Complete the interview with questions from 1

Job interviews

Ex.2

Presenter: For many of us, a job interview ranks as life’s toughest challenges. Common responses to a call to interview range from mild apprehension to downright terror, and little wonder. Presenting ourselves to our best advantage in today’s fiercely competitive job market is a daunting task to say the least. Human Resources Manager, Tim Foster, joins me today with advice and tips on how to shine at your interview, and, hopefully, secure that job! Tim, welcome to the programme.

Tim: Thanks, John. Yes, job interviews certainly do present a challenge, but don’t forget that they also provide your with the opportunity to find out more about the position you’ve applied for. To do that successfully, however, it pays to do some homework.

Presenter: Homework?

Tim: Yes. If you can, arrange to visit the company or organization you’re interested in joining at least a week prior to your interview to familiarize yourself with the cevironment?? the type of work they do, and the kind of tasks you’re likely to be assigned as an employee. Perhaps the company’s promotional leaflets or brochures are available at the reception desk. If so, take them and read them. A little preparatory work will not only boost your self-confidence but also coevince a prospective employer that your interest in the company’s service or product is genuine.

Presenter: I see. So, what next?

Tim: Don’t let your investigations go to waste. Use the information you’ve gathered both to prepare questions and anticipate those you are likely to be asked during the interview.

Presenter: I suppose it wouldn’t be a bad idea to write them down either, would if?

Tim: Of course not, and doing so will certainly help you to remember details or ideas you might otherwise forget.

Presenter: What about easing those pre-Interview nerves?

Tim: Well, once again, it’s all down to preparation. Be organized!. Don’t overlook what may appear to be the least significant details, such as deciding what to wear to the interview or how you intend to get there. Arriving late for your appointment will give a bad first impression, so always consider the possibility of traffic jams, delayed busses or trains and so on, and aim to arrive for your interview with plenty of time to spare.

Presenter: OK. Supposing we’ve made it to the interview without any serious hitches or last minute panics. What next?

Tim: Never forget that your conduct may be observed both before and after the interview. From the moment you walk into the building be polite and courteous to staff and follow condition alike. The person you wish good morning to in the reception area may be among the team of interviewers you’ll meet later.

Presenter: Good point! So then, how about the interview itself?

Tim: Well, following the guidelines I’ve just mentioned should ensure that you enter the interview room feeling calm and focused. If you don’t at least smile! After all, this is an interview, not an interrogation. Listen carefully to the questions you are asked and try to answer clearly and succinctly. If you don’t understand a questions, ask the interviewer to repeat it or explain what he or she means, but avoid saying nothing at all at any cost.

Presenter: If you simply don’t know the answer to a question, Tim, what then?

Tim: Then say so, but always try to offer a reasonable alternative answer. Remember, you have a limited amount of time to convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job. Don’t waste it.

Presenter: Right. At which point in the interview is it appropriate to ask questions?

Tim: Most interviews conclude with the interviewer inviting the candidate to ask questions, and it would be unusual to have no queries at all. Having said that, if all your questions have been answered in the course of the interview, then say so. It goes without saying that you should never ask the interviewer personal question about his or her private life. Believe it or not, it happens!

Presenter: Tim, thanks very much for your advice and good luck to all job hunters who tuned to this programme. Now on slightly different subject, have you ever … (fade).

 

5. Keith Rickman is being interviewed for a job as a manager in Customs Services. Rearrange the interviewer’s jumbled questions.

1. You – in – se – what – time – doing – yourself – years’ – do – three?

2. The – made – it – mistake – what – you – worst – ever – have?

3. Deal – you – would – rather – customer’s – with – a – yourself – problem?

4. You – think – is – that – do – right – the – customer – always?

5. New systems – well – how – think – with – you – you – cope – do learning?

6. Is – there – like – you – anything – would – to – us – that – ask?

7. Has – prompted – what – to – job – look – you – for – another?

8. Would – is – you – telling – greatest – us – what – mind – your – weakness?

 

Complete the interview with questions from 1.

Interviewer: Tell us, _________ (1)?

Keith: Well, basically, I have enjoyed working in my old firm and have learnt an enormous amount, but now I’d like a new challenge and position in management.

Interviewer: _____________(2)?

Keith: Mm, taking things to personally, I suppose. I really hate it if a customer goes away and I haven’t been able to help him or her.

Interviewer: So, ___________(3)?

Keith: No, I don’t, but we should remember that the customer is always the customer.

Interviewer: _____________(4), or let someone else handle it?

Keith: I get a real burz out of solving a customer’s problem, but as a manager you’ve got to take a wider view and trust your staff to deal with it just as well as you.

Interviewer: _____________(5)?

Keith: I don’t think. I’ve ever made a disastrous mistake at work. But on a personal level, I think it was dropping out of university before I graduated.

Interviewer: We have quite a complex information system here ____________(6)?

Keith: With the right support, I am confident I could find my way round it quickly. We had many different databases in my previous firm.

Interviewer: And finally, ______________(7)?

Keith: Well, that’s a difficult question, but I think I’d like to move into the coaching and training side. I like sharing my experience, and working with people.

Interviewer: Great. And ______________ (8)?

Keith: Yes, there is. I’ve got a short list of questions if you don’t mind …

 

5. What is the difference between the following words?

1. A demanding job and a challenging job.

2. A job which is worthwhile and one which is rewarding.

3. A person who is skilled and one who is talented.

4. A dead-end job and one with prospects.

5. The next rung on a ladder and a stepping stone.