Business English p.3. The most common questions asked at US business interviews.

Дата публикации: Jul 12, 2015 6:3:6 PM

1. Tell me about yourself

Your goal, in answering this question, is to prove to the interviewer that you have the skills and experience to be the perfect candidate for the job.

- at about two minutes

- focus on work-related skills and accomplishments, not personal information

- why you think your work-related skills and accomplishments would be an asset to the company

- describe your education or work history very briefly

- tell the interviewer about things you have done and jobs you have had that are related to the position you are interviewing for

- mention one or two personal characteristics that have helped you accomplish your goals and give a short example to illustrate

Sample 1

I have always enjoyed working with computers, so it was an easy decision to major in computer science at California University with a plan to enter the IT field .

In school, I excelled in my computer- related classes and during my college years, I became particularly interested in software development , especially software that would help consumers.

That’s why I applied for and completed a one-year internship with Lotadoe Industries.

At Lotadoe, I learned how to formulate new ideas for software and how to communicate those ideas effectively to the rest of the development team.

I am a very focused person and I tend to be product-oriented.

At Lotadoe, I made sure that what ever projects I worked on, I saw to completion.

For instance, I worked with a team that was developing a new version of a piece of popular software called Rototype.

I asked to be part of every step of software development and at the end of the project, I was given the responsibility of getting final technical approval. I made sure that I followed through with the right departments, keeping my team informed of the progress.

This is the type of work I enjoy and that’s why I applied for a position with your company.

Your company is a leader in software development and is in the forefront of new ideas in the field.

I think that the products your company has developed in the past several years have been outstanding and are the best on the market.

I want to work in a company where I can be challenged and where I can make a contribution.

I would very much enjoy working in your company to develop new software and to improve existing ones

Vocabulary:

to major in something - to study something in the University

to enter in the IT field - to begin working in a particular area

to excel /ɪkˈsel/ in something - to be excellent in something, to do very well at something

internship /ˈɪntɜːnʃɪp/ - a period of time during which a student or new graduate gets practical experience in a job, for example during the summer holiday/vacation

to formulate /ˈfɔːmjuleɪt/ - formulate something - to express your ideas in carefully chosen words

to be product-oriented - to be concerned about the results - to be result-oriented

to see the completion - to get the project finished - to get it done

for instance = for example

to be in the forefront /ˈfɔːfrʌnt/ - at/in/to the forefront (of something) in or into an important or leading position in a particular group or activity

I can make a contribution /ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃn/ - внести свой вклад, добиться успеха

Sample 2

I have worked successfully in sales for over 10 years.

One of my first sales jobs was in college, where I majored in business.

I worked for the college newspaper selling advertising space, and as an extrovert who likes interacting with people, I was very successful in the job.

What also helped me sell more than any other sales person was my persistence.

I was willing to follow up with a potential client over weeks and even months, developing a relationship with them until they were ready to make a deal with us.

I’m currently working as a sales rep for the Michmuney Company.

I have been their top salesperson for the past two years.

Last year, I sold over $3 million worth of products.

Now, I’m ready for a new challenge.

I want to work in public relations because it is an area where I can use my creativity together with my knowledge of advertising and sales.

I have a proven ability to work well with people and I can develop good long-term relationships with clients.

I want to work for your company in particular because you work primarily with Internet -based companies, which is an area that is growing at the rate of 40% a year.

This makes your company a leader in the industry and I’d like to be part of that.

to take

- I have worked successfully in IT for over 8 years.

- I am very focused

- I want to work in a company where I can be challenged and where I can make a contribution

- I would very much enjoy working in your company to

- Now, I’m ready for a new challenge.

- I want to work in ... because it is an area where I can use my ... together with my knowledge of ...

- I want to work for your company in particular because ...

- This makes your company a leader in the industry and I’d like to be part of that.

Mine

I'd like to start with my education.

see here

2. Why did you leave your last job? / Why are you looking for a new job?

Sample 1

I’ve been with Lotadoe for over five years and I’ve enjoyed working there.

I learned a lot about software development and how to work effectively with my colleagues.

3. Why do you want to work here?

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

5. What are your strengths?

6. What are your weaknesses?