Job interview conversation Job interview conversation Mike:
Mike: Good Morning, John. I am Mike.Good Morning, John. I am Mike.
John:
John: Good Morning.Good Morning.
Mike:
Mike: How are you doing?How are you doing?
John:
John: I am doing fine. Thank you.I am doing fine. Thank you.
Mike:
Mike: How was the traffic coming over here?How was the traffic coming over here?
John:
John: I am so glad that the traffic was light this morning. No I am so glad that the traffic was light this morning. No traffic jam and no accidents.traffic jam and no accidents.
Mike:
Mike: That is good. John, let’s start the interview. Are That is good. John, let’s start the interview. Are you ready?you ready?
John:
John: Yes, I am.Yes, I am.
Mike:
Mike: First of all, let me properly introduce myself. I am the First of all, let me properly introduce myself. I am the Finance Department Manager. AsFinance Department Manager. As you know there is an open position in my department, and I need to fill this position as soon as you know there is an open position in my department, and I need to fill this position as soon as possible.
possible.
John:
John: Please, tell me a little bit about the position.Please, tell me a little bit about the position.
Mike:
Mike: It is an entry-level position. The new employee will have It is an entry-level position. The new employee will have to work closely with theto work closely with the Accounting department. He will also have to deal with the bank on a daily basis.
Accounting department. He will also have to deal with the bank on a daily basis.
John:
John: What type of qualifications do you require?What type of qualifications do you require?
Mike:
Mike: I require a four-year college degree in Finance. Some working experience would beI require a four-year college degree in Finance. Some working experience would be helpful.
helpful.
John:
John: What kind of experience are you looking for?What kind of experience are you looking for?
Mike:
Mike: Doing office work is good. However, since Doing office work is good. However, since this is an entry-level position, I do not requirethis is an entry-level position, I do not require a lot of experience. I am willing to train the new person.
a lot of experience. I am willing to train the new person.
John:
John: That is great!That is great!
Mike:
Mike: John, tell me a little bit about John, tell me a little bit about yourself.yourself.
John:
John: I was a student at West Coast University, and I just I was a student at West Coast University, and I just graduated with a Bachelor degree ingraduated with a Bachelor degree in Finance. I have been
Mike:
Mike: What are you looking for in a job?What are you looking for in a job?
John:
John: The job should help me see what Finance is all about. I have learned a lot of FinanceThe job should help me see what Finance is all about. I have learned a lot of Finance theories at school, and now it
theories at school, and now it is time for me to put them into practice.is time for me to put them into practice.
Mike:
Mike: Anything else?Anything else?
John:
John: I also hope that it will help me grow in mI also hope that it will help me grow in m y field.y field.
Mike:
Mike: What are your strengths? Why should I hire What are your strengths? Why should I hire you?you?
John:
John: I am a hard-working person and a I am a hard-working person and a fast learner. I am very eager to lefast learner. I am very eager to learn, and I get alongarn, and I get along fine with people.
fine with people.
Mike:
Mike: OK. Now, let me ask you a few quick questions. You do not mind working long hours, doOK. Now, let me ask you a few quick questions. You do not mind working long hours, do you?
you?
John:
John: No, I do not. No, I do not.
Mike:
Mike: Can you handle pressure?Can you handle pressure?
John:
John: Yes, I can. When I was going to Yes, I can. When I was going to school, I took quite a school, I took quite a few courses each semester whilefew courses each semester while working at least twenty hours every week. And, I handled that situation very well.
working at least twenty hours every week. And, I handled that situation very well.
Mike:
Mike: Do you still have any questions for me?Do you still have any questions for me?
John:
John: No, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the job. I believe that I can handle it with No, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the job. I believe that I can handle it with ease, and I hope to have the opportunity to work for you.
ease, and I hope to have the opportunity to work for you.
Mike:
Mike: John, nice meeting you. Thank you for coming.John, nice meeting you. Thank you for coming.
John:
John: Nice meeting you too. Thank you for seeing me. Nice meeting you too. Thank you for seeing me.
Expressions used in the conversation Expressions used in the conversation
I am so glad I am so glad Let’s start th
Let’s start thee interview interview First of all:
First of all:
As soon as possible As soon as possible Entry-level position Entry-level position
On a daily basis On a daily basis
I am willing to I am willing to That is great! That is great! Work part-time Work part-time
What are you looking for in a job? What are you looking for in a job? Put into practice
Put into practice Hard-working person Hard-working person Fast learner
Fast learner
I get along fine with everybody I get along fine with everybody I do not mind
I do not mind Work long hours Work long hours
I can handle the situation I can handle the situation Have an opportunity Have an opportunity Nice meeting you Nice meeting you
Interviewer: Good afternoon, please have a seat. Interviewer: Good afternoon, please have a seat. Interviewee: Thank you.
Interviewee: Thank you.
Interviewer: How are you doing today? Did you have any trouble finding the office? Interviewer: How are you doing today? Did you have any trouble finding the office? Interviewee: I'm fine thank you, and I had no trouble at all getting here.
Interviewee: I'm fine thank you, and I had no trouble at all getting here. Interviewer: Great. Well let's get started. Could you tell me a little about
Interviewer: Great. Well let's get started. Could you tell me a little about your educationalyour educational background?
background?
Interviewee: Yes, I graduated from UCLA in 1995,
Interviewee: Yes, I graduated from UCLA in 1995, with a Bachelors degree in with a Bachelors degree in journalism. Afterjournalism. After that I enrolled in NYU's master's program for journalism, graduating in 1998.
that I enrolled in NYU's master's program for journalism, graduating in 1998. Interviewer: I see. Now, how about your work experience?
Interviewer: I see. Now, how about your work experience? Interviewee: After I left NYU, I worked for a year at th
Interviewee: After I left NYU, I worked for a year at th e Daily Newspaper.e Daily Newspaper. Interviewer: And after that?
Interviewer: And after that?
Interviewee: From there I moved to San Francisco and was employed by the Bay Area Interviewee: From there I moved to San Francisco and was employed by the Bay Area Chronicle, covering local and state politics.
Interviewer: What was the biggest story you covered while
Interviewer: What was the biggest story you covered while you were there.you were there. Interviewee: I covered several that I thought were
Interviewee: I covered several that I thought were important, but I would have important, but I would have to say theto say the investigative piece I did on the
investigative piece I did on the cover-up of the governor's staff involvement in cover-up of the governor's staff involvement in the embezzlementthe embezzlement of education funds was the biggest.
of education funds was the biggest. Interviewer: How did you like it at the
Interviewer: How did you like it at the Chronicle?Chronicle? Interviewee: Overall, I liked it a lot. The
Interviewee: Overall, I liked it a lot. The people were great and mpeople were great and my boss was supportive andy boss was supportive and understanding.
understanding.
Interviewer: According to you resume, you left there three months ago. What have you been Interviewer: According to you resume, you left there three months ago. What have you been doing since then?
doing since then?
Interviewee: Mainly taking care of our baby, she just turned three months old. But now I'm ready Interviewee: Mainly taking care of our baby, she just turned three months old. But now I'm ready to go back to work.
to go back to work.
Interviewer: What brought you to Denver? Interviewer: What brought you to Denver?
Interviewee: My husband’s company transferred him here last month. Interviewee: My husband’s company transferred him here last month. Interviewer: One final question. Why did you appl
Interviewer: One final question. Why did you appl y here? Denver has three daily here? Denver has three daily newspapers toy newspapers to choose from.
choose from.
Interviewee: I felt that this paper is better suited for my conservative thinking,
Interviewee: I felt that this paper is better suited for my conservative thinking, my unique writingmy unique writing style, and my diverse areas of interest when co
style, and my diverse areas of interest when covering political news.vering political news. Interviewer: Well, thank you for your time. We'll be making
Interviewer: Well, thank you for your time. We'll be making a selection in a couple oa selection in a couple of days andf days and will call you one way or the other.
will call you one way or the other.
Interviewee: Thank you for seeing me. Have a pleasant day. Interviewee: Thank you for seeing me. Have a pleasant day.
James arrives for an interview. He is 18
James arrives for an interview. He is 18 years old, and very nervous, as he years old, and very nervous, as he has never been for anhas never been for an interview before. He has applied for the job
interview before. He has applied for the job as a part-time telephone salesman.as a part-time telephone salesman.
Interviewer:
Interviewer: Good afternoon. Good afternoon. James:
James: Er, Er, good good afternoon.afternoon. Interviewer:
Interviewer: Please sit down. Did you find our offices all right?Please sit down. Did you find our offices all right? James:
James: Yes, Yes, with with no no difficulty. difficulty. I've I've passed passed this this building building several several times times before.before. Interviewer:
Interviewer: Right. Well, I can see from your CV that you like meeting people and enjoy beingRight. Well, I can see from your CV that you like meeting people and enjoy being sociable.
sociable. James:
James: Yes, Yes, I'm I'm a a very very outgoing outgoing sort sort of of person person and and I'm I'm not not afraid afraid to to take take the the initiative,initiative, although my friends say I tend to talk too much.
Interviewer:
Interviewer: Well, that's exactly the kind of person we need. Why do you think you will be goodWell, that's exactly the kind of person we need. Why do you think you will be good at this job, though? You won't be meeting people in person, but only over the
at this job, though? You won't be meeting people in person, but only over the phone.
phone. James:
James: I I think think I I have have a a good good telephone telephone voice, voice, and and I I am am very very confident confident on on the the phone. phone. I'veI've also some experience in sales, as
also some experience in sales, as you can see from my CV. you can see from my CV. I think I would find thisI think I would find this work very interesting, and it will give me some good work experience.
work very interesting, and it will give me some good work experience. Interviewer:
Interviewer: Okay. As you know we need someone for at least three hours, three evenings aOkay. As you know we need someone for at least three hours, three evenings a week. Will you be able to cope with this and your schoolwork as well?
week. Will you be able to cope with this and your schoolwork as well? James:
James: I'm I'm confident confident that that I I can can do do that.that. Interviewer:
Interviewer: Right, then. Shall we give you a trial period of say ... two weeks? If you'd like toRight, then. Shall we give you a trial period of say ... two weeks? If you'd like to come with me I'll introduce you to m
come with me I'll introduce you to my floor manager who will show y floor manager who will show you the ropes.you the ropes. James:
James: Yes, Yes, and and thank thank you you very very much.much.
AN INTERVIEW DIALOGUE AN INTERVIEW DIALOGUE
Read through this outline of the responses of
Read through this outline of the responses of three applicants to the same questions asked three applicants to the same questions asked ofof them in an interview.
them in an interview.
Consider their answers carefully. Consider their answers carefully.
Good morning, my name is Ms Martin. Y
Good morning, my name is Ms Martin. You've applied for the Laboratory ou've applied for the Laboratory Assistant's positionAssistant's position right?
right?
A. A.Yes.Yes.
B.
B. Yes Ms Martin, I have.Yes Ms Martin, I have.
C.
C.Yes Ms Martin. When I saw it advertised I thought it wouYes Ms Martin. When I saw it advertised I thought it wou ld really suit me.ld really suit me.
Can you tell me why you replied to our advertisement? Can you tell me why you replied to our advertisement?
A.
A.I .... I 'm not really sure .... ahh ....I .... I 'm not really sure .... ahh ....
B.
B. Well, I've always enjoyed science and felt that Well, I've always enjoyed science and felt that this position would offer me an opportunity tothis position would offer me an opportunity to extend my skills in this area.
C.
C.I think that I'd be really good at this kinI think that I'd be really good at this kind of work. In fact I lead of work. In fact I learn so fast that I'd be looking forrn so fast that I'd be looking for promotion very shortly.
promotion very shortly.
Do you know exactly what you would be doing as a La
Do you know exactly what you would be doing as a La boratory Assistant?boratory Assistant?
A.
A.Well, I don't really know for sure, but Well, I don't really know for sure, but I think it's got something to do with helping out I think it's got something to do with helping out thethe scientists in the laboratory hasn't it?
scientists in the laboratory hasn't it?
B.
B. A Laboratory Assistant helps to maintain scientific equipment, keeping a check A Laboratory Assistant helps to maintain scientific equipment, keeping a check on theon the supplies in the store, and preparing the
supplies in the store, and preparing the chemicals for experiments.chemicals for experiments.
C.
C.Oh, a Lab. Assistant helps make sure that all the experiments are done properly.Oh, a Lab. Assistant helps make sure that all the experiments are done properly.
What sort of student do you
What sort of student do you regard yourself as . . . did yregard yourself as . . . did you enjoy studying while you weou enjoy studying while you were atre at school?
school?
A.
A.I wasn't the best student. I didn't really like study all that muchI wasn't the best student. I didn't really like study all that much , but I did it when , but I did it when I had toI had to
B.
B. I suppose I'm a reasonable student. I passed all mI suppose I'm a reasonable student. I passed all m y tests and enjoyed studying subjects thaty tests and enjoyed studying subjects that interested me.
interested me.
C.
C.I'm a really great student I didn't have to I'm a really great student I didn't have to study much because I always seemed study much because I always seemed to get byto get by without worrying too much about it.
without worrying too much about it.
What were your favourite subjects at school? What were your favourite subjects at school?
A.
A.I liked Science-it was O.K. . . well, I liked Science-it was O.K. . . well, at least the bits I understood were O.K.at least the bits I understood were O.K.
B.
B. Maths and Science were my favourite subjects Maths and Science were my favourite subjects at school. I also enjoyed doing at school. I also enjoyed doing History.History.
C.
C.I'm afraid that I only liked the ones I was I'm afraid that I only liked the ones I was good at. The others were so good at. The others were so boring that I found themboring that I found them to be a thorough waste of my time.
to be a thorough waste of my time.
Do you have any further plans for further study? Do you have any further plans for further study?
A.
A.I hadn't really thought much about it . . .I don't know what courses I could do.I hadn't really thought much about it . . .I don't know what courses I could do.
B.
B. Well, I've thought about doing the pWell, I've thought about doing the part-time Chemistry Certificate course at Technicalart-time Chemistry Certificate course at Technical College. I think I would really benefit from do
College. I think I would really benefit from doing that.ing that.
C.
C.Well, if I had to do it I Well, if I had to do it I suppose I would, but now I ve suppose I would, but now I ve finished school I'd much rather try tofinished school I'd much rather try to get my social life back into full swing a
Suppose our company wanted you to attend an institution to further your skills.... How would you Suppose our company wanted you to attend an institution to further your skills.... How would you feel about this?
feel about this?
A.
A.Attend a what?Attend a what?
B.
B. If the course would help me improve my prospects for promotion If the course would help me improve my prospects for promotion and help me to be and help me to be better atbetter at my job I would definitely do it.
my job I would definitely do it.
C.
C.Attend a course? When? Attend a course? When? I hope it would be in thI hope it would be in the day time? Would I get e day time? Would I get time off from worktime off from work to attend it? I hope it's not
to attend it? I hope it's not at night-my social life would be ruined.at night-my social life would be ruined.
Have you ever had a job before? Have you ever had a job before?
A.
A. No I haven't. I've never really been game enough to get one. No I haven't. I've never really been game enough to get one.
B.
B. Yes. I have worked part-time at a take away food store-the one just round the corner. . .Yes. I have worked part-time at a take away food store-the one just round the corner. . .
C.
C. No. I've really been too busy, what with all the study I've had to do to get a good result. . . No. I've really been too busy, what with all the study I've had to do to get a good result. . .
We have a lot of other
We have a lot of other applicants for this position. Why do you think that applicants for this position. Why do you think that you deserve to get theyou deserve to get the job?
job?
A.
A.I can't think of any special reason-I suppose I can't think of any special reason-I suppose I'm no different from most other people.I'm no different from most other people.
B.
B. Well, I've found out a lot about Well, I've found out a lot about this type of work and my research suggethis type of work and my research suggests that I would bests that I would be quite capable of doing the work involved. I also think that I would be able to handle any training quite capable of doing the work involved. I also think that I would be able to handle any training course reasonably well.
course reasonably well.
C.
C.I reckon I'd probably be the best applicant you're likely to get for the job.I reckon I'd probably be the best applicant you're likely to get for the job.
Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the position? Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the position?
A.
A. No thank you. I don't think so. No thank you. I don't think so.
B.
B. Yes. Ms Martin, could you tell me what hours Yes. Ms Martin, could you tell me what hours I'd have to work, and I'd have to work, and for whom I'd be working?for whom I'd be working?
C.
C.Yes. . . What's the pay like?Yes. . . What's the pay like?
I think I have asked you everything I wanted to. Thank you for coming along to the interview. I think I have asked you everything I wanted to. Thank you for coming along to the interview.
A.
A.Thank you Ms Martin. Goodbye.Thank you Ms Martin. Goodbye.
B.
B. Thank you. When will I know Thank you. When will I know if I am successful?if I am successful?
C.
Interviewer (Ms Hanford):
Interviewer (Ms Hanford): (opens door, shakes hands) Good morning…(opens door, shakes hands) Good morning…
Job Applicant (Mr. Anderson):
Job Applicant (Mr. Anderson): Good morning, Joe Good morning, Joe Anderson, it's a pleasure to meet you MsAnderson, it's a pleasure to meet you Ms Hanford.
Hanford.
Hanford:
Hanford: How do you do? How do you do? Please take a seat. (Joe sits) It's quite the rainy daPlease take a seat. (Joe sits) It's quite the rainy da y outside, isn't it?y outside, isn't it?
Anderson:
Anderson: Yes, luckily, you have a nice underground parking lot that helped me avoid the worst Yes, luckily, you have a nice underground parking lot that helped me avoid the worst of it. I must say this is an impressive building.
of it. I must say this is an impressive building.
Hanford:
Hanford: Thank you, we like Thank you, we like working here... Now, let's see. You've coworking here... Now, let's see. You've come to interview for theme to interview for the position of e-commerce manager, haven't you?
position of e-commerce manager, haven't you?
Anderson:
Anderson: Yes, Peter Smith encouraged me to apply, and I think I'd be ideal for the position. Yes, Peter Smith encouraged me to apply, and I think I'd be ideal for the position.
Hanford:
Hanford: Oh. Peter… he's a great sysadmin, we like him Oh. Peter… he's a great sysadmin, we like him a lot … Let's go over a lot … Let's go over your your resume.resume. Could you begin by telling me about your qualifications?
Could you begin by telling me about your qualifications?
Anderson:
Anderson: Certainly. I've been working as the Certainly. I've been working as the regional assistant director of marketing at Simpcoregional assistant director of marketing at Simpco Northwest for the past year.
Northwest for the past year.
Hanford:
Hanford: And what did you do before that? And what did you do before that?
Anderson:
Anderson: Before that, I was a Simpco local branch manager in Tacoma. Before that, I was a Simpco local branch manager in Tacoma.
Hanford:
Hanford: Well, I see you have done well at Simpco. Can you give me some more detail about Well, I see you have done well at Simpco. Can you give me some more detail about your responsibilities as assistant director?
your responsibilities as assistant director?
Anderson:
Anderson: Yes, I've been in Yes, I've been in charge of in-house personnel training for our Internet customercharge of in-house personnel training for our Internet customer service reps over the past six
service reps over the past six months.months.
Hanford:
Hanford: Can you tell me a little bit about what you've been doing in your training? Can you tell me a little bit about what you've been doing in your training?
Anderson:
Anderson: We've been working on improving customer satisfaction through an innovative e- We've been working on improving customer satisfaction through an innovative e-commerce solution which provides real-time chat service help
commerce solution which provides real-time chat service help to visitors to the site.to visitors to the site.
Anderson:
Anderson: I understand that you have been expanding your e-commerce to include social I understand that you have been expanding your e-commerce to include social networking features.
networking features.
Hanford:
Hanford: Yes, that's correct. Yes, that's correct.
Anderson:
Anderson: I think that my experience I think that my experience in customer relations via the Internet in real-time puts mein customer relations via the Internet in real-time puts me in the unique position of understanding what works and what doesn't.
Hanford:
Hanford: Yes, that does sound useful. What difficulties and challenges do Yes, that does sound useful. What difficulties and challenges do you think we mightyou think we might run into?
run into?
Anderson:
Anderson: Well, I think we'll continue to see cons Well, I think we'll continue to see consumers spend more of the shopping dollarsumers spend more of the shopping dollars online. I've been studying how s
online. I've been studying how sales directly relates to customer satisfaction with online services.ales directly relates to customer satisfaction with online services.
Hanford:
Hanford: Would you mind giving me a Would you mind giving me a bit more detail on that?bit more detail on that?
Anderson:
Anderson: Sure ... if customers aren't satisfied with the service they Sure ... if customers aren't satisfied with the service they receive online, they won'treceive online, they won't come back. It's much easier to lose
come back. It's much easier to lose customers online. That's why you need customers online. That's why you need to make sure that youto make sure that you get it right the first time round.
get it right the first time round.
Hanford:
Hanford: I can see you've learnt quite a lot in the short time you've been working in e- I can see you've learnt quite a lot in the short time you've been working in e-commerce.
commerce.
Anderson:
Anderson: Yes, it's an exciting f Yes, it's an exciting f ield to be working in …ield to be working in …
A Job Interview A Job Interview Dialogue:
Dialogue:
Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: Good morning Ms. Brandies, please have a seat.Good morning Ms. Brandies, please have a seat. M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: Good morning, it's a pleasure to meet you.Good morning, it's a pleasure to meet you. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: Could you tell me who you work for at the moment?Could you tell me who you work for at the moment? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: I work for Frank and Smith importers.I work for Frank and Smith importers. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: How long have you worked for them?How long have you worked for them? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: I've been working for Frank and Smith I've been working for Frank and Smith for the past three years.for the past three years. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: And how long have you been working in the accounting department?And how long have you been working in the accounting department? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: I've been in the accounting depI've been in the accounting department for the past six months.artment for the past six months. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: You know this job requires a lot of travYou know this job requires a lot of travel. Have you done mucel. Have you done much traveling forh traveling for business?
business? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: Yes, the job I had before Frank and Smith required me to travel monthly.Yes, the job I had before Frank and Smith required me to travel monthly. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: And why did you leave that position?And why did you leave that position? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: I was offered a more interesting position at Frank and I was offered a more interesting position at Frank and Banowitz.Banowitz. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: Have you had any experience in sales?Have you had any experience in sales? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: Yes, I've spent a few years working Yes, I've spent a few years working part-time as an advertising consultant forpart-time as an advertising consultant for schools offering summer language courses.
schools offering summer language courses. Mr.Allen:
Mr.Allen: That's interesting. How successful have you been?That's interesting. How successful have you been? M
M ss.Br.Br andiesandies:: The schools I've worked for have all The schools I've worked for have all had increased registrations as a result of myhad increased registrations as a result of my collaboration.
collaboration. Mr.Allen:
