Module 4 interview and CV

Preparing for a job: CVs and interviews
1.Read and translate the text
Job interview
A job interview is a face-to-face or telephone conversation between a potential employer and a job applicant. The interviewer hopes to find out if the interviewee is suitable for the position, while the prospective employee tries to learn more about the organization and aims to impress the employer.
Generally, a job interview is an extremely important part of the process of recruitment and it can vary fr om a casual conversation to a formal interview panel made up of an assortment of people who cooperate to make a decision on the applicant.
A number of styles and techniques are used in job interviews. Many include behavioural questions, which require candidates to give examples from their past experience and describe how they used specific skills such as communication, customer service and leadership that are relevant. Interviews also include questions about hypothetical and actual situations, such as What would you do if you managed this project? And What is the greatest challenge you have ever faced?
Asking questions diplomatically. There two ways of asking difficult questions in an interview which make them more acceptable. Example: What are your strengths and weaknesses? – What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are?
If you are an interviewer, you can begin a diplomatic questions with What would you say …? , or What/Why do you think …? , as in the examples above.  If you are a candidate, you can begin a diplomatic questions with I would like to know or ask about/if … Could you tell me about …? For example, instead of saying How can I get promotion quickly? , you could say I would like to know about the opportunities for promotion or Could you tell me about the opportunities for promotion? But be careful. Don’t ask questions that would not be acceptable to ask at an interview.
Your CV can put you in a strong position.
Your CV should be: word-processed, laser printed on a good quality paper, no longer than two pages of A4 paper.
You should include:
1.    Personal details. The employee wants to know who you are and how to contact you (essential information only).
2.    Education
3.    Work experience. Don’t just describe the job – stress what you achieved and what you learnt.
4.    Positions of responsibility. If you do not have a lot of work experience, this section will show employers your potential.
5.    Skills. Be positive about your ability – never undersell your experience.
6.    Interests. Stress any significant achievements related to your interests.
7.    Referees. Current students and recent graduates should choose an academic referee and a personal one (this could be an employer). Get your referees’ permission first and tell them what you are applying for and what you would like them to stress in a reference.
A covering letter is sent with a CV and should be sent direct to relevant staff member such as HR-manager or the Office manager. The salutation Dear Sir/Madam is used if the writer does not know the name of the contact in the organization, and the close is Yours faithfully. Ideally, if the writer knows the contact’s name then Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms is a better start, finishing with Yours sincerely.
Good covering letters can make the difference in being successful in a job search. They look more professional than just a CV and they serve as a reference for your contact details, at these must be included in the letter. They are also an opportunity for the job-seeker to put their relevant skills and experience into a written context that is more elaborate than the bulleted details that are briefly covered in a CV.


2.Some collocations, like future career are frequently used in job interviews. Find other common collocations for a job interviews by matching the words 1-7 with the words a-g.
1 career                        a responsibility
2 attracted to                b points
3 make                         c a job
4 interpersonal             d a decision
5 take on                      e skills
6 strong                        f a problem
7 handle                       g prospects

3.Look at these questions and decide whether the interviewer or the candidate asks them. Write I (interviewer) and C (candidate) next to each one.
1.    How much money do you want to earn?
2.    Are there any opportunities for training?
3.    What will I have to do in the first three months if I get the job?
4.    What was the most difficult situation you have ever handled?
5.    Why should we hire you?
6.    How is the department organized?
7.    Will I be able to work at the front desk?
4.Now make the questions more diplomatic by changing them into indirect questions. Sometimes you need to change some other words in the questions too, e.g. get promotion quickly – opportunities for promotion.

5.In the body of covering letter highlight your key skills and achievements and tell the employers how you will contribute to the organization. Use positive action verbs, such as: achieve, build, develop, contribute to, acquire, lead, manage, gain, implement.
Underline the correct verb to complete these sentences.
1.    In my current position, I have achieved / gained / led good computer skills.
2.    During my studies, I acquired / managed / implemented a wide-ranging knowledge of HR-management.
3.    In my previous position as team leader, I contributed to / managed / implemented a team of five administrative assistants who reported to me.
4.    As assistant manager, I was responsible for acquiring / leading / implementing the strategies developed by the management team.
5.    Graduating at the top of my class, I achieved / built / contributed to one of the highest marks on my final project.
6.    As a student I regularly built / managed / contributed to the university magazine.
7.    My work in this area has allowed me to contribute to / built / lead the skills needed to the job.

6.Put the following in the order they usually occur in the main body of a covering letter.
A you address and contact details
B your name
C when you are available for an interview
D what your qualifications are
E your employment history
F your personality
G the position you are applying for
H wh ere you saw the advertisement
I why you are interested in the job

8.    What would your ideal job or workplace look like? Think about things like:
-    Flexible working hours and the possibility of working at home
-    Career prospects
-    Opportunities for training and taking time out of work for further education
-    Rewards and fringe benefits (Are bonuses or things like having a company car important for you?)
-    Working in a team versus working independently
-    Social events at work