DUE50032

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH 3

Job Interview
WITH TEACHER AWEEN
What do you know
about job
interview?
 TOP 4 REASONS lack passion for the job you
applied for
WHY PEOPLE
ARE NOT HIRED
under qualified for the job

being too nervous or being too

rehearsed for the interview

didn't research the company

Preparing for
Job Interview
 HOW TO
ANSWER ...
Tell me about yourself
Tell me about What you should do:

yourself
give an overview of your CV, including a
summary of your diploma with any key skills
learnt, what you’ve been up to since, and what
has brought you to the point of wanting this
How would you explain graduate job.
yourself to us?
when asked to tell the interviewer about
Could you give me a quick yourself, keep in mind the most important
overview of who you are qualities for the job from your employer job
and what you have done to advertisement
date?
Highlight your key strengths and
Can you please introduce achievements
yourself?
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
(sample answer) As well as being part of the marketing society
at PMM, I also write a blog in my spare time,
educating people about ways in which social
"I'm Alia from Melaka, I studied Marketing media can be used effectively. Juggling this
at Politeknik Merlimau, Melaka and have with my university work has strengthened
recently graduated with a 3.82 pointers. my organisation skills, I always plan my
week's work in advance, prioritising tasks to
ensure that I work efficiently to complete
I am keen to pursue a career in digital everything on time.
marketing, having completed my final
year project on 'The Impact of Digital I love maths and have a very analytical
Marketing on Businesses Today', for mindset. I think I would really enjoy the job
which I analysed the digital marketing role and I believe I could bring significant
strategies of 10 businesses, giving me a value to your team; it's always easy to
sound understanding of key digital market something you're passionate
marketing tools and the importance of about!"
getting your strategy right.
Why do you want to work
for us?
 exciting company to work for

Why do you
"I have always had a keen interest in the technology sector and
when I saw the job role advertised online, I was excited at the

want to
prospect of working for a top tech brand that's leading the
future of the industry. You have a very impressive portfolio of
high-tech software and big clients, and having worked in sales

work for
for 2 years now I am confident that I can help to grow this
portfolio and become a strong asset to your team!”

us? high employee satisfaction

(sample answer)
“I have read a lot about your company and I would welcome
the opportunity to work in an organisation that has a
reputation for high employee satisfaction, encouraging
professional and personal development for staff. I have already
received a great deal of training from my previous job roles
and continually learning new skills is something that is really
important to me”
 high quality service

Why do you “Something that is very important to me is working for a

want to
company that I can be truly proud of. You are obviously a very
reputable brand, with a huge network of satisfied customers and
your online reviews really reflect this. It would be amazing to be

work for
a part of this and have the opportunity to bring my previous
experience in customer service, to continue to improve the

us?
quality of your already fantastic service!”

friend works here

(sample answer) “I heard about your company a while ago, as I have a friend
that works in the marketing department. I only ever hear good
things about how you treat staff and how quickly you have
grown with the new initiatives you get involved in. It sounds like
a very exciting time to join your company; I think would fit well
in the team and I have some ideas of my own that I would like
to bring.”
What are your greatest
strengths?
 What are your greatest
strengths?
1 Enthusiastic,
Money driven
- 100orpoints
passionate 6 Teamwork
Travel tickets - 50 points

2 Phone
Committed, - 90 points
dedicated or hard working 7 Patient
Jewelryor- disciplined
40 points

3 Creative and ability to -think

Computer 80 of innovative ideas
points 8 Books
Focused, able to-work
30 points
under pressure

4 Video Game -and

Trustworthy 70 honest
points 9 Clothes
Communication - 20
and points
interpersonal skills

5 Reliable -or60
Camera punctual
points 10 Headset - 10
Customer points
service
 What are your greatest
strengths?
11 Positive and ability
Money - 100topoints
motivate team 16 Travel tickets
Problem - 50 points
Solving skills

12 Phone - 90
Versatile or points
flexible 17 AbilityJewelry - 40
to work points
independently

13 Computer - 80 points
Fast learner 18 Books - 30 points
Respectful

14 Time
Videomanagement skills
Game - 70 points 19 Clothes - 20 points
Entrepreneurial skills

15 Confident Camera
and not- afraid
60 points
to take risks 20 Headset
Ability to adapt - 10 points
to different challenges and roles
 What is "I would say my greatest strength is my ability to pick

your
things up very quickly, I am a fast learner and very keen
to acquire new skills.

greatest
This has meant that I have always been very willing to
take on extra responsibilities as I see it as an opportunity
to learn more.

strength?

Throughout University I have taken on many additional

roles including becoming a mentor, writing weekly
articles for the University newspaper as well as
volunteering to help at various open days and events

(sample answer)
held on campus.

This has helped to build my confidence and strengthen

my communication and time management skills."
What are your greatest
weaknesses?
 What are your greatest
weaknesses?
1 Money
Sensitive-or100 points
self-critical 6 Travel
Trytickets
to please-everyone
50 points

Shy and do not enjoy doing presentations or public

2 Phonespeaking
- 90 points 7 Take on too Jewelry - 40 points
much responsibility, resulting in stress

3 Computer -with
Uncomfortable 80risk
points
taking 8 Books - 30
Procrastination or points
lack of focus

4 Video Gameor
Disorganised - 70 points
forgetful 9 Clothes
Limited experience in a-certain
20 points
skill or software

5 Camera - 60 points
Impatient 10 GetHeadset - 10
embarrassed points
to ask for help
 What are your greatest
weaknesses?
1 Money - 100 points
Too detail-focused 6 StruggleTravel tickets
to verbally - 50 points
communicate with enthusiasm

2 Struggle to Phone
maintain - 90 points
a healthy work-life balance 7 Jewelry
Do not have an-analytical
40 points mindset

3 Computer - 80 points
Dislike any confrontation 8 Books
Poor - 30 points
attention to detail

4 Video Game
Struggle with-creativity
70 points 9 Clothes
Take too- many
20 points
risks

5 Camera
Written - 60 below
communication points
average 10 Headset
Being too critical of-other
10 points
people’s work
 I can be quite forgetful

What is "One of my weaknesses is that I can be quite

forgetful at times. Particularly when I am

your
required to juggle multiple tasks, I have noticed
that if I am asked to do something, if I do not
write it down straight away then I will forget to

greatest
do it.

weakness?
I therefore began to make a conscious effort to
write everything down, even the smallest of
tasks.

(sample answer)
Since I started writing everything down and
making more ‘to do’ lists, I have noticed that I
have become more organised and it has enabled
me to prioritise tasks more effectively – I
haven’t missed a deadline since!"
 I focus too much on the details

What is
your
“My greatest weakness is that I sometimes focus too
much on the details of a project and spend too much time
analyzing the finer points.

greatest I’ve been striving to improve in this area by checking in

weakness?
with myself at regular intervals and giving myself a
chance to refocus on the bigger picture. That way I can
still ensure quality without getting so caught up in the

(sample answer) details that it affects my productivity or the team’s

ability to meet the deadline.”
 I have trouble saying “no”

What is
your
“My greatest weakness is that I sometimes have trouble
saying ‘no’ to requests and end up taking on more than I

greatest
can handle. In the past, this has led me to feel stressed or
burnt out.

weakness? To help myself improve in this area, I use a project

management app so I can visualize how much work I have
at any given moment and know whether or not I have the

(sample answer) bandwidth to take on more.”

 Sounding like you're bragging
There is nothing worse than coming across as arrogant in an interview, so don't lie
or exaggerate your strengths and abilities. On the other hand, it is also important
not to be too humble and modest, you need to get the balance right as you are still
trying to sell yourself at the end of the day!

What to avoid when Dwelling on your weaknesses

answering the You need to avoid being too critical of yourself or describing a weakness
that sets off a red flag to the interviewer! As a general tip, try to stay
strengths and positive even when answering a more negative question.

weaknesses interview Claiming you don't have any

strengths and/or weaknesses
question? Not only does this not answer the question but it also suggests a real lack
of self-awareness and will make you seem unprepared for the interview.
Try to think of 3-5 really well thought out strengths and weaknesses, with
examples of each.

Giving irrelevant answers

answers like 'i'm really good at doing the washing up' would not be
appropriate - unless you are applying for a role as a pot washer!
Why should we hire you?

 Why do employers ask the interview question

"why should we hire you"?

1 2 3

To see what To see how much To see whether

makes you you know about you are confident
in your skills
unique the role

 communication skills

"I think you should hire me because of my second-

Why should
to-none communication skills.

we hire
Throughout my studies, I have acted as a peer
mentor, I became a Tourism Ambassador and I am
used to presenting regularly to a large group of

you?
people, as I have been part of the Debating
Society for the past year for which I am
required to stand up and present to the group
every week.

(sample answer)
I am keen to continue to develop these skills
further which is another reason why I was
originally drawn to this job role."

 teamwork

"I believe I would be a

great fit for the role

Why should
because I work well as part of a team.

we hire
I have also worked on group projects at
polytechnic, raising money for charities by
organising fundraising events. Whilst I work

you?
efficiently within a group, I have also proven
from my grades for individual assignments that I
can also work well independently using my own
initiative.

(sample answer)
These are both very important attributes in a
work environment and I think these skills would
enable me to be a good fit culturally within your
company."

 time management

"Based on the research I have done prior to the

Why should
interview, and from what you've said today, you

with excellent time
are looking for an individual

we hire
management skills.

Not only did I organise multiple events requiring

you?
critical timing throughout University, but during
my summer work placement, I worked across two
different teams and had two managers to report
to.

(sample answer)
This strengthened my time management skills
significantly, as I had to organise my workload by
prioritising tasks, to ensure that I completed
activities for each manager within the specific
deadlines."

Any Questions?
SEE YOU NEXT TIME