I know how to prepare for an interview.

Preparing for an interview I know some key interview questions.

1 VOCABULARY
A. Personality:
Match the personality adjectives in the box with the definitions. Then cover the words
and test your partner.

proactive hard-working committed

trustworthy focused methodical

1. controlling a situation by preparing for possible future problems

2. giving attention to a task or goal
3. paying attention to details and working in a logical way
4. able to be relied on
5. being loyal to a person, project or company
6. using a lot of time and energy to do work

B. Skills: Match the skills in the box with the definitions. Then cover the words and test
your partner.

organization multitasking problem-solving communication

7. the ability to do several things at the same time

8. the act of finding solutions to problems
9. the quality of being arranged in a way that is sensible and useful
10. the act of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express your ideas to
someone else

2 READING PASSAGE
1. Read the article and match some of the interview mistakes with these pieces of
advice.
a. Don’t wear the wrong clothes.
b. Don’t eat or drink.
c. Do your homework – learn about the company.
d. Prepare appropriate answers to questions.
e. Don’t appear tired or bored.
f. Don’t keep checking the time.

How NOT to impress at an interview!

Going to an interview is a chance to impress and show a company your best
qualities. Or it should be! Interviewers told us about their worst experiences.
Are you ready for some surprises?

iTalk 2021 > Level 3 > 3B12.4 > 3B13 offline | Student’s Copy 1
 1. One woman started eating a 8. A candidate came in wearing
hamburger and fries during the interview. earphones. She said she could listen to me
She said that she hadn’t had lunch. and the music at the same time.

2. One candidate saw a photo of my 9. We interviewed someone who forgot

wife on the desk and asked if it was my the name of our company halfway through
mother. the interview. We weren’t impressed.

3. I was amazed when a woman 10. Our company has a casual dress
brought her dog to an interview. She even policy, but one candidate took this too far!
asked for a bowl of water. He came to the interview wearing shorts,
flip-flops and a T-shirt.
4. I must be very boring. A candidate
went to sleep during the interview. I had
to wake him up!

5. The candidate made a phone call on

his mobile. It was to his brother – he
asked him how to answer the question

6. During the interview an alarm clock

went off in the candidate’s bag. He got up
and said he had to leave because he had
another interview.

7. Our company does telemarketing, but

one candidate said she didn’t like talking
on the phone.

2. Work in groups. Decide which candidate’s behavior was:

1. the most embarrassing
2. the most stupid
3. the most offensive
4. the most inappropriate

3. Work with a partner. Imagine you are interviewing someone to be the secretary of
your place of study. What questions would you ask?

4. Interviewers want to know about your education, past experience, personality and
skills. Read the key questions below and make some notes about how you would
answer.

Key interview questions:

1. What were your best/ worst subjects at school?

2. What skills and qualities do you have?
3. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
4. Tell me about an achievement in your last job or at school.
5. Why are you interested in this company?
6. What experience have you had of working in a team or a group?

Interview your partner using the questions above.

2 iTalk 2021 > Level 3 > 3B12.4 > 3B13 offline | Student’s Copy
5. Role-play
Student A: You are interviewing candidates for a telemarketing job. Candidates must
have outgoing and focused personalities. They also must have good communication
and organization skills.

Student B: You are a candidate interviewing for a telemarketing job. Think about
what personality and skills you need for the job.
An interviewer will spend three minutes with each candidate. Students change
partners several times. At the end, interviewers must choose someone for the job.

3 PROGRESS CHECK
1. What do you do before and during an interview?
2. What questions may the interviewer ask you at the interview?

Today I can …
 prepare for an interview.
 learn some key interview questions.

iTalk 2021 > Level 3 > 3B12.4 > 3B13 offline | Student’s Copy 3