You're listening to Business English Pod, the Business English podcast for professionals on the move.
This is the first in a two-part series on discussing your previous experience in a job interview.
It is one of a longer sequence of podcasts that will focus on the complete interview process.
When you sit down to start a job interview, More than likely, you'll be a little nervous.
Interviewers have a variety of techniques to get you to relax and to feel at ease.
Usually, they'll make some small talk and generally try to lighten the atmosphere.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make however, is to interpret this friendliness as an invitation to be informal.
Another reason interviewers try to get you to relax is to make you drop your defenses so they can see the real you.
That's why successful job hunters will tell you, don't let your guard down.
That is, don't lower all your defenses.
That's the main message of this lesson.
We'll be examining a bad example of what not to do.
Since previous experience usually comes up at the beginning of an interview, We'll look at the casual discussion that takes place when an interview starts.
Then in the next episode we'll hear a good example and we'll focus more closely on further language for highlighting your experience.
Let's turn to the listening.
In this bad example Alexander, who was recently graduated with a master's degree in philosophy, is being interviewed by Michael for a job as assistant manager at an electronics store.
As you follow the dialogue, attempt to answer these questions.
First, is everything Alex says clear and to the point?
Second, does he seem overly friendly or informal at times?
And finally, how does Alex account for the gap in his resume?
So, Alexander, have a seat.
How are you doing today?
Well, to tell you the truth, it's been kind of a bad day.
Oh, sorry to hear that.
Yes.
Well, it's raining.
I don't really like rainy days.
I see.
Right.
So how about on a good day?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like reading and watching TV.
Really?
What's your favorite TV show?
Mr. Bean.
He's so funny, like the one with the Christmas turkey.
Did you see that?
He reminds me a lot of the people I meet here.
British people are so funny, you know?
Yes, they can be.
Okay, well, let's get down to business.
Can you tell me a little about your previous experience?
Yes.
My uncle managed a state-owned electronics company, and I helped him a lot as a kid.
I would be perfect for this job.
That was in the Czech Republic?
Yes.
That's right.
Okay, that sounds good.
Except back then, it was not like customer is king.
Know what I mean?
Right.
We always try to put the customer first.
Yeah, I was just kidding.
Me too, of course.
Okay, I just saw a gap in your resume.
18 months.
What were you doing?
I was finishing my master's thesis on Ladislav Klima, the Czech novelist and philosopher.
It was the most important thing in the world for me. so I had to take some time out.
That's interesting.
Yes, you know, and Klima is my hero.
He only ever took on short-term work, so I wanted to see the world through his eyes.
Right, got that.
So what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Thus far, Alex has done little to help his chances of getting his job, and much to hurt them.
Of course, none of us are likely to make all the mistakes Alexander has made, at least not all in the same interview.
But we all have probably made at least some of these mistakes.
So his experience is quite useful to us in analyzing what can go wrong and how to avoid it.
Now, let's go over the interview in detail and discuss how Alex could improve.
How does the dialogue begin?
So, Alexander, have a seat.
How are you doing today?
Well, to tell you the truth, it's been kind of a bad day.
Oh, sorry to hear that.
Why don't we stop there for a second?
Alex replies too honestly, too informally, to Michael's attempt at friendly small talk.
How are you doing today is meant simply as a greeting.
Therefore, Michael's reply that it's been a bad day is not really relevant.
If anything, it will leave a bad impression on the interviewer.
What are standard ways to respond to polite small talk at the beginning of the interview?
How are you doing today, Sam?
Fine, thank you.
And you?
Please have a seat.
Thank you.
Thanks for coming.
The pleasure's all mine.
I'm really looking forward to this opportunity to talk with you.
Did you have any trouble finding us?
No trouble at all.
Thank you.
Your directions were very helpful.
What can I get you?
Would you like a cup of tea or a coffee?
Thank you.
Actually, just a cup of water would be great, if it's not any trouble.
Of course, it's okay to show some style and humor.
However, using standard responses, especially at the beginning of the interview, can help ensure everything gets off to a good start.
Now, let's turn back to the dialogue.
So how about on a good day?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like reading and watching TV.
Really?
What's your favorite TV show?
Mr. Bean.
He's so funny.
Like the one with the Christmas turkey.
Did you see that?
He reminds me a lot of the people I meet here.
British people are so funny, you know?
Yes, they can be.
Alex is very talkative. and seems to be saying anything that comes to mind.
Again.
Although Alexander may be expressing his true opinion, he seems to be forgetting that he's in a job interview.
By asking small talk questions, Michael is just trying to get Alexander to relax.
But Alex seems to be going to the other extreme by letting his guard down too much.
Though hobbies and personal background don't always come up at the beginning of the interview like in this one, they'll probably become a topic of discussion at some point, because your interviewer usually wants to get a picture of you as a whole person.
Therefore, it's good to be prepared to discuss your leisure activities in a way that reflects positively on your overall character and professionalism.
Let's listen to a few examples of suitable answers to such questions.
How about when you're not interviewing?
What do you usually do on a Saturday?
Actually, I'm an avid golfer.
It's a great way to get some fresh air and meet people.
Surely you're not working all of the time.
Of course not.
I do enjoy blowing off some steam in the gym and I participate in intramural sports on the weekends.
What kind of leisure activities do you prefer?
Well, like most people, I enjoy movies and music, but I'm also a big fan of books.
Words like avid, big fan of enjoy and enthusiastic about, can help give interviewers a positive impression of a well-rounded, passionate individual.
Blow off steam means to relieve tension and stress.
Intramural refers to activities, usually sports, between groups at a college or university.
So far Michael, the interviewer, has attempted to create a good atmosphere with some casual discussion.
Now, he asks the first actual question about Alex's work history.
Okay, well, let's get down to business.
Can you tell me a little about your previous experience?
Yes.
My uncle managed a state-owned electronics company, and I helped him a lot as a kid.
I would be perfect for this job.
That was in the Czech Republic?
That's right.
Okay, that sounds good.
Except back then, it was not like customer is king.
Know what I mean?
Right.
We always try to put the customer first.
Yeah, I was just kidding.
Me too, of course.
Because it casts doubt on Alexander's attitude towards basic principles of professional behavior.
This attempt at humor is likely to work against him.
It's OK to make jokes, but instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, they should reflect well on your personality and highlight your strengths.
We should focus on the positive aspects of our experience and attempt to portray it in a way that emphasizes the benefit to the employer.
This is a good tip for anyone, but it's especially important for someone with little actual work experience like Alex.
What would have been a better way for him to respond?
I have a good understanding of this type of business, gained through years of experience.
I've got a lot of hands-on experience in retail management.
I've always been interested in electronics.
I have a strong willingness and drive to learn.
Okay.
I just saw a gap in your resume.
Eighteen months.
What were you doing?
I was finishing my master's thesis on Ladislav Klima, the Czech novelist and philosopher.
It was the most important thing in the world for me, so I had to take some time out.
That's interesting.
Yes, you know, and Klima is my hero.
He only ever took on short-term work, so I wanted to see the world through his eyes.
Right, got that.
Having completed a master's thesis is no small accomplishment.
With a little thought, it would have been very easy for Alexander to use this success to emphasize positive aspects of his character and work ethic.
Instead, Alex gets sidetracked by mistaking the interview for an academic discussion.
In part two of previous experience, we'll look in more detail at dealing with gaps in your resume by emphasizing the positive.
Now, we'll just focus briefly on portraying academic experience to employers.
How can you highlight useful skills that you have gained during your studies?
Besides the theoretical knowledge I've gained, I've also learned a lot of practical skills.
Through writing my thesis, I've learned about how to be rigorous, how to work in a team and how to operate under tight deadline pressures.
Working part-time while going to university has taught me a lot about time management and balancing priorities.
Okay, let's practice some of the things we learned today.
First we'll focus on two common small talk exchanges that can occur at the beginning of an interview.
In a series of two short dialogues, you'll be asked questions by your interviewer.
Respond after the beeps.
Remember to keep your responses brief and to the point.
Don't let your guard down.
How are you doing today?
Great, thanks.
Did you have any trouble finding us?
Please have a seat.
Would you like a glass of water?
So, what do you think of our office?
How did that go?
Were you able to come up with some brief but polite responses?
Let's hear some example answers.
Keep in mind, of course, that there are many possible variations.
The important thing is to respond appropriately.
How are you doing today?
Fine, thank you.
And you?
Great, thanks.
Did you have any trouble finding us?
No, no trouble at all.
Thank you.
Please have a seat.
Would you like a glass of water?
Yes, thank you.
That's very kind.
So, what do you think of our office?
From what I've seen so far, I like it a lot.
Another great way to practice is to write out dialogues or role play them with friends.
Now, in the second practice, let's review some of the collocations or word partnerships that we learned today with a technique called gap reading.
You'll hear a series of sentences.
One word in each sentence is blanked out with a .
Repeat the sentence, but say the missing word.
For example, if you hear I've always been in electronics, you'll say I've always been interested in electronics.
Let's begin.
Working part time while going to university has taught me a lot about management and priorities.
Answer.
Working part time while going to university has taught me a lot about time management and balancing priorities.
Besides the theoretical knowledge I've gained, I've also learned a lot of skills.
Answer.
Besides the theoretical knowledge I've gained, I've also learned a lot of practical skills.
I have a strong willingness and to learn.
I have a strong willingness and drive to learn.
I have a lot of Experience in Retail Management.
I have a lot of hands-on experience in retail management.
To build your memory, it's good to go back and try the practice again.
After a couple times, I'm sure you'll be able to use all this great vivid language for discussing your interests and work history with fluency and confidence.
In this lesson, we've examined the do's and the don'ts for the beginning of a job interview under the theme Don't Let Your Guard Down.
And we've learned that thinking about how to portray your previous experience is an important part of the preparation work that we should do before an interview begins.
Along with weaknesses, strengths and accomplishments, which we'll be dealing with in later episodes, your past work life is almost certain to be a topic of discussion.
As we've seen, even if you're a student, you can use your university experience to draw attention to your advantages as an employee.
In part two of previous experience, we'll hear a good example of a successful response and we'll focus on specific language and strategies for highlighting experience and for turning weaknesses into strengths.
Thank you for listening.
