ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Coursera WEEK 5)

 What to Expect in a Job Interview.

Last Step in the Job Search Process Job Interviews:

Answer Question about Skills and Qualifications
Ask questions about the job or company
Make a positive impression

Common interview questions:

Q : Tell me about a time that you solved a problem.
A : I created a document to help others teachers plan their schedules.

or 

Q : What did you learn from working at XYZ company
A : I learned to use new software and computer programs to manage information in a busy office

Interviews are a great chance to explain your qualifications and transferable skills with examples or short stories. For example, many employers look for people who can show leadership skills or creativity in solving problems. You can prepare answers that show you have these skills by using examples from your past work experiences or education. During the interview, keep eye contact with the interviewer. Give clear and honest answers, and bring extra copies of important documents like resumes or certifications. In summary, job-seekers should be prepared for job interviews with examples of theirs skills and qualifications to answer the questions.

Interview Tips

Make sure to talk about your: 

• Strengths
• Flexibility (how you react to new or tricky situations)
• Skills as a leader
• Interest in learning new things
• Contributions to places where you have worked or volunteered
• Problem-solving skills
• People skills

Before the interview, look at the skills needed for the job. The job posting will list these skills. For each one, write down how you are qualified. This will help you to find your strengths and weaknesses. Plan how you will talk about this in the interview. You may not have every skill needed for a job. But you can still show that you can learn those skills.


Make a list of questions to ask. Pick questions that show your interest in the job and the company. Ask about the job you will be expected to do. Some sample questions are:

• What will I do day-to-day in this job?
• How will my work be reviewed? Who will review it?
• Could you explain how the company is organized?
• What computer software do you use?
• What is the company's plan for the next five years?
  
  

Be prepared. Remember to bring these things to the interview:

Notebook and pens

Extra copies of your resume

A list of people who can speak about your skills if the company asks for a reference (someone who will say you are a good fit for the job)

Any special paperwork the interviewer said you should bring

Samples of your past work.

On the day of the interview, remember to:

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
• Go alone.
• Dress in a way that fits the job.
• Leave extra things, like coffee or your backpack, at home or in your car.
• Turn off your cellphone.
• Make sure to SMILE!

During the interview, show that you feel good about yourself. Let the interviewer start the conversation. You can send a strong message with your body language.

• Shake hands firmly, but only if a hand is offered to you first.
• Look the person in the eye.
• Listen carefully. Welcome all questions, even the hard ones, with a smile.
• Give truthful, straightforward answers.
• Have a complete answer ready in your head before you say it aloud. It's OK if you don't understand a question. Ask for it to be repeated. You don't have to rush, but you also don't want to seem uncertain.

End the interview well. A good end to the interview might help you get the job.

Respect the interviewer's time and allow the interview to end on time.
Restate any strengths that you might not have mentioned earlier.

• Share an example that shows you are a good match for the job.
• If you want the job, say so!
• Ask if there will be more interviews.
• Ask when the employer will decide if you get the job.
• Ask for the phone number or email address of the interviewer. Make sure to send a thank you note afterward.

Interview Tips Quiz

Answering Typical Interview Questions

Anwering the question:

• Honest
• Detailed  

Direct Question and Indirect Question

Direct Q :

Why are you good fit for this job?
Why do you want to work for this company?

Answer reason :

I belive I'm a good fir for this company because i have the necessary skills and experience to fit right in and help the company grow.
 

Indirect Q :More difficult to recognize 

So tell me a little bit about your self.

It does not begin with what, where, when, why, who, and how. but

"I wonder if you could tell me"
"I'd like to know"

You should ask a question

Do you have any questions for me?
Do you have any question of your own?

You should ask your own question

What opportunities are there for a professional development?
What is the next step in this interview process?

llegal Job Interview Questions in the US

1. Sex questions are off limits. 

It is very easy for an interviewer to discriminate based on a person’s gender or sex. If you are a woman, you may be asked, “Are you comfortable managing a team of men?” If you are man you may be asked, “Would you feel comfortable having a woman as a boss?” 

In the United States, any question related to gender should not be raised during the job interview. But if gender does come up, answer the question by stating your past work experiences that show you can do the job, regardless of whether you are a woman or a man. 

2. Questions about marriage and children are illegal. 

People with children love talking about them. But during a job interview it's not the time. Questions such as, “Do you have children?” or “Do you plan to work after having children?” are not legal to ask. 

Naturally, future employers want to know how long you plan to be with them if you are hired. Hiring people takes time and, as they say, time is money. But it is illegal to not hire someone because they have children or are planning on having a child in the future. 

It is legal for a prospective employer to ask, “What hours can you work?” or “Do you have responsibilities that might keep you from doing your job?” These questions are legal because they are directly related to the job and not tied to your personal life. 

Any question related to your marital status, whether you are married, is considered illegal in the U.S. But they are common. Asking someone, “Are you married?” is a loaded question, a question looking for more than what is simply asked. A question about marriage is illegal because it may lead to information about your sexual orientation -- whether you are gay, straight or bisexual. And that is no one’s business but your own. 

3. Your Citizenship and Nationality are private. 

It is illegal for a U.S. business to hire someone who is not permitted to work in the country. But the only way a company can explore the issue legally is to ask the question directly - “Can you work legally in the United States?” Done. 

If an interviewer asks things such as, “Where are you from?” or “Where were you born?” they have, again, crossed into Illegal Land. These may seem like innocent questions. But they are illegal because it involves your country of birth. Employers in the U.S. cannot legally ask about your nationality. 

This also extends to language. It is not the employer’s lawful right to know if a language is your first language. However, they can legally ask what other languages you know. 

4. Asking about religion is a no-no. 

Employers may want to ask which religious holidays you observe to see if it may interfere with work. But questions about your religion are illegal. 

Employers can legally ask if you can work on a Sunday, a day when many Christians attend religious services. 

5. Your Age is your business. Not theirs. 

The question, “How long have you been working?” may seem fine. But this question is all about age discrimination. It is also illegal for an interviewer to ask what year you completed high school or college or even your birthday. It is easy enough to do the math. It is legal for an interviewer to ask you how long you have been working in a certain industry. Again, the question is tied to the job and not your personal life. 

It can be difficult to answer personal questions during a job interview. After all, if you want the job, you do not want to seem difficult. If a question seems illegal or just makes you feel uneasy, simply direct the question back to the job and your qualifications. 

Of course, you do not have to answer any question that you feel is insulting or illegal. This, however, may cost you the job. 

In the end it is a personal decision. But always know your rights. 

Sample Interview Do’s and Don’ts Part 2

Wrong : 
Didn't answer questions
Used clarifying questions incorrectly
Didn't have good questions prepared.

Overall Scores Week 5 Quiz