Speaking: Specific Purposes B1 - Lesson 1: Answering Common Job Interview Questions (About yourself, skills)

Speaking: Specific Purposes B1 - Lesson 1: Answering Common Job Interview Questions (About yourself, skills) 👔❓🗣️

Objective: To learn common job interview questions and practice strategies for answering them clearly, confidently, and effectively, focusing on questions about yourself and your skills.

• Identify common interview questions related to personal background, strengths, weaknesses, and motivation.
• Understand how to structure answers to these questions.
• Learn phrases for presenting yourself positively and professionally.
• Practice formulating and delivering answers to typical interview questions.

A job interview is your chance to show an employer why you are a good fit for a position. Preparation is key to feeling confident and making a good impression. This lesson will cover some of the most common interview questions, especially those about you and your skills, and provide tips on how to answer them well.

Common Question 1: "Tell me about yourself."

This is often the first question. It's an invitation to give a brief, professional summary of who you are.

How to structure your answer:

• Present: Briefly mention your current situation (e.g., student, current job if relevant).
• Past: Highlight relevant experiences, skills, or education that relate to the job.
• Future: Briefly state your career goals and how this job fits into them.

Example Phrases:

• "Currently, I'm a final year student at [Your University] studying [Your Major]."
• "I've always been passionate about [relevant field, e.g., customer service/technology]."
• "In my previous role at [Previous Company/Project], I was responsible for [key task] and developed skills in [relevant skill]."
• "I'm eager to apply my skills and learn more in a [type of role/industry] like this."

Tip: Keep it concise (about 1-2 minutes) and relevant to the job you're applying for.

Common Question 2: "What are your strengths?"

Choose 2-3 strengths that are relevant to the job and give a brief example for each.

Example Strengths & Phrases:

• "One of my main strengths is my ability to learn quickly. For example, in my last internship, I learned how to use the new accounting software within the first week."
• "I believe I have strong communication skills. I enjoy working in a team and can explain ideas clearly."
• "I'm a hard-working and dedicated individual. When I have a task, I make sure to complete it to the best of my ability."
• "I'm quite organized and pay attention to detail. This helped me in my previous project to manage deadlines effectively."

Common Question 3: "What are your weaknesses?"

This question tests your self-awareness. Choose a real but not critical weakness, and show how you are working to improve it.

Example Weaknesses & Phrases:

• "Sometimes I can be a bit too critical of my own work. However, I'm learning to accept that perfection isn't always possible and to focus on doing my best."
• "In the past, I sometimes found it challenging to delegate tasks because I wanted to ensure everything was done perfectly. I've been working on trusting my team members more and have seen good results."
• "One area I'm working on is my public speaking skills. I sometimes get nervous, but I've joined a local Toastmasters club in Phnom Penh to practice and improve my confidence."

Tip: Don't say you have no weaknesses, and don't choose a weakness that is essential for the job (e.g., "I'm not good with people" for a customer service role).

Common Question 4: "Why are you interested in this role/company?"

Show genuine interest. Research the company beforehand.

Example Phrases:

• "I'm very interested in this [Job Title] role because it aligns perfectly with my skills in [Skill A] and [Skill B], which I developed at [Previous Experience]."
• "I've been following [Company Name]'s work in [Industry/Project] for some time, and I'm very impressed by [Specific achievement/value]. I would be proud to contribute to such a company."
• "This role offers an opportunity for me to [Your goal, e.g., grow my expertise in X, contribute to meaningful projects], which is very appealing to me."

Common Question 5: "Do you have any questions for us?"

Always have one or two thoughtful questions prepared. It shows your interest and engagement.

Example Questions to Ask:

• "Could you describe a typical day or week in this role?"
• "What are the main challenges someone in this position might face?"
• "What opportunities are there for professional development or training within the company?"
• "What do you enjoy most about working for [Company Name]?"

Tip: Avoid asking about salary or holidays in the first interview unless the interviewer brings it up.

Practice Activities

Activity 1: Prepare Your Answers

Choose a job you might apply for (it can be a real or imaginary one). Write down short answers (2-3 sentences each) to the following questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are two of your main strengths? (Give a brief example for each)
3. What is one weakness you are working on? How are you improving?
4. Why are you interested in this type of role?

Example for "Tell me about yourself" (if applying for a junior accountant role):

"I recently graduated with a degree in Accounting from the National University of Management. During my studies, I completed an internship where I assisted with bookkeeping and preparing financial statements. I am detail-oriented, eager to learn, and I am looking for an opportunity to start my career in accounting with a reputable company like yours."

Activity 2: Mini Interview Role-Play

With a partner, take turns being the interviewer and the interviewee. The interviewer asks 2-3 questions from this lesson. The interviewee practices answering. Give each other constructive feedback.

General Interview Tips:

• Research the company: Know what they do, their values, and recent news.
• Prepare your own questions: As mentioned, have 1-2 questions ready to ask them.
• Dress professionally: Even for online interviews, dress appropriately. For many office jobs in Cambodia, this means smart business attire.
• Be punctual: Arrive 10-15 minutes early for in-person interviews, or log in a few minutes early for online interviews.
• Listen carefully: Make sure you understand the question before you answer. It's okay to ask for clarification.
• Be positive and enthusiastic: Show your interest in the role and the company.
• Use clear and concise language: Avoid using too much slang or overly complex sentences.
• Thank the interviewer: Thank them for their time at the end of the interview. Consider sending a thank-you email afterwards.

Summary: Answering common job interview questions effectively requires preparation and practice. This lesson covered key questions about yourself, your skills, and your motivations, along with strategies and phrases for crafting strong answers. By preparing well, you can approach your next job interview with greater confidence.