1.4 Naturally Speaking “Job Interview”

1.4.1 These are the most common questions asked in a normal interview with some ideas of how to prepare an answer. Study the table

Tell me about yourself.	This does not mean "Give me your life story". It's your chance to give an overall impression of who you are. Research the company to get an idea of the skills and experience they're looking for, work those into your response. Make sure you concentrate on who you are, your work experience, and relate everything to show that you would be a great candidate for the position.
What were your main responsibilities in your last job?	Be specific and positive about what you did in your current / previous job. Try to relate them to the job you are being interviewed for.
What is your biggest accomplishment?	Give an example that relates to the job you are interviewing for.
What are your greatest strengths / weaknesses?	Your ability to work well under pressure, prioritizing skills, problem-solving skills, professional expertise, leadership skills, team spirit. Be prepared to give real life examples. Be honest about a specific weakness, but show what you are doing to overcome it.
Why do you want to work for this company?	Be positive. Research the organisation and relate what they offer to your long-term ambitions.
Why do you want to leavel your current job? Or Why did you leave your last job?	Never say anything bad about your previous employers. Think about leaving for a positive reason.
When can you start?	Straight away. I need to give x weeks notice.
Do you have any questions.	Yes. Prepare several questions before the interview. You could ask about career / development / training opportunities. Be sure to ask when they'll make their decision.

1.4.2 Dramatize the dialogue “John has a job interview for a Saturday job”

Interviewer: So, you've applied for the Saturday position, right?

John: Yes, I have.

Interviewer: Can you tell me what made you reply to our advertisement?

John: Well, I was looking for a part-time job to help me through college. And I think that I'd be really good at this kind of work.

Interviewer: Do you know exactly what you would be doing as a shop assistant?

John: Well I imagine I would be helping customers, keeping a check on the supplies in the store, and preparing the shop for business.

Interviewer: That about covers it, you would also be responsible for keeping the front of the store tidy. What sort of student do you regard yourself as . . . did you enjoy studying while you were at school?

John: I suppose I'm a reasonable student. I passed all my exams and I enjoy studying subjects that interest me.

Interviewer: Have you any previous work experience?

John: Yes. I worked part-time at a take-away in the summer holidays.

Interviewer: Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the position?

John: Yes. Could you tell me what hours I'd have to work?

Interviewer: We open at 9.00, but you would be expected to arrive at 8.30 and we close at 6.00 pm. You would be able to leave then. I think I have asked you everything I wanted to. Thank you for coming along to the interview.

John: Thank you. When will I know if I have been successful?

Interviewer: We'll be making our decision next Monday, we'll give you a call.

1.4.3 Make up your own dialogue using all the words and expressions you have learnt

1.5 Topic “Men motivated by co-worker salaries” (Listening)

1.5.1 Warm-ups

1.5.1.1 Walk around the class and talk to other students about salaries and wages. Change partners often. After you finish, sit with your original partner(s) and share what you found out

1.5.1.2 In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring

motivation / colleagues / pay packets / peers / rewards / brains / rivals / individual success / the workplace / productivity / jealousy / harmony

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently

1.5.1.3 Have the following fun 2-minute debates. Students A strongly believe in the first argument, students B the second. Change pairs often

a) Workers should get rises every year. Vs. Only if they work very well.

b) Millionaire CEOs get paid too much. Vs. Worth every penny.

c) A country’s leader should get millions. Vs. Public duty is sufficient reward.

d) A 15% pay rise is way too much. Vs. A 50% pay rise is much better.

e) Teachers and nurses get paid too little. Vs. But they don’t make anything.

f) Merit-based rises are better than length of service rises. Vs. No way.

1.5.1.4 With your partner(s), talk about whether you would be motivated by these things in your workplace. Rate them from 10 (= major motivation) to 1 (= couldn’t care less)

money

being better than your colleagues

pleasing your boss

impressing someone you want to date

reaching company targets

breaking departmental records

promotion

making a name for yourself in the company

1.5.1.5 Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word ‘rewards’. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories

1.5.1.6 Student A is the leader of a country. His/her salary is $100,000 a year; Student B is a company CEO. His/her salary is $1,000,000 a year. Is this fair? Role play their conversation. Change partners often. Change partners again and talk about your roles and conversations