introducing yourself in a job interview

1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OoWnsvThjs

What are your strong point? (strength)
Can you speak other languages? (Are you able to)
Why we should pick you over others? (hire/recruit)

multitasking
fluent in Spanish
detail-oriented

2.

Essential Job Interview Tips and Tricks II

Last week I discussed some of the basics of interviewing for a job in English and specific job related vocabulary. This week I would like to focus on some of the common questions that are asked during the interview and appropriate responses to these questions.

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself.
Candidate: I was born and raised in Milan, Italy. I attended the University of Milan and received my master's degree in Economics. I have worked for 12 years as a financial consultant in Milan for various companies including Rossi Consultants, Quasar Insurance and Sardi and Sons. I enjoy playing tennis in my free time and learning languages.
Candidate: I've just graduated from the University of Singapore with a degree in Computers. During the summers, I worked as a systems administrator for a small company to help pay for my education.
Comment: This question is meant as an introduction. Do not focus too specifically on any one area. The above question will often be used to help the interviewer choose what h/she would like to ask next. While it is important to give an overall impression of who you are, make sure to concentrate on work related experience. Work related experience should always be the central focus of any interview (work experience is more important than education in most English speaking countries).


Interviewer: What type of position are you looking for?
Candidate: I'm interested in an entry level (beginning) position.
Candidate: I'm looking for a position in which I can utilize my experience.
Candidate: I would like any position for which I qualify.
Comment:You should be willing to take an entry level position in an English speaking company as most of these companies expect non-nationals to begin with such a position. In the United States, most companies provide many opportunities for growth, so don't be afraid to start from the beginning!

Interviewer: Are you interested in a full-time or part-time position?
Candidate: I am more interested in a full-time position. However, I would also consider a part-time position.
Comment: Make sure to leave open as many possibilities as possible. Say you are willing to take any job, once the job has been offered you can always refuse if the job does not appeal (not interest) to you.

Interviewer: Can you tell me about your responsibilities at your last job?
Candidate: I advised customers on financial matters. After I consulted the customer, I completed a customer inquiry form and catalogued the information in our database. I then collaborated with colleagues to prepare the best possible package for the client. The clients were then presented with a summarized report on their financial activities that I formulated on a quarterly basis.
Comment: Notice the amount of detail necessary when you are talking about your experience. One of the most common mistakes made by foreigners when discussing their former employment is to speak too generally. The employer wants to know exactly what you did and how you did it; the more detail you can give the more the interviewer knows that you understand the type of work. Remember to vary your vocabulary when talking about your responsibilities. Also, do not begin every sentence with "I". Use the passive voice, or an introductory clause to help you add variety to your presentation

Interviewer: What is your greatest strength?
Candidate: I work well under pressure. When there is a deadline (a time by which the work must be finished), I can focus on the task at hand (current project) and structure my work schedule well. I remember one week when I had to get 6 new customer reports out by Friday at 5. I finished all the reports ahead of time without having to work overtime.
Candidate: I am an excellent communicator. People trust me and come to me for advice. One afternoon, my colleague was involved with a troublesome (difficult) customer who felt he was not being served well. I made the customer a cup of coffee and invited both my colleague and the client to my desk where we solved the problem together.
Candidate: I am a trouble shooter. When there was a problem at my last job, the manager would always ask me to solve it. Last summer, the LAN server at work crashed. The manager was desperate and called me in (requested my help) to get the LAN back online. After taking a look at the daily backup, I detected the problem and the LAN was up and running (working) within the hour.
Comment: This is not the time to be modest! Be confident and always give examples. Examples show that you are not only repeating words you have learned, but actually do possess that strength.

Interviewer: What is your greatest weakness?
Candidate: I am overzealous (work too hard) and become nervous when my co-workers are not pulling their weight (doing their job). However, I am aware of this problem, and before I say anything to anyone, I ask myself why the colleague is having difficulties.
Candidate: I tend to spend too much time making sure the customer is satisfied. However, I began setting time-limits for myself If I noticed this happening.
Comment: This is a difficult question. You need to mention a weakness that is actually a strength. Make sure that you always mention how you try to improve the weakness.

Interviewer:Why do you want to work for Smith and Sons?
Candidate: After following your firms progress for the last 3 years, I am convinced that Smith and Sons are becoming one of the market leaders and I would like to be part of the team.
Candidate: I am impressed by the quality of your products. I am sure that I would be a convincing salesman because I truly believe that the Atomizer is the best product on the market today.
Comment: Prepare yourself for this question by becoming informed about the company. The more detail you can give, the better you show the interviewer that you understand the company.

Interviewer: When can you begin?
Candidate: Immediately.
Candidate: As soon as you would like me to begin.
Comment: Show your willingness to work!
The above questions represent some of the most basic questions asked on any job interview in English. Probably the most important aspect of interviewing in English is giving detail. As a speaker of English as a second language, you might be shy about saying complicated things. However, this is absolutely necessary as the employer is looking for an employee who knows his or her job. If you provide detail, the interviewer will know that you feel comfortable in that job. Don't worry about making mistakes in English. It is much better to make simple grammar mistakes and provide detailed information about your experience than to say grammatically perfect sentences without any real content.
I hope these features help you to improve your job interviewing skills. Practice your replies often to these and other questions. Sit down with a friend and act out the interview. By repeating these phrases you will gain much needed confidence.

http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa120797.htm
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3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgHi8aM6kek
Rebecca Mars
Introducing yourself in a job interview in English.

4.
Preparation for an interview is essential.
The list of questions below is designed to serve as a guide
so that you are not taken by surprise!

http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/interviews.html

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1	Tell me about yourself.
2	How would you describe yourself? (character / personality)
3	Are you married?  Single?  Do you have partner?
4	What are your strengths / weaknesses?
5	What do you do in your free time? What are your hobbies?  /  Do you have any hobbies?
6	Why are you interested in working for our company? Why do you want to work for this company?
7	What type of position do you think you are suited for / would suit you?
8	How would you describe the position we have to offer?
9	What aspects of the position are you most / least interested in?
10	What would you like to find in this job that you didn't have in your previous job?
11	How do you think you could develop the position? What would be your strategy to develop the position?
12	What have you got to offer us? What could you contribute to our company?
13	What do you think you gained by working in your last job?
14	What were you responsible for? What did your job involve?
15	What do you think of your (last) boss?
16	Why do you want to leave your present job? Why do you want to change jobs?
17	What are your salary requirements? How much would you hope to earn in this position? How much do you think you should be offered for this position? What salary would you expect (to be offered) for this position?
18	Have  you received any offers of a job?
19	Why have you had to look for a job for so long? Why have you been looking for a job for so long? Why did it take so long to find a new job?
20	How do your feel about your future in the profession?
21	Have you had any failures?  What failures have you had? Have you had any negative experiences?
22	What sort of obstacles have you come across / encountered in your work?
23	If you had to recruit colleagues, what qualities would you look for?
24	Would you be willing to relocate/to move to another part of the country/to work abroad?
25	Don't you think you have too much experience / you are over-qualified for this job?
26	How long do you think you would stay with us? If we offered you this job, how long would you expect to stay with us?
27	Which do you prefer : to work alone or in a team? Do you prefer working alone or with other people as part of a team?
28	Do you know how to manage a team? Are you capable of leading a team? Do you think you have the ability to be a team leader?
29	Why should I recruit you? How could you persuade me to recruit me?
30	Do you have any comments to make, or any questions to ask? *******************************************