Nvel

rea de competncias-chave
Contedo
Tema

B3
Secundrio
B1
B2
Lngua Estrangeira - Ingls
Profisses
Entrevistas de seleco para emprego (Job interview)

The interview is usually the second step when you are looking for a job.
How to impress?
How can candidates prepare the job interview?
Here are some of the most important aspects to consider before the interview.
1. Put on appropriate clothing: You don't have to wear a suit but you should look neat and tidy.
2. Work out what questions you might be asked: If you do this, you can plan your answers.
The two most obvious questions are always 'Why do you want to work here?' and 'Why do you
think you would be good for this job?'.
3. Find out about the company before the interview.
4. Turn up on time: Try to get there 15 minutes early so you can have a coffee or use the
toilet before the interview. You should phone the company if you are late.
5. Relax: An interview is your chance to meet the people who can help you get the job you want.

When in an interview you have to sell yourself. Referring some of your personal qualities
and your professional qualifications may help you get the job.
Here is some helpful vocabulary.
trustworthy

friendly

(simpctico)

(de confiana)

patient
self-confident (paciente)

High school diploma/certificate

(diploma/certificado do Ensino Secundrio)

(auto-confiante)

reliable

(de confiana)

creative
(criativo)

Personal qualities

(pontual)

(socivel)

active/energetic
(activo/energtico)

independent
responsible
(responsvel)

(curso universitrio/tcnico em)

helpful

(prestvel)

punctual

sociable

University/technical degree in

(independente)

Professional
qualification
s
Vocational course in
(curso profissional de)

First aid certificate

(certificado de primeiros socorros)

Autora: Ana Lusa S. Santos

1/5


Here are some examples of job interviews.
(Exercises adapted from eslprintables.com)

1. Complete the interview with the words from the box.

Good morning

moment

computer

Boston

Mrs. Hodge:

unemployed
why

Im

punctual

languages
job

Yes

reliable

Susan: Good morning!

Mrs. Hodge: Please, sit down.
Susan: Thank you.
Mrs. Hodge: Whats your name?
Susan:

Susan Meyer.

Mrs. Hodge: Where do you come from?

Susan: I come from

Mrs. Hodge: Where are you working at the moment?

Susan: At the

Im

Mrs. Hodge:

are you interested in this

Susan: Because I like helping people.

Mrs. Hodge: Can you speak any foreign

Susan: I speak French, German and Spanish fluently.

Mrs. Hodge: Do you know how to use a
Susan:

, I do. I have experience in many computer programs.

Mrs. Hodge: Why do you think you should work with us?
Susan: Im experienced, hard-working and dedicated. I am also

and

2. Match the questions to the answers of the following interviews:

Interview A
1- Why should our company hire you?
2- Are you unhappy with your current job?
3- Do you speak any foreign languages?
4- Do you have a driving license and a car?
5- How soon can you start?

a) I have to give my employer one months notice so I can start in a

months time.
b) Yes, I lived in Italy for two years, so Im fluent in Italian and I studied
French at school.
c) Im experienced in the field, Im hard-working and dedicated to my work.
I have all the right characteristics for the job.
d) I have a license but I don't own a car.

Autora: Ana Lusa S. Santos

e) I enjoy the work and the working environment, however I believe I

should be earning more money in my position.

2/5

Interview B
1. What are your personal skills?

a) Not much Im afraid, but I think I could pick it up quite quickly.

Ive worked on a switchboard before but just for a few days.

2. Why do you want to work here?

b) Yes, I do. I can also speak French and Japanese.

3. Do you have much experience of

working as a receptionist?

c) Well, Im very organized. I don't panic, so I would just deal with

each call and person as fast as I could without forgetting anything.

4. Its often very busy here, the phone rings,

people are in reception, other people want
to leave messages with you. How would
you react?

d) I get on well with people, Im reliable and I think I speak clearly so

I guess Im perfect to the receptionist job.

5. Do you have any questions about the job?

e) The company has a good reputation and I would enjoy working for
a company that is established and vibrant.

6. Do you speak German? Many of

our clients are German.

f) Just one, the advertisement said you were looking for a parttime receptionist but how many hours is the part-time?

7. Can you start immediately?

g) Yes, I can.

Interview C
1. Why do you want to work here?

a) Ive already worked as a receptionist - but just for three

months, during last summer holidays.

2. Why do you think you would be suited to the

job?

b) Thats all right. Im prepared to work any time.

3. What experience do you have as a

receptionist?

c) Quite well, I think. Im an organized person and I like to talk on

the phone.

4. What qualifications do you have?

d) I would like to work for a hotel with a good reputation.

5. How do you cope with making and receiving

phone calls and taking messages?

e) Im afraid I dont speak Spanish very well, but I understand

what people say.

6. How many foreign languages do you speak?

f) I am sociable, Im patient and I think I speak clearly.

7. How about Spanish?

g) I speak English and French fluently.

8. Do you have any questions about the job?

h) I left secondary school last month.

9. Well, youll have to do shift work and

sometimes also work overtime.

i) I would like to know about working hours.

j) Next week if thats all right for you.

10. When can you start?

Autora: Ana Lusa S. Santos

10

3/5

3. Pair work
Imagine an interview between a job candidate and the employer. Write the interview and act it
in front of the class.
Use the structures from the examples of exercises 1 and 2.
Employer:
Candidate:

References:
eslprintables.com
Teen 9, Porto Editora

Autora: Ana Lusa S. Santos

4/5

CORRECO

1. Complete the interview with the words from the box.

Good morning

moment

computer

unemployed

Boston

why

Im

punctual

languages
job

Yes

reliable

Mrs. Hodge: Good morning!

Susan: Good morning!
Mrs. Hodge: Please, sit down.
Susan: Thank you.
Mrs. Hodge: Whats your name?
Susan: Im Susan Meyer.
Mrs. Hodge: Where do you come from?
Susan: I come from Boston.
Mrs. Hodge: Where are you working at the moment?
Susan: At the moment Im unemployed.
Mrs. Hodge: Why are you interested in this job?
Susan: Because I like helping people.
Mrs. Hodge: Can you speak any foreign languages?
Susan: I speak French, German and Spanish fluently.
Mrs. Hodge: Do you know how to use a computer?
Susan: Yes, I do. I have experience in many computer programs.
Mrs. Hodge: Why do you think you should work with us?
Susan: Im experienced, hard-working and dedicated. I am also punctual and reliable.

2. Match the questions to the answers of the following interviews:

Interview A
1
2
3
c)

e)

b)

d)

a)

Interview B
1
2
3

f)

b)

g)

d)

e)

a)

c)

Interview C
1

10

d)

f)

a)

h)

c)

g)

e)

i)

b)

j)

Autora: Ana Lusa S. Santos

5/5