How to Interview for a Job in American English, part 1/5

Rachel's English

5 Jan 201607:04

Summary

TLDRThis video is the first in a five-part series focused on preparing for job interviews. It covers common interview scenarios, starting with small talk and moving on to the crucial question: 'Tell me about yourself.' The video offers practical advice, such as practicing responses and recording yourself to refine your answers. The goal is to help viewers feel more confident and prepared during their interviews, especially when interviewing in a non-native language. Future videos in the series will explore additional common interview questions.

Takeaways

😀 The video is the first part of a five-part series on preparing for a job interview.
🤔 The stress of job interviews can be amplified when the position is in a non-native language.
👋 Small talk is an essential part of the interview process to create a comfortable environment.
🗣️ Interviewees should be prepared to answer common questions like 'Tell me a little bit about yourself'.
🎓 Emphasizing education and work history is key when responding to self-introduction questions.
💼 Highlighting areas of expertise or interests can make the self-introduction more tailored to the job.
🔁 Practicing self-introduction with a video camera can help refine responses and identify areas for improvement.
📝 It's important to practice speaking freely with key phrases rather than memorizing a script.
📈 The script provides an example of how to answer the self-introduction question effectively.
📝 The video will continue in the next part with more common interview questions such as 'How did you hear about this position?', 'What attracted you to our company?', and 'What’s your greatest strength?'.
📧 The video encourages viewers to engage by asking for interview-related questions or stories in the comments.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video series?
-The main purpose of the video series is to prepare viewers for a job interview, discussing common interview questions and how to answer them effectively.
Why can interviewing for a job in a non-native language be more stressful?
-Interviewing in a non-native language can be more stressful due to the added difficulty of expressing oneself fluently and clearly, which can compound the usual interview anxiety.
What is the role of small talk in the beginning of an interview?
-Small talk serves to build a comfortable environment before the formal interview begins, allowing both the interviewer and the interviewee to feel more at ease with each other.
Why is it important to keep answers during small talk short and polite?
-Keeping answers short and polite helps maintain a professional tone while also not overwhelming the conversation, allowing for a smooth transition into the main interview.
How can one practice small talk for an interview?
-One can practice small talk by asking themselves simple, non-personal questions or by practicing with a friend, focusing on being friendly and responsive.
What does the interviewer usually expect when asking 'Tell me a little bit about yourself'?
-The interviewer expects the interviewee to focus on their education, work history, areas of experience, and interests relevant to the job they are applying for.
What are some ways to begin answering the question 'Tell me a little bit about yourself'?
-One can begin by mentioning their educational background, years of experience in a certain field, or specific skills and experiences gained from previous roles.
Why is it recommended to record oneself while practicing for an interview?
-Recording oneself allows for self-assessment, helping to identify phrases that work well and areas where one might stumble, thus improving the delivery of answers during the actual interview.
What is the significance of practicing free-talking with key phrases instead of memorizing a paragraph?
-Practicing free-talking with key phrases helps to sound more natural and less rehearsed during the interview, allowing for a more authentic and engaging interaction with the interviewer.
What will be covered in the next video of the series?
-The next video will cover three more common interview questions: 'How did you hear about this position?', 'What attracted you to our company?', and 'What’s your greatest strength?'

Outlines

00:00

😀 Interview Preparation and Small Talk

This paragraph introduces the first part of a five-part series focused on job interview preparation. It emphasizes the stress and anxiety associated with job interviews, especially when conducted in a non-native language. The script outlines the importance of small talk at the beginning of an interview to create a comfortable environment. It provides examples of small talk exchanges and suggests practicing these conversations to improve interview skills.

05:04

📚 Responding to 'Tell Me About Yourself'

This section delves into the common interview question, 'Tell me a little bit about yourself,' which can be overwhelming for interviewees. The script advises focusing on education, work history, and areas of expertise or interest. It offers different ways to start an answer and encourages practicing self-introduction with a video camera to refine responses. The goal is to practice free-talking with key phrases rather than memorizing a script, which will help interviewees feel more comfortable during the actual interview.

🚀 Professional Experience and Future Opportunities

In this paragraph, the interviewee, RS, introduces their professional background, having studied at the University of Florida and graduated with a Masters in Toy Design in 2010. They have worked at Happy Kid’s Creative for five years, rising to the position of Director of Toy Production. RS highlights their experience in team leadership and market expansion, and expresses a desire for new opportunities due to limited growth potential at their current company. The paragraph concludes with a teaser for the next video in the series, which will cover additional common interview questions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Interview

An interview is a formal meeting where a candidate is assessed for their suitability for a job or position. In the video, the interview is the central theme, focusing on how to prepare for this important process. The video explains that interviews often involve common questions and small talk, which are crucial for making a good impression.

💡Small Talk

Small talk refers to the light, informal conversation that typically occurs at the beginning of an interview, often covering topics like the weather, travel, or the weekend. It is used to create a comfortable environment and build rapport between the interviewer and the candidate. The video emphasizes the importance of being polite and friendly during this stage.

💡Tell me about yourself

This is a common interview question where the interviewer asks the candidate to provide a brief overview of their background, including education, work history, and relevant experience. The video suggests that candidates focus on their qualifications and experience, using this question as an opportunity to highlight their strengths and suitability for the position.

💡Job Preparation

Job preparation refers to the actions and efforts made by a candidate to ready themselves for an interview. This includes practicing answers to common questions, understanding the job role, and researching the company. The video is part of a series dedicated to helping viewers prepare for interviews, with practical tips and strategies for success.

💡Non-native language

A non-native language is a language that is not the first language learned by a person. The video acknowledges that interviewing in a non-native language can add extra stress and anxiety. It aims to help viewers, particularly those who might be interviewing in English as a second language, by providing guidance on how to effectively communicate during the interview.

💡Practice

Practice refers to the repeated exercise or performance of an activity to improve proficiency. The video advises candidates to practice their answers to common interview questions, including recording themselves to review their performance. This preparation helps candidates feel more comfortable and confident during the actual interview.

💡Work History

Work history refers to a candidate's past employment experience, including the roles they have held, the companies they have worked for, and the responsibilities they have managed. The video suggests that candidates should focus on their work history when answering the 'tell me about yourself' question, as it provides a clear picture of their professional background.

💡Comfortable Environment

A comfortable environment in the context of an interview refers to the creation of a relaxed and open atmosphere where both the interviewer and the candidate can communicate effectively. The video highlights how small talk at the beginning of the interview serves to establish this environment, making the formal interview process feel less intimidating.

💡Common Questions

Common questions are those that frequently come up in interviews, such as 'Tell me about yourself,' 'What are your strengths?' or 'Why do you want to work here?' The video mentions these as key elements of an interview that candidates should prepare for, as having well-thought-out answers can greatly improve their performance.

💡Friendly

Being friendly in an interview context means displaying a warm and approachable demeanor. The video encourages candidates to maintain a friendly attitude, especially during the small talk portion of the interview, as it helps build a positive first impression and eases the transition into more serious interview questions.

Highlights

The video is the first in a five-part series on preparing for a job interview.

Interviewing for a job can be stressful, especially in a non-native language.

The video will cover common interview questions and how to answer them.

Small talk is an essential part of interviews, helping to build a comfortable environment.

Examples of small talk include discussing the weather or weekend activities.

Being polite and friendly during small talk is important.

Practicing small talk with a friend or by yourself can be helpful.

The common question 'Tell me a little bit about yourself' focuses on education and work history.

Preparing for the 'Tell me about yourself' question involves practicing free-talking with key phrases.

Recording yourself while practicing can help improve your response.

It's important not to memorize a script but to be comfortable talking about yourself.

An example response to the 'Tell me about yourself' question includes education and work experience.

Upcoming videos in the series will cover more common interview questions.

The video emphasizes the importance of being fully prepared for an interview.

Rachel invites viewers to share interview-related questions or stories in the comments.