วันเสาร์ที่ 17 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2555

What is a job interview?


An interview is a meeting between an employer and an applicant to talk about a job. A
job interview is your opportunity to present your skills to an employer in person. During the
interview, an employer judges your qualifications, appearance, and general fitness for the job
opening. The interview is your opportunity to convince the employer that you are right for the
job. The interview also gives you a chance to evaluate the job, the employer, and the company.
The interview helps you decide if the job meets your career needs and interests. It is very
important to prepare for a job interview. If you prepare well, the interviewer will know that you
are organized and that you are really interested in the job. If you learn as much as you can about
the job and the company before the interview, and if you are careful about your appearance,
then you will make a good impression. If you practice the interview questions that manager
usually ask, then you will feel confident when you speak.

2. Read the article again and check (_) the TRUE or FALSE statements.
T/F
1. A meeting between an employer and an applicant to talk about a job is an interview.     
2. An applicant will present his/ her job duties during the interview.                                   
3. An employer judges your qualifications and appearance after the interview.                   
4. The employer convinces that you are right for the job because of the interview.             
5. The interview helps you evaluate the employer and company.                                         
6. The applicant may prepare for a job interview.                                                                  
7. The interviewer will know that you are organized and that you are really interested in the job
by noticing your interview preparation.                                                                                 
8. If you prepare well, you will make a good impression.                                                     
9. If you practice answering questions, you will feel confident during the interview.   

1. Read the extract below and discuss with your partner. Then do the exercises that follow.
After you have been invited for a job interview, one thing you should be aware of is an
appropriate attire. The first impression you make on the potential employer is the important one.
The first judgment the employer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are
wearing. The candidate dressed in a suit and a tie is going to make a much better impression than
the candidate dressed in a untidy jeans and a t-shirt.

Language Focus
Study these language points about the job interview.
1. Greeting
Greeting
Response
A: How do you do?
A: Good morning, Mr. Wichian.
A: Good afternoon, Mr. Wichian.
A: How are you today?
A: Please have a seat.
     Please take a seat.
B: How do you do?
B: Good morning, Sir or Madam.
B: Good afternoon, Sir or Madam.
B: Fine, thank you. And you?
B: Thank you, Sir.

Note
 
                        We often use the formal style of greeting in the job interview.



2. Hobbies
A: What do you do in your free time?
What are your hobbies?
B: Reading and watching TV.


3. Educational background
A: Where did you graduate?


A: Why did you study this field?

B: I graduated from Chandrakasem
     Rajabhat University, majoring in  
     Business English.
B: Because I liked it and I planned to
     work in that field when I graduated.

Note!

 
                        We often use the past simple tense to talk about the educational background.

4. Work experience
A: Are you employed at the present?

A: Why did you leave your present job?

B: Yes, I am. I’m working at ABC 
     Company Limited.
B: Because I would like to have the
     Opportunity for advancement and take
     more responsibility at your big and
     famous company.





5. Present career
A: Why did you choose to work at my
      company?
     Why do you want to work with us?

A: Why do you choose this job?
     Why are you interested in an airline
      work?
A: How did you find out about job
     vacancies here?

B: Because this company has a good image of
     stability and security. When you want to
     travel on a ship, certainly you would choose
     a ship that you feel confident with.
B: I know that the work requires the person
     who has utmost ability and efficiency. And I
     am the one who has that qualification.
B: I saw your advertisement from the Bangkok
     Post last week.


6. Thanking
A: Thank you for coming. We will
     contact you as soon as possible.

B: Thank you, sir. I hope to hear good
     news from you soon. Good bye.


Note!

 
                        We use the formal style of thanking after the job interview is finished.



B. Read the possible interview questions in column A. and then match them with their correct replies in column B on the next page. Write the answers in the blanks. Compare
and discuss with your partner.


Column A

 



___ 1. Please tell me about yourself briefly.
___ 2. Do you have your own transport?
___ 3. If employed by us, how soon can you start?
___ 4. Why did you apply at this company?
___ 5. Do you play sports?
___ 6. Do you think experience is important for work?
___ 7. You chose to apply for Asst manager. Why?
___ 8. If your boss has a bad temper, what will you do?

Column B

 
 


a. Because this company has a good image of stability and security. Ms. Prayuth, when you  
    want to travel on a ship, certainly you would choose a ship that you feel confident with.
b. With my manner, I am certainly suitable for this position and I have conviction that I can
    do it well. I would like to have a position with both high levels of responsibility and abilities.
c. If we look at new graduates, they have no experience and cannot work in a position requiring a  
   high level of experience. But, if we do not accept them, how can they gain experience?
d. Yes, of course. I like all kinds of sports: football, badminton, and basketball. The one that I
   am good at is diving.
e. As soon as required.
f. No, I don’t.
g. My name is Yimwan Mudjai. I’ve graduated from Chandrakasem Rajabhat University.
h. I would be more careful about my work and more patient to avoid any arguments.

C. Read the job interview below and fill the given clauses or sentences in the blanks.

a. Well, I like watching TV, listening to music and reading English newspaper.
b. Why are you applying to work with our company?
c. Yes, from my present job.
d. Have you ever taken a secretarial course?
e. Well, the work itself is not demanding and my boss and colleagues are nice.
f. How long have you been working there?
g. I would like to know about the salary and other fringe benefits if you don’t mind.
h. And have you ever worked with computers?
i. I have a lot of opportunities to use my language ability.
j. What type of company is it?

I: Good morning, Khun Jintana.
C: Good morning, sir.
I: Please take a seat, Khun Jintana. I’ve known you’ve already had some experience as a secretary.
C: (1) _________________________________________
I: (2) _____________________________________________________
C: About three years.
I: (3) _____________________________________________________
C: It is an import-export company, sir.
I: What do you like about your job?
C: (4) ______________________________________________________
I: Is there anything else that you like about working there?
C: (5) ______________________________________________________
I: What languages can you speak, then?
C: English and Japanese.
I: You seem quite happy with your past job.(6) _____________________________
C: Well, I want to work in a bigger company where I have more career opportunities.
I: I see. But you would have to work harder here, do you know that?
C: Yes, but I don’t mind working hard.
I: (7) ______________________________________________________
C: With word-processing, I took a computer course and since then I have been using it in my
     present jobs.
I: And secretarial training? (8) __________________________________________
C: Well, when I studied at Chulalongkorn University, I took course in ‘English for Secretaries’
     and ‘Office Management.’
I: One final question, Khun Jintana. What do you do in your free time?
C: (9) _______________________________________________________
I: Good. That’s all I want to know at this moment.But is there anything you would like to ask me?
C: (10) _______________________________________________________
I: All right. The salary will be 10,000 baht per month. You also get sick leave, one month’s
    annual leave and health insurance.
C: That’s great.
I: OK, Khun Jintana. Thank you for coming. We will contact you as soon as possible. May I have
    your telephone number?
C: Certainly, it’s 08-5828-2549. Thank you for seeing you.



On your own
A. If you are a candidate, how do you answer these questions?
1. Good morning. Sit down, please.
_____________________________________________________________________
2. How did you come here today?
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Could you tell me something about yourself, please?
_____________________________________________________________________
4. What is your educational background?
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Why did you leave your last position?
_____________________________________________________________________
6. What do you do in your free time?
_____________________________________________________________________
7. Why do you want to work for this company?
_____________________________________________________________________
8. Where did you learn English?
_____________________________________________________________________
9. Do you have any special abilities?
_____________________________________________________________________

10. Do you have any friends or relatives working here?
_____________________________________________________________________
11. What computer programs can you use?
_____________________________________________________________________
12. Would you mind working the night shift sometimes?
_____________________________________________________________________
13. How soon can you start?
_____________________________________________________________________
14. Do you have any questions you would like to ask?
_____________________________________________________________________
15. Thank you for coming. I’ll contact you soon.
_____________________________________________________________________


Test
1. Which part of the interview is the most important?
a. first minute                                                              b. answers to the "toughest" questions
c. final minute                                                             d. the whole time
2. What are three most important keys to success in interviews?
a. good cologne, nice smile, fresh breath                   
b. making eye contact, showing enthusiasm, speaking clearly
c. fresh breath, nice smile, making eye contact
d. developing rapport, good posture, fresh breath
3. It’s best to arrive how early before an interview?
a. 1 hour                                  b. 30 minutes               c. 10 minutes               d. 1 minute
4. When the interviewer asks you the question, "tell me about yourself," she/he really wants what in response?
a. a 10-minute detailed story of your life, from birth to present
b. a concise narrative of your personal and professional background and goals and how
    they relate to the job at hand
c. a short narrative of your personal life, leaving nothing to the imagination
d. a long-winded account of your last vacation
5. The best way to answer the question, "Why do you want to work for our company," is by saying:
a. "You’ve been the market leader for the past five years because of the reputation of
    your products and quality of customer satisfaction and I would like to contribute my
    services to continue the organization’s successes."
b. "You’ve been the market leaders for the past five years, and I think it would be really
                great for my career to work for your organization."
c. "I love the fact that I can dress in jeans every day and that the office is only a five minute
    bike ride from the beach."
d. "I’m really attracted by the great salary and benefits your company offers."
6. As soon as you get back from the interview, you should:
a. put your feet up and relax, knowing you did a great interview
b. spend hours kicking yourself for some poor answers you gave
c. immediately fire off thank you letters to each person who interviewed with you
d. quit your current job in anticipation of a new job offer