Job interviews

1.Writing a cover letter

1.1 Expressing sequence

• 使用顺序词 afterward, subsequently 表达继一系列事件或时间点之后
  • I got my engineering degree from Delft. Afterward, I began working for smoot.
  • I graduated from high school in 2004. Subsequently, I moved to England to study at Oxford.
• 使用 following + 宾语 表达继一系列事件或时间点之后
  • Following my promotion, I designed the Northside Professional Center.
  • Following that, I was recognized as Architect of the Year.
• 使用 previously 表示在一事件之前
  • I started here in May. Previously, I was working for a competitor.
• 使用 prior to + 宾语 表达在一事件或时间之前发生的事情
  • Prior to working in bank, I coded for hospital.
• 使用 Currently 表示目前在哪里工作
  • I'm currently working in ByteDance Inc.

1.2 Career vocabulary

• Head 是一个通用头衔，意为 director 或 manager，可作名词，动词或形容词。作名词时，后接单词 of
  • He's the head of quality assurance.
    • 他是质量保障部主管
  • She heads the sales department.
    • 她领导销售部
  • he's the head teacher.
    • 他是带头教师
• Assistant -> Associate -> Manager -> Director
  • associate managing editor - 副总编辑
  • assistant sales director - 助理销售主管
• Useful words

verb	动词	noun	名词	adjective	形容词
accomplish	完成；实现	accomplishment	完成；成绩	accomplished	完成的；精通的
achieve	达到；实现	achievement	达到；成就
		expertise	专门知识	expert	熟练的，老练的
promote	使提升	promotion	提升，晋升
recognize	赏识，表彰	recognition	赏识，表彰	recognizable	可识别的，可认可的
deserve	应得，值得			deserved	应得的

1.3 Education and experience

• Describe education
  • I graduated from Beijing University in 2012.
  • I have a master's degree in business from Beijing University.
  • I'm currently working on an MBA.
  • I majored in chemistry.
• Describe experience
  • I have a solid background in SAP development.
  • I have extensive experience in managing big projects.
  • I was promoted to director of sales in 2015.

1.4 Sample cover letter

• I am applying for the director of sales posted on your company website. I believe my education and extensive experience make me a strong candidate.
• I have a BS in marketing from the University of Bologna and seven years of experience in sales.
• I worked three years at Martinique Systems. Afterward, I worked at Hall and Smith for two years. I am currently working at Beijing Accounting Inc.
• Details about my education and experience are in the attached resume. Thank you for considering me for this position. I look forward to hearing from you.

2.Starting a job interview

2.1 Job titles

• Assistant - Associate
• Manager - Senior Manager
• Director - Vice President
• COO / CFO / CTO - CEO
• President

2.2 Beginning the interview

• 找到面试官
  • Good afternoon, I am Rob Taylor. I have a appointment with the HR director, Mrs. Smith.
  • Oh, yes. She's expecting you.
• 问候面试官
  • Thank you for the opportunity to interview for design manager.
  • It's my pleasure, you are a strong candidate.
• 闲谈
  • So how do you like Chicago?
  • I love it! Everyone's friendly!
  • Well, we only have one hour. Shall we begin?
  • Sounds good.

3.Interviewing for a job

3.1 Strenghs and weaknesses

• 肯定意义，描述 smart 的人
  • clever - 聪明的
  • bright - 伶俐的
  • sharp - 敏锐的
• 肯定意义，描述渴望成功的人
  • ambitious - 有雄心的，野心勃勃的
  • determined - 坚决的
• 描述性格的形容词

positive	正面的	negative	负面的	positive or negative	中性的
understanding	体谅的，通情达理的	touchy	易怒的	sensitive	敏感的
		thin-skinned	敏感的，脸皮薄的	thick-skinned	不敏感的，不知羞耻的
resilient	达观的	insensitive	不顾他人感受的，反应迟钝的	tough	坚强的，粗暴的

• 表达否定意义，用于描述过于自信的人
  • big-headed - 自负的
  • arrogant - 傲慢的
  • cocky - 自以为是的

3.2 Talk about your strength and weakness

• Talk strength
  • I'm very proactive, I try to fix problems before they become serious.
    • 我很主动，我尝试在问题变得严重之前解决他们
  • I'm enthusiastic about my work. I love being in sales.
    • 我对我的工作充满热情，我喜欢销售这行
  • My greate strength is curiousity. I love to learn new things.
  • Persistence is my greatest strength. I don't give up until I succeed.
  • I'm a really good communicator. I'm especially good at listening.
• Talk weakness
  • I've had problems with public speaking, but my manager is coaching me, so I've improved quite a bit.
  • My technique knowledge was a bit weak, so I started taking computer clasees at night.
  • My team told me that I need to be a better listener. They're helping me work on that, and I've improved a lot.

3.3 Interview questions

• Could you tell me something about yourself?
  • Well, I've been in the clothing design industry for seven years. I'm my company's lead designer.
• Why do you want to leave BTL?
  • I've increased sales there by 15% in the last year. I love it there, but I am ready now for another challenge.
• Tell me about a diffcult situation that you faced at work and what you did about it.
  • A junior colleague was making mistakes in his data. It made our team look bad. I taught him how to use spreadsheets effectively.

4.Closing a job interview

4.1 Asking interview questions

• What is the biggest challenge for your staff?
• What would I need to do to be successful at this position?
• Do you have any reservations about my qualification?
• How do you feel about working at KPMG?

4.2 Ending an interview

• After hearing your responses to my questions. I'd really like to work here. I think that I am a good fit for this position.
• So, what are the next steps in the hiring process?
  • Well, I need to interview one more candidate. I should be able to tell you my decision by next Monday.
  • Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I hope to talk to you again soon.
• Oh, could I have one of your business cards?