Are you ready for that important job interview? Your English is perfect and you are all set to make a good impression on your employer. It is important to make sure that you also have the right type of English for that job interview.
The job interview in English normally contains specific questions and answers.
In order to be successful you need flexibility in the usage of tenses.
The first impression is the best impression. When you walk in to the room the very first impression you make on the interviewer can have a great influence on the rest of the interview. It is important that you introduce yourself and shake hands.
The first question is often a “breaking the ice” (establish a rapport) type of question. Don’t be surprised if the interviewer asks you something like:
• How are you today?
Don’t be surprised by the friendly tone. The interviewer wants to put you at ease (help you relax). Answer the question without going into too much detail. The language you use should be simple but polite, for example;
How are you today?
GOOD
I’m fine thank you, and you?
I’m well thank you.
BAD
OK
Not so well
Most important?
Talking about your experience and qualifications is the most important part of any job interview. Your qualifications include your education from High School and on and any special training you may have done in the past.
Your experience is any work that you have done that is directly or indirectly related to the job that you are applying for.
Education
Do not forget that your education took place in the past. Therefore you have to use the past tense, for example:
I attended the University of Kerala from 1978 to 1984.
I graduated with a degree in Commerce.
Etc.
If you are a current student you should use the following present tenses:
I am currently studying at the University of Kerala and will graduate with a degree in Commerce in the march.
I am studying Spoken English at the Universal Community College.
Etc.
You should not forget to add any computer training, distance education courses, etc. Make sure to mention your English studies. This is very important if English is not your first language and the employer may be concerned about this fact.
Experience and Qualifications
Work experience is the most important subject in any job interview. Therefore, it is important to explain your experience in detail. Employers want to know exactly what you did and how well you accomplished your tasks. Be confident, and frankly express your accomplishments in the past employment.
The tenses you should use are the following:
When talking about current employment be careful to use the present perfect or present perfect continuous. This indicates that you are still executing these tasks at your current job, for example:
X Company have employed me for the last 5 years as a HR Manager.
I have been managing the personnel department for 5 months.
Etc.
While discussing about the past employment use past tenses to indicate that you are no longer working for that company, for example:
I was with X company from 2000 to 20015 as a store keeper.
I worked as a supervisor at the Y while I was living in Mumbai.
Etc.
Responsibilities
You have to demonstrate your qualifications and skills, which are required for the job you are applying for. The job skills that you have acquired in the past may not suit the current job. It is important to explain how your past skills may be used for the current job.
