Making a good impression at the interview

Making a good impression at an interview

When you have an interview for a job or for work experience, you are almost always in competition with other people, so it is very important to make a good impression.

1 Talk about how to prepare before the day of the interview Say what information you should get or what you should do to … 1. … be in the right place by the right time. 2. … look suitable for the job. 3. … have answers ready to give at the interview. 4. … show you are really interested in that company. 5. … feel fresh on the day.

2 Comment on the applicants Your body language and how you look can say as much about you as your words! Look at the two applicants and say what impression you think they make. What might employers find good or not so good?

3 Listening: A job in a sports shop a) Before you listen, read the interview tips on the right. They are from the Connexions website. Put them in the order needed.

Can you think of anything else you should try to remember? b) A boy is being interviewed for a job in a sports shop. Listen and make notes in two lists: 1. Things he does well. 2. Mistakes he makes. S c) Listen again, and write down phrases which could be used in other interviews.

Start a list of Useful phrases.

4 Team activity: Job interviews Form groups of four, with two pairs of partners. Each pair acts two dialogues, taking turns to be the interviewer and the applicant. Choose jobs for the interviews and use the ideas on the right to prepare. While one pair does the role play, the other pair watches and listens. Then they can make helpful comments about how to improve.

A Say why you want the job and why you’re suitable for it. B Wait until you are asked to take a seat. C Ask how long it will be before you find out whether you’ve been accepted. D Answer questions with more than ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and don’t speak too casually. E Thank the interviewer when you leave. F Smile and say good morning/afternoon. G Ask important questions – about the training, work etc. You can ask about the pay, but don’t make it your first question.

Interviewer: Write down questions you can ask and information you might have to give about the job or the company.

Applicant: Write down ideas about how to ‘sell yourself’ and what questions to ask. Think what to say about yourself, and what body language to use.