Bagde

English for Job

del curso Interviews Course
Carolina Boquín
 Before you begin

● Remember we have subtitles available

● This is not a Basic course so please make
sure you have completed our Basic and
Practical English Courses.
Get the most out
of this course
Objectives and Tips
Course objectives

Learn how to Know the types

prepare for a job of interviews
interview

Be prepared to Identify best

answer interview practices you can
questions apply during
interviews
 Tips

● Complete ALL the activities in the

course as well as the project
● Imitate my pronunciation out loud
● Record yourself answering the common
interview questions
● Practice as much as you can
● Join our #PlatziEnglish events
How to improve
your English
How to prepare your
professional profile
 Your resume should include:

1. Personal information and contact details

2. Your professional summary
3. Relevant experience (your current job
should go first)
4. Education
5. Skills (soft and hard skills)
6. Languages
Tips

● Choose a legible font such as

Arial or Tahoma
● Double-check spelling and
punctuation
● Your resume should be 1 or 2
pages max
Tips

● Do not include a photograph

unless you are asked to in the
job posting
● Send it in PDF format
Example
 Cover letter

1º page document that you should send with

your resume to persuade the hiring manager
to read it. It includes:
1. Your personal information, contact details
and the date
2. Recipient’s name and address
3. Professional greeting
Cover letter

4. Opening paragraph that includes your

skills
5. Include why you are the right person for
the job and why the company is right for you
6. Conclusion with a call to action
7. Complimentary closing and your signature
Example
 Your LinkedIn profile

Keep in mind:
1. Having a professional profile photo and
using a cover photo that has to do with
your field
2. Having a descriptive but short headline
3. Including your professional summary
Your LinkedIn profile

4. Highlighting projects and content you

have created
5. Select your strongest skills
6. Expand your network and be present
7. Share relevant content
8. Have a personalized URL with your
name and last name
Example
 Update your
LinkedIn profile and
share the link in the
comments section
How to prepare for
the interview
 Tips to prepare for the
interview

● Research about the company (website,

social media, news)
● Review the job description
● Check the interviewer’s profile
 Tips to prepare for the
interview

● Anticipate possible questions and

practice answering questions
● Write down any questions that you
might have for the interviewer
● Sleep well the night before the
interview.
 Things you should
consider in an online
and a phone interview
 Advantages

● You save time and money

● You might feel more comfortable
● You can have more interviews with
international companies
 Disadvantages

● They are more impersonal than face to

face interviews
● There could be issues regarding the
internet speed
● You might not have enough time to
expand your answers
● If it is a phone interview you could have
issues with the call or incoming calls and
messages that could distract you.
 Tools for online interviews

1. A laptop or desktop computer

2. Webcam
3. Headphones with a built-in microphone
4. Good internet connection - bandwidth
speed of at least 5 Mbps.
Tips

● Make sure you have the link

● Sit in a quiet place where you will
have privacy, no external noises
and good lighting
● Connect to the internet using a
cable
● Test your audio and video settings
● Be on time
Tips

● Dress professionally, use soft solid

colors
● Have a neutral background
● Have a printed copy of your
resume
● Close any unnecessary web
browser tabs and applications
● Place your phone in silent mode
Tips

● Be calm
● Keep eye contact
● Don’t excuse yourself on not
having used the tool before
● Nod to show you are engaged
while you are actively listening
● Don’t interrupt your interviewer
Tips

● Speak clearly and confidently

● When appropriate use hand
gestures and smile
● If it’s a phone interview you can’t
see body language so you need to
work on your tone of voice
● Remember to thank the
interviewer.
 Create a checklist on
what you would need
for an online interview
Face to face interview
etiquette
 Advantages

● More personal contact

● You can expand your answers freely
● You might get the opportunity to see the
offices and get an idea of the work
environment.
 Disadvantages

● You need more time

● You have to think more about your body
language and facial expressions
● If you are an introvert you might not feel
as comfortable as in an online or phone
interview.
Tips

● Make sure you have the address

and the name your interviewer
● Take a printed copy of your resume
● Arrive early (at least 10 minutes
before)
● Dress professionally
● Shake hands firmly
Tips

● Avoid looking around the room

● Sit upright and show interest
● Listen actively
● Make eye contact
● Smile when appropriate
● Speak clearly and confidently
Tips

● Answer what you are asked, do not

stray away from the question
● Don’t interrupt your interviewer
● Be genuine
● Be polite
● Remember to thank the
interviewer.
What to consider in a
technical interview
 What is a
technical interview?
 What are the most
challenging aspects of a
a technical interview?
 Tips and tricks for
Technical Interviews
Tell me about yourself
 Professional pitch

It is a summary of the best things about you.

It should answer:
● Who you are
● What you do
● What makes you unique
● What you have done
● What you are looking for
 Script Example

I am a (Professional role)
Some of my strengths are (Mention strengths that are
aligned with the role)
I studied (Specialized knowledge & education)
I recently worked as a (Position and company)
Where I (List of duties, obligations or responsibilities)
Now I am looking for (Goal)
Example
 Prepare your
professional pitch
 Let’s talk about
your previous work
experience
Tips

● Review the experience you included

in your resume
● Share what you learned in each role
and how it relates to the position you
are applying for
● Be positive about previous
experiences and if you are asked why
you left never give a negative reason.
Example
Prepare your answer
for this question
 Why do you want to
work for this company
and why should we
hire you?
Tips

● Research the company

● Include in your answer skills and
competencies that you know the
company values
● Identify what the company needs
● Mention what you like about the
company and why you would be a
good fit for the role
Tips

● Focus on the value you will bring

to your company with your skills,
experience and achievements
● Give examples on how you
achieved goals.
Example
Prepare your answer
for this question
Talking about
your skills and
competencies
 Know the difference

Competencies are much broader than

skills.
Skills are specific to a task. A skill is the
ability to solve problems and perform
tasks.
Competencies involve skills, abilities and
knowledge. They are your qualifications
for a job.
 Examples
SKILLS
● Adaptability
● Attention to detail
● Problem solving skills
● Teamwork
● Work ethics
-----------------------------
● Analytical skills
● Design skills
● Presentation skills
● Language skills
● Technical skills
COMPETENCIES
● Commercial awareness
● Creative thinking
● Critical thinking
● Decision making
● Focus
● Leadership
● Organization
● Persuasive Communication
● Responsibility
● Results orientation
Tips

● Review the job description again

● Include in your answer the skills
and competencies that are
relevant to the job
Tips

● Use the STAR method (Situation, Task,

Action and Result) to talk about your
skills and how you applied them
● Keep your answer clear and concise
● Demonstrate how you will benefit the
company.
Example
Prepare your answer
for this question
What are your
strengths and
weaknesses?
How to answer these
questions

● Be prepared
● Be brief
● Be honest
● Give an example
How to answer these
questions

● When talking about your

strengths focus on the role you are
applying for; don’t do this when
talking about your weaknesses
● Mention a weakness you had and
how you improved or a weakness
you are working on.
 Examples
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

● Collaborative ● Do not ask enough questions

● Detail-oriented ● It has been difficult for me to ask for
● Disciplined help
● Driven ● I can be impulsive
● Empathetic ● I try to please everyone
● Flexible ● I have a tendency of being competitive
● Innovative ● I am an introvert
● Organized ● Limited experience in a skill that is not
● Respectful relevant to the role
● Trustworthy and Reliable ● Take on too much responsibility and not
skilled at delegating
● Too self-critical
● Shy when speaking in public
Examples
Prepare your answer
for these 2 questions
 The salary
expectation question
Tips

● Don’t ask about the salary before

you are asked about it
● You could divert the question by
saying you need more information
about the role requirements and
expectations
● Be aware of your market value and
cost of living
Tips

● Be ready to specify your required

salary range and explain why
● Be prepared to negotiate
● You could say you are open to
negotiating depending on the
benefits, commissions or bonuses.
Example
Prepare your answer
for this question
 Where do you see
yourself in 5 years?
Tips

● Think of your long-term goals and

your career path
● Show confidence and a positive
attitude
● Demonstrate how the role will
help you reach your goals
Tips

● Talk about mentoring as well as

training and development
opportunities you would like to
have
● Show enthusiasm and passion
about possible projects you could
do in the company.
Example
Prepare your answer
for this question
Answering situational
questions
Tips

● To answer this question about a

hypothetical situation include: how
you would face a problem, what
you would do to solve it and how
this solution will benefit the
company.
Tips

● Consider the skills required for the

role and how you would use those
skills to solve a problem
● When talking about the benefits for
the company consider what are the
needs and goals of the company.
Role Play
Questions for the
interviewer
 Questions for the
Interviewer

1. How would you describe the company culture?

2. What do you like most about working here?
3. How do you define and measure success for this
role?
4. What are the three most important things that
you would like me to accomplish in the first six
months if I were hired?
 Questions for the
Interviewer

5. What do you think is the most challenging

aspect of this position?
6. Will I have the opportunity to meet the team
during the interview process?
7. Are there opportunities for professional
growth?
Write 3 other questions
you would ask to your
interviewer
How to close the job
interview effectively
 Make sure

● All questions were answered

● State your interest and why you are the
right person for the job
● You ask for the next steps and how you
should follow up
 Make sure

● Get the the contact information you

need
● Close the interview on a positive note
● Thank the hiring manager
 After the interview

● Analyze your answers and how you felt

● Write down things you want to
remember from the interview
● Contact the references you provided (if
applicable)
● Connect with your interviewer
 After the interview

● Send an email thanking for the interview

● Follow up on the process
● Be prepared to wait, be patient
● Do not stop the job search until you
have an offer
Common mistakes
 Common mistakes

● Being late for the interview

● Lying
● Not being prepared
● Having your cell phone with
notifications on and using it
● Not making any eye contact
 Common mistakes

● Bad posture
● Not dressing appropriately
● Not asking questions
● Asking about holidays or bonuses at the
initial interview
 Common mistakes

● Saying that you have applied to a lot of

jobs
● Making negative comments about your
current job, employer or colleagues
● Not following up after an interview.
Which common
mistakes have
you made?
 What would you do
differently after
completing this course?
Congratulations!
You learned

How to prepare The types of

for a job interview interviews

How to answer Best practices

interview you can apply
questions during interviews
 What is next?

● Share your project

● Take the test and
share your certificate
● Watch our English
for work courses
● Apply for your dream
job
● Keep practicing
 One important key to
success is self-confidence.
An important key to
self-confidence is preparation.

Arthur Ashe
carolboquin