APPLYING FOR A JOB

Read the text below.

Marsha’s Terrible Job Interview

Marsha had a job interview with the Sunshine Biscuit Company last Monday. Her appointment with the interviewer was for 10:00 am. She had forgotten to set her alarm clock, so she woke up at 9:30 am and got to the interview an hour late, at 11:00 am.

Because she woke up so late, she didn't have much time to get ready. She took a quick shower and put on the first dress that she found in her closet. It was a very short dress that showed a little too much, the kind of dress a woman wears when she's trying to attract a boyfriend at a cocktail party. She also put on a lot of very cheap perfume, the kind you can smell down the street. She left the house without eating breakfast and she ran to the bus stop. The bus was late in coming, but she didn't want to spend the money on a taxi. When she finally got to the Sunshine Biscuit company, she ran into the building and ran into the interviewing office. She ran up to the secretary's desk and screamed, "I'm here! My bus was late!" The secretary was a bit surprised, but asked her who she was and what time her appointment was for. Marsha answered, "I'm Marsha and my interview is for right now." Of course, it was already 11:00 am and her interview had been scheduled for an hour earlier.

The secretary called the interviewer, Mr. Green, on the intercom and he told her to send Marsha in.

Marsha was chewing gum as she entered the office. She took a seat without saying anything to Mr. Green. Mr. Green was slightly surprised to see Marsha act so boldly even though she was an hour late. He introduced himself and asked how she was. She said that she was feeling lousy and that the public transportation in the town was awful. He asked her what kind of position she was looking for, and if she had a resume. She said that she had no resume because she didn't have time to write one. She also had no idea of what kind of job she wanted; she just wanted one that paid well. He asked her if she had any questions for him, and she asked him if she could have Wednesday afternoons off so that she could see her psychiatrist. She also asked him if the company gave at least a two-week vacation. He asked her what skills she had and she answered that she could type, but that she couldn't take a typing test because tests made her nervous.

Mr. Green thanked Marsha for coming, and she asked, "Do I get a job or not?" He said that he would call her if there was an opening, and she said, "Well, hurry please, because I'm broke and I can't pay the rent."

A. Answer the questions on the text.

1. Marsha made a few mistakes last Monday. Go through her night before and day of the interview and tell us all the things that she should have done differently.

2. What could she have done to make a better impression on Mr. Green?

3. How should she have prepared for the interview?

4. How should she have acted in the morning when she knew she was late?

5. What would you have done if you had been in her situation?

6. How should she have answered some of his questions?

7. What could she have asked him in order to make him consider her to be a serious person?

8. What would you have asked him if this had been your interview?

9. How would you have finished the interview if it had been yours?

B. Look at these job adverts. Role-play the job interview.

Job Interview Questions:

· What circumstance brings you here today?

· How would your best friend describe you?

· What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

· Why should we hire you? 

· What can you do for us that other candidates can't? 

· What are your goals? 

· Where do you see yourself in five years? 

· Why do you want to work here?

· What salary are you seeking?

· If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

· How do you come over stress?

· What is your typical way of dealing with conflict?

· What tools or habits do you use to keep organized?