- Lesson : The Job Interview

 

Lesson1 : The Job Interview

 

Frequently asked interview questions

1. "Tell me about yourself."

The interviewer is testing your ability to interact with others. By putting you on the spot, your answer gives the interviewer an idea of how you present yourself in a social setting and a glimpse of what you think the most important facts about yourself are.

• Keep your answer to a minute or two at most.
• Cover these topics: education, work history, and recent career experience.

**Remember this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.

Possible answers: 

My name is_____. I am_____ years old. I graduated from the Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University. My major was English.

 

    Other similar questions...

• Tell me about your qualifications.
• Tell me about your educational background.
• Tell me about your current job.

 

2. "What kind of experience do you have?"

Possible answers:

• I have experience in teaching English for kindergarten students at Little Turtle School in Chiang Mai.
• I had a part-time job as an architect trainee at NTD Design Studio during summer between 2012-2014. I have learned a lot about working in this field.

 

3. "Why do you want to work with us/ this company?"

Possible answers:

• I believe / I think your company would be more challenging with more opportunity for job satisfaction and advancement.
• I believe / I think I will have more opportunity to prove my ability with your company.

4. "Why should we hire you?"

Create your answer by thinking in terms of your ability, your experience, and your energy.

Possible answers:

• I am a hard-working person and also a quick-learner.
• I have a lot of experience in this field that I can contribute to this position.

5. "What is your biggest/greatest weakness?"

The interviewer is trying to see how honest you are, as well as trying to determine if you are able to overcome obstacles. If you say that your greatest weakness is "working too hard," that's not an obstacle. if you give legitimate weaknesses, such as not being able to multi-task, then you can provide examples of how you have overcome that weakness and are now an expert at multi-tasking. Mention your weakness but you should also say that you are going to improve it in the near future.

Possible answers:

• My weakness is English language, but I've already applied for a conversation co at AUA.
• I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but realized that scheduling in advance makes much more sense.

 

6. "What is your biggest/greatest strength?"

• My strength is being cool and calm at any situation so that I am able to think clearly and solve the problem.
• I am very adaptable and accepting of change with new processes or initiatives. I understand the importance of change and enjoy leading the change with positive encouragement.
• My strength is my Listening, Learning, and Leading skills. These three " L" process will make trouble disappear, finish task at hand, and finish the project with success.

 

7. "Do you have other special skills/abilities?", "What are your special skills/abilities?"

    "Do you have any special abilities?"

The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job's requirements.

Possibility answer: 

• I can speak three languages; English, Chinese, and Arabic. I believe that should qualify me for the position of an airline passenger service agent.
• I am quite good at operating computer such as using Microsoft, Fire fox, and Photoshop.

 

8. "What are your hobbies?"/ "What are you interested in?" I "What do you do for fun?"

The interviewer is trying to get a more complete picture of what kind of person you are. How you spend your free time can speak to what kind of employee you are. People who have more creative outside interests might be better suited for a design position. It also gives them an idea of how you prioritize your life, and where your job will fit in.

Possible answers:

• I like learning new things, so I always take new classes that I've never tried like photographing, cooking, or website -developing.

 

9. "Do you have any questions about the position?"

Possible answers:

• Yes, I would like to know more about the possibilities for advancement in this company.
• What kinds of advancement opportunities are there for someone in this position?
• Is there anything else at all that I can tell you about myself to help you in your decision?

Language Focus

The present perfect

******* FORM Present Perfect  (Subject + has/have + V3) **********

1.     Put emphasis on the result        e.g. she has sent five job application forms.

2.     Action that is still going on        e.g. The job interview has not started yet.

3.     Action that stopped recently     e.g. he has just finished writing his resume.

4.     Finished action that has an influence on the present   e.g. I have gotten the job.

5.     Action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking 

e.g. I have never worked as a manager before.