WEEK 11

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES & ASSESSMENT 2

FORMAL OPENING GREETING Interviewer

Hello Interviewee

Hello Interviewer

Nice to see you. Interviewee

It’s a pleasure to see you. Interviewer

Ready to begin? Interviewee

Yes.

TELLING ABOUT YOURSELF

Now that you know what your personality is you need to be prepared to talk about yourself.

If you have any questions about the assessment now is the time to ask. By the way, no assessment this week… I’m moving it to next week.

TELLING ABOUT YOURSELF

Give the most important details of your education, job experience, and skills

Reveal your strengths

Help your interviewer get to know you

Explain how you got where you are (if you changed careers, etc.)

Should be brief and give only the most useful information to your interviewer

“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.”I grew up in ___________.I studied _______ at Sias International University.During my time at Sias University, I ____________.

…worked a part-time job at a restaurant. Through this job I learned the importance of being flexible, working well with others, and respecting your boss.

…volunteered with Bring Me Hope, an organization that provides support to orphans in Henan. Through this experience I learned ________.

…traveled to ________. Through my travels I discovered a much larger world than I could have imagined. This inspired me to want to work for a global corporation.I am fluent in both Chinese and English.I am ________, _________, and ________. (strengths)In the future I would like to ________________.

STRENGTHS (TAKE NOTES)

Words

• Flexible• Hardworking• Creative• Patient• Teachable (willing to

learn)• Responsible• Outgoing• Organized• Dedicated• Adventurous• Passionate• Dependable

Phrases• I am a team player.• I finish my work on

time.• I always learn from

my mistakes.• I can communicate

well with many kinds of people.

• I can resolve even difficult conflicts in the workplace.

SHARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Strengths

• My strengths are…• My weakness is…

• When you share weaknesses you always add how you are defeating your weakness.

• Example:• I am not very good at public speaking. To improve myself I

have been looking into opportunity’s to speak in small groups, performances or teaching for more practice.

When you share you DO NOT say:

• “I think I am…”

You say

• “I am…”

ACTIVITY

In groups of four discuss what your three greatest strengths are.

Write down your three greatest strengths.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?

When you share weaknesses you always add how you are defeating your weakness.

I have had trouble in the past with planning and organization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just

started using a planner.My computer skills are not the best.

I have taken some classes recently to improve my skills and I am always willing to learn more.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?

I think my greatest weakness is that I lack confidence, but I will do well in a job that requires someone to

be detailed, organized, and reliable.

My greatest weakness is that I’m timid, but I have tried different things to challenge

myself. For example, I took a job as a waitress. I also took a leadership position in my class.

ACTIVITY

In a group of four discuss what you think is your greatest weakness.

Write down your own weakness in your notebook.

VIDEO

Weaknesses Video

VIDEO

Watch the video clip from “The Pursuit of Happiness”

What happened in the interview?

Do you think he should get the job? Why or why not?

TOP 10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Tell Me About Yourself. • Be specific! Prepare a statement that clearly tells them who you are.

2. What is Your Greatest Strength? • Make sure you know something about the job and company, give the

strength that most matches the position.

3. What is Your Greatest Weakness? • Study the skills and strengths needed for the position – come up with

honest shortcomings that are not important to the job position.

4. Explain a Time when you faced a stressful situation – What Did You Do? • Give a specific example from your life.

5. Why Do You Want This Job? • Make your answer fit the job. This a good opportunity to add how

your qualifications can make a difference.

6. Describe a difficult [work] situation/project and how you overcame it. • Give concrete examples. Discuss what you did to resolve it.

7. How Would Your Best Friend Describe You?

8. What makes you the best choice for this company? • Give examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you the

best candidate. [Here is where your research of the company pays off! Job requirements = Your qualities.

9. What are Your Goals for the Future? • Where do you see yourself in 5 years, long-term goals. Ex: growing

with the company where I can continue to learn and take on additional responsibilities.

10. Tell me a story about a time you have worked as a team. How do you like team work?

HOMEWORKStudy for assessment 2

You need to be able to:

1. Give a firm/confident handshake.

2. Use the appropriate greeting (Say “Hello”).

3. Be able to give a self-introduction.

4. You need to be able to answer general interview questions.

5. Answer strengths/weaknesses questions.

6. Be able to give an example to a question.

7. You need to ask the interviewer a question about the job.

8. Make sure you can give an appropriate closing.

For help in studying review week 10

FORMAL CLOSING Interviewer

Thank you for your time. Job candidate

It was my pleasure. Interviewer

We’ll be in touch. Job candidate

I look forward to hearing from you. Interviewer

Goodbye. Job candidate

Goodbye.