Job and Applicant Interview Workshop

********English Language Fellows

David Burns and Cindy MasseyThe American Center

27 May 2013Vientiane, Lao PDR

English Language Fellowswww.elfellowprogram.org/elf/

Contact information:

English Language Fellow in Laos

www.facebook.com/ELF.Laos

ELF.Laos@gmail.com

www.twitter.com/ELFLaos

Who are we?• David Burns is a lawyer and English teacher with over eight years of teaching

experience in seven different countries. David also served as ELF in Cape Verde and Albania and as and EL Specialist in Croatia. David has travelled to over 105 countries and speaks fluent Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.

• Cindy Massey is

What is a job interview?.

• An opportunity to meet face to face

• To discuss your qualifications

• To assess your ability and skills

• To demonstrate your skills and personality

• To sell yourself

Cultural Differences: USA and Laos

• Understand and be prepared to appropriately handle cultural differences.

• Cindy’s skit??

Activity!

• Understanding the cultural differences between the USA and Laos that can impact your interview:

How to Prepare for the Interview

• Research the scholarship, country, job• Practice responding to common interview

questions• Anticipate and prepare for unusual or difficult

questions.• Rehearse in front of a mirror and in front of

friends or family• Know the time and location of the interview and

get a good night’s sleep

May 27 – Memorial Day

Research the Scholarship• Fulbright? Humphrey?• Learn everything you

can about the scholarship you are seeking.

• Research past candidates and projects.

• Relate your experiences to your scholarship.

www.educationusa.info

Programs for Students and Scholars

•http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/

•http://www.cies.org/vs_scholars/

www.humphreyfellowship.org

What % of employers hire potential employees based

on the following?

• Appearance and impression

• Reliable and punctual

• Work experience

• Education/training

First Impressions

• 45 % on appearance and impression

• 35% being reliable and punctual

• 10% on your work experience

• 10% on your education and training

Do YOU make a good first impression?

The Day of the Interview

• Do NOT arrive late. Arrive to the Embassy 20-30 minutes early.

• Dress for success.• Remember your body

language.• Bring CV-Resume or other

information requested

Mark the Date!

Activity! Body Language

Common Interview Questions

Greetings & First Question

Please tell me a little about yourself?

Tips for Interviewing

• W – 80% Work/Education Related

• A – 10% Attributes

• P – 10% Personal

Activity: BAD & GOOD Opening

• Remember that you have to give them a reason to CHOOSE you from all the other candidates.

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

Give me an example of a time when you have motivated others?

Why do you want to study in the USA?

• This is a very important question!

• General question but allows you to answer in detail and give them SPECIFIC and CONCRETE reasons why.

• Don’t answer generically and don’t overly patronize the interviewer or praise the USA.

How will you bring your experience and knowledge back to Laos?

• Similar to what are you plans after studying in the USA.

• Prepare for this question.

• Give specific examples that stand out from the other candidates.

• Be creative and tell of what you hope to do

• Be Truthful.

Activity! Practice Mock InterviewsGreetings & Opening Questions

Some Common Interview Mistakes

• Lack of preparation

• Inappropriate appearance

• Failure to ask questions

• Poor attitude

• Exaggerating or being deceitful

• Poor non-verbal communication

• Over or under answering questions

Questions you can ask

• Please describe a typical day on the job?

• What training programs do you have available for your employees?

• What are the plans for the company in the future?

• What level of responsibility could I expect in this position?

Closing the interview

Before leaving:

• T- THANK the interviewer

• H - give a firm HANDSHAKE

• I - Reinstate your INTEREST in the job

• N- Use the NAME of the interviewer

• C – Get and confirm the CONTACT information of the interviewer

Next week?

• If you want to do one additional workshop, we can meet here next week June 3, 2013.

• We will begin with more complex and difficult questions and dedicate most of the workshop to actual mock interviews.

Online Resources: Study in the USA

• https://www.educationusa.info/

• http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us

• http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/

• http://www.cies.org/vs_scholars/

• https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/

Job Interview Skills

• http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_behavioral.html

• http://www.mun.ca/cdel

• http://interview.monster.ca/

• http://www.jobpostings.ca/resource.cfm?id=16

English Language Resources

• http://www.idiomsite.com/•http://www.englishgateway.com/•http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/•http://www.usingenglish.com/•http://www.speakenglish.biz/•http://www.learn-english-today.com/•http://www.eslcafe.com/•http://www.englishclub.com/•http://www.better-english.com/•http://www.eslflow.com/•https://www.facebook.com/VOA60 

Thank You Very Much!