You will hear a conversation between a job hunter and Mr. Lucas, who is a consultant with a company, specialising in head huntin

23
Man: The prospect of having to attend an interview is as much fun as a visit to the dentist for many people looking for a new job. It will no longer elicit feelings of worry, fear and anxiety.
Woman: Why is this?
Man: Well, it is easy to become fixated on the idea that your interview will turn out to be a battle with you, and the interviewer circling one another, every alert for any weakness in opponent’s armor that you will press home the advantage.
If you emerge as the victor, then the job is yours: if you lose, the position goes to another candidate and your pride ends up being a little dented. However, it need not be this way: an interview should be an enjoyable experience, where both parties win. Regardless of how structured the interview, you need to find yourself in a two-way conversation with the common purpose of determining both your ability to do the job well and if your needs will be satisfied.
24
Woman: What, then, preparations we should do for an interview?
Man: Before an interview, ask yourself some questions, such as: what do you want the job and why do you want it? What are your short-term and long-term career plans? Why do you choose this company, in this industry?
25
Man: In addition, you may do your research in advance using your personal network of friends and contacts, the internet and sources in the press. Then you can surely get a real picture for what the job will be like.
26
Man: Then you can make a list of the skills that you have that qualify you for the job. Things like "I am good with people" ,"l can organise my time efficiently" ,"l am looking for a challenge", are not going to fool anyone unless you are able to back them up with convincing evidence.
27
Woman: Is working experience important for applicant?
Man: Absolutely. So before an interview, you’d better get your hands on the job and person description and go through each point, jotting down notes beside each. You have to get that employers don’t just want to hear about what roles you have held. They also want to hear about what you believe you have accomplished in that role, how you have helped the bottom line of your current or previous employer or what new practices and techniques in place are thanks to you, and how, and what have made your mark, etc.
Make a note of what you don’t know about the company and the specific job and draw up a list of questions that you can ask during the interview.
In a word, you’d better find out everything you can about what is going to be happening on the interview day, such as — how many interviewers will be there? What are their names? Where is the interview being held? How long will it take you to get there? Who should you ask to see when you arrive at reception?
28
Woman: And on the interview day itself what we may have to be?
Man: Make sure you arrive on time — at least 10 minutes before the appointment. In this way you can take measure to avoid appearing too hot and flustered when you arrive. You’ll also have a few minutes to sit down and relax, or at least to gather your thoughts. Remember you are both being judged and looked to gather information from the moment you arrive to when you leave. And you never know what the receptionist might say about you if you are not polite and courteous.
Woman: How can I make myself look welcoming and know whether or not I could work there?
Man: Listen to the questions you are asked and, in turn, give clear, articulate and brief answers. Take care not to speak too much or you will see your interviewer’s eyes starting to glaze over. If you are concerned that you are saying too little, check by asking ’ have I fully answered your question?’ If you find your hands grasping the sides of the chair, then you are too tense. Just try to relax and be yourself. Remember that one of the main aims of the conversation is for the interviewer to get an idea of what you are like as a person.
29
Woman: Should I appear honest in an interview?
Man: Right. Interviews are no time to be humble. Be careful not to under-sell yourself, but at the same time avoid exaggeration and remember anything you say at interview you will have to back up with action in the job.
30
Woman: How should I say to end the conversation?
Man: Finally, when you leave the interview, make sure that you know what is going to happen next. If a company likes you, it is quite likely that you will end up having more than one interview: be absolutely clear at each stage that you know what the next step is. Otherwise you could yourself waste your time waiting for the phone to ring. And, if all goes well, you will have found exactly the right job, and the company will have found exactly the right employee.
Woman: Thank you so much, Mr. Lucas. I’ve really learned a lot.
Man: My pleasure.
Man: The prospect of having to attend an interview is as much fun as a visit to the dentist for many people looking for a new job. It will no longer elicit feelings of worry, fear and anxiety.
Woman: Why is this?
Man: Well, it is easy to become fixated on the idea that your interview will turn out to be a battle with you, and the interviewer circling one another, every alert for any weakness in opponent’s armor that you will press home the advantage.
If you emerge as the victor, then the job is yours: if you lose, the position goes to another candidate and your pride ends up being a little dented. However, it need not be this way: an interview should be an enjoyable experience, where both parties win. Regardless of how structured the interview, you need to find yourself in a two-way conversation with the common purpose of determining both your ability to do the job well and if your needs will be satisfied.
Woman: What, then, preparations we should do for an interview?
Man: Before an interview, ask yourself some questions, such as: what do you want the job and why do you want it? What are your short-term and long-term career plans? Why do you choose this company, in this industry? In addition, you may do your research in advance using your personal network of friends and contacts, the internet and sources in the press. Then you can surely get a real picture for what the job will be like.
Then you can make a list of the skills that you have that qualify you for the job. Things like "I am good with people","I can organise my time efficiently","I am looking for a challenge" ,are not going to fool anyone unless you are able to back them up with convincing evidence.
Woman: Is working experience important for applicant?
Man: Absolutely. So before an interview, you’d better get your hands on the job and person description and go through each point, jotting down notes beside each. You have to get that employers don’t just want to hear about what roles you have held. They also want to hear about what you believe you have accomplished in that role, how you have helped the bottom line of your current or previous employer or what new practices and techniques in place are thanks to you, and how, and what have made your mark, etc.
Make a note of what you don’t know about the company and the specific job and draw up a list of questions that you can ask during the interview.
In a word, you’d better find out everything you can about what is going to be happening on the interview day, such as — how many interviewers will be there? What are their names? Where is the interview being held? How long will it take you to get there? Who should you ask to see when you arrive at reception?
Woman: And on the interview day itself what we may have to be?
Man: Make sure you arrive on time — at least 10 minutes before the appointment. In this way you can take measure to avoid appearing too hot and flustered when you arrive. You’ll also have a few minutes to sit down and relax, or at least to gather your thoughts. Remember you are both being judged and looked to gather information from the moment you arrive to when you leave. And you never know what the receptionist might say a-bout you if you are not polite and courteous.
Woman: How can I make myself look welcoming and know whether or not I could work there?
Man: Listen to the questions you are asked and, in turn, give clear, articulate and brief answers. Take care not to speak too much or you will see your interviewer’s eyes starting to glaze over. If you are concerned that you are saying too little, check by asking ’ have I fully answered your question?’ If you find your hands grasping the sides of the chair, then you are too tense. Just try to relax and be yourself. Remember that one of the main aims of the conversation is for the interviewer to get an idea of what you are like as a person.
Woman: Should I appear honest in an interview?
Man: Right. Interviews are no time to be humble. Be careful not to under-sell yourself, but at the same time avoid exaggeration and remember anything you say at interview you will have to back up with action in the job.
Woman: How should I say to end the conversation?
Man: Finally, when you leave the interview, make sure that you know what is going to happen next. If a company likes you, it is quite likely that you will end up having more than one interview: be absolutely clear at each stage that you know what the next step is. Otherwise you could yourself waste your time waiting for the phone to ring. And, if all goes well, you will have found exactly the right job, and the company will have found exactly the right employee.
Woman: Thank you so much, Mr. Lucas. I’ve really learned a lot.
Man: My pleasure.