Transcript Lesson 1 Overview of the Job Interview (1)
Transcript Lesson 1 Overview of the Job Interview (1)
Hello and welcome to the final unit in career development. In this unit, we're going to talk about the last step in
the job search process, the job interview. By now, you've written a great resume and cover letter, you've practiced
your networking elevator speech, and you've got a job interview.
In this video, we will go over some important things to know about job interviews in the United States. This is your
chance to answer questions about your skills and qualifications, ask questions about the job or the company, and
make a positive impression on the employer.
In later videos, we will focus on the language of questions, show you some sample questions you could hear in a
job interview, and how to answer them.
Let's begin with some basic information about job interviews. A job interview is a formal
meeting between an employer and a job seeker to decide if the person should get the job.
The employer is called the interviewer and is the person asking the questions.
A job interview
The job seeker is called the interviewee and is the person answering the questions.
Job interviews are usually in person or face-to-face and are quite formal. Sometimes,
interviews can be done by phone or video conference.
To be more successful, job seekers can prepare for an interview by practicing answers with
specific examples of their skills and qualifications from their past experience.
The interviewer
asks a question.
Preparing for a job interview
Interviews are a great chance to explain your qualifications and transferable skills with
examples or short stories. For example, many employers look for people who can show
leadership skills or creativity in solving problems. You can prepare answers that show you
have these skills by using examples from your past work experiences or education.
Remember, you're not memorizing answers but just preparing some short specific examples
that you can use to answer common interview questions. For example, if an interviewer said,
“tell me about a time that you solved a problem,” I would talk about how I created a
The interviewee document to help other teachers plan their schedules.
responds.
Here's another example question. If the interviewer says, “what did you learn from working at
XYZ company?” I would answer by saying, “I learned many things about new software and
computer programs to manage information in a busy office.”
By having a short, prepared example, I would feel more confident in my answer. I can always add more
information in the interview and give more details. But at least I have something to say when an interviewer asks
these questions.
© 2021 by FHI 360. “Transcript: Lesson 1: Overview of the Job Interview” for the Online Professional English
Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government
and administered by FHI 360. This work is an adaptation of “Video: Overview of the Job Interview”, by The 1
University of Pennsylvania licensed under the Creative Commons Share-Alike License. To view a copy of the
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Sometimes interview questions can be difficult to answer. It is a good idea to ask for clarification or repetition if
you don't understand the question. You will learn how to do this in a later video.
Before an interview, job seekers should prepare a list of questions that they want to ask the interviewer about the
company or about the job itself. By asking two or three questions, the candidate shows interest in the job and the
company.
Finally, job seekers should make a positive impression by looking professional. They do this by wearing
professional clothes such as a business suit or dress. You should be on time or early to the interview. During the
interview, keep eye contact with the interviewer. Give clear and honest answers and bring extra copies of
important documents like resumes or certifications.
Summary
In summary, job seekers should be prepared for job interviews with examples of their skills and qualifications to
answer the questions. Job seekers should also ask a couple of questions about the organization or the job duties.
And finally, job seekers should make a positive impression by presenting themselves professionally.
What’s Next?
Now, practice your reading skills with a short practice quiz about job interviews.
Image Credits
1. an interview: “Untitled Image” by Van Tay Media on Unsplash under Unsplash license
2. an interviewee (n.) This image is a derivative of “Untitled Image” by Van Tay Media on Unsplash under Unsplash license .
This derivative is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by FHI 360 for use in the OPEN Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State
with funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by FHI 360.
3. an interviewer (n.) This image is a derivative of “Untitled Image” by Van Tay Media on Unsplash under Unsplash license . This
derivative is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by FHI 360 for use in the OPEN Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with
funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by FHI 360.
4. a positive first impression “Untitled Image” by Werner Heiber from Pixabay under Pixabay license.