Language for ...

job interviews

STUDENT A STUDENT B

Step 1: Allow your classmate to decide what type Step 1: Allow your classmate to decide what type
of job the interview is for (e.g. accountant, waiter, of job the interview is for (e.g. accountant, waiter,
chemist, etc.) chemist, etc.)

Type of job = Type of job =

Step 2: Ask your classmate some of the questions Step 2: Ask your classmate some of the questions
below. If you want, ask other questions which below. If you want, ask other questions which
are relevant. are relevant.
What interests you about this role? Why have you decided to apply for this job?
Why do you think you’re the right person for Tell me about your previous role.
this role?
Despite an aspect of your personality which you are In your opinion, what are the most important skills
trying to improve. for this role?
What skills would you bring to the role? What are your greatest strengths?
Can you describe a time when you needed to meet a Can you describe a time when you needed to think
difficult deadline? on your feet?
Tell me about your education. Would you say you have good people
Can you describe a time when you skills? Explain.
felt frustrated? How would you feel about working in an
Do you have any questions for me about this role? international environment?
Do you have any questions for me about this role?
 Language for ...
job interviews

orksheet
1 Warmer
a. Workin pairs. Find ten adjectives of personality in the word search. Complete the table with the
words that you find.

t h f r l r h h r h x p

o f a o l t k f w u o l

l e c r g a v s q b t e Adjectives
e n h g d n c s a b n a
1. 6.
r e e a t w e u w x f s
2. 7.
a r e n z c o r u g p a
3. 8.
n g r i k s m r v d r n
4. 9.
t e f s u f l q k o r t
5. 10.
t t u e c a l m e i u m

z i l d i l l f d d n s

l c a e a s y g o i n g

f x a p a t i e n t w p

b. Choose the correct preposition from the box to complete the sentences.
1. I decided to apply the job.

2. I havea Master’s Business.

as in(x2) for(x2)
3. I work a big technology company called Intel.

4. I work an administrator.

5. I work Finance.
 Language for ...
job interviews

orksheet
c. Work with a partner. Discuss the questions.
1. What do you do?
2. In your job or studies, what kind of personality do you need?
3. In your job or studies, what kind of skills do you need?
4. Describe a time you had a job interview.
5. Have you ever done a job interview in English?

2 Text
In this part of the lesson, you’re going to watch a video filmed in London. Four Londoners talk about their
jobs and their experiences of job interviews:

a. Watchthevideo.For eachspeaker,writethe missingwordfromtheir answer tothequestion, “What

skills do you need for that job?”.
1. Phillip: Tobe a project manager you do need quite a bit of experience in the industry, and, these days,
a good university , I suppose.
2. Rachel: ‘Barista’ training, people skills, and just generally, yeah, being cheerful and
to serve customers.
3. Shazra: For my job you need to be really organised. You need to think on your feet. You need to be able
to write well, well and things like that.
4. Lynne: Organisational skills again. Clear , calm, thinking on your feet,
also. Most of the time I’m, I’m thinking on my feet. And good at damage limitation!

b. Watch the video again. Circle the correct word(s) to complete each sentence.
1. Phillip says that to work as a project manager, you need to be … creative / hard-working / tolerant.
2. Rachel says that to work in a café, you need to be … cheerful / creative and patient / pleasant.
3. Shazra says that to work as a project manager, you need to be … organised / sociable / energetic.
4. Lynne says that to work as an administrator, you need to be … organised / clever and tolerant / calm.

c. In your opinion, which person has had the most positive experience of interviews?

d. Explain the highlighted expressions from the last task in your own words.
1. You need to have experience in the industry.
2. You need to have people skills.
3. You need to be able to think on your feet.
4. You need to be good at damage limitation!

2
 Language for ...
job interviews

orksheet
e. Tina is in a job interview for a job as an administrator. Use the phrases in the box to complete her
answer to thequestion.

communication cultural awareness deadlines decision-making multitasking strength

Interviewer: What skills would you bring to this role?

Tina: I think my main 1
is in my organisational skills. My last job was in a very
busy Finance Department, so I did a lot of
2
– performing my
normal duties while answering phone calls, replying
to emails, and so on. I had to meet a lot of
3
there, so
I really learned the importance of quick 4 and clear
5
. On top of that, I know that your office is a very international
environment, which would really suit me. I’ve lived in the US, Brazil and France, so I’d be able to
bring good 6 , as well as my language skills.

3 Language inUse
a. Write one word to complete each gap. All the words are from earlier tasks in this lesson.
1. I have good skills – I’m quite sociable and I like to connect with others on a
personal level.
2. I started working in Finance as soon as I finished university, so I now have more than ten years’
experience in the .
3. I have good decision-making skills. I’m always thinking on my .
4. When problems come up, it’s good to have a clear so that you can consider the
best options.
5. I always manage to meet . I don’t ever remember finishing a project late.

b. Each sentence below has ONE mistake. Find it and correct it.
1. I have a Master’s on Biochemistry.
2. Irina works as doctor.
3. Jeff works for Education. He’s a teacher.
4. My main strong is in my people skills.
5. I have a lot of experience in giving presentations, so I’d move that skill to this new role.

3
 Language for ...
job interviews

orksheet
4 Communication
Work in pairs. You are going to complete a job interview. Follow the instructions on the role card
which your teacher gives you.

5 Discuss
Discuss the questions with your classmate.
Reflect on your job interview from the last task:
• how did you find the interview?
• which question was the easiest for you to answer?
• which question was the most difficult?
• were there any ideas which you found difficult to explain in English?

Further questions:
• in what ways is it possible to prepare for a job interview?
• can you think of other typical “interview” questions which haven’t been mentioned in this lesson?
• can you think of any special advice to do a good interview?

Red Words
cheerful* pleasant** patient (adjective)** organised (adjective)* calm (adjective)**
nervous** hard-working* energetic* apply*** job*** skill*** creative** clever**
experience (noun)*** education*** strength*** deadline* communication*** role***