questions and some advice on how to handle them properly.
Why should we choose you? To this question, you can ask yourself why you applied, what makes you suitable for this question, what the company can gain from hiring you, what you have to offer, how you would handle this jib, etc.
Often they ask you to tell them about yourself. You can split your answer into two, the professional and the personal level. Both are important, and how you move from one to the other depends on what you have to say. You can give a brief summary of your life, professional and personal, with less emphasis on the early past, and more emphasis on the present and the future.
When asked “What are your weakness?”, don’t say, “I don’t have any.” Everyone has weakness, and it takes something positive like, “I haven’t had a lot of exposure on the on-site work, but I’m looking forward to being more involved in dealing with customers directly and learning their needs.” Another common question is: “What are your strengths?” You should customize your answer to meet the position requirement. Keep in mind the things they asked for in the advertisement. Tell them your strengths, but also show them how they how they would apply to this job. To show how your strengths were valuable, use the “Why, where, when, how” to demonstrate and prove your strengths.
16. What is the passage mainly concerned with?
17. What does the speaker NOT mention as an answer to the question, “Why should we choose you?”?
18. What does the speaker say you should stress when introducing yourself? 19. What does the speaker advice you NOT to say when asked, “What are your weaknesses?”
20. What should you say when asked about your strong points?
Kes: 1C 2.C3. B 4.A 5.D
For Reference
“Why should we choose you?”, “Tell me about yourself.”, “What are your weaknesses?”, and “What are your strength?”
IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1 Can you give me some tips about how to get a good job?
Susan: John, can you give me some tips about how to get a good job? John: Did you go to the job fairs and meet with companies?
Susan: Yeah, I did. But they didn’t seem to be interested in women. I
thought about suing then for sexual discrimination.
John: I’m afraid it won’t be much help. Have you looked at the want ads
in the newspaper?
Susan: I’ve been checking the want ads every day for a week, but I can’t
find anything interesting that I’m qualified for. And the few that I have seen are very low-paying.
John: Then try the Internet. You can use a search engine to find a job
site related to your field.
Susan: Good thinking! Thanks! I think I’ll look for something in
electronic engineering.
John: Hey, I just saw a job opening at a company called E-Tech. It could
be just the sort of thing you’re looking for.
Susan: Great, I’ll try my luck there.
John: Yeah, but if I remember, the deadline is this afternoon.
Susan: This afternoon? Oh no! I’d better get online quickly and see if
I can submit my resume by E-mail.
John: Wait, have you updated your resume? You’d better include your work
experience from the IT company last summer.
Susan: Don’t worry. It’s all set. Thanks, mate. John: Any time, Sue.
Now Your Turn SAMPLE DIALOG
A: Can you give me some tips about how to get a good job? B: What have you done so far?
A: I’ve asked a few friends and relatives for job information, but it’s not of much use.
B: That method is out of date. You should go to the job fair and meet wit companies.
A: Yes, I did. But IT industry seems to have been badly hit the economic recession, and not many companied came to the job market. As for those who did come, they set a high standard for the candidates.
B: To find more opportunities, you might as well look at the want ads in the newspaper.
A: I’ve been checking the want ads regularly for months, and I can’t find anything good that I’m qualifies for. And the few that I have seen are very low-paying.
B: On the Internet you can find more job ads. You can use a search engine to find job sites related to your field.
A: Good idea! I think I’ll look for something in software development. B: I just found a job available at a computer company on the Net the other day. It might be just the sort of thing you’re looking for. A: Great! I’ll take a chance on that.
B: Remember to update your resume before you send it in. It’ll be plus for you if you include your recent work experience at the IT company. A: Sure. Thanks.
MODEL2 Do you have any tips for a successful interview? Script
Susan: John, do you have any tips for a successful interview? John: Well, first of all, you need to dress professionally. Susan: Oh, what about during the interview?
John: Ok, be sure to maintain good eye contact and answer all questions
politely and directly. Don’t look too shy, nor should you sound too aggressive.
Susan: I’m not sure what kind of questions they’ll ask.
John: They’ll probably want to know a little about your work experience.
Many companies don’t want a completely green hand. They don’t want to spend time and money on training.
Susan: Fortunately, I gained some experience at an IT company during the
last summer holiday.
John: They may also want to know something about your character. You see,
ability for teamwork is usually valued.
Susan: What kind of questions should I ask them? John: You should ask them about the job requirements and about the company. Susan: Should I ask about salary and fringe benefits? John: Better not. Not unless they bring it up. Just use the first interview
to sell yourself.
Susan: You’re right. If they are interested in hiring me, there will be
plenty of chances to talk about money later.
John: Right. And the more interested they are, the more they’ll offer.
Now Your Turn SAMPLE DIALOG
A: Can you give me some advice on how to succeed in an interview?
B: Well, first of all, you need to pay attention to your appearance. You have to dress appropriately. A: What do you mean by appropriately? B: It’s often best to wear a suit. Some bosses don’t like to see a candidate on a dirty T-shirt and jeans.
A: I see. Careless clothes may be an indicator of careless attitude in work. B: Right on. Also, many employers are unwilling to hire a young man with his hair dyed red or yellow.
A: Then, what about during the interview?
B: You should speak politely but firmly. If you look too shy, they may suspect you are not capable of dealing with a challenging task. A: I’m not sure what kind of questions they’ll ask.
B: They’ll probably want to know something about your work experience. Companies usually don’t want an entirely new hand. They don’t want to spend time and money on training.
A: Fortunately, I gained some experience at a law of firm during the last summer holiday. I worked as an intern to provide free legal advice for those who need it.
B: Oh. I see, this is what they called “legal assistance to the needy”. Also, a company may want to know something about your character. You see, team players are often valued above all others. A: What kind of questions should I ask them?
B: You should ask them about the job requirements and about the company.
A: I hear that many companies asked the candidates what salary they expect. B: That’s true. You have to inquire about the possible salary level for a green hand in advance. If the salary you expect is reasonable, this shows that you know the professions well and will have a good impression on the interviewer.
A: Oh, I’ve learned so much from you. A thousand thanks.
MODEL3 Our best bet is to recruit from the competition. Script
Helen: Our company is starting from scratch, so we don’t have the expertise
to compete.
Bill: Then our best bet is to recruit from the competition.
Helen: We need managers who know how to be strong, yet know how to give employees their freedom. Bill: That’s essential, especially in the computer industry. Often computer experts like to work on their own.
Helen: We also don’t believe that a right management system will work wonders for our company.
Bill: Um…that philosophy will help you attract many worthwhile people. Helen: I remember your friend David Miller is the CEO of a management recruitment agency. I hope he’ll help us start a recruitment drive. Bill: Certainly. And it’s a good time, too. A number of firms have been downsizing.
Helen: Good. So lots of capable people out there are interested in bigger and batter things. But can David help us pin them down? Bill: Sure, Helen! That’s why they call them headhunters.
Now Your Turn
SAMPLE DIALOG
A: What can I do for you?
B: I’m looking for a public relations manager at our advertising company. A: Do you have any specific requirement for such a manager?
B: Well, first of all, she must be a good leader, who know to be strong, yet knows how to allow people freedom. Only in this way can she give full play to the employees’ enthusiasm. A: Oh, that’s essential for leader in many companies. What other qualities do you expect of the manager?
B: She must be skilled in interpersonal communications. You see, without such skill, one can hardly get a job well done. A: I can’t agree more. Is that all?