Interview Skills

Warm-up Questions (Pair Work)

1) What was your first job? What is the worst job you have ever had?
2) Do humans need to work? If you were rich and didnt work at all, could you be happy?
3) What questions are inappropriate for an interviewer to ask in an interview?
4) Brainstorm: Take two minutes to make a list of things you should and shouldnt do before, in,
and after an interview. When finished, share your list with the class.
Learning Objectives:

This could be the most important 20 minutes of your life

Interviews give you the

Most people are nervous

chance to tell someone

about selection

about yourself your

interviews for jobs and

strengths, your

courses. One way to

achievements and your

reduce anxiety and

personal qualities

perform better at
interviews is to get
some practice.

This lesson provides an

This should help you to

opportunity to do that.

do better next time

You will get the chance

when it may really be

to be in the role of an

the most important

interviewer and be able

20 minutes of your

to observe someone

life!!.

else as well as being the

interviewee

VOCABULARY
A benefit is something you _______ from a job
A qualification is something you _____ to do a job.

Look at the following list of vocabulary items. Are they benefits of a job or qualifications for a
job?
__________________

promotion

__________________

work experience

__________________

medical insurance

__________________

vacation

__________________

bachelor/masters/doctor degree

__________________

references

__________________

salary

__________________

wage

__________________

housing

__________________

license

__________________

commissions

__________________

tips

__________________

bonus

__________________

being well-spoken

__________________

being hardworking

__________________

discount on goods

__________________

training courses

__________________

dental insurance

__________________

creativity

__________________

report card/transcript

__________________

raise

__________________

neat appearance/dress

In a group, decide what the most important qualifications and benefits are?
Most Important Benefits

Most Important Qualifications

INFO SHEET (1) Interviewee

PREPARATION

Decide what to _____, be _____ and ____.

Plan the ________ including how long it will take.

Find out about the ________and __________.

Prepare some _______.

Prepare some _______.

Take your Personal Education Plan and plan how you might use it.

THE INTERVIEW

Arrive _____ minutes early.

Be ________ and _________ to the secretary or receptionist who greets

you.

Look ______ and clean.

Be prepared to ____________.

Dont _____ until you are offered a ______.

Try to ______ and listen to the questions carefully.

Look at the ______ asking the question.

______ before you answer.

Speak _______ and in a strong voice.

Show ________ and _________.

Be _______.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Tell me about yourself.

QUESTIONS WHICH YOU MAY ASK

During the interview the details of the job will probably be explained to you,
but there may be gaps and you may wish to ask your own questions. Wait until
the end of the interview to ask questions and dont ask too many.

WHAT WILL THE EMPLOYER NEED TO KNOW?

What qualifications you have to offer.

DONT:

Emphasize your____________.

Draw attention to negative ____________ such as poor attendance, grades,

being fired, etc.

Criticize former ___________, _________, or school __________.

Discuss personal ________, good or bad, which are irrelevant.

Discuss ________ or _________ unless the interviewer brings it up first.

INFO SHEET (2) Thank You Letter

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you last Monday about the exciting possibility
of an internship position in the Drafting Department at Saco Defense.
After our conversation, I was extremely interested in this apprenticeship and would be
proud to work for such a reputable company. I feel confident that my work experience and
coursework in drafting would be beneficial to the company.
I am available to provide any other information you may need and am looking forward to
hearing from you. Once again, thank you for your time, attention, and interest in me as a
potential intern.
Sincerely,
Waylon Smithers

INFO SHEET (3) Mock Interview

JOB SPECIFICATION
The company requires an enthusiastic employee wanting to be
part of American company.
The person must be bale to work as part of a team, be a good
communicator, be prepared to work flexible hours, be smart in
appearance, and be committed to our training program.
Qualification desirable but not essential.

INTERVIEWER is Head of HR Dept. with the company

INFO SHEET (4) Sample Questions

Questions Often Asked By Employers

Questions Often Asked By Applicants

1. Tell me about yourself.

2.

What

are

your

short-range

1. What are the strengths of the

and organization or department?

long-range career goals, and how are you 2. What are the career opportunities for
preparing to achieve them?

someone entering this position?

3. Why did you choose this career?

3. What kind of orientation and training is

4. What do you consider to be your available to new employees?

greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

4. To whom would I be reporting and what

5. How would you describe yourself? How kind of communication channels are there?
would a friend or professor describe you?

5. What are the long-range plans for this

6. Why should I hire you?

organization?

7. How do you determine or evaluate 6. How will I be evaluated? How often?

success?

7. Is there an opportunity to transfer

8. In what ways do you think you can make from one division to another?
a contribution to our company?

8. What are the prospects for promotion

9. How do you work under pressure?

in the future?

10. What salary do you want?

9. What are your expectations of the

person in this position?