JOB INTERVIEWS

MARCH 15, 07
Getting a job

• Newspaper ads
• Internet
• Recruiting company
• Headhunters
• Friends/Network

When a company needs to recruit or employ new people, it may decide to advertise the
job or position in the newspaper.
People who are interested can then apply for the job by sending in a letter of application
or covering letter (US cover letter) and a curriculum vitae or CV (US resumé)
containing details of their education and experience.
The company’s Human Resources department will then select the most suitable
applications and prepare a list of candidates or applicants, who are invited to attend an
interview. Another way for a company to hire is by using the services of a recruitment
agency (US search firm) who will provide them with a list of suitable candidates.

Dos and Don’ts of CV writing

Dos
• Do remember that you resumé is aimed at professionals with little time
• Make it easy for them to see that you are a strong candidate
• Do keep your CV to a reasonable length
• One page is almost certainly too short; three pages is probably the upper limit
• Do describe your role and responsibilities, e.g. Reported to the CEO and led a total
team of 200 with seven direct reports
• Do explain all significant breaks in your carreer or education. Recruitres hate
unexplained gaps
• Do check thoroughly and carefully. Then check again
• Spelling mistakes, typographics errors and inconsistent dates are even more
damaging at a senior level than to a recent graduate

Don’t
• Don’t lie or exaggerate. It’s much easier to check qualifications these days. You’ll
ultimately be caught out, and then what was a small untruth is likely to ruin your
chance of success

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260
• Don’t include long lists of obscure courses you’ve attended but do include details of
high education degrees and language courses
• Don’t include pages of testimonials, references, newspaper cuttings and brochures
• Don’t assume that the recruiter knows about the company. Do include a brief
description, e.g. XYZ is a global software company with a billion dollar turnover

• Don’t be tempted to make the font smaller or reduce the margins to get more
information. And don’t use “different” fonts, remember that not all computers can
read them!

Resumé Writing
Highlight your Personal Strenghts!

• Skilled in…

• Experienced in…

• Reputation for…

• Known for…

• Eager to…

• Expertise in…

• Proficient in…

• Excellent qualifications in…

• Recognized for exceptional ability to…

• Proven ability to…

• Demonstrated ability to…

• Demonstrated success in…

• … with a special talent for…

• possess strong <problem resolution> skills

• solid blend of <people>, <sales> and <business> skills

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260
 • unique combination of <technical> and <sales> experience

• strong commitment to…

• exceptional <interpersonal> and <communication> skills

• willing to do whatever it takes to…

• <detail-oriented> and <efficient>

• <accounting> professional with a strong background in all the areas of <the

accounting system>

• <Computer systems> professional experienced working in <fast-paced>

Letter of Application

• The letter of application can be as important as the CV as it often provides the first
contact between a candidate and an employer.
• It usually has four paragraphs
o Confirm you wish to apply for the job, tell where you have learned
about the job
o Show interest
o Highlight your skills
o Show willingness to have an interview

Preparing for the interview

• You should know everything about the company and the position
• Write down a list of questions (don’t be ashamed of asking but pay attention to your
English!)
o Why is this position available?
o What training programs will be offered to the person in this position?
o What are the goals for this position?
o What obstacles must be overcome for the person in this position to
succeed?
o How will my performance be evaluated?
o What opportunities are there for growth over the next 12 months? In the
next five years?
o What growth do you anticipate for your firm over the next 12 months?

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260
Going to a job interview

• Which of these things are important to consider when hiring somebody for a job?
Choose the five most important and five least important
o Level of education
o Color of hair
o Family background
o Good references
o Clothing
o Prior criminal record
o Weight
o Work experience
o Speaking ability
o Well-prepared resumé
o Hobbies
o Religion
o Gender
o Ethnic background

Would you mind having this interview in English?

Personal Qualities
• Creative
• Dynamic
• Efficient
• Methodical
• Perceptive
• Responsible
• Well-organized
Skills/Activities
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational ability
• I was responsible for:
o Co-ordinating
o Developing
o Implementing
o Initiating
o Liaising
o Monitoring
o Negotiating

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260
 o Organizing
o Reviewing
o Setting up

Useful Phrases
• I can/work / perform well under pressure.
• I am willing to take the initiative.
• I have a proven track record in…
• I have extensive knowledge of…
• I have extensive experience in/of …
• I am able to delegate…
• I can work effectively in a team.
• I am fluent in…
• I have a good knowledge of…

Questions to Expect

A Gentle Start

• What is your current job?

• What are your long-term career goals?
• What part of the job do you least enjoy?
• Why do you think you would be good at this job?
• What do you think of working as part of a group?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What type of experience do you have for the job?
• Why do you think you are successful in your career?

Let’s turn the heat up a little bit!

• Have you already done the best work you are capable of?
• How long will you stay with the company?
• What would you like to be doing five years from here?
• How long would it take you to make a contribution to our company?
• Tell me how you have progressed through your career?
• What are your outstanding qualities?

Turning the heat up more!

• Do you like working under pressure?
• Why should I hire you ?
• What aspects of the job interest you most?

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260
 • What are you looking for in our company?
• What was the last book you read or the last movie you saw and how did it affect
you?
• Have you ever been fired and why?

Good so far, let’s find out more about you!

• How do you get along with other people?
• How would you rate yourself on a scale of one-to-ten?
• What did you think of your last boss?
• Would you like to have yours boss's job?
• What personal characteristics do you think are necessary for success in your life?

This could be the person, let’s go deeper!

• Would you clearly voice your opinion if you disagreed with the views of your boss
or superior?
• How would you deal with, say, a supervisor who was unfair and difficult to work
under?
• Do you feel you are much better at your job than your co-workers?
• You said earlier that you were still working for 'X' company. How have you
managed to attend this interview while still employed?
• Looking back, what have you done that was, shall we say, stupid?
• What kind of salary would you require to accept this position?

Do THEY like you?

• Degrees/qualifications
• School attented
• Personal qualities
• Conceptions of the job
• Appearance
• Experience

But… do YOU like the job?

• Things you have to take into consideration
o Salary
o Good working conditions
o A boss you enjoy working for/admire
o Co-workers you like
o Little or no overtime
o Good opportunities
o The opportunity to use the training and skills you have acquired
o Fringe benefits (car, etc.)

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260
o Pension Plan, health insurance
o Distance from your house
o Flexible working hours

WSI Berrini
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – Loja 146ª - 04578-000 – São Paulo, SP
www.wsiberrini.com.br / sm@wsiberrini.com.br (11) 5509.1800
Regina Rezende – English Teacher & Consultant
rrezende@yahoo.com – (11) 7615-0260