An Interview for a Job

It goes without saying that getting a job depends on how you talk and how you answer questions at the interview - in short, it depends on you. If you want to succeed, you must spend a little time preparing for the interview.

Rule One - never be late. Rude Two - if you have come too early, it is better to walk around outside than bother the inter­viewer with the problem of what you should do for the next 20 minutes.

If you are late, apologize distinctly, offer a reasonable explanation, and try to forget about it for the rest of the interview.

Pay attention to the way you are dressed. Your clothes should meet all the requirements of business style.

Usually the first question at an interview is: “Tell me about yourself”. You must briefly describe yourself, but your words should contain some information to make them take notice (заметить) of you. For example, you might say that at your previous job you achieved good results. You may be sure that the interviewer will liven up (оживится) and ask what results.

Never distort (искажать) the facts. During the interview some inaccuracies may turn up (появиться) and if you fail to explain them you may be struck off the list of candidates.

There is yet another standard question they may ask you: why are you looking for a job? Get ready to answer this question beforehand, and don't hesitate (колебаться) and don't think too long. You must find convincing (убедительный) reasons.

You may be interviewed in different ways but the interviewer will have a clear-cut (четкий, определенный ) aim – to find out what kind of person you are. In addition, he will be appraising whether you have the necessary set of knowledge and skills. Therefore, you must be ready to answer the most unexpected questions and describe your previous work experience.

Be ready for your interviewer to assess what you can do for the company that is going to employ you. You should be ready for the questions like "How do you see your future duties?"

The next question will usually be "What are your .strong points?" Remember that an answer like "I can do everything" won't do. The enumeration of your valuable merits (достоинство) - "I am energetic, hard-working, loyal end so on" - will produce no effect unless you back them up (подкреплять) with examples.

"What are your weak points?" You must also be able to answer this question. Be ready to speak about failures or mistakes in your career, since no one will believe that you had none, but don't start enumerating all of them. Tell your interviewers what conclusions you have drawn from your failures. Just remember that an employee who has the experience of overcoming failures and analyzing his mistakes is much more valuable for the company because he won't lose his head when facing difficulties.

Think about the achievements you can mention at the interview. If you can't answer questions about them or mumble (бормотать) something unintelligible, your chances won't be great. If possible, quote some figures or examples.

Be ready for practical tests. If you apply for a job as a salesperson you may be asked to sell something or you may be required to describe some production situation, to express your opinion on the settlement of the conflict in a hypothetical situation.

What salary are you expecting? Think of concrete figures. You should found your answer on the average salary of other employees having the same qualification. If you are sure that the company is interested in you, you may increase your demands but, naturally, not to scare off (отпугнуть) your employer.

As a rule, they will ask at the end of an interview if there is anything you would like to know. This is your turn (очередь) to interview a staff member. No matter how interested you are in this position, remember that you should not only be selected but actively choose the job, for it may not be the job you have been dreaming about.

20. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What is a resume? 2. What is a standard practice to begin a resume with? 3. What essentials and facts make up (составляют) your per­sonal data? 4. What option may be included in your resume after your per­sonal data? 5. What will be the next portion of your resume if you are a re­cent graduate with limited business experience? 6. What should you highlight in this case? 7. Is this desirable to expand on any courses you took or spe­cialized training you may have participated if they are relevant to the position you want? 8. What should you begin your resume with if you posses a strong background in the work? 9. What will the information include in this case? 10. In what order should you give your list of positions if you posses a strong background in the work? 11. What might you include into a brief section giving an insight into your leisure and non-work activities? 12. What should be the final point (пункт) of your resume? 13. What does getting a job depend on? 14. What is the first question at an interview? 15. What is another standard question they may ask you? 16. What question should you be ready for? 17. What will the next question be? 18. What question must you also be able to answer? 19. What will they ask at the end of an interview?

21. Перескажите тексты, дав ответы на вопросы 20 упражнения:

22. Прослушайте слова и запомните их:

trucking [ ] – грузовые перевозки

mess - беспорядок

Santana [ ] - Сантана (фамилия)

right person [ ] - подходящий человек

typist [ ] - машинистка

typing course [ ] - курс машинописи

talker [ ] - разговорчивый человек

be friendly [ ] - проявлять дружелюбие

phone [ ] - телефон

basket [ ] - зд. мусорная корзина

hard worker [ ] - трудолюбивый человек

Прослушайте текст и ответьте на вопросы: