English Learning: Job Interview Basics
Dialogue
Alice: Bob, help! I have a job interview tomorrow!
Bob: Alice, again? Didn’t you just have one last week?
Alice: This one’s important! And I’m so nervous. What do I even do?
Bob: First, breathe. Second, remember the basics. Look presentable.
Alice: Presentable? Like, no sweatpants?
Bob: Ideally, yes. Iron your shirt, maybe. And try to arrive on time.
Alice: On time… or ten minutes early to show enthusiasm?
Bob: Ten minutes early is perfect! Shows you’re keen.
Alice: Okay, clothes, timing. What about questions? What if they ask me something super hard?
Bob: They usually start with “Tell me about yourself.” Practice a short, positive answer.
Alice: “I like pizza and long naps.” Is that positive?
Bob: (Chuckles) Maybe something more about your skills or experience. Like, “I’m a hard worker and quick learner.”
Alice: Oh! Right. And what about my weaknesses? I have so many!
Bob: Choose a small one you’re working on, like “Sometimes I get too excited about new projects.”
Alice: Haha, good one! Okay, Bob, you’re a lifesaver. No sweatpants, on time, positive answers. I can do this!
Current Situation
Job interviews are a very common and important step when you want to get a new job. They are a chance for a company to learn more about you, your skills, and your experience. It’s also your chance to learn about the company and decide if it’s a good fit for you. Interviews can happen in person, over the phone, or online (video calls). Being prepared helps you feel more confident and increases your chances of success!
Key Phrases
- Job interview: A formal meeting where a job applicant is questioned to determine their suitability for a position.
- Example: “I have a job interview for the marketing position next Tuesday.”
- Presentable: Looking neat, clean, and suitable for a formal occasion.
- Example: “You should always look presentable when meeting new clients.”
- Arrive on time: To get to a place at the scheduled moment, not early or late.
- Example: “It’s important to arrive on time for your appointment.”
- Tell me about yourself: A common opening question in interviews, asking you to introduce yourself professionally.
- Example: “The interviewer started with, ‘Tell me about yourself,’ so I shared my background.”
- Strengths and weaknesses: What you are good at, and what you need to improve.
- Example: “During the interview, I discussed my strengths and weaknesses honestly.”
- Quick learner: Someone who can understand new things and skills very fast.
- Example: “She’s a quick learner, so she adapted to the new software easily.”
- Hard worker: Someone who puts a lot of effort and dedication into their work.
- Example: “My boss praised me for being a hard worker.”
- Nervous: Feeling worried, anxious, or a bit scared about something.
- Example: “I always feel nervous before giving a presentation.”
- Keen: Very interested, eager, or enthusiastic about something.
- Example: “He is very keen to start his new role at the company.”
- Lifesaver: Someone or something that provides crucial help in a difficult situation.
- Example: “Thanks for bringing me coffee, you’re a real lifesaver today!”
Grammar Points
- Present Simple for General Facts and Habits
We use the present simple tense to talk about things that are generally true or that happen regularly. It’s great for stating facts or common practices.
- Example from dialogue: “They usually start with ‘Tell me about yourself.’” (This is a common habit of interviewers.)
- Example: “Job interviews are important for getting work.” (This is a general truth.)
- Imperatives for Giving Advice or Instructions
Imperative verbs are used to give commands, make requests, or offer advice directly. They usually start with the base form of the verb.
- Example from dialogue: “First, breathe. Second, remember the basics.” (Direct advice from Bob to Alice.)
- Example: “Look presentable.” (An instruction for an interview.)
- Using ‘have’ for Future Scheduled Events
While ‘have’ is a present simple verb, it can be used to talk about future events that are already planned or scheduled, like appointments or fixed arrangements.
- Example from dialogue: “I have a job interview tomorrow!” (The interview is a fixed, scheduled event in the near future.)
- Example: “We have a meeting at 3 PM on Friday.”
- Adjectives for Describing Feelings and Qualities
Adjectives describe nouns (people, places, things) and can tell us how someone feels or what something is like. They are essential for expressing emotions or qualities.
- Example from dialogue: “I’m so nervous.” (Describes Alice’s feeling.)
- Example from dialogue: “This one’s important!” (Describes the quality of the interview.)
- Example: “She is a quick learner and a hard worker.” (Describes positive qualities.)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase from the Key Phrases list.
- Always try to ______ ______ for an interview.
- It’s good to look ______ when meeting new people.
- “______ ______ ______ ______?” is a common first question.
- She is a very ______ ______; she always finishes her work.
- I feel ______ before big exams.
Exercise 2: Match the advice to the situation.
- You have an interview in 5 minutes and feel stressed.
- The interviewer asks about your biggest fault.
- You don’t know what to wear for an interview.
- You want to show you are excited for the job.
Advice Options:
A. “Choose something professional, like a clean shirt.”
B. “Say you are working on being more patient.”
C. “Take a deep breath and try to relax.”
D. “Arrive 10-15 minutes early.”
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences using the given words and the correct grammar (Present Simple or Imperative).
- (You / be / on time) for the interview. (Use an imperative)
- (Job interviews / be / important) for getting a job. (Use present simple)
- (Always / prepare / for) your questions. (Use an imperative)
- (The company / look for / good candidates). (Use present simple)
Answers
Exercise 1:
- arrive on time
- presentable
- Tell me about yourself
- hard worker
- nervous
Exercise 2:
- 1. C
- 2. B
- 3. A
- 4. D
Exercise 3:
- Be on time for the interview.
- Job interviews are important for getting a job.
- Always prepare for your questions.
- The company looks for good candidates.
Leave a Reply