Oral Strategies for

Employment Interview
P R E PA R E D B Y: M S . I D Y L L R U T H V. B A S I Ñ O , L P T
All company desires to have
communicably competent
employees. These valuable
oral skills and strategies will
be practically useful when
you try to gain employment
as you try to speak
persuasively about your skills
and potential.
MAKING THE MOST OF THE INTERVIEW

The employment interview is one of

the best examples of total
communication because it reveals the
job applicant’s communication skills.
Theref ore, caref ul planning and
preparation for the interview are
necessary.
Preparing for an Interview
SCREENING INTERVIEW
It is aimed at narrowing a pool of
candidates or applicants for more
intensive, follow-up interviews. It
is conducted through several
interviewers with numerous
applicants on one occasion or
event.
LINE INTERVIEW
Only a few select
applicants are interviewed
by some personnel. Thus,
this kind of interview is
more formal than a
screening interview.
Preparing for an Interview
REVIEW YOUR RESUME
Be sure you have collected and
reviewed the necessary
information about your
qualifications.
LEARN ABOUT THE JOB AND THE
ORGANIZATION
You have to know the
company’s products and
services.
 The Power to Be
at Your Best
1. APPEARANCE
Every job candidate should pay close
attention to their grooming and
wardrobe choices. For the interview,
dress neatly, cleanly, comfortably, and
appropriately.
 The Power to Be
at Your Best
2. EYE CONTACT
Always remember that eye contact
suggests confidence, honesty, and
interest; so always look directly at
your interviewer.
 The Power to Be
at Your Best
3. VOICE
Modulate your voice to create a
good impression that is assertive
yet friendly. Don’t talk too loud,
too high in pitch, or too softly.
 The Power to Be
at Your Best
4. SHOWING APPRECIATION
Express appreciation for the
interviewer’s time and interest
at the end of the interview.
Failure to do so may spoil an
otherwise effective interview.
Corporate Attire
According to Alison Doyle (2019), a job search
expert, in her article posted on The Balance
Careers website, it’s important to make a good
first impression at a job interview, and the
choice of interview attire is a big part of that.
But dressing for job interviews is a lot more
complicated than it used to be.
How to Dress for a
Corporate Interview
● A suit in a solid color such as navy, black, or dark gray
● Long-sleeved shirt that is white or color-coordinated with the
suit
● Leather belt
● Tie
● Dark socks and conservative leather shoes
● Little or no jewelry
● Neat, professional hairstyle
● Limited amount of aftershave
● Neatly trimmed nails
● Portfolio or briefcase
How to Dress for a
Corporate Interview
Suit in navy, black, or dark gray
● Suit skirt just below or above the knee
● Coordinated blouse
● Conservative shoes
● Limited jewelry
● No very large dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets
● No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry

Professional hairstyle
● Neutral-colored pantyhose
● Light makeup and a limited amount of perfume
● Clean, neatly manicured nails
● Portfolio or briefcase
Interview tips:
Question 1: Tell me about yourself.
Instead of talking about your professional abilities, say something fascinating that the
interviewer can relate to. You might talk about your interests or a recent big life event that
was particularly intriguing to you. Don't forget to add volunteer work and other hobbies.
It's advantageous if you can demonstrate how you've turned your passions into relevant
professional abilities. Your oil painting hobby, for example, might translate to excellent
attention to detail.
Interview tips:
Question 2: What are your greatest strengths?

This is your chance to shine and match your abilities to the demands of the business.
Before your interview, write out your response to this question. Make a list of your assets
and then choose which are the most important. Make a list of your replies. Then read
what you've written as if you're a recruiting manager. What would your reaction be if you
were given the answers you just gave? Are there any warning signs? Adjust accordingly.
Interview tips:
Question 3: What are your weaknesses?

It’s like the interviewer is saying, “Tell us why we shouldn’t hire you.” How do you respond?

If you don't have a plan in place to fix any weaknesses, don't disclose them. If you admit to being
disorganized, tell the interviewer you've begun utilizing some great new applications to keep you on
track. Don't be scared to be vulnerable—knowing and recognizing your shortcomings demonstrates
that you prioritize self-reflection and personal development.
Interview tips:
Question 4: Tell me about an achievement you’re proud of.

Be prepared to share a significant professional achievement, and be prepared to back it up.

Just as when you’re writing a resume, remember that “show, don’t tell” is the golden rule.

Here’s a tip: Use the STAR method! First, describe the situation that led up to your accomplishment
and the Task you were required to tackle. Then describe the Action you took to address the
problem. Finally, share the impressive results.
Interview tips:
Question 5: Why are you leaving your current job?

Make sure you keep your answer to this question short and positive. This isn’t the time to badmouth
your current or previous employer. Rather than saying something like “There wasn’t enough
opportunity for growth” you could say “I’m looking to expand my horizons and move into a more
hands-on developmental role, which is where I know I’d excel.”
 Interview tips:
Question 6: What brought you to [Company]?

Here’s where your research skills are going to shine! Before interviewing, a savvy job-seeker will
have spent time on the company’s website and read articles about the company and its key players
to develop a feel for its brand presence and culture.

If you see terms like innovative or competitive, you can use them in your answer: “I’ve been eager
to join a team that’s innovating in a way that keeps them competitive in this space.”
 Interview tips:
Question 7: Tell me about a time when a customer or colleague disagreed with you. What
did you do?

Here’s your chance to prove that you are so chill. Someone disagreed with you, but you kept your
cool and worked through it. You could certainly talk about how you were able to persuade someone
to see your point of view, especially if the role you’re applying for values that ability.

It’s all about the story. Pick one that shows conflict with a good outcome and makes a positive
statement about your ability to collaborate and grow.
 Interview tips:
Question 8: What would your boss and colleagues say about you?
The key to a great interview is to emphasize your strengths while demonstrating an ability to learn
and grow from your weaknesses. Be specific and give examples. It may be true that your
colleagues would say you’re a hard worker, but without a story to back that up, you’re just tossing
out a cliché the interviewer has probably heard hundreds of times. Instead, tell a story about a time
you put in extra effort and your colleagues and friends congratulated you on your hard work.

Look at past performance reviews if you’re having a hard time coming up with a specific example.
It’s perfectly okay to quote from a positive review:
“In my last performance evaluation, my boss praised me for my creativity in putting together a new
content strategy.”
 Interview tips:
Question 9: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Rather than saying “I see myself as Director of Marketing,” say “My goal is to be in a position where
I can take on new challenges. I’d like to take on more management responsibilities, so I’m on the
lookout for opportunities to develop my skills in that area.”
 Interview tips:
Question 10: Why should we hire you?

Rather than reiterating a laundry list of talents and qualities, consider restating what you know
about the company's needs and the position, and then demonstrating why you're a suitable fit.
Here’s an example of that strategy in action from Forbes:

“From what I understand about the job, it’s a position that requires a lot of fast activity during the
day, and that’s the kind of job I thrive in. I love to stay busy and wear a lot of hats. Is my
assessment of the environment on target?”
 Dress for the job you want, smile
confidently, and offer a firm
handshake, but remember to do a

Last Tip: little behind-the-scenes interview

prep. It can mean the difference
between walking away with a
sinking feeling and walking away
with a job.
All the best to all of
you!
QUESTIONS?