You're listening to Business English Pod, the Business English podcast for professionals on the move.
Hello and welcome back to Business English Pod.
My name's Edwin and I'll be your host for today's lesson on talking about your goals and expectations in a job interview.
In a job interview, You'll surely have to answer questions about your experience and your background, and you'll be trying to convince the interviewers that you're the person they are looking for.
But what are you looking for?
And how does the job you're applying for fit into your plans?
Your goals and expectations matter.
Interviewers want to know that you're the right fit for each other, so you should be prepared to talk about your plans and what you're looking for.
You should also be ready to talk about the industry and about the company you're hoping to work for.
Today we'll learn some of the techniques and language you can use to talk about your goals and expectations.
We'll look at how to answer a question about career goals and to answer a negative question.
We'll also cover how to show knowledge about the industry and ask good questions about the company.
And finally, we'll look at how to give salary expectations and talk about your intangible priorities, which means what you're looking for besides money and benefits.
In the dialogue, we'll rejoin Ryan, who's interviewing for a job at a software company.
He's being interviewed by Sandra and Victor, who want to know about Ryan's goals and expectations.
As you listen to the dialogue, try to answer the following questions.
One, what is Ryan's career goal?
Two, what question does Ryan ask about the company?
Three, what are Ryan's salary expectations?
Okay, very interesting.
Now you're talking about your current career shift, and I'd like to talk about your longer-term goals in the future, what you plan to do next.
Certainly.
How do you see things shaping up for you in the future?
Say, five to ten years out from now.
Well, eventually I see myself in an executive role with a major industry player.
I'd like to be a great leader, helping people develop great software, with a focus on education and business applications.
A major industry player?
So you wouldn't want to start your own company someday?
No, not really.
I'd like to focus on what I love, which is software and teamwork.
Starting your own company involves so many other things like pitching to investors and trying to drum up cash.
That could be exciting, don't you think?
I suppose, in one way.
But it's really dog-eat-dog in the VC world.
And the fact is, 70% of the revenue from software in the US comes from just 50 companies.
So again, I think a larger company can offer me a bigger and better platform where I can make an impact.
But the industry is changing rapidly.
There's a lot of interesting work happening in smaller companies, even if they don't generate the lion's share of revenue.
Very true.
Rapidly changing.
And very exciting.
And so one of my questions for you folks is about the company's plans over the next 10 years.
I mean, given such change in the industry, how is the company changing?
I think I can answer that if you don't mind, Sandra.
We've been working to broaden our product range so we can target new markets, particularly in education, but also in the medical field.
Okay, so Ryan, I'd like to talk a bit about salary expectations.
Do you have a figure in mind?
Yes, I'm looking at opportunities in the 70 to 80k range, which I understand is about the industry average.
All right.
And besides salary, what's important to you on the intangible side of things?
Yeah well, what's important to me is a positive work environment with opportunities to explore new ideas.
I'm also looking for good people and dynamic, creative teams.
And flexible working hours would be a real bonus.
Now let's go through the dialogue again and look at the techniques and language Ryan used in this part of his interview.
Okay.
Very interesting.
Now you're talking about your current career shift, and I'd like to talk about your longer-term goals in the future, what you plan to do next.
Certainly.
How do you see things shaping up for you in the future, say, five to ten years out from now?
Sandra wants to talk about Ryan's future, and so she asks how he sees things shaping up, which means how things will develop in five to ten years.
Let's hear how Ryan answers this question about his career goals.
Well, eventually I see myself in an executive role with a major industry player.
I'd like to be a great leader, helping people develop great software, with a focus on education and business applications.
Ryan talks about what he wants to do eventually or after some time, and notice that he describes a goal that might happen within the company where he's applying, which is a major industry player or a large company.
When you describe your goals, you want to be ambitious, as Ryan is when he says he wants an executive role.
But at the same time, you don't want to give the impression that you'll be leaving the company soon.
Another thing Ryan does is show excitement for work.
He says he wants to be a great leader, helping to develop great software.
So it's not just about a position and money.
It's about doing good work.
This can really impress an interviewer.
Let's practice more ways of talking about career goals that are ambitious and positive.
Five years down the road, I'd like to be working in management.
I'm interested in climbing the ranks in a large and reputable company.
My goal is to become partner in a local engineering firm.
Eventually, I'd like to be overseeing a great team on national advertising accounts.
Now let's hear Victor's next question. a major industry player.
So you wouldn't want to start your own company someday?
This is what we call a negative question.
Victor is saying, wouldn't you?
So how does Ryan answer this negative question?
No, not really.
I'd like to focus on what I love, which is software and teamwork.
Starting your own company involves so many other things like pitching to investors and trying to drum up cash.
So if someone asks you, don't you, and you don't, then you answer no.
It doesn't seem perfectly logical, but that's how we answer negative questions in English.
Still, negative questions can be confusing.
And if you just say yes or no, people can still get confused.
So it's a good idea to explain your answer in more detail.
In fact, the explanation is more important than the yes or no.
Let's run through some more ways of answering a negative question.
That includes a bit of explanation.
No, I definitely don't see myself moving into sales.
Actually, I do enjoy giving presentations.
Yes, sure I think that clear communication is very important.
No, not exactly.
I mean, I've read about it but haven't experienced it myself.
Ryan mentioned some aspects of starting your own company that he wouldn't like, such as trying to drum up or gather cash.
So, how does Victor respond?
That could be exciting, don't you think?
I suppose, in one way.
But it's really dog-eat-dog in the VC world.
And the fact is, 70% of the revenue from software in the US comes from just 50 companies.
So again, I think a larger company can offer me a bigger and better platform where I can make an impact.
Young people in the tech world are known to move between companies a lot.
So Victor wants to make sure Ryan really wants to work for them.
And Ryan gives some pretty good assurances.
He talks about the VC or venture capital world being a dog eat dog world.
That's another way of saying it's very competitive.
He also mentions the statistic about the software industry that gives evidence that a large company is the best place for him to make an impact.
It's a great idea during an interview to show that you understand the industry, and it's best if you can drop it into the conversation, naturally like Ryan does, introducing it with the fact is.
There are other ways of showing industry knowledge and using simple expressions to introduce it.
Let's run through a few more examples of showing industry knowledge.
Well, with so much talk of mergers in the industry, things may look very different soon.
Well, I think it's interesting that Home Depot is now in the top ten retailers worldwide.
You see, I tend to agree with those who think that ad blocking is forcing marketers to be smarter and more creative.
It's really been a tough first quarter for pharmaceutical companies.
Now let's hear how Victor follows up on Ryan's comment about the software industry.
But the industry is changing rapidly.
There's a lot of interesting work happening in smaller companies, even if they don't generate the lion's share of revenue.
Very true.
Rapidly changing.
And very exciting.
And so one of my questions for you folks is about the company's plans over the next 10 years.
I mean, given such change in the industry, how is the company changing?
Victor mentions that the industry is changing rapidly or quickly.
And Ryan actually uses the word rapidly in his response.
It can be good to mirror the interviewer sometimes to show you understand and to build rapport.
And Ryan uses Victor's idea to lead into his own question about the company.
He wants to know how the company is changing in response to industry change.
And notice that he gives his question a bit of introduction so that it doesn't sound too abrupt or direct.
He says, one of my questions for you folks is, folks is a friendly way of saying people.
You don't always have to wait for the interviewers to give you the chance to ask questions.
Conversation about the industry is a perfect opportunity to ask questions about the company, just as Ryan has done.
Let's practice asking a few more common types of questions you might ask about a company.
I'm curious if the company plans to expand into Asia at some point.
I wonder how you evaluate success here at Green Tech.
What would you say is the biggest problem the company currently faces?
How would you describe the workplace culture here?
Now let's get back to the dialogue.
We can hear Victor begin to answer Ryan's question.
Then we skip ahead in the interview to another important topic.
I think I can answer that if you don't mind, Sandra.
We've been working to broaden our product range so we can target new markets, particularly in education, but also in the medical field.
Okay, so Ryan, I'd like to talk a bit about salary expectations.
Do you have a figure in mind?
Sandra wants to talk about money and asks if Ryan has a figure or number in mind.
If you have something in mind, it means you're thinking about it.
So, does Ryan come out and say exactly what salary he expects?
Yes, I'm looking at opportunities in the 70 to 80k range, which I understand is about the industry average.
You might not feel comfortable talking about salary, but you need to be ready for it.
And when you do, it's a good idea to give approximate expectations rather than one big number.
That means, as Ryan mentions, a salary range.
Also, notice that Ryan mentions that 70 to 80K, or 1,000, is about the industry average.
In this way, he's giving some justification for his number.
What are some other ways we can state approximate salary expectations and include a bit of justification?
Let's run through some more examples.
I'm aiming for somewhere between 50 and 60,000 a year to start.
I'd like to be close to the industry average for this type of position.
I'm looking for a salary in the 40000 to 50000 range, which is a bit above average, but I think that's justified given my experience.
Based on my experience, I'm thinking of something around 70,000.
Of course, salary is not the only thing people get out of a job.
And Sandra wants to ask about intangible priorities, which are benefits that can't be measured in terms of dollars and cents.
All right.
And besides salary, what's important to you on the intangible side of things?
Yeah well, what's important to me is a positive work environment with opportunities to explore new ideas.
I'm also looking for good people and dynamic, creative teams.
And flexible working hours would be a real bonus.
As you can hear, Ryan's got a few different intangible priorities.
But he doesn't state expectations that are too unrealistic or demanding.
Instead, he focuses on overall positive workplace qualities.
Looking for the chance to explore new ideas shows that he's creative.
And looking for good people shows he's a team player.
And when he mentions flexible working hours, which a large company might not be able to offer, he calls it a real bonus.
That means it would be nice, but it's not absolutely necessary.
Stating intangible priorities is a way of showing an interviewer what kind of worker and what kind of person you are.
And it's a good opportunity to be clear about what's really important to you.
Let's practice some more examples of stating intangible priorities.
To me, flexibility in my schedule is an important consideration because I have a young family.
I'm really looking for the chance to develop my skills and learn about the industry.
One thing that's important is the opportunity for advancement and taking on more responsibility.
I'd do best in a workplace that's supportive and encourages creativity.
We've reached the end of the dialogue and it sounds like Ryan's almost finished with his interview.
He's done a good job of talking about his goals and expectations.
And he's also shown a good understanding of the industry.
Now let's practice some of the language we learned in today's lesson.
Imagine you are interviewing for a job in marketing with a publishing company.
You are near the end of your interview and need to answer some important questions.
During the role play, you'll hear some questions from the interviewer.
Then I'll give you some suggestions for how you can respond.
We'll guide you through each step of the practice and provide an example answer for each response.
Ready?
Let's give it a go.
Could you tell me what does the future look like for you in terms of your career?
Start by saying that you'd love to have a leading role in the marketing division of a big publisher.
Answer Well, I'd love to have a leading role in the marketing division of a big publisher.
So you don't see yourself leaving marketing at some point in the future?
Now respond by saying no and giving a short explanation of your answer.
Answer No, I really enjoy the world of marketing.
But don't you think the publishing industry is losing the power to market its own goods?
Next, disagree by saying that many big publishers have created new senior marketing positions.
Answer.
Not really.
We've actually seen many big publishers create new senior marketing positions.
Yes, I guess that's true.
Now, on a different note, can you tell me about your salary expectations?
Now say that you would like to start between 70 and 80,000 a year.
Answer.
Yes, well, I'd like to start between $70,000 and $80,000 a year.
Okay, and beyond the salary, what's important to you in a job?
Finally, tell the interviewer that you are interested in professional development opportunities.
I'm looking for a place with excellent professional development opportunities.
Now let's practice some of the vocabulary and collocations we've covered in this lesson.
In a moment, you'll hear a series of sentences with a word replaced with a beep.
Repeat each sentence, including the missing word.
For example, if you hear, Our mobile division brings in the lion's of our company's revenue.
You can say, Our mobile division brings in the lion's share of our company's revenue.
After each response, we'll provide the correct answer.
Let's begin.
I'm hoping to work in research for a major Answer.
I'm hoping to work in research for a major player in the mining industry.
From my experience, the world of trading is really a dog-eat situation.
Answer.
From my experience, the world of trading is really a dog-eat-dog situation.
When I started my own company, I had to to investors every week.
Answer.
When I started my own company, I had to pitch to investors every week.
In terms of pay and benefits?
Can you tell me what you have in mind in terms of pay and benefits?
We've reached the end of this lesson, the third in our review of key skills for job interviews in English.
We've looked at how to state your career goals and answer negative questions.
We've also covered how to show industry knowledge and ask good questions about the company.
And finally, we've learned how to state salary expectations and intangible priorities.
Thanks for listening, and see you again soon.
