Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A. Yes.
B. Yes Ms Martin, I have.
C. Yes Ms Martin. When I saw it advertised I thought it would really suit me.
A. Well, I don't really know for sure, but I think it's got something to do with
helping out the scientists in the laboratory hasn't it?
B. A Laboratory Assistant helps to maintain scientific equipment, keeping a
check on the supplies in the store, and preparing the chemicals for experiments.
C. Oh, a Lab. Assistant helps make sure that all the experiments are done
properly.
What sort of student do you regard yourself as . . . did you enjoy studying while
you were at school?
A. I wasn't the best student. I didn't really like study all that much, but I did it
when I had to
B. I suppose I'm a reasonable student. I passed all my tests and enjoyed
studying subjects that interested me.
C. I'm a really great student I didn't have to study much because I always
seemed to get by without worrying too much about it.
A. I hadn't really thought much about it . . .I don't know what courses I could do.
B. Well, I've thought about doing the part-time Chemistry Certificate course at
Technical College. I think I would really benefit from doing that.
C. Well, if I had to do it I suppose I would, but now I ve finished school I'd much
rather try to get my social life back into full swing again.
A. Attend a what?
B. If the course would help me improve my prospects for promotion and help me
to be better at my job I would definitely do it.
C. Attend a course? When? I hope it would be in the day time? Would I get time
off from work to attend it? I hope it's not at night-my social life would be ruined.
We have a lot of other applicants for this position. Why do you think that you
deserve to get the job?
A. I can't think of any special reason-I suppose I'm no different from most other
people.
B. Well, I've found out a lot about this type of work and my research suggests
that I would be quite capable of doing the work involved. I also think that I would
be able to handle any training course reasonably well.
C. I reckon I'd probably be the best applicant you're likely to get for the job.
Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the position?
I think I have asked you everything I wanted to. Thank you for coming along to
the interview.
Interview Winners:
b) Do be specific
c) Do talk positively
e) Do sound ambitious
Interview Killers:
f) Don’t be cocky
j) Don’t be vague
1) “I grew up in Michigan, with two brothers and one sister. Then I went to college in Atlanta. . . .” g
2) “Um, well. I’m not sure where to start.” i (But you can save by following up with: “What aspect of my
background are you interested in?”)
3) “I’m a quick learner and a hard worker. For example, last month I taught myself Quark Xpress so I could
complete a report in time for a visit from the shareholders.” a, b, c
2. What has made you want to leave your current position?
2) “While I really like my job and I’ve been able to take on more responsibilities, there’s no room for me to
advance at my company.” a, e
4) “I’ ve always admired your company. I was particularly impressed by what I read in Sprocket News
about the success of your new ad campaign.” d
1)”With a greater sense of responsibility, maybe supervising a department or overseeing larger projects
such as the design of my own product line.” a, b, c
3) “I haven’t really thought about it, but I hope to have a better idea of what I want to do by then.” h, i
2) “I’m such a perfectionist that I become really impatient when other people don’t work as hard as I do.” f
5) “In the past, I felt nervous about speaking up in groups, but since I’ve started giving presentations at
department meetings, I am now much more confident.” b, c
1) “I don’t like to brag, so let’s go on to the next question.” f (You can save by saying: “But my last review
commended me for . . .”)
2) “I perform well under pressure. For example, when the team leader on the January sales drive was sick
for a week, I worked with her over the phone, helping to make our deadline.” a, b
3) “I am not afraid to be unpopular if that’s what it takes to get the job done.” f, h
4) “I’m always there for my friends. They know they can call me, even late at night.” g
1) “Though I wouldn’t want to spend my entire day at meetings, I think you get the most done when you
have a combination of brainstorming with others and working individually. For instance, when my group
was told last year that we had only forty-eight hours to complete our entry for the Sprocket of the Year
contest, we came up with individual proposals and then worked on the best one, putting together the
winning Sprocket.” a, b, d
2) “On my own, I’m a firm believer in the saying, if you want the job done right, you should do it
yourself.” f, h
3) “I like doing both. After all, there are times when you need to buckle down and hammer away on your
own, and times when it’s important to be part of a team.” a, c
4) “I’m the team member who usually ends up leading everyone else. For instance, last year, after my boss
made a mess of an account proposal, I took it over and made it presentable.” h, f
7. Can you describe the qualities you think a good boss possesses?
1) “Someone who is accessible to employees and is open to their ideas. For instance, my boss asked
everyone for ways in which our standard Sprocket could be improved.
She read through all of our suggestions and ended up following many of them, including one of mine.” c,
b, e
2) “Well, I can tell you what a bad boss is like because my last one was a good example of that.” h
3) “Someone who realizes that employees are people and is willing to let you take a mental health day off
when you need one. For example, my car was stolen and my cat was sick . . .” i, g
1) “I really like sports. Right now I’m on the company softball team, and I’m thinking about joining the
community volleyball league this winter.” b, c
2) “What spare time? I’m so wrapped up in work that I just flip through a few magazines before I go to
sleep.” f, h
3) “I like cooking and I’ve just learned how to make crepes. I’m hoping to master soufflйs next.” b, e
4) “I just got engaged, so nearly all my time is taken up planning for the wedding. You know, taffeta or
silk? Band or DJ? And we’d like to start having kids soon, so I’ve been thinking about preschools . . .”. g, i
2) “I love your product, I am particularly impressed with the pockets-size Super Sprocket that doubles as an
espresso maker for your car.” c, d
4) “This company is the best in the field, for instance, I couldn’t help noticing that your Sprocket ’97 line is
already on store shelves.” b, d
10. Why are you the right person for this job?
1) “Because of all my experience. Ever since I worked in a bookstore in college, I’ve been balancing books
and watching the bottom line.” a, b, e
Thank the interviewer and emphasize your interest in the job. Then go home, peel off your hose, write out
your thank-you note and BREATHE.