Preparing for a Job Interview

…in English!
Mock Interview in English to prepare for
the
real thing!
Definition
A mock interview is a simulation of a job interview used to
coach job applicants for an actual employment interview.
 Purpose:

The 4Ps to Empowerment!

1. Predict interview questions

2. Prepare information to include in the answer
3. Practice answers to communicate effectively in English by exploring grammar
patterns and structures, appropriate terminology and pronunciation
4. Polish up on interview etiquette
 “Acts” of an Interview

Act I: The Entrance

Act II: The Performance

Act III: The Exit

 Act I: The Entrance

The Art of Meeting and Greeting

I: Hi, welcome!
C: Thank you!

I: Hello. What is your name?

C: Good morning, Mr/Mrs/Ms/Professor Smith.
My name is John Doe. It’s a pleasure/ Nice/Pleased to meet you.
I: Hi. Nice to meet you, too. Thank you for
coming.
C: Thank you for having me.

I: How are you, today?

C: I’m very well, thank you. And you?
I: Fine, thanks. Would you like a cup of coffee or something
to drink before webegin?
C: No, thanks. I’m fine.
I: Ok, then. Let’s get started.
Act II: The Performance

Core of the Interview

 Question Categories
A. Introductory Questions (questions 1-4)

B. Qualifications, Work experience and Career

goals (5-9)
A. Introductory Questions

1. General information

2. Question about your strengths

3. Questions about your weaknesses

4. Questions about hobbies/interests

Sample questions:

• Tell us something about yourself.

• How would you describe yourself?

• Can you talk to us about yourself?

 Sample answer:

My name is Jane Doe. I come from Mexico, but I live/amcurrently living in Italy.

I have a BSc degree in Geology and hold an MSc degree inPhysics. I am currently
working towards a PhD in Geophysics. (I graduated in Geology from the University
of Bari, in 2010)
*Bsc A Bachelor of Science
*Msc Masters of Sciences

My qualifications also include knowledge of petrol researchand 3 years’

experience in geological surveying.
Useful Grammar:

• Present Simple to express permanent situations, habits,routines, facts

• Present Continuous to express temporary situations,actions in course

• Present Perfect Simple/Continuous to express:

– general experiences in the past without detailing whenand where
– experiences which began in the past, but are still incourse
(unfinished actions)
• Past Simple to describe finished actions in the past at agiven, specific, or
implied moment and place.
 1. Question about your strengths
Sample questions:

• What are/would you consider to be yourgreatest

strengths?

• What would you say your strongest assetsare?

• What are your most positive aspects?

Include 3-4 positive character traits:

adaptable trustworthy
flexible honest
hard-working persistent
reliable determined
friendly tolerant
loyal open-minded
Include 3-4 proficiency traits:

achiever expert
initiator detail-oriented
mediator team-player
quick-learner problem-solver
Leader competent
efficient multi-tasker
Sample answers:

I would say I am an honest, reliable, hard-working person. I also

possess a positive outlook towards myprofession and life in general.
People say I am friendly and good at giving advice.

I have very good leadership qualities, as well as

organizational and time management skills, but mygreatest
strengths are my flexibility and ability to effectively handle multiple
projects and meet deadlines.
 Useful patterns:

• I am…
• I have/possess
• My greatest strengths are/include…
• I would (I’d) say I am….
• I would (I’d) define/describe/depict myself as….
• I consider myself to be….
• I think/believe I am…
• People say I am….
 Useful Grammar:

• I am honest. (adjective)

• I am a good listener. (noun)

• I have/possess good managerial skills. (noun)

• I am good at multitasking. (-ing form noun)

• I know how/am able to adapt to new worksituations. (verb)

Verbs:

be, have, possess, manage, perform, be goodat, can+ base verb, be

able to, know how to…
• –ed/past participle form used as adjective:I am results-
oriented/focused/organized.
• -ing form used as adjective:
I am easy-going and hard-working.
• -ing form used as noun:
Developing new work strategies is one of mystrongest abilities.
Nouns to define your traits:
I’m a good multi-tasker.

Adjectives to express traits:

Colleagues say I am friendly and competent.

Adverbs to modify degree:

• For gradables: very, quite, rather, really,exceptionally,
particularly
I can work exceptionally well under pressure.
• For ungradables: really, absolutely
My managerial skills are really amazing.
2. Questions about your weaknesses
Sample questions:

• What are your greatest/strongestweaknesses?

• Which aspects or areas of yourself are youimproving or would

like to improve?
Sample answers:
I am always working on improving my communications skills
to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters
which I find very helpful.

Sometimes, I have trouble delegating duties to others. I’ve

since taken courses intime management and learned more
effective delegation techniques.
Useful Grammar

Linking words for contrasting:

• but, however, while, whereas,nevertheless
I am a little shy, but I am taking a recitalcourse to improve my
confidence.
3. Questions about hobbies/interests

Sample questions:

• What are your hobbies/interests?

• Do you practice any sports?

• What do you do in your free/leisure time?

• Do you belong to any clubs or associations?

• Do you do any volunteer work?

Sample answer:
Well, I really enjoy travelling because it gives me an opportunity to
appreciate new cultures. In the evenings,I unwind by playing the
piano.

I am also keen on speed-walking and playing volleyballwith friends.

I’m a member of the Rotary Club International where Iput forth my

professional aptitudes to serve others.
Useful Grammar:
Verbs to express:
• interests: like, love, enjoy, be fond of, bepassionate about, be
keen on, be interested in, be active in
• sports: practice/do/play
• musical instruments: play

Nouns to express activities:

• -ing form: swimming, cycling, cooking…
B. Questions about qualifications, work experience
and career goals
• Questions about the job you are applying for

• Question about hiring you

• Question about what you know about the company

• Questions about current and past work experience

• Questions about career goals

5. Questions about the job you are
applying for

Sample questions:

• Why are you interested in working here?

• Why have you applied for this post?

• What do you expect from this job?

Sample answer:

It would be a privilege to work in a reputable company such as

yours. When I read about the opening, I found that my skills
and qualifications matched the requirements, and I could make
use of theexperience gained in the past 5 years.
Furthermore, I believe your company will allow me to grow
both professionally andas a person.
Useful Grammar:

Verbs:
• be interested(in)/attracted (by)

Linking words to give reason:

• because, as, since, for
6. Question about hiring you
Sample questions:
• Why should we hire you?

• Give us a good reason for taking you on.

• Why do you think you are the best personfor this position?
Sample answers:

• I think I am a great match for this position. My degree in Maths

coupled with 3 years of experience working in the field of
computational analysis helped me to improve productivity by 30%. I
believe I can do the same for yourorganization and would be a great
addition to your team.

• As I am a fresher, I have theoretical knowledge, but I can work hard

and learn the practical aspects quickly. Moreover, I will make a great
effort to fulfill my duties andresponsibilities and contribute to the good
progress of theorganization.
Useful Grammar:

Conditional form and sentences to project how you see yourself in the company:
(first conditional) If I am hired, I will contribute significantly to the progressof your
company.
(second conditional) If I were hired, I would make a great effort to learn quickly.

Linking forms to state opinions:

• I believe/think that I….
• In my opinion, …
• In my experience…
• I’d say that…
• I have no doubt that…
• I am sure/confident that…
7. Questions about what YOU knowabout the
company
Sample questions:

• What do you know about our company?

• Are you familiar with our company’s currentprojects and future

prospects?
Sample answer:

I know it is one of the fastest growing companiesin Europe and has

many branches in different countries. The work environment is
pleasant andpeople feel proud to be a part of the company.

I have read it provides full support to its employees on a professional

front and offers many career growing opportunities. I know it is
currently working on a large-scale project in Bahrain and that its major
competitor is SA GeoSci.
Useful grammar:

Superlative and comparative forms for

comparing/contrasting:

I know it is one of the most successful companiesin Europe with

greater appeal to young prospective employees than other similar
firms.
 8. Questions about current and past work
experience

Sample questions (current employment):

• Who is your current employer?

• What are your duties and responsibilities?

• Why are you leaving your current job?

 Sample answer:

I am currently employed at SA GeoSci and have been working for them for
the last four years. I have received great training and education there. I
have been entrusted with international job assignments and a 10 member
team staff.

However, I feel that the time is right for me to transition the outstanding
skills and experience I have obtained there to a different job market, and
Iam confident I can bring these same skills to your organization.
Useful Grammar:

• Present Continuous to express currentemployment.

• Present Perfect Simple/Continuous to express past

experience which has resultsin the present or is still in course.
Sample questions (past employment):
• Have you worked for a similar companybefore?
• Tell us something about your previousemployer(s)?
• What were your duties and responsibilities?
• How long did you work for them?
• What major challenges did you face?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What did you like and dislike about yourformer employment?
Sample answer:

I (have) worked for 3 years with the Saudi Arabia Gas Company where I
am/was Surveying Director and am/was responsible for/in charge of conducting
research on potential petrol reservoirs.

The average work-week consists(ed) of 38 hours, but I oftenput in extra hours to

complete assignments and meet deadlines.

I enjoy(ed) this job quite a lot and my employer treats/ed staff with respect and
always rewards/ed accomplishments.

However, I now feel it is time for me to move on and acquire further work
experience in different fields (or: I was laid off/ made redundant because the
company relocated/ downsized/ needed to cut costs.
 Useful Grammar:

• Present Perfect to describe work experience which began in

the past, but isstill in course
• Past Simple to describe past workexperience no
longer in course (where/when you worked)
• Present Simple to describe work routinesand current
employment
9. Questions about career goals

Sample questions:

• Where do you see yourself five years fromnow/in five years’

time?

• What are your career goals?

• How do plan to achieve your career goals?

Sample answer:

Within 5 years, I would like to become the very best geologist your
company has on staff. I want to work towards becoming theexpert
that others rely on.
Hopefully, this will allow me to take on greater responsibilities with
the company if the opportunity arises. I am also working towards
additional certifications in the fieldto enhance my career prospects.
 Useful grammar:

• Conditional Form to express future aspirations:I would like to become

Surveying Director.

• Future Simple to express future aspirations:

I hope I will hold a high-ranking position in thecompany.

• Present Continuous to express what you arecurrently doing to

achieve those goals:
I am currently taking extra field-related coursesto enhance my
professional credentials.
Patterns:

• In the future, I would like to…

• Hopefully, I will…
• I hope to…
• My dream is to…
• My aspirations are/include….
 Act III: The Exit Thanking

and Taking Leave

A. Your questions about the job and
company

B. Thanking and asking about next steps

A. Your questions about the job and company
Sample questions:

Interviewer:

• Do you have any questions for us?

• Is there anything you’d like to know aboutus?
Candidate (prepare 4/5 questions):

• How would you describe the company’smanagement

style?

• Is this a new position?

• What would my duties include?

• Is travel expected in this job position?

• What are the prospects for growth andadvancement?

 B. Thanking and asking about the next steps

1. At the end of the interview

• Thank the interviewers for their time.

• Ask about the next steps and when you canexpect a response
from them.
Sample answers:

I would like to thank you for having given me theopportunity to

participate in this job interview and for making me feel at ease. I
have found theexperience constructive and very interesting.

When do you expect you will notify selectedcandidates?

If I am/were offered the job, when will/would Istart?

Job Interview in English “Tips

and Tricks”
• use semi-formal/formal tone- no chatty, slanglanguage—use
conditional form

• keep the language positive- avoid negative talk and forms--- no I’m
not/haven’t/don’t/didn’t, never…

• videotape yourself and re-listen to your Englishexposition: if

necessary, make corrections

• if you haven’t understood a question, say:

– Pardon? I beg your pardon?
– Could you kindly repeat that please?
– Would you mind repeating the question please?
• Use fillers to connect your ideas:
Well,…
Certainly,…
I mean/What I mean is…That is (to
say)…
As a matter of fact, …
Actually,…
To be honest, … Quite
frankly, … In other
words, …
 Post Interview
• analyze the answers you gave in the interview and improve any
weak languageareas

• create a personal syllabus in English

• (snail) mail a thank-you note

Remember manners and respect, and
the magic words:

Please and Thank you!