Many interviews have similar questions. Read the following and then role-play with a partner. Feel free to add your own information, or make up something new.
Possible questions:
What experience do you have ?
What do you know about the company ?
Have you ever had to work to a deadline ?
Tell me about yourself
I was born in …. and I graduated from …. University in 2019 with a major in Business Administration. Since then I’ve had two year’s experience in administrative work at ABC and XYZ Corporation.
I’m a very organised person, well-balanced and efficient. I’m hard-working and dedicated.
In my free time, I like to travel and I love to paint. Furthermore, I enjoy going out having coffee with friends.
What do you know about (COMPANY) ?
DFG are an established company with a good reputation. They help …….. and there are over (x) sites in VN (or your country).
What are your strengths ?
I feel I am easy-going, hard-working, careful and diligent. I think my greatest strength is my positive outlook, even during times of stress. I can work under pressure and I really enjoy a challenge. Lastly, I like working in a team.
What are your weaknesses ?
Well, my English isn’t perfect, so this will be a great chance to improve. Maybe I can be a little quiet sometimes; that’s why working as part of a team will help bring me out.
Can you give an example of when you had to deal with an angry customer ?
One time, a customer didn’t like the price of a visa, and he began shouting and getting angry. I asked him if I could explain the reason. I then told him how it wasn’t our fault, but that I understood his anger and said sorry. Then I told him he could check elsewhere, but we would still be happy to serve him. He calmed down, said sorry to me and bought the visa and was happy.
Where do you see yourself in two years ?
My short-terms goals are to work hard and efficiently, so I can master this job. However, in the long-term, I would be interested in possibly doing more courses so I could be a manager.
What can you bring to the job ?
I’m very friendly and enjoy working with people. I always try to be happy at work and share my positive outlook. I’m very motivated and open to learning. I’m very excited about being a part of this great company.
Do you have any questions ?
May I just ask, what career opportunities are there at ABC ?
It is not a good idea to ask immediately about salary, money and bonuses, although this is an important part of the interview process.
Congratulations, when can you start ?
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Many interviews have similar questions. Read the following and then role-play with a partner. Feel free to add your own information, or make up something new.
Possible questions:
What experience do you have ? // What do you know about the company ? // Have you ever had to work to a deadline ?
Tell me about yourself
I was born in …. and I graduated from …. University in 2014 with a major in Business Administration. Since then I’ve had two year’s experience in administrative work at ABC and XYZ Corporation.
I’m a very organised person, well-balanced and efficient. I’m hard-working and dedicated.
In my free time, I like to travel and I love to paint. Furthermore, I enjoy going out having coffee with friends.
What do you know about (COMPANY) ?
XXX are an established company with a good reputation. They help …….. and there are over (xx) sites in VN (or your country).
What are your strengths ?
I feel I am easy-going, hard-working, careful and diligent. I think my greatest strength is my positive outlook, even during times of stress. I can work under pressure and I really enjoy a challenge. Lastly, I like working in a team.
What are your weaknesses ?
Well, my English isn’t perfect, so this will be a great chance to improve. Maybe I can be a little quiet sometimes; that’s why working as part of a team will help bring me out.
Can you give an example of when you had to deal with an angry customer ?
One time, a customer didn’t like the price of a visa, and he began shouting and getting angry. I asked him if I could explain the reason. I then told him how it wasn’t our fault, but that I understood his anger and said sorry. Then I told him he could check elsewhere, but we would still be happy to serve him. He calmed down, said sorry to me and bought the visa and was happy.
Where do you see yourself in two years ?
My short-terms goals are to work hard and efficiently, so I can master this job. However, in the long-term, I would be interested in possibly doing more courses so I could be a manager.
What can you bring to the job ?
I’m very friendly and enjoy working with people. I always try to be happy at work and share my positive outlook. I’m very motivated and open to learning. I’m very excited about being a part of this great company.
Do you have any questions ?
May I just ask, what career opportunities are there at XXX ?
It is not a good idea to ask immediately about salary, money and bonuses, although this is an important part of the interview process.
Firstly, this job is an ideal match for my skills and experience.
Secondly, …
Above all, the reason I want this job is …
Key words:
highly motivated
can work on my own initiative
proactive
team-player
ready for a challenge
Speaking Practice:
Now you have some new words and phrases, interview each other again, making sure to really sound like the ideal person for the job.
Working in English. Being a TA (teaching assistant)
How would you handle (answer) these questions ?
How often do you communicate in English ? Have you ever used English in a work environment ?
Two teachers need things at the same time; how would you prioritise ?
How would you deal with a rude teacher ? What would you do if you had a problem with a certain teacher ?
Could you work as a team member ? Could you take orders from a younger person ?
Some students come to you and say they don’t like a certain teacher. What would you tell them ?
Teachers earn much more than Viet staff. How do you feel about that ?
Some parents may be very angry about a grading a teaching gave. If they came and shouted at you, how would you cope ?
Can you give an example of a time when you dealt effectively with an angry customer ?
How do you see this role ? What do you imagine you’ll be doing ?
The work may become routine. Do you think you will get bored ?
Part of the job-description involves keeping a safe environment. What do you think that means ?
A child has a nosebleed; what would you do ?
A child is being noisy and shouting when the teacher speaks. What would you do ?
A child swears in class, but his parents are angry at you when you criticise the student. However, the teacher insists you phone the parents to complain.
under the table (giving money to get something done quickly) / over the top (something that is too much or a person behaving too loudly).
In Asia, giving money under the table is, sometimes, the only way to get something done.
In USA many TV presenters are so loud, they are completely over the top.
Building longer sentences:
Make these simple sentences into a longer piece by using discourse markers, adjectives and adverbs and opinion phrases:
I work at ATS. My job make me tired. I have many projects to do. My co-workers are nice.
Relative pronouns– who (person), which (thing), where (place).
Adverbs– add information
Opinions– I feel, I believe, in my opinion, from my point of view.
Discourse markers – although, despite, however …
ATS, where I work, can be extremely tiring because there are many projects which, I feel, are very challenging. Having said that, there are many wonderfully friendly colleagues who make me feel happy.
Write a short piece about your school, university or work:
Sentence building:
although / despite / albeit
Can be used like ‘but’ and ‘however’. .. sentence structure may need to change:
Peter likes driving although he hates traffic. ONE sentence
Although he hates traffic, Peter loves driving. TWO clauses
King BBQ is very good albeit very busy NEVER starts a sentence
Despite being very busy, King BBQ is great. NOTE despite + verbing
King BBQ is great despite being very busy (or costing very much / having no beer.)
We love our jobs despite the fact that we have to work long hours.
Write longer sentences using albeit, although or despite.
T_ara are adorable. Their music is nothing special.
Vietjet is cheap. The flights are frequently delayed.
Korea is beautiful. The weather can be cold. (Also add adverbs)
Rolex watches are astronomical. They are good quality
Music vocabulary:
rhythm / beat / melody / production / arrangement / vocals / lyrics / solo
Genres (types of music): pop / rock / country and western / punk / classical / jazz blues / opera / R ‘n’ B / techno / rap
What kind of music do you like ? Ask your classmates, and try to keep the conversation alive for as long as possible. You can say what genres you like, then give examples of artists and special CDs or records. How do you buy music, how do you listen to it (computer, CD, iPhone, MP3 player ?) Do you play an instrument ? Would you like to play something ? Do you ever go to concerts ?
Phrasal verbs:
give in / turn off / start off / put out / cut down/ cut out/ put up with
1 I’m working too much, therefore I must _________ on my hours.
2 You can’t smoke here ! ____________ that cigarette.
3 We have to _________ so much noise and dirt here in Cat Lai (industrial area).
4 I always __________ to my wife when she demands something; it is easier !
5 Time to knock off. Before you go, make sure to _________ your computers.
6 For health reasons, my doctor advised me to _________ fatty food.
7 The film ___________ great, but soon became too complicated.
Speaking practice:
You are at a job interview and have to introduce yourself. Start by giving some facts, your educational background and how long you have worked in your current/ present job. Describe your personality and finish by saying what you like to do in your spare time.
Example:
I was born in …. and I graduated from …. University in 2019 with a major in Business Administration. Since then I’ve had two year’s experience in administrative work at ATHA and followed that with a stint in SLH Corporation.
I’m a very organised person, well-balanced and efficient. I’m hard-working and dedicated.
In my free time, I like to travel and I love to paint. In addition, I enjoy going out and having coffee with friends. I also support Barcelona and enjoy playing badminton after work.
Vocabulary booster:
I live in a:
quiet, residential street. Peaceful at night.
lively and busy commercial area, many shops
dirty and dusty industrial part of town. Very noisy.
My home is a / an:
apartment and I live alone
rented room share with friends
house live with family
pros and cons – advantages and disadvantages
adverbs of degree (very, extremely, incredibly, remarkably, unbelievably)
I travel to work by:
Motorbike. It’s quite / rather far and extremely stressful.
Use Grabbike. It’s very convenient albeit rather expensive.
On the bus. Although it’s incredibly cheap, it’s not very pleasant.
Idioms and expressions
At work I find myself doing the same thing day in day out. It’s tedious.
Learning English is, for me, easy, a piece of cake. It’s very important and fun.
In my free time:
I enjoy watching films and playing sports. I am competitive !
adore hanging out with my friends and family.
love shopping. I can spot a bargain and I hate being ripped off !
Learning English:
in my opinion, is vital for the future. It’s imperative we learn.
is a necessary task. It’s awkward and frustrating, but I need it.
is highly enjoyable and relaxing. I love to improve my mind.
The War Remnants Museum is
extremely popular with tourists, a major attraction in the city.
well laid-out and organised. The exhibits are fascinating.
very sombre and thought-provoking. Well worth a visit.
educational and essential. We can discover much there.
not suitable for children, though I would recommend it to adults.
Increase your word power
Part 1: Match the basic words with others of similar meaning
For example boring = tedious
interesting / on time / forgetful / live (I live in) / smart (clever) / get (by hard work) attain / absent-minded /fascinating / punctual / intelligent / reside
Part 2
unhappy / honest / not often / tired / place / reliable // exhausted / seldom / miserable / trustworthy / dependable / environment
Part 3
small or unimportant / try / make / great / happy / not nice / / endeavour / jovial / prepare / insignificant / nasty / brilliant
Practice:
John is so forgetful; he is _______________
German manufacturers are reliable; they are ____________
The increase is very small; it is _______________
The plane was on time; the service is very _____________
She is so clever; she is very ______________
Now make sentences with the new words. Put class into teams and they have to make sentences with five new words e.g. (for example):
After studying for three years, John attained his BA Degree.
Use these phrasal verbs in new sentences – BUT in the past or continuous tense.
give in / give up / put up with / put off / take off / start off
New Vocabulary
passive smoking
nightmare situation
how can I put it ?
a fair comment ?
peer pressure ?
emulate
inconsistent
willing = happy to do something
luke-warm
concise = short and to the point.
sneaky = crafty, cheeky
I am __________ to help you with your homework.
Please be short and _________ when you give a speech.
The audience was only _____________ after the band played.
People can get cancer just by _________________ .
I have so much work to do and have a meeting with my boss; it’s a ______________
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Thay Paul's Notes 