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Showing posts with label Interviewing English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interviewing English. Show all posts

Sunday, December 9, 2012

KIFL Business Communications Skills - final interview preparation reminders, points & tips for interviewers

Hello to all my Senka students,
Image "Business Coaching Concept" courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How are you? I've made a separate post for the interviewers for our second round of final interviews on Wednesday (12/12) to look at, about the kinds of questions you should ask the interviewees

Click on this link here for a reminder about the language, tasks and roles of the interview process; click on this link to review the job postings.

While it's necessary to ask interviewees some easy, straightforward questions, I will ask you to deliberately try to make at least 1-2 questions difficult for the interviewee to easily answer; be a little vague, both for general questions, and even in questions that are focused

You want to see how well the interviewee can handle the kind of thinking required to respond to any hard-to-answer questions. Here are some examples of the difference between some easy questions, and hard ones:

Easy or straightforward questions:
  • What was your major in university?
  • What did you do in your internship?
  • How long did you work at ________?
Harder and more vague questions:
  • What is your impression of your coursework in your major?
  • How do you feel your internship prepared you to enter this company (organization)?
  • In what way did your time at ________ give you any insight as to how this business (field) operates?

IMPORTANT NOTE: Try to make your questions like these - open-ended, of a kind that doesn't leave room for yes or no, right-or-wrong answers

Asking questions such as these often is the real test of how well interviewees handle the interview process, and how well they present themselves. See you at the interview!

KIFL Business Communications Skills - final interview preparation reminders, points & tips for interviewees

Hello to my Senka students,


I am making a separate post for the interviewees on final interview preparation in the second round of the final interviews for Wednesday (12/12). Above is a shot of the board notes from last week's (12/5) first round of interviews.

Click on this link here for a reminder about the language, tasks and roles of the interview process; click on this link to review the job postings.

There is one point for interviewees to remember going into any interview about the kinds of questions you'll get asked. While interviewers will ask some easy and straightforward questions, they will often ask more hard and vague, difficult-to-answer questions. I chose this point because it might be the most difficult part of any interview. 

You can handle hard and vague general questions by trying to bring a focus to the questions as a way to be clear on what the content is, so you can respond to them.  Here are some examples from another class I have been teaching this year: 



Here, it's okay to admit that even what seems to be a general question is hard - but then focus it in a way that will help you - even force you - to give an extended, thinking response to it. Now take a look at this



Sometimes more focused questions can be hard to answer too. You can also admit that this kind of question is hard - but then offer or propose to respond to it in a thinking way, or give an example that illustrates a point or demonstrates a situation that touches on something you believe the question is asking about. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: It's better to give a response that shows thought and depth - even if it may not be the response the interviewer is looking for - rather than hesitating or going silent. 

I hope these points and tips will help you as interviewees in our second round of interviews. See you at the interview!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

KIFL English for the Hospitality Industry - more on final interview preparation

Hello Michelle and Tomoyo,
Hello Michelle and Tomoyo,
How are you? Here are some more notes about preparing for our final interviews. Take a
How are you? Here are some more notes about preparing for our final interviews. Take a closer look at these notes:

How are you? Here are some more notes about preparing for our final interviews. Take a

These are important points I went over with Michelle in Tuesday's class. We'll look at these more in Wednesday's class.
these more in Wednesday's class.
Now look at this video again. I'm reposting it from the post I did this on before. Watch it as many times as you like - notice what the salesperson does. We'll watch it in Wednesday's class as well and talk about it.


See you then!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

KIFL English for the Hospitality Industry - final interview preparation

Hello Michelle and Tomoyo,
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How are you? I'm very sorry for getting this post up later than what I planned. If you had been checking and didn't see it, my apologies - I had four other posts to write before it!
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Above is a shot of the board notes from Tuesday (11/27).  On the left of the board are the kinds of questions most likely to be asked by interviewers. On the right are a few language points interviewees could use. 
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Here are some more types of questions that interviewers could use: 
Can you tell me (more) about...
How would you describe your strong points?
What would you say were your weak points?
Tell me more about (your experience/internship/coursework at KIFL/university)...
What would you say is your ideal working environment? (In your own words, can you say...?)
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IMPORTANT NOTE!
I show you these interviewers' types of questions because they may help you to make good responses to them.
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Now here is another board note from Wednesday (11/28) for interviewees
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And here are some more response language for interviewees to use: 
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For talking about things in general 
I believe...
It's my belief that...
I would say...
It's my feeling that...
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For talking about your KIFL & internship experience
In my internship, I...
In my vocational college/At KIFL, I...
During my time at the Intercontinental (Hotel), I...
Over the time of my coursework, I...
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For talking about situations & change
There are many challenges that come...
When things happen, I try to...
In that situation, I would try to...
I try (hard) to respond to things when they happen...
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For responding to any point (not a question) that the interviewer makes
That's a (positive adjective) point. 
(:That's a good point)
(例:That'ssss   an interesting point)
I'd like to say more on that...
I'm glad you've said that, because...
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Think hard about what's on your resumes, and follow along the ideas on the kinds of questions interviewers ask so you can respond to them. 
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Next week (12/4-5), let's practice with this language. See you then!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

KIFL Business Communications Skills - final interview preparation - job postings

Hello my Senka students (yet again!), 
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As you can see in the picture above, it's the fictitious Kanda Park Hyatt job posting from today (11/28). In this post, I have this plus three other job postings for you to choose from for 12/5 and 12/12.


You do not have to do these, but they may be good to use. They are not real, but are based on some recent, real job postings.

(*DISCLAIMER: these job postings are fictitious, but have features of real job postings. These have been adapted and modified strictly for non-profit, educational use.)

JOB POSTINGS

Below are three additional job postings. Again, they are fictitious, but are based on real postings. Take a look at each one, and choose one you would most be interested in as an interviewee. Work with your interview partner - as the interviewer, he/she will ask you questions based on what the job is asking for.

Good luck!


1. Bilingual Communications Assistant – U.S. Consulate, Osaka
The U.S. Consulate in Osaka is looking for a bilingual (Japanese-English, English-Japanese) communications assistant. The duties for this position are:
Maintains the Consulate’s social media tools, including Facebook and Twitter.
Participates in Consulate meetings, including business promotion events.
Writes reports about Consulate activities for use in the Principal Officer’s monthly report and other publications.
Provides input and promotion support for community outreach events in Nagoya and the surrounding areas.
Helps prepare for Consulate activities such as the annual Holiday party and U.S.
Independence Day reception.
Assists in protocol activities and administrative tasks.
Photographs or records video of Consulate activities as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

The requirements for this position are:

Good working knowledge spoken and written English is required.
Fluency in spoken and written Japanese.
Good computer skills are required, particularly with Microsoft applications.
Proficiency with various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc).
Familiarity with American culture, politics, and society.

Preference will be given to those candidates who have:

     TOEIC scores of 800 or more.
     Experience living in both the U.S. and Japan (for either educational or employment   
              purposes)

Japanese nationals and U.S. citizens who have spousal visas, or have permanent residency, in Japan are welcome to apply. 

2. Gourmet Shop Manager – Four Seasons Outlet, Tokyo


The Four Seasons outlet in Tokyo is looking for one (1) manager for the hotel gourmet shop revenue center and its daily operations.


Basic roles and responsibilities:

1. Provide and ensure quality service to guests by responding to their requests in a prompt, efficient and courteous manner.

2. Maintain excellent cleanliness and order of the shop to ensure an attractive and appealing environment.

3. Be responsible for monthly stock inventory checks and reports, and prepare monthly reports on sales and activities.
4. Assist guests in related services such as gift-wrapping and delivery of purchased products.

5. Monitor performance and conduct evaluations for shop service attendants.

6. Train service attendants in operating procedures, sales techniques, product knowledge and customer service skills

7. Maintain excellent communications and relations with the pastry kitchen and other hotel departments.

8. Handle complaints and related follow-up.


Requirements:
2-3 years or more experience in café, bakery, patisserie, chocolaterie and/or confiserie products and shop operations, with a preference for some experience in supervisory capacity.
Undergraduate degree from a university, or diploma from a vocational college, in skills related to food service, communications, management and/or the hospitality industry.
Effective customer relations, communication and sales skills.

Food and beverage knowledge preferred.

Knowledge of administration duties.

Good training skills.

Computer literate, with license or certificate in PC/IT applications preferred.
Able to work under pressure.

Flexible,
 good team leader,
good motivator of staff,
quality-oriented
with high standards.

3. Software consultant – Slatecraft Software (Yokohama)

Slatecraft Software is an innovative, dynamic software company that is expanding into the Asia-Pacific market. We make products that enable people to process and understand a wide variety of data. Our software is used by a wide range of business executives, bloggers, journalists, and educators.

Our working culture is casual, family-friendly, yet committed to quality.  Here is what our ideal person would do:

As a software consultant, you will become an expert in our software. You will communicate the features, capabilities, and benefits of Slatecraft. You’ll work in presales capacity, and help existing customers learn about the products by designing and delivering regular training sessions.  After sales, you’ll help people make breakthrough advances with analysis to ensure adoption of our software. You can quickly turn-around possible sales into guaranteed sales with great visual design on our YouTube-style platform. You’ll make this happen by:
     Provide presales support for prospects including data review, product demonstrations and analytic problem solving.
     Become an expert in the features, benefits and application of Slatecraft’s products. Communicate via phone, email, face-to-face and on the web with prospects assisting  
     and guiding them through the evaluation and selection process.
     Communicate daily with sales staff regarding sales activities and tactics.
     Deliver web-based training sessions for customers and prospects.

Here’s what our ideal person would come to the interview with:

Commitment. Willing to go for it with a strong work ethic; self-directed and   
      resourceful.
Energy and Creativity. Energy and enthusiasm are you. You think differently and 
      amaze people with your interesting angles and quality work. You love the 
      creative process – whether that’s selling a new customer or recruiting a great 
      salesperson.
True Team Play.  You're a leader and you know that to get the best results, you 
      also have to be a great team player.
Experience.  A 4-year university degree in computer science, IT, business or 
      economics, or a certificate with a background in languages, business and/or IT.
Service Mindedness.  You deliver customer support like you expect to receive it; 
      with excellence.
Cross Cultural Experience. You have experience relating to customers from a 
      variety of cultural backgrounds. Fluency in English and Japanese. 

KIFL Business Communications Skills - final interview preparation - tasks, language & roles

Hello to my Senka students (again!),


Above is the shot of our plan for next week (12/5) and the week after (12/12) - in this post I will show the first part about what we will have for our last two meetings. A second part will follow shortly.

I decided to do this as I have a lot of notes here, and it might make the post really long. 

INTERVIEWER/INTERVIEWEE LANGUAGE
First, here is the rest of the board notes for today (11/28). These are the kinds of questions most likely to be asked by interviewers (*NOTE - pay special attention to this, the next board shot, and the points in red I show after the board shots!)

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These are the kinds of questions most likely to be asked by interviewers.

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Here are some question language items and strategies for interviewers to use: 
Can you tell me (more) about...
How would you describe your strong points?
What would you say were your weak points?
Tell me more about (your experience/internship/coursework at KIFL/university)...
What would you say is your ideal working environment? (In your own words, can you say...?)

DO NOT RELY ONLY ON THESE! Interviewers - by all means think of some questions of your own, following the ideas on the kinds of questions interviewers ask as well on the interviewers' board note shot above

Now here are some more response language strategies for interviewees to use
I would say...
It's my feeling that...
I'm glad you've said that, because...
I'm very interested in...
It's hard for me to say, but I'll try...

Again - DO NOT RELY ONLY ON THESE as ways to initiate responses, and DO NOT SCRIPT OUT RESPONSES! Interviewees - by all means think hard about your skills and experience on your resumes, following along the ideas on the kinds of questions interviewers ask as well on the interviewers' board note shot above

INTERVIEWER/INTERVIEWEE TASKS
For 12/5 - first round of job interviews
As the board notes show, all of you will pair up and play the roles of interviewers and intervieweesOne person will interview the other person. The interviewee has to prepare for the interview and the interviewer must ask questions of the interviewee. The interviewee has to be ready for the questions, and respond to them. 

INTERVIEWEES - bring your resumes!

For 12/12 - second round of job interviews 
So for 12/12, the same pairs will come in, but the roles will be reversed. The ones who were the interviewees on 12/5 will now be interviewers, and the interviewers from 12/5 will now be interviewees

INTERVIEWEES - bring your resumes!

Here are the lists of interviewers and interviewees for both weeks:
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Good luck and see you then! Part 2 to this final interview preparation post will follow.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

KIFL English for the Hospitality Industry - 11/7 lesson review & video about dealing with angry customers

Hello Michelle and Tomoyo,


How are you? Let me first refresh your memories with the other part of the board work from 11/6:


Here's the video I talked about in class. It strictly isn't about the hotel industry - it's about customer service - but the things in it are also true for the hotel industry. Watch this video as many times as you like - and answer the questions I have below the video.


In the video, there are two main characters - Mrs. Decker, an angry customer, and Paul, a sales clerk. Watch the video and answer these questions.

1. What is Mrs. Decker's problem?
2. When Mrs. Decker first talks, what does Paul first do?
3. How does Paul focus her anger?
4. Once Paul has a dialog going with Mrs. Decker, what does he say?
5. Why does Paul summarize the facts of Mrs. Decker's complaint?
6. When Paul gets to dealing directly with Mrs. Decker's problem, what is the first step he takes?
7. When Paul says that he cannot do what Mrs. Decker wants him to do, what does he do instead?
8. What are the alternatives Paul suggests to Mrs. Decker?
9. How does Mrs. Decker feel by the end of the situation?

Do this as homework for next week (11/13). 

See you then!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

KIFL English for the Hospitality Industry - 10/30 & 31 resume writing review - job, internship & skills description writing

Hello Tomoyo and Michelle,



How are you? Here's a review of what we have done with our continuing resume writing review.

One of the hardest things about resumes in English is how to write about our job and internship experience, plus our skills, in a way that communicates the most about these things in the shortest way possible.

Look at the board work in the picture above. Here we have four short sentences. You can see how we can bring these sentences together to make one statement about experience at a part-time job - for example, a restaurant job.

We'll continue with more next week. See you then!


Saturday, May 21, 2011

KIFL Airline FA English Interview Fri 09:20-10:55 - more about resumes: action verbs

Hello all,

Here are some more notes about resumes to add to what I've shown you in class. I hope these will help you, and if you have anything to show me or have questions, please ask me in class next Friday.

I will write about some more notes on cover letters, emails and file attachment letters in a separate post.

For resumes, remember that most employers don't read resumes clearly, but still expect you to have correct formatting and spelling.

So the key to good resume writing is to write about your qualifications, skills and abilities in short lines with the kinds of words that carry the most information.

So you don't have to use pronouns about yourself, alone or as part of a group (like I, my or we) or ones that are used directly about another person (such as you).

But action verbs will be important. Look at the list of action verbs in the chart on the resume template I gave you in class. Some of them you might not know; look them up in your dictionaries. But here might be some very useful verbs for the kinds of resumes you have:

assist (手伝う) for example: Assisted ground staff personnel in their duties.

challenge (挑戦する): Challenged the TOEIC in December 2011. Improved score by 60 points.

*NOTE: If you don't have a high TOEIC score, but still improved your score greatly from the time you took it before, then it may be okay to say that you improved the score without writing it. But if you have improved your score and are over 650 or so, then write the score down! With scores or at least 650 or more - write them.

qualify (資格を取る): Qualified for Infini certification in December 2011.

undertake (企てる): Undertook internship with EasyJet from December 2011 to present.

**NOTE: even some common verbs can become important as action verbs.

participate (参加する): Participated in KIFL2010 conference in Tokyo.

teach: Taught cram school students in English, math and history at Kanda Juku.

There are many action verbs that you can use, but these might be the most useful for you.

I will post more as we go along. See you all in class Friday!