Job interview

CHAPTER THIRTEEN JOB INTERVIEW Situation: Lintel, a computer chip manufacturing company, currently has a job opening in its Finance department. John Miller is the first applicant to be interviewed this morning by Lintel’s Finance Manager Mike Gates. Mike: Good Morning, John. I am Mike. John: Good Morning. Mike: How are you doing? John: I am doing fine. Thank you. Mike: How was the traffic coming over here? John: I am so glad that the traffic was light this morning. No traffic jam and no accidents. Mike: That is good. John, let’s start the interview. Are you ready? John: Yes, I am. Mike: First of all, let me properly introduce myself. I am the Finance Department Manager. As you know there is an open position in my department, and I need to fill this position as soon as possible. John: Please, tell me a little bit about the position. Mike: It is an entry-level position. The new employee will have to work closely with the Accounting department. He will also have to deal with the bank on a daily basis. John: What type of qualifications do you require? Mike: I require a four-year college degree in Finance. Some working experience would be helpful. John: What kind of experience are you looking for? Mike: Doing office work is good. However, since this is an entry-level position, I do not require a lot of experience. I am willing to train the new person. John: That is great! Mike: John, tell me a little bit about yourself. 76 John: I was a student at West Coast University, and I just graduated with a Bachelor degree in Finance. I have been working part-time as a payroll clerk for the last two years. Mike: What are you looking for in a job? John: The job should help me see what Finance is all about. I have learned a lot of Finance theories at school, and now it is time for me to put them into practice. Mike: Anything else? John: I also hope that it will help me grow in my field. Mike: What are your strengths? Why should I hire you? John: I am a hard-working person and a fast learner. I am very eager to learn, and I get along fine with people. Mike: OK. Now, let me ask you a few quick questions. You do not mind working long hours, do you? John: No, I do not. Mike: Can you handle pressure? John: Yes, I can. When I was going to school, I took quite a few courses each semester while working at least twenty hours every week. And, I handled that situation very well. Mike: Do you still have any questions for me? John: 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. Mike: John, nice meeting you. Thank you for coming. John: Nice meeting you too. Thank you for seeing me.

2) Questions/Answers Practice Pair the students and have them practice the following questions and answers. Ask them to come up with similar questions and answers. Q: How should I dress for the interview? A: You should wear formal clothing when you go to an interview. Q: When should I show up for the interview? A: You should arrive at least fifteen minutes early to fill out the necessary paperwork and to give yourself some time to relax before the interview. Q: What should I bring to the interview? A: Bring any letters of recommendation that you have as well as anything that may help you qualify for the job. Q: How should I speak during the interview? A: You should speak politely and firmly during the interview. A firm voice reflects confidence. Q: How should I act during the interview? A: You should be professional and also outgoing during the interview. Being outgoing is one of the many social skills required by jobs nowadays. Q: What kind of questions should I ask? A: You should ask questions about the job requirements and about the company’s operation. You may also inquire about the fringe benefits offered by the company. Q: What are the keys to a successful interview? A: Besides having the necessary skills, 78 learn as much as possible about the company. Also, try to anticipate questions they may ask and ways to handle those questions. The more prepared you are, the more successful you will be.