I. Listen to an interview for the Stage Technician job.

Interviewer - What experience do you have in this kind of work?

Applicant -I'm a skilled carpenter and I've done a lot of work making displays for exhibitions and conferences. It's quite similar to stage work.

Int. - Do you have any experience working with lighting or sound systems?

Applicant -I was a roadie with a rock band for six months. The band didn't last very long - they weren't very good - but I got a lot of experience with sound systems.

Int. - We're looking for someone who's prepared to travel for at least four months each year. Would that be a problem for you?

Applicant -No, I'm single at the moment, and I like travelling.

Int. - Why do you think you're the right person for the job?

Applicant -I've got relevant experience. I like variety in my work. I'm good at problem-solving.

Int. - Are there any questions you would like to ask us?

Applicant -Yes, how many technicians do you employ? And, of course...

(Technology, Unit 14)

II. Read the advice: HOW TO GET THAT JOB!

Before the interview:

- Find as much as you can about the company

- Think about questions the interviewer might ask you. Plan how to answer them.

- Dress smartly.

- Don’t be late. If you are early, have a coffee in a local café and look at your notes.

- Switch off your mobile and take two/ three slow, deep breaths before you go in.

During the interview:

- When you walk in, shake hands firmly with the interviewer, look them in the eyes, and say “Pleased to meet you”.

- Answer the questions in a firm, confident voice. Don’t speak too quietly, too quickly or be too hesitant.

- Answers should not be one word or one sentence, but also should not be too long.

- When answering questions, maintain eye contact with the interviewer. If there is more than one interviewer, give them equal attention.

- Give clear, direct answers to questions. If you don’t know something, say so.

- Don’t lie.

- At the end of the interview, you might be asked: “Are there any questions that you would like to ask us?” Make sure you have one or two good questions ready.

- Above all, be positive and show enthusiasm for the job.

After the interview:

- If you didn’t answer the question well in the interview, don’t be afraid to phone up soon afterwards and say something like: “I don’t think I explained myself very well in the interview. What I wanted to say was…“. This will show enthusiasm and it will remind then of you.

Write down answers to the following questions, beginning each sentence with I should … before/for/during/after the interview. Try to retell these answers from memory:

1. What research do you need to do before the interview? 2. What kind of clothes should you wear to the interview? 3. What should you do if you arrive too early? 4. What should you do just before you enter the interview room? 5. What should you do and say when you meet the interviewer? 6. How long should your answers to questions be? 7. How should you answer the questions? 8. Where should you look when you answer questions? 9. What should your general attitude in the interview be? 10. What should you do after the interview?

III. Sam has a job interview with a large engineering company. Give him advice using should or shouldn’t and the notes below:

1. Be late. 2. Dress promptly. 3. Practise answering questions with a friend. 4. Be honest. 4. Exaggerate your skills. 5. Prepare some questions of your own. 6. Read up as much as you can about the company. 7. Look at the floor when you speak. 8. Look at all the interviewers. 9. Lean back and look bored. 10. Sit straight and look confident.

IV. Read questions and answers (below) to these questions. These are questions the interviewer asked Ron, a Technical Installation Engineer. Match questions to these answers putting them in a logical order:

1. What’s the worst thing about the job? ____________________

2. What does your work involve? _____________________

3. How long have you worked there? __________________________

4. What advice would you give students entering your profession? ______

5. Why did you choose this job? _________________________________

6. What is the best thing about the job? _______________________

7. What is the biggest challenge of your job? _______________________

8. What is the salary like? _________________________________

Answers:

a) The pay is not bad and there are opportunities for overtime if you want.

b) Planning the job, especially in older buildings. It is important to work out the best routes for the pipes, ducts, and cables involved as this can affect the cost of work considerably.

c) I like being out, not stuck in an office, and this job involves a lot of travelling. I also like the contact with customers.

d) I work for a company which installs central heating and air-conditioning systems. We do everything: planning, installing, and testing.

e) Get the highest qualifications you can when you are at University. It is better to do it at that stage in life than try to catch up later. Keep up your professional training when you are in the job. Move to a company large enough to offer good promotion prospects.

f) When you switch on and it all works perfectly.

g) Working in confined spaces, for example under floors.

h) Five years.