Period 1 1.1 Interviewing Skills (DOPP) B1/B1+

Interviewing Skills

Discussion: How do you think an interview should be? How was your lastest interview? Which common topics do you think should always be touched in an interview?

Interviewing Skills Lesson

Useful Expressions and Phrases

  1. Opening the Interview:

    • “Thank you for having me today.”
    • “I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application.”
  2. Describing Yourself:

    • “I am a dedicated and results-oriented professional with X years of experience in [industry].”
    • “I have a strong background in [skill/field], which I developed through [specific experience].”
  3. Discussing Strengths:

    • “One of my key strengths is my ability to [specific skill], which has helped me to [specific achievement].”
    • “I am particularly skilled in [area], and this has enabled me to [outcome].”
  4. Addressing Weaknesses:

    • “I am aware that [specific area] is a weakness, but I am working on improving it by [specific action].”
    • “While I have had challenges with [weakness], I have been actively seeking feedback to develop this area.”
  5. Explaining Experience and Qualifications:

    • “In my previous role at [company], I was responsible for [task/responsibility], where I successfully [achievement].”
    • “I hold a [degree/certification] in [field], which has provided me with a solid foundation in [area].”
  6. Discussing Achievements:

    • “One of my significant achievements was [specific achievement], which involved [specific actions and results].”
    • “I successfully led a project to [project goal], resulting in [positive outcome].”
  7. Explaining Why You Want the Job:

    • “I am particularly interested in this position because [reason related to company/role].”
    • “Your company’s commitment to [specific value/mission] resonates with my personal and professional values.”
  8. Future Goals:

    • “In the next five years, I aim to [specific goal], and I see this role as an integral part of that path.”
    • “I am looking for a position where I can continue to grow and develop my skills in [specific area].”
  9. Closing the Interview:

    • “Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to [company].”
    • “Do you have any further questions for me about my qualifications or experience?”

Key Vocabulary

  1. Personal Qualities:

    • Ambitious
    • Reliable
    • Proactive
    • Detail-oriented
    • Creative
    • Adaptable
  2. Skills:

    • Analytical skills
    • Communication skills
    • Teamwork
    • Leadership
    • Problem-solving
    • Time management
  3. Job-Specific Terms:

    • Industry-specific terminology (e.g., KPIs, CRM, Agile methodologies)
    • Technical skills (e.g., software proficiency, data analysis)
    • Certifications and qualifications (e.g., PMP, CPA)
  4. Action Verbs:

    • Achieved
    • Managed
    • Led
    • Developed
    • Implemented
    • Coordinated

Common Phrases

  1. Discussing Responsibilities:

    • “I was in charge of [task/responsibility].”
    • “My main duties included [tasks].”
  2. Explaining Problem-Solving:

    • “I identified the issue by [method] and addressed it by [solution].”
    • “To overcome this challenge, I [action taken], which resulted in [outcome].”
  3. Talking About Teamwork:

    • “I collaborated with my team to [goal], ensuring we [outcome].”
    • “Working with a diverse team taught me [lesson/skill].”
  4. Leadership and Management:

    • “I led a team of [number] people to achieve [goal].”
    • “As a manager, I focused on [specific aspect of management].”

Reading and Comprehension: Read the text and aswer the questions:

John’s job interview:

John had been preparing for his job interview at Tech Innovators for weeks. As a dedicated and results-oriented professional with five years of experience in software development, he felt confident but still a bit nervous. He started the interview by saying, “Thank you for having me today. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application.”

The interviewer began with, “Tell me about yourself.” John replied, “I am a detail-oriented and proactive software developer with a strong background in coding and problem-solving. One of my key strengths is my ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.”

When asked about his weaknesses, John responded, “I am aware that public speaking is a weakness, but I am working on improving it by attending workshops and seeking feedback.”

John highlighted his achievements by saying, “In my previous role at Innovate Solutions, I developed a new system that increased efficiency by 30%. Additionally, I led a team to implement a complex project successfully.”

The interviewer then asked why he wanted to work at Tech Innovators. John explained, “I am particularly interested in this position because of your company’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology, which resonates with my professional values.”

When discussing his future goals, John stated, “In the next five years, I aim to further develop my skills in artificial intelligence and take on leadership roles within the company.”

At the end of the interview, John thanked the interviewer, saying, “Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to Tech Innovators.”

Comprehension Questions:

Multiple Choice Questions

True or False: 

Short Answer Questions

  1. How does John start the interview?

  2. What weakness does John mention, and how is he working to improve it?

  3. What achievement did John highlight from his previous role?

  4. What specific skills does John aim to develop in the next five years?