Language Use in an Interview

1. Sentence structure: language use tends to be brief and short.

2. Formality and accuracy: formal grammar is usually followed.

3. Style: the style of the interviewer normally tends to be objective and neutral while that of the interviewee(s) may vary depending on the context, subject matter and personal factor.

Candidate’s Behaviour before the Interview

• Research the company you are, or will be, interviewing with.

• Find out as much as possible about the job you have applied for.

• Prepare your own answers based on the particulars of the job and practise your answers.

• Prepare your interview clothes. Select the outfit that complies with normal business standards and allows you to feel comfortable and confident while wearing it. Never wear dark glasses and a hat.

• Have a light snack. Never walk into an interview on an empty stomach. Don't eat too much, either.

Candidate’s Behaviour during the Interview

• Be businesslike and professional.

• Don't talk too much. Listen carefully and watch for clues.

• Use strong, positive reasons when explaining changes in your career.

• Be truthful, but be prepared to 'bend' the truth if it suits the circumstances. However, project honesty and sincerity.

• Ask relevant questions that will help you look intelligent, educated and experienced.

• Establish and maintain eye contact with the interviewer.

• Smile. Be friendly and relaxed. Project optimism.

• Never criticize your previous or present employers.

• Never talk about your personal life, business secrets or the internal affairs of other companies.

• Sit straight in your chair or lean slightly forward. Never play with your keys, hair, watch, pen or any other item. Don't drum your fingers, keep your hands in your pockets and scratch your head.

• Never answer a question if you don't understand it fully. Ask for further clarification. But if you don't know an answer to a particular question, openly admit it. Nobody knows everything.

• Never use phrases such as 'I don't know', 'I don't think so', 'I disagree', 'Why do you want to know that?' or any similar statement or question.

• Be persuasive. Speak about the benefits to the employer of hiring you.

• Never use the interviewer's first name. Adjust the formality of your behaviour to suit the interviewer's.

• Never bring up the question of salary and benefits yourself. Wait for the interviewer to start discussing money matters, otherwise you may be viewed as interested only in money.

Things you might be interested in when applying for a job:

– opportunities for promotion / for travel / to meet people

– salary, working conditions, working hours, holidays.

http://www.linguistics.hku.hk/research/bodomo/QEF/GenreFeatures.pdf

Exercise 51. Discuss the following tips for preparing for an interview. Which ones do you think are more important? Which ones would you do first?

1. Try to predict the questions you can be asked during the interview.

2. Do some research into the company you are applying for a job.

3. Find out exactly what the job involves.

4. Analyze your skills and experience and identify areas where they match the job requirements and the company needs.

5. Rehearse the interview.

6. Decide what you are going to wear.

7. Prepare a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview.

Exercise 52. A) Look at the following common interview questions. Write the type of question (a-c) next to each question (1-11).

B) Write your answers to the questions (1-11).

C) Think of two more questions for each category (a-c).

a) Questions that require you to talk about yourself, your ambitions, your personality, your hobbies and interests.

b) Questions that require you to prove you have researched the job and company you have applied for work.

c) Questions that require you to demonstrate you have the skills and experience required for the job.

1. Can you tell us something about yourself? ___

2. What experience do you have that is relevant for this position? ___

3. What did you learn during your time at university? ___

4. What do you see as your strengths? ___

5. What do you think about our website? ___

6. What attracted you to this position? ___

7. How would your colleagues describe you? ___

8. What sorts of projects did you work on in your last position? ___

9. What university did you attend and why did you choose it? ___

10. What do you know about our company? ___

11. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? ___

Exercise 53. Look at the useful phrasesfor describing your skills and abilities. Write sentences about your skills.

I have basic knowledge of …

I am competent with …

I have good experience of …

I am a good team leader / worker / …

I have good (organizational, communication, … ) skills …

I have good ability to…

I am good at communicating with people / ... .

Speaking

Exercise 54. Work in small groups. Imagine that your friend is going to attend his/her first interview. Discuss the following interview tips. Write Do or Don’tnext to each tip. Write down some more pieces of advice that you would give. Compare your ideas with the ideas of other groups.

1. Arrive ten minutes early.

2. Speak English with a friend before the interview.

3. Bring a close friend or a relative with you for support.

4. Take a copy of your CV and certificates with you.

5. Memorise long answers to questions that you anticipate being asked.

6. Learn some impressive words and phrases to use in the interview.

7. Find out about the company.

8. Prepare the questions to ask about the company and what the job entails

9. Wear smart and formal clothes.

Exercise 55. Some interviewers give candidates a hard time by asking them difficult questions like the questions below. What would your answers to the questions be? Rehearse your answers with your partner.

1. Why do you want this job?

2. Why did you choose to study your degree subject?

3. What did you most/ least enjoy about your time at university?

4. What skills did you develop at university?

5. How will your degree help you in this position?

6. What can you bring to this position?

7. What attracted you to our company?

8. Why did you leave your last job?

9. What are you looking for in a job?

10. How do you work in a team?

11. How would you describe your own personality?

12. How would your manager describe your work?

13. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

14. We have a lot of applicants for this job, why should we appoint you?

15. Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

Exercise 56. Role-play. Work in pairs. Take it in turns to be the Interviewer and the Candidate. Decide on the job that would be attractive and realistic for you to apply for. Write the advertisement for this job.

The interviewer. Decide what questions you are going to ask the candidate. What personal qualities are you looking for? Are you going to be kind to the candidate or give him/ her a hard time?

The candidate. Write a short cover letter and a CV for the advertised job. Be ready to answer the interviewer’s questions.

Role-play two conversations between the Interviewer and the Candidate. Make two different dialogues where the candidate performs well and does not perform well. Other pairs will listen and indicate what mistakes the candidate has made at the unsuccessful interview.