Job Interview
Aims：
Getting familiar with typical questions and responses in job interview
Understanding how to impress the interviewer
I. Lead-in
Answer the following questions:
What are the frequently asked questions in job interview?
What are the points that interviewees should pay attention to during the interview?
How can you persuade the interviewer to accept you?
What should the interviewee’s and the interviewer’s tone be?
How to ask the interviewer questions?
II. Speaking Out
Read the following dialogue and act it out.
Apply for a Position of Secretary
Situation: Zheng Ming, a student from Shanghai Teachers’ University, comes to meet Mr. Johnson, Manager of the Human Resources Department of ABC Software Company for an interview at 9 o’clock in the morning.
Zheng: Thank you. I’m pleased to meet you.
Johnson: Now let’s start our talk. Would you mind telling me something about yourself and what you have learned in the university?
Zheng: Of course not. I’m from Jiangsu Province. I’m 22. I have been studying in Shanghai Teachers’ University and I major in English Secretarial Studies.
Johnson: Good morning.
Zheng: Good morning. I’m Zheng Ming. I’m coming here for an interview as you requested.
Johnson: I have been expecting you. I’m manager of the Human Resources Department. Please make yourself comfortable. Take a seat.
Johnson: What subjects have you learned?
Zheng: I have learned many courses such as office management, business English, Public relations, file-keeping, secretary principles, psychology, computer programming, accounting and so on.
Johnson: What about your shorthand skills and typing?
Zheng: I think I’m quite good at both. I can type about 70 words per minute, and take dictation in English at about 100 words per minute.
Johnson: Good. But can you handle office machines?
Zheng: Yes, I can. I once attended a secretary training course. During the course, I learned how to operate a telex machine, photocopier, and fax machine. So I can say I can operate almost all office machines.
Johnson: Your qualifications seem to satisfy our needs, but you don’t have any working experience.
Zheng: That’s true. But I don’t think experience is a problem. I can try my best to put what I have learned into practice.
Johnson: What salary would you hope to get?
Zheng: Its’ up to you. You can make your decision after the experience of my capacity.
Johnson: Well, how about 2,000 yuan a month at the start?
Zheng: I’m quite pleased.
Johnson: When can you begin to work for our company?
Zheng: As soon as possible.
Johnson: Well, I’ll let you have our decision in two days. Thank you for coming. Good luck!
Zheng: Thank you. I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
III. Let’s talk
Look at the following typical interview questions and think about how you will respond to such questions.
Pair work: prepare an interview based on these questions and other possible questions that you can think of (one as interviewer and one as interviewee).
Present the interviews.
Typical questions:
Was there a course that you found particularly challenging?
Why didn’t you participate more in extracurricular activities?
Where do you see yourself five years from now on?
We all have weaknesses. What are some of your major weaknesses?
What are your strengths?
What is your biggest failure?
Tell me about your most difficult work or personal experience.
Give an example of a time when you were asked to accomplish a task but weren’t given enough information. How did you resolve the problem?
How do you manage stress in your daily work?
What personal characteristics add to your effectiveness?
Why do you want to work in this industry?
Tell me what you know about this company?
Why should I hire you?
Tell me about your salary expectations.
Would you be able to work extended hours as necessary to perform the job?
