Never say these things in a job interview

Here are 7 things you should never say in a job interview:

_____________________ 1

If you don’t know your potential salary, you shouldn’t ask about it too early in the interview. If you do this, the interviewer will think you are only interested in money and nothing else. Employers want people who are a good match for the position that they are offering. Salary negotiations should wait till the end of the interview.

_____________________ 2

Companies do not want to hire someone who doesn’t have any confidence. So, it’s not always good to be honest. If you are nervous, you should try not to show it.

_____________________ 3

If the interviewer asks about your weaknesses, you should not reply with a standard response that sounds like a hidden strength. Experienced interviewers know this trick. Instead, tell the employer about a real weakness, but a weakness that isn’t so important for the job.

_____________________ 4

Don’t mention how much you like some of the company’s benefits, such as free snacks. The interviewer will think that you do not care about the success of the company.

_____________________ 5

Try not to show that you are desperate for the job. Desperation is a sign of weakness.

_____________________ 6

Never criticize a former boss or company. It’s not classy, and it will make you sound negative.

_____________________ 7

When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, don’t say "no." This makes you look unprepared for the interview or not interested in the job or company.

 

Task 12. Look at the typical interview questions below. Listen to the dialogue and tick the ones that you hear.

Source: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/attending-a-job-interview/audioplayer/attending-a-job-interview-ex5

 

a) How would you describe yourself?

b) Could you tell me who you work for at the moment?

c) How long have you been working for...?

d) Why do you want to work for this company?

e) Why are you leaving your job?

f) What can you offer our company?

g) You know this job requires a lot of travel. Is that a problem for you?

h) Have you had any experience in...?

i) What are your goals for the future?

j) What is your greatest weakness?

k) How do you cope with pressure?

l) What are your salary requirements?

 

Listen again and choose the best answer for each question below:

1. How long has Kate been working for KP Lewis?

a. 3 years

b. 4 years

c. 8 years

 

2. How long has she been working in the accounting department?

a. 3 months

b. 4 months

c. 8 months

 

3. Why is she leaving her job?

a. She is not well-paid.

b. She can’t use all her skills.

c. Her boss is horrible.

 

4. Is travelling a problem for her?

a. yes

b. no

c. maybe

 

5. Why was she successful as a sales representative for a language school?

a. The school increased its profit.

b. The school sold more books.

c. The school increased registrations.

 

6. What are her short-term goals for the future?

a. She wants to buy a house.

b. She wants to develop her sales skills.

c. She wants to become a manager.

 

7. What are her long-term goals?

a. She wants to obtain a high position in a company.

b. She wants to start her own business.

c. She wants to work for a school.

 

8. What is her greatest weakness?

a. She works too hard.

b. She’s a perfectionist.

c. She makes appointments at the last minute.

 

9. What motivates her to focus on her work?

a. team work

b. pressure

c. a good salary

Task 13. Express your opinion on the following subjects. Provide arguments.

1. The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.

2. When you hire people that are smarter than you are, you prove that you are smarter than they are.

3. If you want to be successful you must look successful.

 

Task 14. Role-play

Role A — Nice shoes

You think nice shoes are most important in an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): confidence, qualifications or a firm handshake.

Role B — Confidence

You think confidence is most important in an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): nice shoes, qualifications or a firm handshake.

Role C — Qualifications

You think qualifications are most important in an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): confidence, nice shoes or a firm handshake.

Role D — A firm handshake

You think a firm handshake is most important in an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): confidence, qualifications or nice shoes.

 

Unit 3

Branding

Questions for discussion:

1) What are the challenges of branding?

2) What are branding strategies?

3) How can branding affect business efficiency?

4) What should be taken into account while choosing a brand strategy?

5) Do you think it’s important for international brands to sound English?

6) Do you think a brand can become powerful globally if it uses non-English characters in its logo (Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc)?

7) Is brand management a good career?

 

Task 1. Listen to the audio and fill the gaps.

Source: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/0905/090501-brands.mp3