Reading: Something went wrong in the interview Having interviewed an applicant for a job, the personnel manager of a big computer firm writes an e-mail to the editor of the company magazine. a) Read the e-mail and underline the parts that explain why the applicant made a bad impression. New assistant Hi Sue, Sorry to tell you I still haven’t found you a new assistant yet. The applicant this morning wasn’t suitable at all. I don’t know whether he realised he was late, but he didn’t apologise when he came into the room or even say “Good morning!”. He just sat down and put a smile on his face that never left him during the whole interview. Definitely not natural. He also tried much too hard to create a cool image with his clothes and his hair. And I didn’t like the way he lay back casually on his chair and looked around the room when I was talking to him. At least he wasn’t nervous and didn’t have to be forced to talk. Actually, he talked so much that I had to keep interrupting to ask my questions! Maybe he wanted to control the conversation – I wasn’t convinced that everything he put down on his CV was true. It was also clear to me that he hadn’t done any research on the company at all. Anyway, I won’t go on. I’ve got another applicant to interview tomorrow, so don’t give up hope! I’ll report back again then. See you, Chris b) Use what you underlined to write ten rules for job interviews into your learning journal. Express questions politely If applicants want to make a good impression, they should choose their words carefully. Make the questions below more polite or tactful and write down your improved version in your learning journal. The useful phrases below can help you. Example: Would I have to start work early? It would be nice to know about the hours I would work. 1. How much is the pay? 2. What about holidays? 3. I wouldn’t have to work on Sundays, right? 4. Who would be my boss? 5. What training do you provide? 6. When will I know if I’ve got the job? Team activity: Job interviews a) Form groups of four, with two pairs of partners. b) Each pair acts out two job interviews, taking turns to be the interviewer and the applicant. Choose jobs and use the ideas below to prepare. While one pair does the role play, the other pair watches and listens, each partner focusing on one of the other pair. Then they can make helpful comments about how to improve. 3 j 4 j Tip Sounding polite It is important to sound polite. Asking questions too directly can make a bad impression. T Useful phrases • I’d be interested to know … . • I’d like to ask … . • Could you please tell me … ? • I was wondering if/whether… . • Is it possible to give me some idea … ? P 5 Interviewer: Write down questions you can ask and information you might have to give about the job or the company. Applicant: Write down ideas about how to present yourself and what questions to ask. Think what to say about yourself, and what body language to use. 95 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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