Tuesday's Assignment

Job interviews are your chance to show what you have to offer to potential employers. It is important to prepare before each interview. Make a list of typical interview questions with sample responses.

Listening Activity 1:

Siliva Carnali has been invited for an interview. Listen to the talk between Silvia and her friend Nina, a human resources manager, for some interview preparation tips. Write Nina's opinion (do/don't) next to the tips below.

Interview Tips:

1. Arrive ten minutes early.
2. Speak English with a friend or relative with you for support.
3. Bring a close friend or relative for support.
4. Take a copy of your resume and examples of your work with you.
5. Memorise long answers to questions that you anticipate being asked.

Listening Activity 2:

Listen to this mock job interview; list all the Dos and Don'ts which the interviewer has mentioned. Click here to listen to it.

Activity 3:

Search the internet to find the 10 most annoying gestures during a job interview.

Activity 4:

Now read this article and write a comment on it based on your research effort.

Landing a job requires more than a well-crafted resume and flawless references.

Let’s start by avoiding these ten gestures:

1. Looking down.

As a job candidate, looking down while responding to questions portrays a lack of confidence. Even if you provide a stellar response, the delivery won't be as powerful if you're looking away from the interviewer. Of course, don't stare at the interviewer for the duration of the meeting, but make eye contact in your response to drive home your point with conviction.

2. Slouching in the chair.

Slouching in your chair can give off the idea that you don't care about the interview. Establish a balance between slouching and sitting up extremely straight. When it doubt, err on the side of sitting more upright and less slouched over in your seat.

3. Not maintaining eye contact.

This relates to No. 1: Maintain a balance between looking in random locations and staring at the interviewer. Need a spot to look aside from directly at the interviewer? Glance at the legal pad you bring for notes every now and then.

4. Foot taps.

In an effort to combat nervousness, some applicants will repeatedly tap their shoe(s) against the floor like they're listening to an up-tempo dance beat. This can be difficult to identify in the interview because you may not even notice you're doing it, but tapping your feet on the ground gives off a feeling of uneasiness. Try to keep your feet still during the interview.

5. Arms folded.

Employers could mistake you for being uninterested and a little pompous if you fold your arms in the interviewing room. As a best practice, lock your fingers together on the table to prohibit unnecessary fidgeting.

6. Weak handshake.

Providing a weak handshake to the potential employer can signal a lack of confidence. A firm handshake that doesn't hurt the interviewer's hand is ideal. The same practices should be applied for men shaking women's hands and vice versa.

7. Frowning.

It may sound obvious, but employers are looking for candidates with a positive attitude. Frowning - or maintaining a stoic look throughout the interview - won't be received as well as someone who smiles and displays positive energy.

8. Moving restlessly.

Be cognizant of any unnecessary movements: playing with your hair, popping your knuckles and random fidgeting should be left out of the interview.

9. Nodding in agreement to everything.

By all means, it's OK to nod in agreement when you come to the same conclusion on a topic with the potential employer. Just refrain from nodding in agreement to every single sentence the interviewer says.

10. The frustrated look.

The picture above illustrates a look of frustration. If you don't know an answer to a question, be honest about it and don't appear to be visibly flustered. That could signal to the interviewer that you're easily defeated and don't work diligently to solve complex problems.