Unit 1: Attending a job interview

Lead in ““If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just
get on.” Sheryl Sandberg

1) Watch the video and answer the questions

below:
1. What key elements should you include when answering the
question, "Tell me about yourself"?
2. Why is it suggested to include a “positive side” when
mentioning weaknesses?
3. How can researching the company help when answering
the question, “Why do you want this job?”
4. What is a mistake to avoid when answering, “Why do you
want this job?”
5. According to the speaker, what are some examples of strengths an interviewer might appreciate?

2. Activity A: The Perfect Candidate Presentation (Why should we hire you?)

Imagine you’re interviewing for the Software Engineer - AI & Machine Learning role (more
details on the job vacancy are found in appendix 1).
• In 2-3 minutes, highlight:
o Interest in the Role: Why you’re excited about working in AI and machine
learning at Innovatech Solutions.
o Relevant Experience: Describe specific projects, technical skills, or
achievements that make you a strong fit.
o Strengths and Goals: Mention a strength that aligns with the job
requirements (e.g., adaptability, problem-solving) and your goal to grow with
the company.
• Practice being clear, confident, and concise.

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Feedback
• After each presentation, the audience provides constructive feedback, noting:
o Relevance: How well did the presentation align with the role’s requirements?
o Confidence: Did the candidate seem authentic and prepared?
o Specificity: Were examples concrete and easy to understand?

3) Job Interview Advice

Look at the list below. Do you think these are good or bad things to say in an interview?
Put ‘G’ (Good) or ‘B’ (Bad) next to each sentence.
1. I’m looking for new challenges.
2. I’m really nervous.
3. How much will I earn?
4. In the short term, I want to develop my skills and gain more experience in sales.
5. My weakness is that I work too hard.
6. I really need this job!
7. I work pretty well under pressure. I find it very motivating.
8. My current boss is horrible.
9. No, I don’t have any questions for you.
10. I love the idea of free snacks on Fridays!

4) Reading
Now complete the text below with statements from Task 2.

Never Say These Things in a Job Interview

Here are 7 things you should never say in a job interview:
1. _____________________________
If you don’t know your potential salary, you shouldn’t ask about it too early in the interview.
If you do this, the interviewer will think you’re only interested in money and nothing else.
Employers want people who are a good match for the position that they’re offering. Salary
negotiations should wait till the end of the interview.
2. _____________________________
Companies don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t have any confidence. So, it’s not always
good to be honest. If you’re nervous, you should try not to show it.
3. _____________________________

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If the interviewer asks about your weaknesses, you shouldn’t reply with a standard response
that sounds like a hidden strength. Experienced interviewers know this trick. Instead, tell the
employer about a real weakness, but one that isn’t so important for the job.
4. _____________________________
Don’t mention how much you like some of the company’s benefits, such as free snacks. The
interviewer will think that you don’t care about the success of the company.
5. _____________________________
Try not to show that you’re desperate for the job. Desperation is a sign of weakness.
6. _____________________________
Never criticize a former boss or company. It’s not classy, and it’ll make you sound negative.
7. _____________________________
When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, don’t say "no." This makes you look
unprepared for the interview or not interested in the job or company.

5) Talking Point
Do you agree with the pieces of advice in the article?

6) Interview Questions
Look at the typical interview questions below. Listen to the dialogue and check the ones that
you hear.
• How would you describe yourself?
• Could you tell me who you work for at the moment?
• How long have you been working for...?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• Why are you leaving your job?
• What can you offer our company?
• You know this job requires a lot of travel. Is that a problem for you?
• Do you have any experience in...?
• What are your goals for the future?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• How do you cope with pressure?
• What are your salary requirements?

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7) Understanding
Listen again and choose the best answer for each question below:
1. How long has Kate been working for KP Lewis?
a. 3 years b. 4 years c. 8 years

2. How long has she been working in the accounting department?

a. 3 months b. 4 months c. 8 months

3. Why is she leaving her job?

a. She is not well-paid.
b. She can’t use all her skills.
c. Her boss is horrible.

4. Is traveling a problem for her?

a. yes b. no c. maybe

5. Why was she successful as a sales representative for a language school?

a. The school increased its profit.
b. The school sold more books.
c. The school increased registrations.

6. What are her short-term goals for the future?

a. She wants to buy a house.
b. She wants to develop her sales skills.
c. She wants to become a manager.

7. What are her long-term goals?

a. She wants to obtain a high position in a company.
b. She wants to start her own business.
c. She wants to work for a school.

8. What is her greatest weakness?

a. She works too hard.
b. She’s a perfectionist.
c. She makes appointments at the last minute.

9. What motivates her to focus on her work?

a. teamwork b. pressure c. a good salary

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8) Activity B: Group Interview
In small groups of four, conduct mock interviews for the Software Engineer - AI & Machine
Learning role. Form three students as
interviewers and one as the interviewee
then switch roles. Use questions and
expressions from this lesson, along with
any additional ones you think are relevant
(examples are found in appendix 2). After
each interview, rotate roles so everyone
has a chance to be both an interviewer and
an interviewee. Following the interviews,
discuss collectively whether you would hire
each interviewee and provide reasons for
your decisions.

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 Appendix 1

Job Vacancy: Software Engineer - AI & Machine Learning Focus

Company: Innovatech Solutions
Location: Remote or Onsite (San Francisco, CA)
Job Type: Full-time
About Us:
Innovatech Solutions is a forward-thinking tech company specializing in AI-driven solutions
to transform data into meaningful insights. Our team of innovative thinkers and technical
experts pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, developing software that improves the
efficiency and scalability of various industries. We’re looking for a talented Software
Engineer to join our team and help us build the future of AI technology.

Position Overview
As a Software Engineer at Innovatech Solutions, you will work within our AI & Machine
Learning team to develop and optimize machine learning models and algorithms, integrate
them into scalable systems, and contribute to cutting-edge projects. This role requires strong
problem-solving abilities, a solid foundation in machine learning principles, and a team-
oriented mindset.
Key Responsibilities
• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models and algorithms to solve real-
world challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate machine learning solutions into
production environments.
• Work with large datasets to preprocess, clean, and optimize data for model training
and testing.
• Debug, test, and refine code to ensure software quality, functionality, and scalability.
• Research and implement state-of-the-art techniques in AI and machine learning.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or
Scikit-Learn.
• Strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, and software development best
practices.

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 • Knowledge of database management and familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS,
Google Cloud, or Azure).
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Knowledge of NLP, computer vision, or deep learning.
• Understanding of DevOps practices for CI/CD (Continuous Integration and
Continuous Deployment).
Why Join Us?
• Opportunity to work on high-impact AI projects with a talented, driven team.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including flexible work options.
• Room for growth and professional development in an innovation-focused
environment.

How to Apply
If you are passionate about AI, have strong coding skills, and are excited to work on
challenging projects, we’d love to meet you! Submit your resume, cover letter, and a
portfolio of relevant projects to [email protected].

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 Appendix 2

Job Interview questions template

1. Tell me about yourself. Describe your personality.

2.What are your strengths? Best skills?
3. What is your major weakness?
4. What are your career goals? Future plans?
5.What things are most important to you in a work situation?
6.What would be your dream job? Why?
7.What do you think, is the worst job in the world?
8.Would you describe yourself as a workaholic?
9.Where do you see yourself being in five years? Ten years?
10.When you were a child, what job did you want to have when you were older? Why?
11.What jobs in your country are considered to be good jobs? Why?
12.If you had a choice, would you prefer to work alone or as part of a team? Why?
14. What are your hobbies?
15. What salary are you expecting?