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Warm Up Work with a partner.

What was the first interview you ever had? Did you pass?

 Reading Read and fill in the spaces.

Susan Foyle works in Human Resources at ABC Tech. She is interviewing

Susan: Thank you, Andrew, for coming today. So, you could find the office all right?

Andrew: Yes – I checked the directions online, so there weren't any problems.

Susan: Well, to start with, could you tell me why you would like to work at ABC Tech?

Andrew: Certainly. I've been in my current job for about five years, and although it's going well, I'm
1
looking for more of a ……………….. . ABC is a much larger operation than where I am now,
and your products are renowned for being on the cutting edge of technology. I'd like to be a
part of that.
2
Susan: Your technical skills certainly look ……………….. What other skills could you bring to this
position?

Andrew: Let's see. Well, at my current company I've worked both on my own and as part of a team.
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The ……………….. of projects means that teamwork, and communication skills are very
important.
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Susan: I see. Now, as you know, we have some very ……………….. clients. As deadlines
approach, there can be a great deal of pressure. How do you think you would deal with this?

Andrew: Mmm. To be honest, I enjoy the pressure that comes from meeting deadlines. In my current
position, there's often pressure. But successfully achieving challenging goals makes the
work rewarding. While I feel the pressure, I don't feel stressed. I think the two things are
different.

Susan: Right. Now at this point, I'd like to introduce a co-worker of mine – Tom Fairfax. He's going
to be asking you some questions related to your programming skills…

Choose From  impressive  complexity  high-profile  challenge

 Comprehension Answer the questions below.

1) How long has Andrew worked for his current employer?

2) Why does he want to change employer?

3) What skills does he have?

4) Do you think he's a good candidate for the position?

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 Common Interview Questions

Look at the questions below. Which ones do you think are particularly difficult to answer?
Mark them with a 'D' in the boxes to the right.

1. Why are you applying for this position?

2. What do you know about this company?

3. Why do you want to leave your current employer?

4. How do you think we stand out from our competitors?

5. What do you look for in an employer?

6. What skills do you have which you could bring to this position?

7. How do you think you stand out from other applicants for this job?

8. What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?

9. What would you find most difficult about working for us?

10. Are you able to use English on a daily basis in the workplace?

11. What are your greatest strengths?

12. What is your biggest weakness?

13. Can you tell me of a difficulty you faced at work, and how you dealt with it?

14. Would you be willing to transfer to an overseas office in the future?

15. How do you deal with pressure?

Check with a partner. Do you agree about which questions are especially difficult to answer?

 Task Practicing a job interview.

• Decide the job you are applying for.

• Look through the interview questions again on the next page.

• If you wish, add more questions using the blank template.

• Make notes for the questions which are relevant to the job you are applying for.

• Practice with the interview with a partner. Before you begin, tell your partner about the job you are
applying for. Also tell him/her about any questions which can be skipped. Tell your partner of any
additional questions you would like to be asked. (Give these on a separate piece of paper.)

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1. Why are you applying for this position?

2. What do you know about this company?

3. Why do you want to leave your current employer?

4. How do you think we stand out from our competitors?

5. What do you look for in an employer?

6. What skills do you have which you could bring to this position?

7. How do you think you stand out from other applicants for this job?

8.

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9. What would you find most difficult about working for us?

10. Are you able to use English on a daily basis in the workplace?

11. What are your greatest strengths?

12. What is your biggest weakness?

13. Can you tell me of a difficulty you faced at work, and how you dealt with it?

14. Would you be willing to transfer to an overseas office in the future?

15. How do you deal with pressure?

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