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Look at the questions that David Smith uses during an interview. In which section of the interview would each question appear?
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a. Have you ever been in a situation in which you lost your temper?
b. What sorts of projects did you work on during your time with them?
c. What do you know about our recent acquisitions in Latin America?
d. Did you have any trouble finding our building?
e. How do you deal with difficult people?
f. Which of the options that you took at university was the most interesting?
g. How ambitious are you?
h. Are there any questions that you’d like to ask me?
TST Systems was looking for candidates for the position of Commercial Director. Here is the interview with Mr Klimenko.
- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning. Come in. Mr Klimenko, isn’t it? Please take a seat. You will have to excuse me a moment while I finish signing these letters. Meanwhile please fill in the application form…. There, that’ll do. Now I can concentrate on you, Mr Klimenko. Tell me, how long were you in your last job with Alpha?
- Five years. I am only leaving because the firm is moving to Sevastopol, but I think a change will do me good.
- What do you know about our company? Have you got any questions for me?
- I know that this is a very promising company, so I’d like you to inform me what will be the major focus of efforts in the next few years?
- We plan to expand our activities with English-speaking countries, mainly England, to buy equipment and technologies from there and run training programs here. We need a team of creative people to make our company competitive in the world market.
- What will my responsibilities and obligations be during the first year?
- Well, first of all to be responsible for our contacts with English partners. You will need to skillfully negotiate for and buy equipment. The job will involve much travelling. There is likely to be a trade fair in London soon, which we hope you will be able to go to.
- Yes, I see.
- So tell me what are your three main strengths?
- I think they are: reliability, loyalty, and energy.
- OK. Do you work well under pressure?
- Yes. I am accustomed to working under pressure.
- Are you a leader, an entrepreneur by nature?
- Yes, I think so.
- All right. Now, Mr Klimenko, I am quite prepared to offer you a job with us. You have excellent references from your previous job. You will start on $450 and if you do well we’ll review it after three months. The hours are from nine to five thirty, with an hour for lunch and a fortnight’s holiday. Does that suit you? Any questions?
- What about travel? Where will I go and for what length of time?
- Mostly to England for not longer than a month.
- All right. When do you want me to start, sir?
- In a week, if possible.
- I am afraid I can’t start working till the 10th October.
- No problem. We’ll be seeing you on the 10th then?
- Yes, certainly. Thank you very much. Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Vocabulary
Position должность, opening position – вакансия
application 1) заявление, заявка, обращение, просьба; written application – письменное заявление;
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application for the position– заявление о зачислении на должность; application to smb.– заявление на чье-то имя;
applicant – претендент, заявитель. 2) применение; to apply – 1) заявлять, обращаться; 2) применять
promising перспективный, многообещающий
effort усилие, попытка; to make an effort – сделать попытку
creative творческий, созидательный
competitive конкурентноспособный, конкурирующий
responsibility 1) ответственность; to take responsibility – взять на себя ответственность; to decline all responsibility for smth – снять с себя всякую ответственность за что-то; 2) обязанность
obligation 1) обязательство; contractual (treaty) obligations – договорные обязательства; under (an) obligation to smb – обязанный кому-либо; 2) обязанность
skillful умелый, искусный, опытный
negotiation(s) переговоры, обсуждение условий; to conduct (to carry out, to hold) negotiations – вести переговоры
entrepreneur предприниматель, владелец предприятия
fair 1) честный, справедливый; 2) ярмарка
strength 1) сила; 2) достоинство
reliability надежность; to rely on (upon) smb. – полагаться на кого-либо, надеяться
tension напряжение
reference 1) ссылка; 2) рекомендация, отзыв
environment окружающая обстановка, окружение, среда
Work in pairs: Some interviewers give candidates a hard time by asking them difficult questions – like the 16 questions below. Can you think of three more questions you might be asked at an interview? Add them to the list. What would your own answers to each of the questions be?
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
3. We have a lot of applicants for this job, why should we appoint you?
4. Which is more important to you: status or money?
5. How long do you think you’d stay with us if you were appointed?
6. Why do you want to leave your present job?
7. Why do you want to work for our company?
8. What would you like to be doing ten years from now?
9. What are you most proud of having done recently?
10. What is you worst fault and what is your best quality?
11. Don’t you think you’re a little young/old for this job?
12. Are you a team player?
13. What are you long-range goals?
14. What excites you about the job you’re doing now?
15. How would you rate your present boss?
16. Tell me about your past employers. (Try not to be negative)
DOs and DON’Ts for job seekers
Do learn ahead of time about the company and its product. Do your homework.
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Do let as many people as possible know you are “job hunting”.
Do stress your qualification for the job opening.
Do mention any experience you have which is relevant to the job.
Do talk and think as far as possible about the future rather than the past.
Do assume an air of confidence.
Do try to be optimistic in your attitude.
Do try to overcome nervousness and shortness of breath.
Do answer questions honestly.
Do have a good resume.
Do recognize your limitations.
Do make plenty of applications.
Do indicate your flexibility and readiness to learn.
Do be well-groomed and appropriately dressed.
Do shake hand firmly.
Do arrive prepared. (Don’t forget your resume, pen, references, and portfolio.)
Do express yourself clearly.
Do be positive and tactful when disagreeing.
Do make eye contact with the person(s) interviewing you.
Don’t keep stressing your need for a job.
Don’t discuss past experience which has no application to the job situation.
Don’t be untidy in appearance.
Don’t mumble or speak with a muffled voice.
Don’t hesitate to fill out applications, give references, take physical examinations
or tests on request.
Don’t arrive late and breathless for an interview.
Don’t write incorrect information on your CV to make it look better.
Don’t slouch. Sit straight in the chair, and maintain good posture. You should feel comfortable, but not too comfortable!
Don’t interrupt.
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