Peter is interviewing for a job with OMB Group. They have discussed his work experience in the first part of the interview. This lesson will cover the second part of the interview, where Peter talks about his achievements, strengths and weaknesses and the salary expectations.

Elena: Now tell me about your greatest achievement.

Peter: When I took over as a marketing manager assistant, we had some problems with advertising campaigns. I found the weakness and I reduced the exposure to our high-risk segment.

Elena: Thanks. Let’s move to another question. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Peter: I work well under pressure, as I mentioned before. I also enjoy challenges in my work. Unfortunately, sometimes I put in too much time. I have a tendency to overwork, but I try to balance it out.

Elena: Well, we all sometimes have problems with that. May I ask you why you left your last position?

Peter: I set my career goals and unfortunately there was no space for me in the company.

Elena: I see. What are your salary expectations?

Peter: I am looking for an exciting and fulfilling opportunity so salary is not that important for me. I am sure you will offer me what is suitable for my qualification and experience.

Elena: That’s fair enough. Do you have any questions for me?

Peter: No, not at the moment.

Elena: Ok. Thanks for coming, Peter. We will notify you if you are selected for this position.

Functional Language

How to Highlight Information

When writing a resume, you want to highlight your skills. Use power words - action-oriented verbs to effectively communicate your skills.

reduced / targeted / designed / managed / secured / collaborated / authored / coached / increased / monitored

Not very positive statements

• Some people have told me that I have good communication skills.

• I have had a little relevant experience.

• During this experience, I had to manage eight people.

Be positive

Always describe your attributes and experience in positive terms and avoid putting yourself down.

Expressing things more positively

• I have excellent communication skills.

• I have substantial relevant experience.

• During this experience, I successfully managed eight people.

The World of Work

Soft Skills Are Just as Important as Your Qualifications

Employers are looking for skills that match specific jobs. Some skills are considered universal. And the job-seekers typically have these skills.

If you have any weaknesses, you can improve them through training or other forms of personal development.

It’s really important to understand which skills the employer is looking for so that you can tailor your CV / resume, cover letter and the entire interview accordingly. These skills are called soft skills. They are sometimes called people skills because they are about how you behave, and how you will build working relationships.

These are considered soft skills:

• Communication Skills

• Computer/Technical Literacy

• Flexibility

• Interpersonal Abilities

• Leadership/Management Skills

• Planning

Words That Work

Learn these words.

Lesson Vocabulary

weakness - slabá stránka

to tailor - prispôsobiť na mieru

accordingly - podľa toho

computer literacy - počítačová gramotnosť

substantial - podstatný

strength - silná stránka

Write It Right

A Cover letter should explain why you are sending a CV / resume, tell how you learned about the position and convince the employer to look at your CV / resume. Point out your education and experience, show your motivation and enthusiasm and refer to any specific information mentioned in the job advertisement.

Sample Cover letter:

Peter Schmid

Slávičia 25, 945 67 Bratislava, Slovakia

telephone: +421 309 255 355

peter.schmid@mail.com

August 15, 2011

Elena Šebestová

Human Resource Manager

OMB Group s.r.o.

Mlynská 21, 851 00 Bratislava 2

Slovakia

Dear Ms. Šebestová,

I learned about your need for a marketing specialist for the Central European region from JobLike.sk. I am very interested in this position, and believe that my education and employment background are appropriate for the position.

I have worked for five years as a marketing assistant with a regional company. My marketing activities help meet or exceed sales goals. I feel my skills and experience meet the requirements for the position.

Attached is a copy of my resume, which details my qualifications for the position. I will be available to begin employment in October.

I look forward to talking with you regarding marketing opportunities with your company. Within the next week I will contact you to confirm that you received my email and resume and to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you very kindly for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Peter Schmid

Grammar Rules!

Present Simple and Continuous Tenses: Negatives and Questions

In the Simple Present tense, negative forms and question forms are made using the auxiliary verb ‘do’ in the form of ‘don’t’ or ‘doesn’t’.

Employers do notseek candidates who hate what they do.

Questions are also created using the auxiliary ‘do/does’.

Does he have an excellent work record?

Why do you have to have the ability to work with others in a professional manner?

In the Present Continuous tense, negatives are formed by adding ‘not’ or ‘n’t’ after the verb ‘be’.

We aren’toperating in foreign countries at the moment.

Questions are created by moving the verb ‘be’ to the beginning of the sentence.

Are you still working on that project, Jack?

Why is she working in your department this week?

Practice

Complete the sentences with Present Simple or Present Continuous tense.

1. How often ............... meetings in the afternoon? (you, have)

2. ............... to recruit more employees in the future? (they, plan)

3. What requirements ............... your company ............... of recruits? (have)

4. Why ............... only a particular type of goods at the moment? (they, sell)

5. We ............... on anything important right now. (not work)

6. Some companies ............... their employees. (not value)

7. ............... to change our marketing strategy? (we, need)

8. Why ............... the company ............... its advertising? (change)

Key:

5. do you have, Are they planning, does…have, are they selling, are not working, don’t value, Do we need, is...changing