Imagine you have been invited for an interview. Here are some typical questions you can be asked. Think them over beforehand and prepare your answers .

1. Say a few words about yourself.

2. Why did you apply for this job?

3. What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are?

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

5. What has been your most valuable work experience?

6. How would you describe your personality?

7. When did you last lose your temper? Describe what happened?

8. What is more important to you: status or money?

9. What do you consider a fair salary?

10. How long do you think you’d stay with us if you were employed?

11. What don’t you like about your current position?

12. Why do you want to leave your present job?

13. What makes you think you’d enjoy working for us?

14. Are you an ambitious person?

15. What are you most proud of having done in your present job?

16. What was the worst problem you have had in your present job and you solved it?

17. What is your worst fault and what is your best quality?

18. Don’t you think you’re a bit young/old for this job?

19. What are your long-term goals?

20. Describe your ideal boss.

21. How would you rate your present boss?

22. How do you feel about business trips?

23. How good are your computer skills?

24. What are your language skills like?

25. Do you have any questions?

 

Role-play.

Fill in the forms below with information about a fictitious person or fictitious job. Act either an employer or an employee. Mingle with other students and interview or be interviewed for the job. Job applicants should try to find jobs and employers should find appropriate employees. The employers must hire someone, even if no candidate is ideal.

Job Description

Name of company   Position offered   Salary   Job responsibilities   Qualifications required   Experience required   Further comments  

Sample questions for employers:

- What is your qualification? / What qualification have you got?

- Have you got any work experience (in this field)?

- How long have you worked for your previous employer?

- What were your responsibilities in your previous job?

- Do you have any references from your previous employers?

Curriculum Vitae
Name
Date of birth
Address
Telephone
Marital status
Education and qualifications
Work Experience
From:	To:	From:	To:
Employer:		Employer:
Responsibilities:		Responsibilities:
Interests:
References:

 

Sample questions for applicants:

- What are the responsibilities in this job?

- What qualifications are required for this job?

- What positions are vacant in your company?

- What is the salary? / How much will I get in this job/position?

- Do I need to have any experience?

 

Discuss the following questions.

1. If you could choose any job in the world, what would you choose? Why?

2. Can you think of any jobs that you would particularly hate to do? Why?

3. Which of the following statements do you agree with?

- Men and women are both equally capable of doing any job.

- There are a number of jobs that women are naturally better suited to than men.

- There are a number of jobs that men are naturally better suited to than women.

1. Look at these factors to do with the quality of a job. Which do you think are very important, quite important, not very important or not important at all? Put the factors in order of priority for you starting with the most important one. Compare with other students.

- level of stress

- hours/ flexible working hours

- how much responsibility you have

- your colleagues

- how much holiday you get

- physical conditions of the work place

- salary

- how much variety there is

- opportunity to be creative and innovative

- good relation with boss

- job security

- travelling distance (from home to work)

 

 

APPLYING - FOR - A - JOB CORRESPONDENCE

Study the information concerning applying-for-a-job correspondence. Pay special attention to ready-to-use model sentences for your letters.

Letters of application

Opening

Generally, the terms vacancy, post, or appointment are used instead of the word job in applications. When replying to a job advertisement, as with most correspondence, it is best simply to state what you are doing, and give a date or reference.

- I would like to apply for the post of Programmer advertised in this month's edition of Computers.

- I am writing concerning your advertisement in the Guardian of 12 May for a bilingual secretary to work in your Export Department.

- I am answering your advertisement for the post of bank trainee, which appeared in yesterday’s Times.

If the advertisement is not clear about how you should apply for the job, it is better to phone the Personnel Department of the company to find out.

Remember to quote any reference numbers or job titles that are mentioned in the advertisement.

For unsolicited applications, i.e. applying for a job which has not been advertised, you can open like this:

- I am writing to ask if you might have a vacancy in your    ______department for a(n) administrative assistant /salesperson / accounts clerk.

If someone associated with the company suggested that you write to them, mention this in your opening.

- I was recommended by _______  , who is currently working in your company / who has had a long association with your company / who is one of your suppliers, to contact you concerning a possible post in your _______Department.