Selection procedures

Dagmar Schmidt is the head of recruitment at a German telecommunications company. She talks about the selection process, the methods that the company uses to recruit people:

“We advertise in national newspapers. We look at the backgrounds of applicants: their experience of different jobs and their educational qualifications. We don’t ask for handwritten letters of application as people usually apply by email; handwriting analysis belongs to the 19^th century.

We invite the most interesting candidates to a group discussion. Then we have individual interviews with each candidate. We also ask the candidates to do written psychometric tests to assess their intelligence and personality.

After this, we shortlist three or four candidates. We check their references by writing to their referees: previous employers or teachers that candidates have named in their applications. If the references are OK, we ask the candidates to come back for more interviews. Finally, we offer the job to someone, and if they turn it down we have to think again. If they accept it, we hire them. We only appoint someone if we find the right person.”

Exercise 205

Now divide the words into two groups:

1. what a company personnel department does.

2. what a person looking for work does.

Exercise 206

Replace the underlined phrases with correct forms of words and expressions.

Fred had already (1) refused two job offers when he went for (2) a discussion to see if he was suitable for the job. They looked at his driving license and contacted (3) previous employers Fred (5) had mentioned in his application. A few days later, the supermarket (4) asked him if he would like the job and Fred (5) said yes.

Harry didn’t hear anything for six weeks, so he phoned the company. They told him that they had received a lot of (6) requests for the job. After looking at the (7) life stories of the (8) people asking for the job and looking at (9) what exams they had passed during their education, the company (10) had chosen six people to interview, done tests on their personality and intelligence and they had then given someone the job.

LESSON 21 УРОК 21

THE PERFECT INTERVIEW ИДЕАЛЬНОЕ СОБЕСЕДОВАНИЕ

Active vocabulary

Nouns

1. CV - краткая биография

2. chat - беседа, болтовня

3. panel - персонал, участник дискуссии

4. code - устав, свод моральн. правил

5. mac - макинтош

6. outsider - любитель, профан

7. point of view - точка зрения

Verbs

8. lean - наклоняться

9. slump - тяжело опускаться

10. feel anxious - волноваться

11. conduct - проводить

12. hold a position - занимать должность

13. dress the part - одеваться к месту

14. consider an offer - рассмотреть предложение

Adjectives

15. timid - робкий

16. cheeky - наглый

17. casual - случайный

18. assertive - уверенный в себе

19. firm - твердый

Adverbs

20. confidently - уверенно

21. on the spot - на месте, сразу

22. in brief - кратко

Exercise 207

Some pieces of advice will help you to bear your job interview successfully.

Investigate: what company is like before you apply for the job.

Are they really the kind of organization you want to work for?

Write an effective CV. Keep it brief and simple – a badly written one will loose you the job before you get to the interview stage.

Discover as much as you can about the interview. This means finding out exactly who will be conducting the interview, what position they hold, and whether it’s an informal chat or a formal interview, possibly in front of a whole panel of interviewers.

Dress the part. Even if the job is in a modern company where the code is casual, you should dress formally for the interview – a suit is always safe. Never keep your overcoat or mac on during the interview – this will make you an outsider from the start. If possible take it off outside the interview room.

Think positively and confidently about yourself. From the moment you decide to apply for the job think about (and write down) all qualities you have to offer the company as well as the reasons you would suit the job. Use the interview to discover as much about the job as possible. Even if they offer it to you on the spot ask for some time to consider their offer. Is it right for you and them?

Be aware of your body language. Most interviewers don’t realize it but they are influenced by your body language the moment you walk into the room. Be assertive, smile, look the interviewer in the eye, and give a firm handshake. Don’t lean too far over the desk or slump in the chair with your arms crossed. Practice your “entrance” at home with a friend so you feel comfortable.

Keep balance of power throughout the interview. From a psychologist’s point of view this is what interviews are all about! Don’t be too timid or allow the interviewer to dominate you because an interview is a two-way process, and you are to decide whether you want the job. It’s as important for you to ask questions about your potential job as it is for the interviewer to question you. But don’t be over-confident and cheeky. No one likes a “difficult” candidate however good your qualifications are.

Keep calm before and during the interview. Three-quarters of people feel anxious about job interviews and their nervousness often lets them down. The key is to learn interview skills which are important as job skills, and control your nerves. Remember the interviewer may be nervous as well.