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JOB INTERVIEWS

SESSION 4

Source: www.fullerton.edu

NOTE TO STUDENTS

Students from the below groups will receive PIN numbers via email weekly to access activities on my iDoceo Connect platform and submit their exercises for correction.

601, 607, 612, 615, 619, 624, 462, 680, 681, 689, 690 and 691

The solutions to exercises in this session will be published when the above groups have submitted them.

DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS TEAM ALREADY?
START BUILDING UP YOUR COMPANY!!

• Name and activity
• What do you produce/sell?
• Why do you need to hire somebody?

STRUCTURE

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Session 4: contents

• Introduction: The history of job interviews

1. Talking about job interviews
1. Job interview Quiz
2. Do's and Don'ts of an interview
2. PRACTICE
• Steps of a hiring process
• Steps of an interview
3. ORAL PRACTICE AND CONVERSATION
• Speed interviewing
• Project practice
4. Technical Vocabulary: qualities
4. PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEWS
• 49 top questions at interviews
5. EXTRA CONTENT
• Example of a poor interview

DRAFT YOUR PROJECT!!

You don't know where to start?
See some mixed-quality 2019-20 sample projects here:

Sample 1 with corrections
Sample 2 - Sample 3
Sample 4 - Sample 5
Sample 6 - Sample 7

INTRODUCTION

The history of job interviews (comedy).

Watch the following video to see the first job interviews in history.

Source: The Armstrong and Miller Show, BBC one

The Armstrong & Miller Show is a British sketch comedy television show produced by Hat Trick Productions for BBC One. It features the double act Armstrong and Miller and a number of notable scriptwriters including Andy Hamilton, co-creator of Outnumbered, and Jeremy Dyson, co-creator of The League of Gentlemen. It ran for three series between 2007 and 2010 and was nominated for two BAFTAs, winning one. (Wikipedia.org)

I. TALKING ABOUT JOB INTERVIEWS

A. Job Interview Quiz.

Test your knowledge of job interviews by answering the following questions.

1. The interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself.” Which of these is the best answer?

a. "I was born in Oregon and moved to the East Coast with my family when I was twelve. After graduating from high school, I attended college and worked a couple of part-time jobs."

b. "I enjoy helping people and this drives my desire to master the art of fundraising. I have been volunteering with American Red Cross for the past two years and have learned many useful skills about organizing fundraisers. I think my experiences have prepared me to be a great Fundraising Coordinator."

c. "I’m a pretty outgoing person with an open personality. I love meeting other people and visiting new places. One of my favorite things to do is spend time with friends. I also like to travel. Last summer, I took a trip to Europe with a couple of buddies. We had a great time."

Check answer

2. You’re asked a really difficult question. You don’t know the answer off the top of your head, so you...

a. answer, “That’s a tough question. I’m really not sure.”

b. say the first thing that comes to mind.

c. take a deep breath and think of an answer while paraphrasing the question.

Check answer

3. You’re asked what your biggest weakness is. What do you answer?

a. “I can sometimes be disorganized. I have been trying to become more organized by creating a calendar for myself and categorizing things in folders. So far, these methods seem to be working.”

b. “Honestly, I don’t really have one.”

c. “I’m a perfectionist. As a result, I often work very hard, perhaps even too hard. I’m usually at the office for more hours than the averageemployee.”

Check answer

4. Your interviewer asks you what you think about your previous boss. You didn’t get along with your previous boss. You answer:

a. “He was a good leader and really kept the team focused and on-task.”

b. “He was alright, but we weren’t that close.”

c. “We didn’t exactly get along because he made a lot of impossible demands and was constantly on the phone.”

Check answer

5. Your interviewer asks you what your greatest strengths are. How do you respond?

a. By listing five or ten qualities you think are your best ones.

b. Give two or three strengths and concrete examples of them.

c. Say all the qualities and requirements that were listed on the job description.

Check answer

5. Other than your responses, you need to also pay close attention to...

a. your body language

b. your eye contact

c. both a and b.

Check answers

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JOB INTERVIEW QUIZ

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How ready are you for the challenge?

• Speak in a calm manner
• Look at all interviewers
• Smile
• Do not fidget with your hands, face, hair, objects on the desk...
• Do not cross your arms and use your hands in a soft way to explain yourself
• Remember: the objective is to get a job, so you do not need to be the most honest person in the world. Do not lie, but play your game your own way.

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FINAL TIPS

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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

• Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror, and/or record performance on audio or video.
• Be your own (constructive) critic.
• Don't be shy and ask your teacher for more tips if you need them.

B. Do's and Don'ts of an Interview.

Watch this Vault video to learn what you must and must not do at an interview. Then answer questions.

Source: vault.com

1. Interviews are designed to assess which 4 key areas?

Check answer

2. How should you dress for a job interview?

Men:

Women:

Check answer

3. Fill in the blanks:

Do give a (1) but not bone crushing handshake. The (2) to a good handshake is to get the (3) between your thumb and (4) fully in contact with that of the person with whom you're shaking hands. Also, don't forget to make (5) and smile.

Check answer

4. When answering the question “tell me about yourself” you should:

a. List your entire life history, beginning with where you were born.

b. Clearly describe you hobbies, interests and social life, so the interviewer gets a full picture of who you are as an individual.

c. Concisely describe your professional and academic background, showing why you are a good candidate for the position.

Check answer

5. Which of the following would be a suitable answer to the question “What is your biggest weakness?

a. I am lazy, so sometimes I get a bit behind with work.

b. I find making presentations scary, so I am taking a course on public speaking.

c. I don’t have any weaknesses.

Check answer

6. Does the interviewee plan to have a baby in the next few years? What is her response to the question?

Yes

No

Check answer

7. Do you think that the advice given in the video is valuable? Should any advice be added to the video?

Yes

No

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IN-CLASS

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Do this exercise and then discuss your answers with your nearest classmate.

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DISTANCE LEARNING

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Send your guesses to your teacher, using the dedicated iDoceo Connect platform (only for groups specified above).

MADOC

Log on to Madoc to find more tips and links to websites discussing interviews.

Source officialpsds.com/

II. PRACTICE

Steps in a hiring process.

Source: 4 Peaks Business Solutions (4peaksbs.com)

USE THIS INFORMATION FOR YOUR PROJECT
<<

Steps in an interview

The interview is a conversation in which you and an employer exchange information. Your objective is to get an offer of a job, and the employer's objective is to find out the following:

• What you have to offer (your skills, abilities, basic knowledge).
• Who you are (your personality, character, interests).
• Why you should be hired (you have what they are seeking)

The interviewer will try to determine whether you will be an asset to the organization.

Your goal is to present yourself as the best candidate for the position and also to learn more about the position and the interviewer's organization to determine whether both are well suited for you and your career goals. Thus, the interview is a two-way discussion rather than an interrogation, as it is often perceived to be.

• The first few minutes of the interview are used to establish rapport and to help the job applicants feel more at ease. The interviewer may engage in small talk or ask questions about interests and hobbies. However, these first few minutes are where you make a first and lasting impression. This is a good opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills.
• The next portion of the interview is spent in an exchange of information to determine whether a good "match" exists between the employer's needs and your skills and career objectives. The interviewer will ask questions about your qualifications, background, and career goals and will present additional information about the position and the organization. You will be expected to ask questions about the position and organization that will help you decide whether the opportunity is right for you. Listen carefully to the questions and be sure you understand them. Answer the questions thoroughly by backing up your statements with specific examples of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. However, do not give more information than what the interviewer is asking for. In addition, emphasize your strong points at every appropriate opportunity in the interview. You want to avoid negatives/weaknesses and avoid using phrases such as "I only" or "I really don't have much experience in that area." Show confidence in yourself and your ability to perform the job! Finally, establish good eye contact with the interviewer and take an active part in the interview.
• At some point in the interview, the interviewer will usually ask if you have any questions. Prepare two or three questions, in advance, that you want to ask during the interview. Ask questions that will help you form an opinion about whether the organization is right for you. Avoid asking questions for which answers could have been obtained in preparing for the interview.
• Be alert for signs that the interview is coming to an end. At the conclusion, ask what the next step will be and when you can expect to know the results of the interview. Restate your interest in working for the organization and thank the interviewer for taking time to talk with you. The interviewer will usually close by telling you what the next step will be, such as "We will be making our decision within the next two weeks and will notify you by mail."

adapted from Oxi.com, Career development center.

USE THIS INFORMATION FOR YOUR PROJECT
<<

Source: talentlyft.com.

C. Now it’s your turn!

a. Speed interviewing

In turns, you will interview and/or be interviewed for jobs. Be prepared to find the job of your dreams!

You have the right to imagine that you have finished your studies, but you cannot invent yourself a completely different life and background!

Sections
a & b

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IN-CLASS ONLY
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c. Vocabulary: describing people at work

The words below can be used to describe the abilities, attitudes, and personality of people at work.

hopeless - insensitive - diligent - efficient - domineering - bossy - inadequate - competent - careless - decisive - boorish - conscientious - committed - motivated

First, read them aloud until you are happy with your pronunciation, then play this audio and listen to a native speaker pronouncing them.

Second, decide if they have a positive or negative connotation.

Check answers

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IN-CLASS

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Do this exercise and then discuss your answers with your nearest classmate.

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DISTANCE LEARNING

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Send your guesses to your teacher, using the dedicated iDoceo Connect platform (only for groups specified above).

IV. PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEWS

TOP 49 QUESTIONS AT AN INTERVIEW

Interviewers will ask you all sorts of questions, but these ones below are very typical. Prepare yourselves in advance, so you will not be caught by surprise.

FEEL FREE TO USE SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS IN THE INTERVIEW YOU NEED TO TRANSCRIBE FOR YOUR PROJECT
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FICTION

Example of a poor interview.

Bobby applies for a maintenance position.

If you have arrived this far you have surely become an expert interviewer/interviewee. Take notes of the errors that, in your very personal opinion, Bobby made during his interview.
Don't be nice, just professional.

Possible answer

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