SPEAKING. 1. How do you feel about interviews?

1. How do you feel about interviews? Do you get nervous? Why?

Look at the list of things that can happen at job/university interviews. Which of them are positive?

1. I was slightly late for the interview.

2. I wore fairly casual clothes.

3. I panicked and couldn't think clearly.

4. I showed them that I was enjoying talking about myself.

5. I wasn't very well prepared for the interviewer's questions.

6. I maintained eye contact with the interviewer.

7. I talked quite negatively about my previous experience.

8. I didn't have any questions to ask the interviewer.

9. I remembered to switch off my mobile phone.

10. I couldn't remember everything I wrote on my application.

Have you experienced any of the situations above?

2. Read parts of interviews with four different candidates. Say whether the people want to get a job or a place at a university. Do any of the things above apply to the candidates?

I – Interviewer

K – Karen

I: It's Karen Goodman, isn't it?

K: Err…yes.

I: Hello Karen. Pleased to meet you. My name's Michael Harrison.

K: Thank you.

I: So thank you for applying for the job and coming to the interview today. First I'd like to ask you about your experience. In your letter you say you've worked in an office before. Tell me about that…

K: Oh, well. It was ages ago actually.

I: Ok. Well…what did you do there?

K: Nothing much really…I was just an assistant…you know… answering the phone and stuff…

I – Interviewer

J – Jenny

I: Ah…there you are.

J: Oh dear. I'm so sorry.

I: Let's see…You are Jenny, aren't you? Jenny Scott?

J: Yes, that's right.

I: Well, come in Jenny. I'm Peter Manning, Head of Economics department and I'll be interviewing you today. Very nice to see you. Thank you for coming.

J: I'm really very sorry. I thought it would be a much quicker journey. The traffic was terrible and then I couldn't find the building.

I: Ok. Can I start then by asking you about your reasons for applying for the course? What do you think you'd get from studying Economics in this particular university, Jenny?

I – Interviewer

L – Liz

I: Ok…let's move on, Liz. You've talked about your experience. Now I'd like to as you about your plans for the future. What are your plans for the future? Let's say for the five years following the course?

L: Oh, umm…I'm not really sure what I want to do after that really. I mean I'd love to study here. I thin I'd get a lot out of it as well as having a lot to offer, but…er…after that, well, I don't know at the moment. I haven't really thought about that.

I – Interviewer

L – Linda

I: Well. Thank you very much for talking to me today, Linda. We're coming to the end of the interview now. Is there anything that you'd like to ask me.

L: Yes, I do have a question if that's OK.

I: Of course.

L: Well. I was wondering about promotion prospects. Obviously I'm keen on staying in the journalism business and I'd like to know what kind of opportunities there might be.

I: That's a good question. We're very interested in the professional development of our staff and offer many opportunities for further training and promotion within the company.