Topic 1.10.1 Interview Skills
INTERVIEW SKILLS
1.Discussion
- How much experience do you have with job interviews?
- What do you like/don’t you like about job interviews?
- What are the most common mistakes candidates make during job interviews?
- How important is body language in a job interview? Can you provide examples?
- What role does research about the company play in the success of a job interview?
2.Reading
Read the following text about mastering job interview skills and answer the questions below.
Mastering Job Interview Skills: Navigating with Acumen and Empathy
Effective job interview skills go beyond just speaking well—they involve a range of abilities. Candidates who exhibit an astute understanding of the nuances of behavioural interview techniques often stand out. Strong analytical thinking allows them to break down complex questions and respond with clarity and insight, showcasing their proficiency. Additionally, a candidate’s demeanour—marked by empathy and professionalism—can greatly influence the interview’s outcome.
Thorough preparation, such as researching the company and the role, is another key to success. The synergy between this preparation and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges in the moment often sets exceptional candidates apart. Ultimately, while technical skills and qualifications are important, it’s the amalgamation of interpersonal skills and strategic thinking that often determines who emerges triumphant in the competitive world of job interviews.
Confidence also plays a vital role in interview performance. Candidates who exude self-assurance without appearing arrogant leave a lasting impression. This confidence stems from their acumen in understanding their own strengths, articulating past achievements, and approaching questions with a solution-focused mindset. By doing so, they establish rapport with the interviewer and project a sense of reliability and competence—qualities that employers value highly.
Comprehension Questions
3.Vocabulary
4. Practice Exercise
5.Discussion
- Can you describe a situation where you had to rely on your business acumen to make a critical decision? What was the outcome?
- How important do you think a candidate’s demeanour is during a job interview? Can you give an example of how demeanour influenced the result of an interview you participated in or observed?
- Can you share an experience where synergy between team members led to the successful completion of a project? What factors contributed to this effective collaboration?
- In your opinion, how does proficiency in specific skills or areas influence a candidate’s chances of getting hired? Can you provide an example from your experience?
- How can paying attention to the nuances in an interviewer’s body language and tone of voice help you tailor your responses? Can you think of a time when noticing these subtleties made a difference in your communication?
THE INTERVIEW
a.Read the biographical information about Ryan Judd. What do you think his job involves?
Ryan Judd was born in 1976. He had been working as a recruitment advisor in the HR department at Oxford University Press since 2010.
b.Watch Part 1 of an interview with him. Which things does he mention that candidates for a job interview should do?
English File 3e Upper-Int Colloquial English 1 1 23 (youtube.com)
- Arrive on time
- Be enthusiastic about the job
- Ask questions about the job
- Ask questions about the salary
- Include a photograph on the CV
- Write a good cover letter
- Check everything is correct on your CV
- Be prepared for the interview
c.Now watch again.
d.Which three things in b do you think are the most important?
Part 2
a.Watch part 2 of the video. Which three interview situations did he find difficult or surprised him?
English File 3e Upper-Int Colloquial English 1 1 24 (youtube.com)
b.Watch again and answer the questions.
c.Do you agree with Ryan that how a candidate dresses is important?
What would you wear to a job interview?
b.Watch again.
c.How would you answer the two questions in a?
Language
Formal language
Ryan uses several words and expressions that would typically be used in a more formal setting, e.g. a job interview rather than in conversation.
Watch some extracts from the interview and replace the highlighted words or phrases with the more equivalent used by Ryan.
English File 3e Upper-Int Colloquial English 1 1 26 (youtube.com)
- ‘…you’re also looking for them to show experience relevant to the position.’
- ‘During an interview, once it has begun, I will always try to start the interview with some general questions…’
- ‘First thing is, obviously, to make mistakes on their application – um, that’s always seen negatively…’
- ‘…but again, during the interview, when she hadn’t said why she was doing it, it was a bit of a surprise.’
- ‘…you would expect, expect to see suitable shoes. And the same for a, a woman as well…’
- ‘It’s not something that I have direct experience of, but I know about some of the techniques that they use…’
- ‘…I’m not sure if I would have been able to give an immediate answer…’