Job Interview ESL Lesson Plan (Intermediate)

1)    What was your first job? What is the worst job you have ever had?

2)    Do humans need to work? If you were rich and didn’t work at all, could you be happy?

3)    What questions are inappropriate for an interviewer to ask in an interview?

4)    Brainstorm: Take two minutes to make a list of things you should and shouldn’t do before, in, and after an interview. When finished, share your list with the class.

Due to the economic crisis, competition for jobs is intense in many parts of the world. People are being laid off from their jobs. Therefore, when the opportunity for an interview arises, it’s important to perform well. Interviews, however, are still a source of anxiety for many people.

According to workplace experts Joyce Lain Kennedy and Rebecca Corfield, many job seekers make the mistake of revealing too much negative information about themselves without realizing it. Hasty answers to questions such as “Why are you out of work?” can highlight your own weaknesses. Kennedy also suggests minimizing criticism about former co-workers and bosses. Rather, she believes it’s better to say that you get along with everyone. Showing interest in the position is also important. Job seekers can do this by showing they’ve done adequate research before the interview and by asking questions in the interview. In addition, experts recommend avoiding premature talk of salary and perks (unless the interviewer brings it up). It’s best to focus on what you can offer the employer, and not vice versa.

While most companies claim to be equal opportunity employers, inappropriate questions are not uncommon in interviews. In the US, it is illegal to ask about nationality, religion, age, marital status, military background, health, union membership, and even place of residence. Of course, verbally punching an interviewer for asking a discriminatory question will greatly reduce your prospects of getting hired. The key is to redirect the question to a safer topic.

People go to great lengths to get hired. Some lie about their qualifications and experience. This behavior may be supported by the belief that getting a job is harder than actually doing it. (278 words)

1)    According to the author, why is doing well in interviews now more important than ever?

2)    What do the experts say you shouldn’t do in an interview?

3)    Why do they say you should do?

4)    What does the phrase equal opportunity employer mean (in your opinion)?

5)    True or False: In the US, it’s illegal to ask, “Do you have a history of health problems?”

6)    What should you do if you are asked a discriminatory question?

7)    Idiom: what does it mean to go to great lengths to do something?

Match the words with their meaning as used in the news lesson.

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