Hi , this is Huxixi from Y053
I am very honored to be the editor of this column. This column is an interview report. I will interview teachers of foreign language school of ZJUT, our chinese teachers and foreign teachers and men of the time. This time I interviewed a foreign teacher who comes from Scotland,let us call him Mr Scotland ,about interview skills. Here comes the conversation.
S: Hi , Mr Scotland ,how are you doing?
M : I am doing good. How are you?
S : I am Scotland, I hear that you are an expert of the interview area. So do you mind if I ask you some questions?
M: Sure, go ahead.
S: If I go to a foreign company for an interview. What kind of question would they ask?
M : Well, they may ask you why you want the job? Let’s say you want to be an international trader, then how would you answer this question?
S: I guess I would say that I love this job and I am capable of doing it well, Just something alike. Actually ,I am not so sure.
M : Ok ,you can say , um, China is a mass country, which is developing very fast. More and more foreign people are coming to China for business. More and more chinese are going out to do a is open rnational trade is reviving in China with challenges and opportunities hand in hand. I want to get involved in a business which is growing fast for I can grow with it. I don’t want to do a job which is dying.
S : Wow,that is great. But what if I want to be a teacher?Or something else?what kind of answer may be a good shot?
M : Well. generally , there are two aspects you can say. One is from the society and the other one is from yourself. That is usually the rule.
S: Ok. Now the second question. What should I say if the company asks about my expectation of the salary? It would be ok if I tell them the figure?
M: No. It would be much better if you say that I work in your company so you must know very well how much I should be paid. And I am sure, after I work in your company for six months,you will find that I am worth more. The rule is that never tell the specific figure. Because if you say 3000 per month, they might ask what about 2000per month to see what you gonna say.
S：Oh, I’ve never heard of this.
M：You know,companies usually ask some negative questions. Like do you need any training before you can do the job? Or what is your weakness? They are all negative questions. If you say yes to the training question which means the company has to train you. It takes time and money you say no, obviously it is not true. And it is also a kind of not being wise if you tell them about your weaknesses. So, usually, you can try to make positive answers to negative questions. Here is the answer to the weakness question. You can say , for instance, if I assign work to my colleagues and they don’t finish it on time, I would get really angry at is the same if the quality of their work is not as good as I would have predicted. Because I forget that some people here are working for money but I am here bacause I do love the job.
S: What a smart answer.
M : Yes, companies would ask you questions to see the way you think. So never say no in an interview. Try to come up with something related to the questions. They will love the way you think. if they ask “ do you have any work experience”? If you don’t have one, don’t say no. You may say yes I do. My study is my work. I get up early and go to bed late .I deal with different people and suffer a lot of pressure. It is much like doing a job. Of course, if you really do not know the answer, just say sorry I don’t know. Because companies sometimes would appreciate your honesty and courage.
S:Yeah, Tony. I think interview is like an art. Very intersting . I learn a lot from you. Again, thank you for you time. Thanks .
M ：No problem. This is all for this week. Wish you like it. If any of you have any questions or suggestions, please email me,
Thank you again.