Preparing for the job interview

1. Dressing For a Job Interview

Appearance counts whether we like it or not. It's the first thing people notice about us. That is why how you dress for a job interview is so important. You don't want your appearance to take away from your performance or from what you can bring to the job.

Dress appropriately for your line of work. If those working in your field wear suits, then that is what you should wear to a job interview. Even if the typical work attire is slightly less casual than that, you should still wear a suit for the interview. However, if very casual dress, for example jeans, is the norm, wearing a suit will make you seem out of place. Still, you should get a little more dressed up and wear something nicer than what you would wear for a day at work. Still unsure about what to wear? Stake out the employer's front entrance a few days before your interview to see what people are wearing to work.

Good grooming is essential. Your hair should be neat and stylish. Your nails should be well manicured and clean. Men's nails should be short. Women's nails should be of a reasonable length and polished in a neutral color. Women shouldn't be heavily made up. Avoid perfume or cologne since people find certain scents offensive.

2. Establish Rapport on a Job Interview

Your resume tells a prospective employer about the skills you will bring to his or her company. You obviously have those skills or you wouldn't be going on the job interview. Now the interviewer must make sure you are a good fit for the job. Will your personality mesh well with his or her other employers? Will he or she like working with you? You obviously want the interviewer to relate well to you. You must establish rapport with him or her (or they, if it is a panel interview). Doing that begins the instant you walk in the door. Let the interviewer set the tone. For example, wait for him or her to extend his hand for a handshake, but be ready to offer your hand immediately. Some experts suggest talking at the same rate and tone as the interviewer. For example, if the interviewer is speaking softly, so should you.

3. Body Language

Body language gives more away about you than what you say. Making eye contact is very important but make sure it looks natural. A smiling, relaxed face is very inviting. Hands resting casually in your lap rather than arms folded across your chest also is more inviting. If you normally move your hands around a lot when you speak, tone it down some. You don't want to look too stiff, but you don't want to look like you're a bundle of nervous energy.

4. Answering Interview Questions

When answering questions, speak slowly and clearly. Pause slightly before you answer a question. Your answers will seem less rehearsed and it will give you a chance to collect your thoughts. Keep in mind that a very brief pause may seem like an eternity to you. It's not.

Prepare answers to some basic questions. Use the list of attributes you put together earlier. There are several books on the market that list questions and sample answers.

5. Asking Questions

When he or she is finishing questioning you, the interviewer will probably ask if you have any questions. You should have some ready. As in every other aspect of the job search, you want to demonstrate how you can fill the employer's needs. Ask about a typical day on the job or special projects you would be involved in. Also ask questions that will help you learn more about the employer and will let the interviewer know you are interested in working there. Use what you learned about the company through your research as a stepping off point. Don't ask about salary, benefits, or vacations, as those all imply "what will you, the employer, do for me?"

Exercise 3. Give English equivalents to the following words.

ставити питання	задавать вопросы
відповідати на питання	отвечать на вопросы
зовнішність	внешность
співбесіди	собеседование
результати роботи	результаты работы
одяг	одежда
встановити взаєморозуміння	установить взаимопонимание
інтерв'юер	интервьюер
бути придатним для роботи	подходить на данную должность
співбесіда, що проводиться декількома людьми одночасно	собеседование, которое проводиться несколькими людьми одновременно

Exercise 4. We often express a negative idea by using not very + (positive equivalent):

The results were bad. - The results weren't very good.

Change these in the same way:

1. Their machinery is old-fashioned. …………………………………….

2. Their order processing is slow. …………………………………….

3. The catalogue is very dull. …………………………………….

4. We got rather a cool reception. …………………………………….

5. We are dissatisfied with the service we have received so far. …………………………………….

6. We're unhappy with some of the terms of the proposed agreement. …………………………………….

You will need to change these in a similar, but not exactly the same, way:

7. We made very little money on the deal. …………………………………….

8. He takes no interest in what we do. …………………………………….

9. There's no alternative, (many other options) …………………………………….

10. There's nothing we can do about it. …………………………………….

Exercise 5. All of the words in the list below are among the most common 200 words in English. Use them to complete the sentences:

little work make must same

another each again without sort

though kind right place against

1. 1 don't think he's the right ………………… of person for this company.

2. He has some good points, ………………… .

3. In the first place, he has done this kind of ………………… before.

4. In fact, he did almost the ………………… job when he was in America.

5. And, don't forget he ………………… be used to the kind of market we deal with.

6. ………………… point in his favour is that he speaks several languages fluently.

7. He might be able to ………………… a useful contribution to our sales team.

8. On the other hand, ………………… of the other candidates has something going for him.

9. They all have the right ………………… of qualifications.

10. He is the only one ………………… direct experience of managing a sales team.

11. Having said that, he has relatively ………………… experience in managing a budget.

12. I think we will need to see each of the candidates individually ………………… .

13. They all have points in their favour and points ………………… .

14. The thing is, we must have the right person in ………………… very soon.

15. Let's hope we make the………………… decision.

Exercise 6. A good way to present a different view in a pleasant way is to say:

NOT June would be better BUT Wouldn't June be better?

It's too early. Isn't it too early?

Now change these in a similar way:

1. We could wait for a few weeks. ………………………………………………..

2. It'd be better to decide immediately. ………………………………………………..

3. We could both take our cars. ………………………………………………..

4. We really should consult the others. ………………………………………………..

5. July would be too late. ………………………………………………..

6. We promised, so we should reply today. ………………………………………………..

7. It'll be quicker to e-mail them. ………………………………………………..

N. We've got to increase our offer. ………………………………………………..

9. We could share costs with them. ………………………………………………..

10. They are expecting an answer by 5 o'clock. ………………………………………………..

Exercise 7. Answer the questions to the text in writing.

1. How should an applicant be dressed for the job interview?

2. What is the role of body language at the interview?

3. Why is asking the questions at the interview important?