English for Interviews
Lesson 1
Who are you?
Here are some new words and
phrases from this module to describe jobs, your personal skills and
your professional skills.
فيما
يلي كلمات وجمل جديدة من هذا الجزء لكي تصف الوظائف
ومهاراتك الشخصية ومهاراتك الاحترافية
|
Words to describe jobs
|
كلمات تصف بها الوظيفة
|
|
The job is very …
interesting
well
paid
varied
challenging
|
هذه الوظيفة ...
ممتعة
ذات أجر عال
متنوعة
فيها روح التحدي
|
|
Words to describe your personal
skills
|
كلمات تصف بها مهاراتك الشخصية
|
|
I am
…
up
to date
organised
efficient
a
good listener
fluent
tidy
I have …
good
communication skills
some
subscriptions to magazines
|
أنا ...
مطلع على أحدث التطورات
منظم
كفء
مستمع جيد
أتحدث بطلاقة
مرتب
لدي ...
مهارات اتصال جيدة
اشتراكات ببعض المجلات
|
|
Words to describe your professional
skills
|
كلمات تصف بها مهاراتك الوظيفية
|
|
I have…
a
degree in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering, etc.
(some)
experience
designed web sites
|
لدي ...
شهادة في علوم الكمبيوتر ... إلخ
(بعض الـ) خبرة
خبرة في تصميم المواقع
|
Job hunt = Job Search =
Searching for Jobs
Script
Mike : Any luck Job Hunting, Khaled? هل لقيت حظ في بحثك الوظيفي؟
Khaled : Not really. ليس
بعد
Mike : What kind of job do you want? مانوع الوظيفة التي تريدها؟
Khaled : A job that
is interesting and well-paid. وظيفة
ممتعة واجرها عال
I need the money.
Something variedشئ متنوع.
And that makes me think وتجعلني
افكر. You know, something challenging. تعرف ، شى فيه تحدي
Mike : In what field? في أى مجال؟
Khaled : Web design.
تصميم المواقع
I have my degree in computer science and I've designed websites to
friends but I don't have much experience.
انا عندي
درجتي في علوم الكمبيوتر وانا صممت مواقع لاصدقاء ولكن ليس لدي خبرة كافية
Mike : You've got to keep up to date, you know? ينبغي
ان تبقى حديث / متجدد .. تعرف؟
Khaled : I
know. I have some subscriptions to magazines and I'll go to companies next
month. انا عندي بعض المشاركات للمجلات وسوف اذهب للشركات
الشهر الجاى
Mike : What about personal skills? وماذا عن المهارات الشخصية
An employer wants to know about this,
too. صاحب الشغل يريد أن يعرف عن هذا ايضا
Employee موظف
Khaled : Well. I speak English. I'm organized. I don't lose things or
forget appointments. انا اتحدث انجليزى
انا منظم انا لاافقد الاشياء او انسى المواعيد
Ah. My communication skills
are Ok. مهارات التواصل عندي جيدة
I'm a good listener and I
like talking to people.
انا
مستمع جيد وانا احب التحدث مع الناس
My professor said my
speaking is very clear.
استاذي
قال ان محادثتي واضحة جدا
Mike : Well. Keep looking and good
luck.
استمر ف البحث وحظ سعيد
Review Vocabulary in Sentences
1.
I have a degree in Electrical Engineering. Do you have a
degree? What's your major?
2.
I always keep up to date. Do you always keep up to date?
3.
I speak English and French fluently. What languages do you
speak fluently?
4.
I'm very organized and efficient.
5.
My communication skills are very good.
6.
A job where you do lots of different things is varied.
7.
A job that makes you think is challenging.
8.
A job where you earn a lot of money is well-paid.
9.
Someone who speaks clearly and listens carefully has good
communication skills.
10.
Someone who doesn't lose things or forget appointments is
organized.
11.
Someone who knows all the most recent news is up-to-date.
Positive
and Negative personality Traits سمات شخصية
ايجابية وسلبية
|
Positive Traits
|
|
|
sensible
acting based on good thinking
|
عاقل؛ يحكم عقله
|
|
generous
willing
to give money out of kindness to help people
|
كريم؛ معطاء
|
|
reliable
can be trusted to behave as expected or
desired مرغوب
|
يعتمد عليه
|
|
sociable
likes to spend time with and talk to people
|
إجتماعي
|
|
thoughtful
kind, always thinking of ways to help people
|
يراعي الآخرين
|
|
easy-going
does not get upset / angry easily, relaxed
|
سهل المراس
|
|
Negative Traits
|
|
|
stingy
not
willing to spend money
|
حريص على المال ولا ينفق بسهولة
|
|
hesitant
takes a long time to take a decision or to do
something because of being nervous and not sure
|
متردد
|
|
pessimistic
not hopeful, expecting bad things to happen
|
متشائم
|
|
superstitious
having
beliefs based on ideas related to magic, rather than science
|
يؤمن بالخرافات
|
|
arrogant
believes to be more important then other
people, too proud in an unpleasant way
|
متغطرس؛ مغرور
|
|
bossy
always
telling people what to do
|
يأمر الآخرين
|
Lesson 2
Job Advertisements
Here are some more job ads
and a list of new words and phrases from this module that you often find in job
ads.
You have a degree in
Accounting. You want to work in a bank, in an international department, where
you can use your English but you don't want to leave your family or country.
You don't have any work experience. You can use a computer and you like working
with people.
Read the two job ads
below and decide which job is best for you.
1. 2.
Which job did you choose?
Job 2 is probably the best
job for you: you can use your English working with clients from other
countries; you don't have to travel; you like working with people and here you
will work in a team; you don't need any experience because the company will
give you training.
In job 1 you have to travel
and speak French but you can't do these things.
|
Words to describe qualifications and experience
|
كلمات
تصف المؤهلات والخبرة
|
|
A degree is …
(Prior
experience is …)
required
essential
preferable
an asset
|
الشهادة الجامعية
...
(الخبرة السابقة
...)
مطلوبة
أساسية
مفضلة
مميزة
|
|
Words to describe the job
|
كلمات
تصف الوظيفة
|
|
The salary is …
negotiable
competitive
 Duties…
Responsibilities… include/s
The contract…
Benefits
relocation expenses
travel expenses
medical insurance
pension fund
|
الراتب ...
قابل للتفاوض
تنافسي
 الواجبات ...
المسئوليات
... تتضمن/يتضمن
العقد ...
المزايا
بدل تغيير موقع
بدل سفر
تأمين طبي
معاش
|
Lesson 3
Writing a CV
Here are 2 model CVs and a
list of new words and phrases from this module.
|
Telephone 02 447 2190
Email khaledag@egynet.com
|
|
Midan Dokki, 21
|
Khaled Abou
Ghaly
|
Personal
Details
|
·
Marital status: Single
·
Nationality: Egyptian
·
Date of birth: 03.06.1980
·
Place of birth:
|
|
Qualifications
|
·
2000 - 2004 Cairo University
BSc in
Computer Science
·
Courses included Software Engineering, Data
Base Systems, Computer Graphics, Image Processing, Assembly Language
Programming
June 2003 British Council
Certificate
of Advanced English (CAE)
January
2004
Diploma
in Microsoft .Net platforms
|
|
Experience
|
·
2003 - 2004 Playtime Kindergarten
Web
Designer
·
I set up a web site for this kindergarten: www.playtime.com.eg
·
This entailed doing market research with
Playtime clients, liaising with Playtime director, submitting design options,
setting up a trial period and providing technical support when required.
|
|
Personal
Skills
|
A very
organised worker, able to prioritise and respect deadlines.
Good
communication skills, both oral and written.
|
|
Subscriptions
|
·
I have a yearly
subscription to 'BEA WebLogic Developer's Journal'
·
I will be
attending the Regional Conference on E-business and Telecommunication
Networks in Sharm El Sheikh, January 2005
|
|
Interests
|
Horse
riding, reading, scuba diving
|
|
References
|
Dr. Simon Jones Cairo University Cairo,
Egypt
Tel. 02 625 1717
Mr. Hassan Shabrawy Playtime Kindergarten Suez, Egypt
Mobile. 012 46472819
|
|
Telephone 01 633 2758
|
|
Rue
50, No. 35, Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
|
Marwa El Khoury
|
PERSONAL DETAILS
|
|
|
|
·
Marital status: Married
·
Nationality: Lebanese
·
Date of birth:
15.10.1977
·
Place of birth:
|
|
QUALIFICATIONS
|
|
|
|
·
1996 - 2000 American
BA in Modern Languages
·
Languages studied
included English, French and Russian
|
|
EXPERIENCE
|
|
|
|
·
2000 - 2001 Freelance
English teacher
I gave private lessons to school children and university
undergraduates.
·
2001 - to date United
Nations Beirut,
Lebanon
Translator
I am responsible for translating UN documents from Arabic to English
and from English to Arabic.
I also act as interpreter for foreign delegates visiting
|
|
INTERESTS
|
|
|
|
Playing the violin, travelling and painting
|
|
REFERENCES
|
|
|
|
Dr. Ahmed Said
United Nations
Head of Department Contact: 01 340791
Ms Susan White
United Nations
Press
Secretary
Contact: 01 340662
|
|
Words to describe qualifications
|
كلمات
تصف المؤهلات
|
|
Different types of
degrees:
BA
BSc
A certificate
A diploma
|
الأنواع المختلفة
من الشهادات:
ليسانس
بكالوريوس
شهادة
دبلوم
|
|
Phrases to describe experience
|
عبارات
تصف الخبرة
|
|
Duties / Responsibilities
included…
+ ing (e.g. writing,
designing, preparing)
I have…
+ past participle (e.g.
done, worked as, designed)
I act as…
+ noun (e.g. interpreter,
assistant, tutor)
I am responsible for…
+ noun (e.g. sales,
reports, programmes)
+ ing (writing,
designing, preparing)
This entailed…
+ ing (writing,
designing, preparing)
|
الواجبات/المسئوليات
تضمنت:
(الكتابة، التصميم،
الإعداد)
لقد ...
(أنجزت، عملت كـ ،
صممت)
عمل كـ:
(مترجم، مساعد،
مدرس خاص)
أنا مسئول عن ...
(المبيعات،
التقارير، البرامج)
(الكتابة، التصميم،
الإعداد)
هذا تضمن:
(الكتابة، التصميم،
الإعداد)
|
|
Phrases to describe personal Skills
|
عبارات
تصف المهارات الشخصية
|
|
able to prioritise
respect deadlines
|
قادر على ترتيب
الأولويات
ألتزم بالمواعيد
المقررة
|
|
Other words and phrases.
|
كلمات
وعبارات أخرى
|
|
reference (n)
referee (n - person)
section (n)
details (n)
relevant (adj)
|
إشارة إلى
شخص يقدم توصية
جزء، قسم
تفاصيل
مرتبط، له علاقة
|
Lesson 4
Application Forms
Here is the application form
filled in by Khaled and a list of new words and phrases from this module.
|
Words to describe application forms.
|
كلمات تصف استمارة طلب الالتحاق بوظيفة
|
|
Online (adj.)
Live (adj.)
Field (n.)
|
على الإنترنت
حية (تملؤها
ويتلقاها الطرف الآخر في لحظتها)
خاصة بالحقل الذي
تعمل به
|
|
Words in an application form.
|
كلمات تصف استمارة طلب الالتحاق بوظيفة
|
|
Ext. (short for extension)
(n)
Availability date (n)
Full time (adj)
Part time (adj)
Paste (v)
Cover letter (n)
|
الرقم الداخلي
(اختصار)
التاريخ الذي
يناسبك
يوم كامل (كل
الوقت)
بعض الوقت
انسخ؛ الصق
خطاب مصاحب للسيرة
الذاتية
|
Lesson 5
Cover Letters
Here is Khaled's completed
cover letter for you as a model and some tips on writing cover letters.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing in reply to the
advertisement for Junior IT Consultant published in the Cairo Times on November
15th.
I graduated from the faculty of
Computer Science, Cairo University , last July and I have designed a web site
for a business in Suez
I speak and write English very well
and would like to work for a company where I can use my skills, as well as have
opportunities to develop and travel.
Please find my CV
attached.
I look forward to
hearing from you soon,
Yours faithfully,
Khaled Abou Ghaly
Tips:
Remember, cover letters are
formal pieces of writing so it is important to make a good impression. Follow
the tips below to help you write a professional cover letter.
Openings and closings:
If you don't know the name
of the person you are writing to start your letter with:
Dear
Sir or Madam,
The person responsible for
recruiting new members of staff could be a man OR a woman.
If you do know the
name of the person you are writing to, then you can start your letter with:
Dear
Mr. + the surname OR Dear Mrs. +
the surname
If you start your letter
with Dear Sir or Madam, end the
letter with:
Yours
faithfully,
If you start your letter
with Dear Mr./Mrs. + the surname,
then you can close your letter with:
Yours
sincerely OR
Regards
Opening paragraph:
This tells the reader why
you are writing the letter. Say where you read or heard about the job being
advertised. A very common phrase for this paragraph is:
I
am writing in reply to your advertisement for + job title
Qualifications and experience:
Start a new paragraph to
describe your qualifications and experience.
Remember, when you are
writing about finished actions in the past and you specify the time, use the
Past Simple in English, e.g.
I
graduated last July.
I
worked for a small language school for two years.
When you are writing about
your experience or an action that started in the past and continues in the
present, use the Present Perfect, e.g.
I
have designed a web site.
I
have been employed at Barclays Bank for the last three years.
Why you want this job:
The next paragraph should
briefly say what your skills are (relevant to this job) and why you think this
job would be good for you.
Finally:
Don't forget, the cover
letter goes with your CV.
If you are sending the
letter in the post, write:
Please
find my CV enclosed.
If you are sending the
letter in an email or as part of an online application, write:
Please
find my CV attached.
Of course, you want an
answer to your letter and application so before you close the letter write:
I
look forward to hearing from you soon.
Glossary
|
Sir
|
السيد
|
|
Madam
|
السيدة
|
|
reply (n. and v.)
|
رد؛ يرد
|
|
published (adj.)
|
منشور
|
|
employed (adj.)
|
موظف
|
|
department (n.)
|
قسم
|
|
solve (v.)
|
يوجد حلاً لمشكلة
|
|
overseas (n.)
|
عبر البحار
|
|
further (adj.)
|
أبعد؛ أكثر
|
|
attached (adj.)
|
مرفق (بالرسالة
الإلكترونية)
|
|
enclosed (adj.)
|
مرفق (بالظرف)
|
|
opportunities (n.)
|
فرص
|
|
develop (v.)
|
ينمي
|
|
formal (adj.)
|
بشكل رسمي
|
|
impression (n.)
|
انطباع
|
Lesson 6
Getting ready for the Interview
Tips:
Don't worry if you don't get
the first job you apply for. Doing well in a job interview takes practice, so
the more you do, the better you get.
Here are some tips to help
you prepare:
Before the interview:
·
Do
your research: find out as much as you can about the company, e.g.
-
how many
offices/branches they have
-
who their
clients are
-
how the
company is divided into different departments
-
what you
have to do in the job
-
etc.
·
Using
that information, prepare questions you want to ask. We will have a better look
at those
questions in the next module of 'Job
Hunt'.
·
Think
of the questions they might ask you, e.g.
-
How does
your degree/experience prepare you for this job?
-
What
qualities do you have that will help you in this job?
-
Why would
you like to work for us?
-
What are
your long term plans?
-
What
would you do in this situation (and they
describe a difficult situation at work)?
-
etc.
·
Think
about how you can answer these questions honestly.
·
Decide
what you want to wear for the interview. Dress smartly so that you look
professional.
·
Go
to bed early so that you are not tired for the interview.
·
Arrive
for the interview a little early. Don't rush and arrive late!
During the interview:
·
Sit
comfortably and relax.
·
Smile
and make eye contact with the person asking you questions.
·
Don't
be afraid to ask questions, especially the ones you have prepared.
After the interview:
·
When
the interview is over, say thank you, stand up and shake hands with the person
who
interviewed you.
·
Keep
looking for jobs - you might find something better round the corner!
·
Check
your email/be available for phone calls giving you the result of your
interview.
·
Think
about the questions they asked you in the interview: were you prepared for
them? If not,
add them to your list and be prepared
next time.
Glossary
|
research (n.)
|
بحث؛ دراسة
|
|
find out (ph. v.)
|
إعرف
|
|
long term plans
|
خطط للمستقبل
البعيد
|
|
smartly (adv.)
|
بأناقة
|
|
rush (v.)
|
تتسرع
|
|
eye contact
|
تواصل بالعين
|
Lesson 7
Being Interviewed
Tips:
1. Watch your language!
When people ask questions in
an interview, notice how the questions are formed:
Asking about facts (Present
Simple) - don't forget to use the auxiliary do when there is a main verb in the question, e.g.
·
How much experience do other people in the team have?
·
What does this company value the most in its employees?
Asking about qualities (verb
to be),
e.g.
·
What are your strengths?
- plural
·
What is your greatest weakness? - singular
Asking about job opportunities
and possibilities (using modal verbs like can or will), e.g.
·
What can I bring to this company?
·
How will my work contribute to the company's mission statement?
2. Good questions to ask in an
interview.
Show the interviewer that
you are interested in the job by asking intelligent questions.
Make the questions relevant
to the job and the company.
Here are some good questions
to ask:
·
How much experience do other people in
the team have?
·
What can I bring to this company?
·
What training opportunities do you have
for employees?
·
What does this company value the most
in its employees?
·
What are the greatest challenges in
this post?
3. Bad questions to ask in an
interview.
Don't ask questions about
the contract. If the company offers you the job, you can ask questions before
signing the contract.
Here are some questions you
shouldn't ask during an interview:
·
What's the salary?
·
How many holidays do employees get?
·
What does this company do exactly?
·
How many warnings do you get before
you're fired?
·
Will I have to work at weekends?
·
Is it OK to be off sick?
·
Is there a coffee machine here?
Glossary
|
watch (v.)
|
راقب
|
|
value (v./n.)
|
يقدر؛ قيمة
|
|
contribute (v.)
|
يسهم
|
|
mission statement
|
رسالة الشركة
|
|
post (v.)
|
منصب؛ وظيفة
|
|
contract (n.)
|
عقد
|
|
warning (n.)
|
تحذير
|
|
rewarding (adj.)
|
مجزي
|
|
challenging (adj.)
|
يثير التحدي
|
|
challenges (pl.n.)
|
تحديات
|
|
realistic deadlines (adj.
+ pl.n.)
|
مواعيد نهائية
منطقية
|
|
disagreement (n.)
|
عدم اتفاق
|
|
sensitive (adj.)
|
حساس
|
|
generous (adj.)
|
كريم
|
|
training opportunities
(adj. + pl.n.)
|
فرص للتدريب
|
Lesson 8
After the Interview
Tips:
1.
Question forms:
In the last module we saw
how auxiliary verbs like be and do and modal verbs like will and can are used to form questions.
We used these in direct questions.
In this unit we can see how indirect questions are formed, e.g.
C.
Direct
questions with modal verbs:
·
What will you be doing 5 years
from now?
·
How can you make yourself
indispensable to this company?
Indirect questions with modal verbs:
·
What do you think you will be doing
5 years from now
·
How do you think you can make
yourself indispensable to this company?
Notice how in the direct
question, the order is:
question word (what/how) + modal + subject + verb…
But in the indirect
question, the order is:
question phrase (what/how do you think) + subject + modal
+ verb…
B. Direct
questions with the verb to be:
·
Why are you the best person for
this job?
Question word + be + subject…
Indirect questions with the
verb to be:
·
Why do you think you are the
best person for this job?
Question phrase + subject + be…
C. Direct
questions with the auxiliary verb do:
·
Where do you want to be in 10
years' time?
Question word + do + subject + verb…
Indirect questions with the
auxiliary verb do:
·
Where do you think you want to
be in 10 years' time?
Question phrase + subject +
verb… We don't use the auxiliary, do,
here.
2.
Answering difficult questions:
It is important that you are
honest, show enthusiasm and give examples from your experience, e.g.
·
What do you think you will be doing 5
years from now?
·
Well, when I was working on a project
in Suez
It's OK if you don't have
much experience in an area or have made mistakes in the past. Show the
interviewer how you want to develop, e.g.
·
Tell me about a time when you faced a
moral problem.
·
Well, that hasn't really happened to me
yet, but I am very aware when I design web sites for children that the internet
can expose children to 'dangerous' material. This is an interesting area of
internet work and I follow debates carefully in the journals.
I think it is important that some decisions are not
made by one person alone, so I would always ask a more experienced colleague
for advice.
And of course, if the
interviewer asks y ou a question and
you just don't understand it, don't be afraid to ask for clarification, e.g.
·
I'm sorry, could you say that again?
·
Sorry, what do you mean exactly?
·
Do you think you could give me an
example?
Glossary
|
make yourself
indispensable (v. + adj.)
|
تجعله من الصعب
لصاحب العمل التخلي عنك
|
|
find a solution (v. + n.)
|
يجد حلاً
|
|
CEO (Chief Executive
Officer) (n.)
|
رئيس مجلس إدارة
شركة
|
|
move up (phrasal verb)
|
يتقدم؛ يترقى
|
|
benefit (v./n.)
|
يستفيد؛ فائدة
|
|
ambition (n.)
|
طموح
|
|
useful (adj.)
|
مفيد
|
|
complain (v.)
|
يشتكي
|
|
technical skills (adj. + n.)
|
مهارات متعلقة
بالعمل
|
|
interpersonal skills (adj.
+ n.)
|
مهارات شخصية
|
|
solve a problem (v. + n.)
|
يحل مشكلة
|
|
guidelines (n.)
|
خطوط عريضة
|
|
collaboration (n.)
|
تعاون
|
|
participation (n.)
|
مشاركة
|
|
prioritise (v.)
|
يضع أولويات
|
|
urgent (adj.)
|
عاجل
|
|
autonomy (n.)
|
استقلال ذاتي
|
|
feedback (n.)
|
تعقيب على الأداء
|
|
give up hope (phrasal verb
+n.)
|
يفقد الأمل
|
Being Interviewed
ردحذف