ENGLISH PHRASES FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

Greetings

In an interview in pretty important to show that you are a polite person with good manners, so you must greet
in a formal way, ask about the interviewer(s) present condition and introduce yourself. As examples:

Good day/morning/afternoon/evening
How are you (today) (Miss/Mrs./Mr.-name)?
How is it going?
My name is _____, (it is a pleasure to meet you/glad to meet you/ nice to meet you) (all-in this case it
is when there are more than two interviewers)

Showing that you are interested

Any employer would want to know if you are truly interested into the company or the position you want to apply
for. As examples:

Ive always been interested in working in your industry.

Im really impressed by your line of products.
I like the friendly tone on your website.
I read that you value attention to detail and that is important to me.

Being outstanding

It is necessary to focus in your skills and abilities that mostly match with the wanted job. As examples:

I have three years experience in_____________.

I am an experienced __________with excellent diary management skills.
My previous experience includes five years with_______________.
My responsibilities include managing (a team of four people and organising training events- any
other ability).
I am fluent in (four languages including Spanish, French, Italian and Greek, and have a proficient
level of English).

You can also add more information that you want the company to know about you. As examples:

I came top in my accounting class.

My team had the best sales results two years running.
I am hardworking and always punctual.
My developing skills include_____________.

Confidence at the moment of giving answers

Getting nervous is something normal, due to the fact that you dont know what are the questions that are going
to be asked. It is acceptable to ask to the interviewer to repeat the question, just remain calmed. If the
questions are for short answers, try to add more information to it. As examples:

Yes, I speak three languages: Arabic, French and English.

No, I have only managed teams of two or three people.
Yes, I was involved in training new starters in my last job.

In most interviews you are going to be asked the reason why you are an ideal candidate for the job, therefore
you must have a proper and prepared answer for that. As examples:

I think I have the skills and attitude you need to make your team more successful.
I think I can help you improve your technology platform.
 Because I have the time management skills and efficiency you are looking for.
I have a lot of experience working with the type of clients you have.

To be concerned

Making questions to the interviewers will show that you care about the entire companys functions. As
examples:

How many people work in this office?

What is the most important skill you are looking for?
How large is the team?
What are the typical working hours?
What kind of employee training do you provide?

The farewell

The last minutes in an interview will give you the chance to find out what is going to happen afterwards. Make
sure that the interviewer notice your interest into the job, and ask more about the hiring process. As examples:

Now that Ive heard a bit more, Im extremely interested in this role. What are the next steps?
When will you let people know about the second round of interviews?
Will I hear from you again in the next couple of days?
Is there any other information I can send you after I leave?

Finally to say good-bye and let them know that you will wait for the call. As examples:

Thanks for taking the time to see me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Ive really enjoyed meeting you. I look forward to your feedback.

10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND BEST ANSWERS

Review the top 10 interview questions you'll most likely be asked at a job interview, plus the best answers.
Also, review the other questions you may be asked, so you're prepared to ace the interview.

1. What is your greatest strength?

When you are asked about your greatest strengths, it's important to discuss the attributes that will qualify you
for the specific job and set you apart from the other candidates. Best Answers:

I have an extremely strong work ethic. When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet
deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule. Last year, I even earned a
bonus for completing my three most recent reports one week ahead of time.
With five years of experience as a customer service associate, I have learned to effectively
understand and resolve customer issues. On a related note, I also have strong communication skills,
which help me work well with customers, team members, and executives. I am known for being an
effective team member with a talent for giving presentations.

2. What is your greatest weakness?

Do your best to frame your answers around positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee. Best
Answers:

I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking
it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done the first
time correctly.
 Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task or take on tasks personally that could easily
be delegated to someone else. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to
know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work.

3. Tell me about yourself.

Heres how to answer questions about you without giving out too much or too little personal information.
Start by sharing some of your personal interests which don't relate directly to work. Best Answers:

Try starting out by sharing some personal interests which don't relate directly to your work. Examples might
include a hobby, pursuits like being an avid reader or solving crossword puzzles or brain teasers will help to
showcase your intellectual leaning. Interactive roles like to be a volunteer, museum tour guide, fundraiser, or
chair of a social club will help show your comfort with engaging others.

4. Why should we hire you?

Are you the best candidate for the job? Be prepared to say why. Make your response a concise sales pitch
that explains what you have to offer the employer, and why you should get the job. Best Answers:

I think that my experience in the (widget) industry and my ability to work autonomously make me a
good match for this position.
Your company provides many services that I have had experience with, in a variety of capacities.
[Offer a few specific examples.] I believe that my familiarity with the industry would make me a good
fit for this position.

5. What are your salary expectations?

What are you looking for in terms of salary? It seems like a simple question, but your answer can knock you
out of content for the job if you overprice yourself. Here's the best way to answer questions about salary. If you
are in an interview, you could try to skirt around the question with a broad answer, such as: My salary
expectations are in line with my experience and qualifications. Or If this is the right job for me, I am sure we
can come to an agreement on salary. Best Answers:

I understand that positions similar to this one pay in the range of $X to $Z in our region. With my
experience, I would like to receive something in the range of $Y to $Z.
I would like to be compensated fairly for my experience.
The research I've done indicates that positions like this one pay $X to $Z and something in that range
would be acceptable to me as a starting salary.
My salary requirements are flexible, but I do have significant experience in the field that I believe adds
value to my candidacy.

6. Why are you leaving or have left your job?

When asked about why you are moving on, stick with the facts, be direct and focus your interview answer on
the future, especially if your leaving wasn't under the best of circumstances. Best Answers:

I'm looking for a bigger challenge and to grow my career, but didnt feel like I could give equal
attention both to my job search and to my full-time work responsibilities.
I'm relocating to this area due to family circumstances and left my previous position in order to make
the move.
To be honest, I wasn't considering a move, but I saw this job posting and was intrigued by the position
and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match with my qualifications.
I was laid off from my last position when our department was eliminated due to corporate
restructuring.
I am seeking a position with a stable company with room for growth and opportunity for advancement.
7. Why do you want this job?

This question gives you an opportunity to show the interviewer what you know about the job and the company.
Be specific about what makes you a good fit for this role, and mention aspects of the company and position
that appeal to you. Research the company ahead of time. Interviewers will be listening for a response that
shows you've done research on the company. Be specific about why you are a good fit. Emphasize what
you can contribute. Your answer should also emphasize what you can contributewhat will you bring to the
position? Mention any skills or work experience that makes you a unique, strong candidate for the job. Avoid
reasons that focus on you. Even if it's true, do not mention salary, hours, or commute as the primary reasons
you want the job. Remember that you want to focus on how you can benefit the company, not how the
company or job can benefit you. Best Answers:

This job is a good fit for what I've been doing and enjoying throughout my career. It offers a mix of
short-term projects and long-term goals. My organizational skills allow me to successfully multitask
and complete both kinds of projects.
I want this job because it emphasizes sales and marketing, two of my greatest skill sets. In my
previous job, I increased sales by 15% in what was at the time considered a flat industry. I know I
could bring my ten years of sales and marketing experience to this company, and help you continue
your years of growth.
I have admired this companys successful strategies and mission for years. Your emphasis on
creating a relationship between your company and the surrounding community have brought you
success everywhere you have opened an office. There are values I greatly admire.

8. How do you handle stress and pressure?

What do you do when things dont go smoothly at work? The best way to respond to this question is to give an
example of how you have handled stress in a previous job. Best Answers:

I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become
stressful. For example, when I deal with an unsatisfied customer, rather than feeling stressed, I focus
on the task at hand. I believe my ability to communicate effectively with customers during these
moments helps reduce my own stress in these situations and also reduces any stress the customer
may feel.
Pressure is very important to me. Good pressure, such as having a lot of assignments to work on, or
an upcoming deadline, helps me to stay motivated and productive. Of course, there are times when
too much pressure can lead to stress; however, I am very skilled at balancing multiple projects and
meeting deadlines, which prevents me from feeling stressed often. For example, I once had three
large projects due in the same week, which was a lot of pressure. However, because I created a
schedule that detailed how I would break down each project into small assignments, I completed all
three projects ahead of time and avoided unnecessary stress.

9. Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.

The interviewer wants to know what you do when you face a difficult decision. As with the question about
stress, be prepared to share an example of what you did in a tough situation. These are behavioral interview
questions designed to discover how you have managed certain situations. The logic behind these types of
questions is that how you behaved in the past is a predictor of what you will do in the future. Best Answers:

Decisions I have to make within a team are difficult, only because these decisions take more time and
require deliberate communication between team members. For example, I was working on a team
project, and my colleagues and I had to make a number of choices about how to use our limited
budget. Because these decisions involved group conversations, our team learned how to
communicate effectively with one another, and I believe we ultimately made the best decisions for the
team.
I find that the hardest decision I have to make is when I have to choose between strong team
members for a promotion. There have been occasions when, even though I personally liked one
 person better than another, I nonetheless had to choose the other person based on their potential to
assume the responsibilities of their new role.

10. What are your goals for the future? -

This question is designed to find out if youre going to stick around or move on as soon as you find a better
opportunity. Keep your answer focused on the job and the company youre interviewing with. Best Answers:

My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional
responsibilities, and contribute as much value as I can. I love that your company emphasizes
professional development opportunities. I intend to take advantage of all of these.
Once I gain additional experience, I would like to move on from a technical position to management. I
know this is a common path for many people in this position. However, for now, I am excited about
focusing on and applying my technical skills in this job.

WORK AND EMPLOYMENT VOCABULARY

employment empleo
job trabajo, empleo
work trabajo
profession profesin
occupation ocupacin

applicant solicitante
application form solicitud
CV (GB) curriculum vitae
resume (US) curriculum vitae
employment agency agencia de empleo
employee empleado
employer empleador
boss jefe
interview entrevista
interviewee entrevistado
interviewer entrevistador
introductory letter carta de presentacin
letter of reference carta de recomendacin
personnel department departamento de personal
qualifications ttulos, habilidades
references referencias
responsibilities, duties responsabilidades
post puesto
position puesto
vacancy puesto vacante

salary salario, sueldo

salary expectations pretensiones salariales
wages salario, sueldo
a day's wages jornal
minimum wages salario mnimo
nominal wages salario mnimo
pay salario, sueldo
payday da de cobro
payroll nmina o plantilla (de sueldos)
pay slip recibo de sueldo
fringe benefits beneficios adicionales
maternity benefits beneficios por maternidad
bonus bonificacin, plus, prima
raise (US) aumento (de sueldo)
rise (GB) aumento (de sueldo)
overtime horas extra
self-employed autnomo
full-time job trabajo de jornada completa
part-time job trabajo de media jornada
temporary job trabajo temporario
permanent job trabajo permanente
casual job trabajo eventual
shift work trabajo por turnos
team work trabajo en equipo
day shift turno de da
evening shift turno de tarde
graveyard shift (US) turno de noche
night shift turno de noche
apprentice / trainee aprendiz
unemployment benefit subsidio de desempleo
to apply for a job solicitar un trabajo
to hire somebody contratar a alguien
to earn ganar (el sueldo)
to work trabajar
to work in shifts trabajar en turnos
to work overtime trabajar horas extra
to dismiss somebody echar a alguien (del trabajo)
to fire somebody echar a alguien (del trabajo)
to give somebody the sack (GB) echar a alguien (del trabajo)
to lose a job perder un trabajo
to leave / quit a job dejar un trabajo, renunciar
to hand in one's notice presentar la renuncia
to resign renunciar, dimitir
to be unemployed estar desempleado / en el paro
 to be out of work estar desempleado / en el paro
to be on the dole (GB) estar desempleado y cobrar el subsidio de desempleo
CONSTRUCTION VOCABULARY

Architects Professionally qualified and licensed, architects

analyze project requirements; create and develop
project design; prepare drawings, specifications,
and bidding requirements; and generally administer
the construction project.
Civil engineer Designs harbors, roads, bridges, waterworks, and
other similar projects.
Concrete finisher Levels, smoothes, and shapes surfaces of freshly
poured concrete on projects ranging from patios and
basements to dams, highways, foundations, and
walls of buildings.
Contractor (constructor) A person in the business of managing the building
process. Also called a contractor or construction
contractor.
Estimator Works with the construction project plans to prepare
a complete list of alI job costs, including labor,
material, equipment, and specialty items necessary
to complete the project.
Form carpenter Builds a temporary structure or mold (form) for the
support of concrete while it is setting (hardening)
and gaining sufficient strength.
Heavy equipment operator (operating engineer) Operates a variety of powerful equipment ranging
from bulldozers, backhoes, and earthmovers to very
large power shovels and cranes. They may also
lubricate, maintain, and perform minor repair and
adjustment to the equipment.
Ironworker Erects the steel framework for large industrial,
commercial, or residential buildings, bridges, and
other metal structures.
Laborer Performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties
that may include the installation of drainage pipe,
placing of concrete and asphalt, pavement striping
and traffic control.
Project/job superintendent The contractor's representative at a construction
site. Responsibilities are to ensure that work
progresses according to schedule, that material and
equipment are delivered to the site on time, and that
the activities of the various workers do not interfere
with one another.
Safety director Responsible for keeping the loss of human and
property resources to a minimum. The safety
director manages the job site safety by providing
safety training for employees, inspecting job sites,
and correcting safety hazards found during regular
inspections.
Scheduler Plans the sequence of how work will proceed on the
job.
Surveyor Measures the land for placement of buildings, roads,
and utilities.
Truck driver Responsible for transporting building materials to
and from the construction sites.
Asphalt Paver These are used to pave a variety of surfaces, from
parking lots to highways.
Backhoe loader Has a backhoe at one end for digging, and a loading
bucket at the other end for carrying materials or
pushing dirt back into the hole created by the
backhoe.
Crawler Loader Great for loading and carrying material, these
versatile machines also dig, demolish, doze, and
grade.
Dozer Used a lot in earthmoving projects, they push
materials from one place to another

Hydraulic Excavator Commonly used for digging jobs, they team up with
dump trucks to move a lot of material quickly.
Motor Grader Used for preparing roadbeds and job sites, they
follow the dozer to level the surface. Concrete Paver
Places smooth concrete on surfaces that have been
prepared by earthmoving equipment.
Roller Used to flatten and smooth the surface following
paving.
Accelerator Chemical substance added to a concrete mix that
reduces the set time by increasing the rate of
hydration.
Aggregate A mixture of sand, rock, crushed stone, expanded
materials, or particles, both enhances the structural
performance of concrete and improves cement
paste's formation and flow. Aggregate usually
constitutes about 75% of concrete volume.
Cement Cement is not the same as concrete, but rather one
component of concrete. Cement, a combination of
finely ground materials, hardens when mixed with
water to become the "glue" in concrete.
Concrete Concrete is not the same as cement. Concrete is a
combination of cement as a binding agent, chemical
additives, water and mineral. This combination,
when properly mixed and placed, hardens into an
excellent building material for a wide variety of uses.
Drying shrinkage A decrease in the volume of concrete as it dries, due
to loss of moisture.
Finishing Leveling, smoothing, compacting, and otherwise
treating the surface of newly placed concrete or
concrete overlays to produce the desired
appearance and service properties.
Fly ash A supplementary cementitious material (SCM) Fly
ash is a byproduct resulting from the combustion of
ground or powdered coal; sometimes used as a
cement replacement in concrete.
Hydration The chemical reaction between cement and water
that causes concrete or other cement-based
materials to harden.
Ready-mixed concrete Concrete that is batched or mixed at a central plant
before delivery to the job site for placement.
Slump A measure of consistency of freshly mixed concrete,
as determined by the distance the concrete slumps
after a molded specimen is removed from an
inverted funnel-shaped cone.
Water-cement ratio The ratio of the amount of water to the amount of
cement in a concrete mixture