UNIT 4: JOB INTERVIEWS

WHAT IS JOB INTERVIEWS? 

A formal meeting in which an applicant is asked questions to determine their suitability for a particular job.

THE FIVE TYPES OF INTERVIEW 

1. The Screening Interview
2. The Selection Interview
3. The Stress Interview
4. The Group Interview
5. The Panel Interview.

1. The Screening Interview:  

- This is usually an interview with someone in human resources and it may take place in person or on the telephone. 

Purpose:  to verify the information on your resume to find out if you meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

2. The Selection Interview

Purpose: the employer needs to know if you have the personality necessary to “fit in.”

3. The Stress Interview

The interviewer may also ask weird questions, not to determine what the job candidate answers, but how he or she answers.

Purpose: to weed out those that cannot handle adversity.

4. The Group Interview

- Several job candidates are interviewed at once. 

Purpose: separate the leaders from the followers. “Team player.”

5. The Panel Interview

-The candidate is interviewed by several people at once. 

- Remain calm and establish rapport with each member of the panel. 

-Make eye contact with each member of the panel as you answer his or her question.

1-Preparing for the Interview

Before you begin to think about how you will dress for the interview, or answer questions

1- Gather as much information about the employer 

2- Listing some of your attributes. 
3- Seem somewhat spontaneous, but also appear self-confident
4- Rehearse (train) in front of a video camera. Study your posture, the way you make eye contact, and your body language.

2-Dressing for the Interview (MAH)

1. Match your dress to employees  (casual= daily normal clothes)

2. Avoid perfume or cologne

3. Hair should be neat and stylish and nails should be short.

3-Establishing Rapport 

1. Let the interviewer set the tone. 

2. Wait for the interviewer to offer his or her hand first.

4-Body Language

1. Eye contact is very important, but make sure it looks natural. 

2. A smiling, relaxed face is very inviting.

3. Hands resting casually in your also is more inviting.

5-Answering Questions

1. Speak slowly and clearly. Pause before you answer a question. 

6-Asking Questions

1. You can ask about what special projects you would be working on. 

7-Illegal Questions

1. Marital status, age, and family status. 

8- Money Questions

The candidate shouldn’t bring it up

2. Find out what others in the same position are earning. 

3. Always give a range, not an exact number. 

9-after the Interview

1. It’s the thank you note or follow-up letter.

2. It is your chance to bring up something you forgot to mention.

Some tips relating to your appearance and body language

• Make sure your clothes are clean, but don’t wear obvious logos or designer names.
• Don’t use too much deodorant or perfume!
• Don’t wear too much jewelery. Interviewers don’t usually like rings!
• Wear clothes that are smart, but comfortable
• Arrive well before the interview time.
• Make eye contact with the interviewer when you are introduced.
• Give a firm handshake, and make sure you smile!
• Don’t fidget this will distract the interviewer from what you’re saying.
• Don’t appear over-confident, for example by leaning too far back in your chair, but do try to relax.

Some useful tips on answering interview questions

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

No job is perfect; there’s always something we don’t like. Be honest, but don’t give a list of complaints. The important thing is to talk positively about how you deal with problems at work.

2. Where does your employer think you are today?

Be honest. If you lie to your current employer, you’ll lie to your next employer. Don’t phone in sick on the day of the interview. Take a day’s holiday but don’t say why.

3. What are your professional objectives?

Think about these before the interview. Your objectives should be relevant to the job you have applied for and achievable. If the new job can’t offer you everything you want, the interviewer will think that you probably won’t stay with the company very long.

4. What are your weaknesses?

Be honest; no-one is perfect. Think about this before the interview and choose your answer carefully. Talk about how you deal with a weakness; this is far more important than the weakness itself.

1. Interviewers ask every candidate the same questions.
2. You shouldn’t mention problems with your current job.
3. You should arrange to have a day off for the interview.
4. You should give your personal objectives.
5. Your objectives should suit the position you apply for.
6. You should practice your answers at home.
7. You shouldn’t discuss things you aren’t good at.

EXERCICES + ANSWERS

Exercise 6. Here are some tips relating to your appearance and body language. For each one select the correct missing word from the options below:

Make sure your clothes are clean, but _____wear obvious logos or designer names.

1. do
2. don't
3. must

Don't use _____ much deodorant or perfume!

1. to
2. too
3. two

Don't wear too much jewellery. Interviewers don't _____ like nose rings!

1. never
2. sometimes
3. usually

Wear _____ that are smart, but comfortable.

1. cloths
2. clothes
3. covers

Arrive well ____ the interview time.

1. before
2. after
3. later than

Make eye ______ with the interviewer when you are introduced.

1. contactation
2. contiction
3. contact

Give a firm handshake, and make sure you _____!

1. snarl
2. smile
3. snigger

Don't ____. This will distract the interviewer from what you're saying.

1. fidget
2. figgit
3. fijit

Don't appear over-confident, for example by leaning too far back in your chair, but do try to _____.

1. relax
2. relapse
3. collapse

Unit 4 exercises answers.docx - 20 KB