A A BUSINESS SITUATIONS

Selecting a job candidate

Lesson code: 1Z8X-X5J8-127S UPPER INTERMEDIATE +

1 Warm-up
In pairs, look at the statements below about selecting a job candidate after a round of interviews.
Discuss the information and put `Do' or `Don't' next to each statement to make `rules' for selecting a
job candidate.

1. Make a snap judgment.

2. Select a candidate in your own image.
3. Select a candidate based on personality rather than ability.
4. Select a candidate based on ability.
5. Review all candidates on an individual basis.
6. Rush the decision-making process.
7. Reconvene to review the candidates again if you have reached a stalemate in the decision-making
process.
8. If there is deadlock over 2 or more candidates, select one at random.
9. Contact a candidate's previous employer to check information.

2 Adjectives for describing job candidates

In pairs, study the following sentences and complete the definitions below with the underlined terms.

1. Darrel was very well-presented at his job interview. He wore his best suit.
2. Joe was too slick at his interview. His answers were too efficient.
3. Joanne was over-qualified. She should be applying for a much higher position.
4. The candidate's answers were very generic -- the interviewer had heard them hundreds of times.
5. The candidate seemed really outgoing. It was easy to talk to her.

a. dressed appropriately, clean-shaven, etc.

b. friendly and socially confident
c. having much more than the level of skill required for a particular position
d. very common, universal
e. very smooth and efficient

Which of the adjectives are used in a positive way? Which are used in a negative way?
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 Selecting a job candidate
A A A A BUSINESS SITUATIONS

3 Listening
Now listen to two HR managers discussing candidates after their job interviews. Answer the questions
below:

1. How did the managers describe Patrick?

2. How did the managers describe Sam?
3. How did the managers describe Karina?
4. Why were they concerned about Karina?
5. Which of the rules in Exercise 1 did the managers possibly follow or break?

4 Useful expressions
Now put the expressions from the dialogue in the following categories:

Don't you think he was a bit arrogant? He did seem a little too slick for my liking.
He seemed pretty motivated. I'd definitely consider him.
I had a good feeling about her. I'm not sure if he'd be a good fit.
Let's look at who we have here. She came across as very outgoing and relaxed.

Presenting the options:

Expressing a positive impression:

Expressing a negative impression:

Add the following expressions to the above categories:

1. Let's look at the choices.

2. She appeared a bit unenthusiastic.
3. He seemed to be pretty sharp.
4. I don't think she'd be a good fit.
5. I liked the way he handled the problem.
6. She seemed to know what she was talking about.
7. She gave me the impression that she was hiding something.
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 Selecting a job candidate
A A A A BUSINESS SITUATIONS

5 Making a decision
Look at the expressions below. Put them into the correct category.

Daniella is clearly the best fit. I'd rather not hire her.
Let's go with John. Let's keep thinking.
Let's leave her out of the final list. Let's make him a finalist.

Selecting:

Rejecting:

6 Role play
Work in pairs. You are the managers of a small cosmetics company. You are deciding which candidate
to select for the position of sales manager. Review the candidates below. You can invent additional
information about each candidate. Make a selection or decide whether to reconvene.

Candidate A Candidate B
Qualifications: PhD in Management Qualifications: None
Personality: quiet, unenthusiastic Personality: outgoing, talkative, enthusiastic
Appearance: well-presented Appearance: well-presented
Test performance: excellent Test performance: excellent

Candidate C Candidate D
Qualifications: University degree in Marketing Qualifications: BA in Business Studies
Personality: nervous, quiet Personality: enthusiastic, motivated
Appearance: scruffy Appearance: casual
Test performance: average Test performance: good

7 Talking point
Discuss any of the questions below.

1. Can you think of any examples of generic answers at a job interview?

2. How important is it to check a candidate's references?
3. What skills or character traits would the ideal candidate need to do your job?
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 Selecting a job candidate - Transcripts
A A A A BUSINESS SITUATIONS

3- Listening

A: OK So, let's look at who we have here.

B: Patrick, Sam and Karina. What did you think of Patrick?
A: I thought he was well-presented and definitely well-prepared for the interview.
B: Yes, but don't you think he was a bit arrogant?
A: Yes, he did seem a little too slick for my liking. And he is a bit over-qualified for the position.
B: Yes, I'm not sure if he'd be a good fit for our organization.
A: Let's see. What about Sam?
B: He came across as a little nervous to me. And some of his answers were very generic.
A: That's probably due to his lack of experience. This would be his first full-time job.
B: But at the same time he seemed pretty motivated. I'd definitely consider him. And his university
results are quite impressive.
A: And what about Karina?
B: I liked her. She came across as very outgoing and relaxed. I had a good feeling about her.
A: Yes, I think she'd get on well with the rest of the team.
B: But one thing I'm not sure of. She didn't really give a clear reason why she left her previous job.
A: Perhaps we should contact her previous employer.

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 Selecting a job candidate - Key
A A A A BUSINESS SITUATIONS

1- Warm-up

Go though the statements with the students. Explain any unfamiliar vocabulary e.g. `a snap judgment' (a judgment
that is rushed), `in your own image' (similar to you), `reconvene' (call someone back for a meeting), `a stalemate'
or `deadlock' (a situation in which no progress can be made).
1. Don't 2. Don't 3. Don't 4. Do 5. Do 6. Don't 7. Do 8. Don't 9. Do

2- Adjectives for describing job candidates

1. a 2. e 3. c 4. d 5. b

3- Listening

Play the audio file or scan the QR code with your mobile device.
1. well-presented, well-prepared, a bit arrogant, too slick, over-qualified
2. nervous, answers were generic, motivated
3. outgoing, relaxed
4. She didn't explain why she left her previous job.
5. Rules 5 and 9 followed. They may have broken rules 2, 3 and 4.

4- Useful expressions

Presenting the options: Let's look at who we have here.

Expressing a positive impression: She came across as very outgoing and relaxed.
I'd definitely consider him.
I had a good feeling about her. He seemed pretty motivated.
Expressing a negative impression: Don't you think he was a bit arrogant?
He did seem a little too slick for my liking.
I'm not sure if he'd be a good fit.

Additional expressions:
1. presenting the options
2. expressing a negative impression
3. expressing a positive impression
4. expressing a negative impression
5. expressing a positive impression
6. expressing a positive impression
7. expressing a negative impression

5- Making a decision

Selecting: Let's go with John.

Daniella is clearly the best fit. Let's make him a finalist.
Rejecting: I'd rather not hire her.
Let's keep thinking. Let's leave her out of the final list.

6- Role play
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 Selecting a job candidate - Key
A A A A BUSINESS SITUATIONS

Encourage the use of expressions from the lesson, e.g. `She came across as', `He gave me the impression that..',
etc.

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