Technical

                              Top Tips to Crack any Interview

Before the interview do the following: 
1. Research the company: Learn the company's history, mission, and recent activities. Be sure to look at the company's web site and on-line press room.

2. Clean up your digital image: Remove photos, links, and text that might be viewed as inappropriate from all social media web sites and the web sites of your friends.

3. Listen to your voice mail message: Make sure your outgoing message is clear, concise and not off-putting to potential employers. That means no: "Hey, it's Jes, you know what to do."

4. Customize your resume: Your resume should highlight the skills most relevant to the career you're pursuing. That means including all pertinent job experience such as internships in your chosen profession.

5. Get ahead of the curve: Invest in a personal business card that can be printed inexpensively by one of the many e-retailers or visit your local stationery store. Cards should be kept simple with just your name and contact information.

6. Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse answers to standard interview questions like: "what are your weaknesses?" "what are your strengths?" "where do you hope to be in five years?"



On the day of interview:


1. Arrive early: Busy people do not like to be kept waiting; and it shows disrespect. Arrive five minutes early but don't rush; you want to be calm and poised for the interview.

2. Dress like you mean business: Wear neutral colors and, if in doubt, err on the side of dressing "too professional." Women should wear some make-up (it makes you look more professional) and keep jewelry simple. Men should wear suits and well-polished shoes.

3. Turn your phone off: All mobile devices should be turned off completely. Nothing says "this interview is unimportant to me" more than taking a call or looking at a text during a meeting.

4. Connect with people: From the receptionist to the last person you meet, make direct eye contact, 40-60 percent of the time, in-between the eyes and offer a firm handshake to the interviewer when arriving and departing.


7 Deadly mistakes in an interview which must be avoided


1. Being late:
While occasional lateness may be excused in other situations, it's often a deal-breaker in a job interview. Hiring managers assume that you're on your best behavior while interviewing, so if you aren't on time for the interview, they'll assume you'll be unreliable if they hire you. Always allow more time than you'll need to travel so that you have a buffer in case something goes wrong.

2. Badmouthing a former employer:
As tempting as it might be to explain that you left your last job because your boss was crazy or that your previous company was mismanaged and corrupt, sharing these feelings will reflect badly on you. Rightly or wrongly, the interviewing convention is that you don't badmouth a previous employer. Hiring managers are looking for evidence that you know what is and isn't appropriate to say in business situations.

3. Not being prepared with examples that illustrate why you'd excel at the job:
If you claim that you excel at strategizing or that you're an innovative genius, but then aren't able to give specific examples of how you've used these skills, interviewers aren't going to give much credence to your claims. Make sure to come to the interview prepared with specific examples from your past that show how you've turned your skills into real accomplishments at work.

4. Telling an off-color joke:
Interviewers are scrutinizing you for evidence of what kind of judgment you have. No matter how friendly your interviewer might seem, inappropriate jokes or off-color language have no place in a job interview. You'll call your judgment into question, and will make your interviewer wonder what you'll be like when your guard is down after you have the job.

5. Not asking any questions:
You might be spending eight hours a day in this job, at this company, with this manager. Are you sure there's nothing you're wondering about? Interviewers want to know that you're interested in the details of the job, the department in which you'll be working, the supervisor's management style, and the culture of the organization. Otherwise, you're signaling that you're either not that interested or that you just haven't thought much about it. So come prepared with thoughtful, intelligent questions about the work you'd be doing.

6. Sounding bitter:
Job-searching is tough, and it's easy to feel discouraged. But if you sound even the tiniest bit bitter or negative about your job search or a previous employer, you'll turn off potential employers and almost guarantee that you won't get offers. No one wants to hire someone who seems angry or resentful.

7. Not being likeable: 

Interviewers are human and want to work with pleasant people. If you're unfriendly, arrogant, or rude, it won't matter how qualified you are; interviewers won't want to hire you. So be friendly and open, and show genuine interest in the people with whom you're talking. Don't feel you have to hide your personality, or be so formal that you become stiff or impersonal


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HR Interview Questions:

Question 1  Tell me about yourself.

TRAPS:  Beware, about 80% of all interviews begin with this “innocent” question. Many candidates, unprepared for the question, skewer themselves by rambling, recapping their life story, delving into ancient work history or personal matters.

BEST ANSWER:  Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position. Remember that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in job hunting.

So, before you answer this or any question it's imperative that you try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem or goal.

To do so, make you take these two steps:

1.      Do all the homework you can before the interview to uncover this person's wants and needs (not the generalized needs of the industry or company)

2.      As early as you can in the interview, ask for a more complete description of what the position entails.  You might say: “I have a number of accomplishments I'd like to tell you about, but I want to make the best use of our time together and talk directly to your needs. To help me do, that, could you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position?  All I know is what I (heard from the recruiter, read in the classified ad, etc.)”

 Then, ALWAYS follow-up with a second and possibly, third question, to draw out his needs even more. Surprisingly, it's usually this second or third question that unearths what the interviewer is most looking for.

You might ask simply, "And in addition to that?..." or, "Is there anything else you see as essential to success in this position?:

This process will not feel easy or natural at first, because it is easier simply to answer questions, but only if you uncover the employer's wants and needs will your answers make the most sense. Practice asking these key questions before giving your answers, the process will feel more natural and you will be light years ahead of the other job candidates you're competing with.

After uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of this job bear striking parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. Be sure to illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your achievements, all of which are geared to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs he has just described.

Question 2      What are your greatest strengths?

TRAPS:  This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don't want to come across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble.

BEST ANSWER:  You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.

Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements.

You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM.

Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up.

As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:

1.                  A proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.

2.                  Intelligence...management "savvy".

3.                  Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.

4.                  Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with interviewer's team.

5.                  Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor.

6.                  Good communication skills.

7.                  Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.

8.                  Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.

9.                  Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.

10.              Confident...healthy...a leader.

Question 3      What are your greatest weaknesses?

TRAPS:  Beware - this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an “A” for honesty, but an “F” for the interview.

PASSABLE ANSWER:  Disguise a strength as a weakness.

Example: “I sometimes push my people too hard.  I like to work with a sense of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength.”

Drawback:  This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it's so widely used, it is transparent to any experienced interviewer.

BEST ANSWER:  (and another reason it's so important to get a thorough description of your interviewer's needs before you answer questions): Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.

Example:  “Nobody's perfect, but based on what you've told me about this position, I believe I' d make an outstanding match. I know that when I hire people, I look for two things most of all. Do they have the qualifications to do the job well, and the motivation to do it well?  Everything in my background shows I have both the qualifications and a strong desire to achieve excellence in whatever I take on. So I can say in all honesty that I see nothing that would cause you even a small concern about my ability or my strong desire to perform this job with excellence.”

Alternate strategy (if you don't yet know enough about the position to talk about such a perfect fit):
Instead of confessing a weakness, describe what you like most and like least, making sure that what you like most matches up with the most important qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not essential.

Example:  Let's say you're applying for a teaching position. “If given a choice, I like to spend as much time as possible in front of my prospects selling, as opposed to shuffling paperwork back at the office.  Of course, I long ago learned the importance of filing paperwork properly, and I do it conscientiously. But what I really love to do is sell (if your interviewer were a sales manager, this should be music to his ears.)

Question 4  Tell me about something you did – or failed to do – that you now feel a little ashamed of.

TRAPS:  There are some questions your interviewer has no business asking, and this is one.  But while you may feel like answering, “none of your business,” naturally you can’t.  Some interviewers ask this question on the chance you admit to something, but if not, at least they’ll see how you think on your feet.

Some unprepared candidates, flustered by this question, unburden themselves of guilt from their personal life or career, perhaps expressing regrets regarding a parent, spouse, child, etc.  All such answers can be disastrous.

BEST ANSWER:  As with faults and weaknesses, never confess a regret.  But don’t seem as if you’re stonewalling either.

Best strategy:  Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you practice regularly for healthy human relations.

Example:  Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you.  Then say, “You know, I really can’t think of anything.”  (Pause again, then add): “I would add that as a general management principle, I’ve found that the best way to avoid regrets is to avoid causing them in the first place.  I practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard.  At the end of each day, I mentally review the day’s events and conversations to take a second look at the people and developments I’m involved with and do a doublecheck of what they’re likely to be feeling.  Sometimes I’ll see things that do need more follow-up, whether a pat on the back, or maybe a five minute chat in someone’s office to make sure we’re clear on things…whatever.”

“I also like to make each person feel like a member of an elite team, like the Boston Celtics or LA Lakers in their prime.  I’ve found that if you let each team member know you expect excellence in their performance…if you work hard to set an example yourself…and if you let people know you appreciate and respect their feelings, you wind up with a highly motivated group, a team that’s having fun at work because they’re striving for excellence rather than brooding over slights or regrets.”

Question 5  Why are you leaving (or did you leave) this position?

TRAPS:  Never badmouth your previous industry, company, board, boss, staff, employees or customers.  This rule is inviolable:  never be negative.  Any mud you hurl will only soil your suit.

Especially avoid words like “personality clash”, “didn’t get along”, or others which cast a shadow on your competence, integrity, or temperament.

BEST ANSWER:

(If you have a job presently)If you’re not yet 100% committed to leaving your present post, don’t be afraid to say so.  Since you have a job, you are in a stronger position than someone who does not.  But don’t be coy either.  State honestly what you’d be hoping to find in a new spot.  Of course, as stated often before, you answer will all the stronger if you have already uncovered what this position is all about and you match your desires to it.

(If you do not presently have a job.)Never lie about having been fired.  It’s unethical – and too easily checked.  But do try to deflect the reason from you personally.  If your firing was the result of a takeover, merger, division wide layoff, etc., so much the better.

But you should also do something totally unnatural that will demonstrate consummate professionalism.  Even if it hurts , describe your own firing – candidly, succinctly and without a trace of bitterness – from the company’s point-of-view, indicating that you could understand why it happened and you might have made the same decision yourself.

Your stature will rise immensely and, most important of all, you will show you are healed from the wounds inflicted by the firing.  You will enhance your image as first-class management material and stand head and shoulders above the legions of firing victims who, at the slightest provocation, zip open their shirts to expose their battle scars and decry the unfairness of it all.

For all prior positions:Make sure you’ve prepared a brief reason for leaving.  Best reasons:  more money, opportunity, responsibility or growth.

Question 6  The “Silent Treatment”

TRAPS:  Beware – if you are unprepared for this question, you will probably not handle it right and possibly blow the interview.  Thank goodness most interviewers don’t employ it.  It’s normally used by those determined to see how you respond under stress.  Here’s how it works:

You answer an interviewer’s question and then, instead of asking another, he just stares at you in a deafening silence.

You wait, growing a bit uneasy, and there he sits, silent as Mt. Rushmore, as if he doesn’t believe what you’ve just said, or perhaps making you feel that you’ve unwittingly violated some cardinal rule of interview etiquette.

When you get this silent treatment after answering a particularly difficult question , such as “tell me about your weaknesses”, its intimidating effect can be most disquieting, even to polished job hunters.

Most unprepared candidates rush in to fill the void of silence, viewing prolonged, uncomfortable silences as an invitation to clear up the previous answer which has obviously caused some problem.  And that’s what they do – ramble on, sputtering more and more information, sometimes irrelevant and often damaging, because they are suddenly playing the role of someone who’s goofed and is now trying to recoup.  But since the candidate doesn’t know where or how he goofed, he just keeps talking, showing how flustered and confused he is by the interviewer’s unmovable silence.

BEST ANSWER:  Like a primitive tribal mask, the Silent Treatment loses all it power to frighten you once you refuse to be intimidated.  If your interviewer pulls it, keep quiet yourself for a while and then ask, with sincere politeness and not a trace of sarcasm, “Is there anything else I can fill in on that point?”  That’s all there is to it.

Whatever you do, don’t let the Silent Treatment intimidate you into talking a blue streak, because you could easily talk yourself out of the position.

Question 7  Why should I hire you?

TRAPS:  Believe it or not, this is a killer question because so many candidates are unprepared for it.  If you stammer or adlib you’ve blown it.

BEST ANSWER:  By now you can see how critical it is to apply the overall strategy of uncovering the employer’s needs before you answer questions.  If you know the employer’s greatest needs and desires, this question will give you a big leg up over other candidates because you will give him better reasons for hiring you than anyone else is likely to…reasons tied directly to his needs.

Whether your interviewer asks you this question explicitly or not, this is the most important question of your interview because he must answer this question favorably in is own mind before you will be hired.  So help him out!  Walk through each of the position’s requirements as you understand them, and follow each with a reason why you meet that requirement so well.

Example:  “As I understand your needs, you are first and foremost looking for someone who can manage the sales and marketing of your book publishing division.  As you’ve said you need someone with a strong background in trade book sales.  This is where I’ve spent almost all of my career, so I’ve chalked up 18 years of experience exactly in this area.  I believe that I know the right contacts, methods, principles, and successful management techniques as well as any person can in our industry.”

“You also need someone who can expand your book distribution channels. In my prior post, my innovative promotional ideas doubled, then tripled, the number of outlets selling our books.  I’m confident I can do the same for you.”

“You need someone to give a new shot in the arm to your mail order sales, someone who knows how to sell in space and direct mail media.  Here, too, I believe I have exactly the experience you need.  In the last five years, I’ve increased our mail order book sales from $600,000 to $2,800,000, and now we’re the country’s second leading marketer of scientific and medical books by mail.”  Etc., etc., etc.,

Every one of these selling “couplets” (his need matched by your qualifications) is a touchdown that runs up your score.  IT is your best opportunity to outsell your competition.

Question 8  Aren’t you overqualified for this position?

TRAPS:  The employer may be concerned that you’ll grow dissatisfied and leave.

BEST ANSWER:  As with any objection, don’t view this as a sign of imminent defeat.  It’s an invitation to teach the interviewer a new way to think about this situation, seeing advantages instead of drawbacks.

Example:  “I recognize the job market for what it is – a marketplace.  Like any marketplace, it’s subject to the laws of supply and demand.  So ‘overqualified’ can be a relative term, depending on how tight the job market is.  And right now, it’s very tight.  I understand and accept that.”

“I also believe that there could be very positive benefits for both of us in this match.”

“Because of my unusually strong experience in ________________ , I could start to contribute right away, perhaps much faster than someone who’d have to be brought along more slowly.”

“There’s also the value of all the training and years of experience that other companies have invested tens of thousands of dollars to give me.  You’d be getting all the value of that without having to pay an extra dime for it.  With someone who has yet to acquire that experience, he’d have to gain it on your nickel.”

“I could also help you in many things they don’t teach at the Harvard Business School.  For example…(how to hire, train, motivate, etc.)  When it comes to knowing how to work well with people and getting the most out of them, there’s just no substitute for what you learn over many years of front-line experience.  You company would gain all this, too.”

“From my side, there are strong benefits, as well.   Right now, I am unemployed.  I want to work, very much, and the position you have here is exactly what I love to do and am best at.  I’ll be happy doing this work and that’s what matters most to me, a lot more that money or title.”

“Most important, I’m looking to make a long term commitment in my career now. I’ve had enough of job-hunting and want a permanent spot at this point in my career.  I also know that if I perform this job with excellence, other opportunities cannot help but open up for me right here.  In time, I’ll find many other ways to help this company and in so doing, help myself.  I really am looking to make a long-term commitment.”

NOTE:  The main concern behind the “overqualified” question is that you will leave your new employer as soon as something better comes your way.  Anything you can say to demonstrate the sincerity of your commitment to the employer and reassure him that you’re looking to stay for the long-term will help you overcome this objection.

Question 9  Where do you see yourself five years from now?

TRAPS:  One reason interviewers ask this question is to see if you’re settling for this position, using it merely as a stopover until something better comes along.  Or they could be trying to gauge your level of ambition.

If you’re too specific, i.e., naming the promotions you someday hope to win, you’ll sound presumptuous.  If you’re too vague, you’ll seem rudderless.

BEST ANSWER:   Reassure your interviewer that you’re looking to make a long-term commitment…that this position entails exactly what you’re looking to do and what you do extremely well.  As for your future, you believe that if you perform each job at hand with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves.

Example:  “I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position.  Judging by what you’ve told me about this position, it’s exactly what I’m looking for and what I am very well qualified to do.  In terms of my future career path, I’m confident that if I do my work with excellence, opportunities will inevitable open up for me.  It’s always been that way in my career, and I’m confident I’ll have similar opportunities here.”

Question 10    Describe your ideal company, location and job.

TRAPS:  This is often asked by an experienced interviewer who thinks you may be overqualified, but knows better than to show his hand by posing his objection directly.  So he’ll use this question instead, which often gets a candidate to reveal that, indeed, he or she is looking for something other than the position at hand.

BEST ANSWER:  The only right answer is to describe what this company is offering, being sure to make your answer believable with specific reasons, stated with sincerity, why each quality represented by this opportunity is attractive to you.

Remember that if you’re coming from a company that’s the leader in its field or from a glamorous or much admired company, industry, city or position, your interviewer and his company may well have an “Avis” complex.  That is, they may feel a bit defensive about being “second best” to the place you’re coming from, worried that you may consider them bush league.

This anxiety could well be there even though you’ve done nothing to inspire it. You must go out of your way to assuage such anxiety, even if it’s not expressed, by putting their virtues high on the list of exactly what you’re looking for, providing credible reason for wanting these qualities.

If you do not express genuine enthusiasm for the firm, its culture, location, industry, etc., you may fail to answer this “Avis” complex objection and, as a result, leave the interviewer suspecting that a hot shot like you, coming from a Fortune 500 company in New York, just wouldn’t be happy at an unknown manufacturer based in Topeka, Kansas.

Question 11    Why do you want to work at our company?

TRAPS:  This question tests whether you’ve done any homework about the firm.  If you haven’t, you lose.  If you have, you win big.

BEST ANSWER:   This question is your opportunity to hit the ball out of the park, thanks to the in-depth research you should do before any interview.

Best sources for researching your target company:  annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know at the company or its suppliers, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press.

Question 12    What are your career options right now?

TRAPS:  The interviewer is trying to find out, “How desperate are you?”

BEST ANSWER:  Prepare for this question by thinking of how you can position yourself as a desired commodity.  If you are still working, describe the possibilities at your present firm and why, though you’re greatly appreciated there, you’re looking for something more (challenge, money, responsibility, etc.).  Also mention that you’re seriously exploring opportunities with one or two other firms.

If you’re not working, you can talk about other employment possibilities you’re actually exploring.  But do this with a light touch, speaking only in general terms.  You don’t want to seem manipulative or coy.

Question 13    Why have you been out of work so long?

TRAPS:  A tough question if you’ve been on the beach a long time.  You don’t want to seem like damaged goods.

BEST ANSWER:  You want to emphasize factors which have prolonged your job search by your own choice.

Example: “After my job was terminated, I made a conscious decision not to jump on the first opportunities to come along.  In my life, I’ve found out that you can always turn a negative into a positive IF you try hard enough. This is what I determined to do.  I decided to take whatever time I needed to think through what I do best, what I most want to do, where I’d like to do it…and then identify those companies that could offer such an opportunity.”

“Also, in all honesty, you have to factor in the recession (consolidation, stabilization, etc.) in the (banking, financial services, manufacturing, advertising, etc.) industry.”

“So between my being selective and the companies in our industry downsizing, the process has taken time.  But in the end, I’m convinced that when I do find the right match, all that careful evaluation from both sides of the desk will have been well worthwhile for both the company that hires me and myself.

Question 14    Tell me honestly about the strong points and weak points of your boss (company, management team, etc.)…

TRAPS:  Skillfull interviewers sometimes make it almost irresistible to open up and air a little dirty laundry from your previous position.  DON’T

BEST ANSWER:  Remember the rule:  Never be negative.  Stress only the good points, no matter how charmingly you’re invited to be critical.

Your interviewer doesn’t care a whit about your previous boss.  He wants to find out how loyal and positive you are, and whether you’ll criticize him behind his back if pressed to do so by someone in this own company.  This question is your opportunity to demonstrate your loyalty to those you work with.

Question 15    What good books have you read lately?

TRAPS:  As in all matters of your interview, never fake familiarity you don’t have.  Yet you don’t want to seem like a dullard who hasn’t read a book since Tom Sawyer.

BEST ANSWER:  Unless you’re up for a position in academia or as book critic for The New York Times, you’re not expected to be a literary lion.  But it wouldn’t hurt to have read a handful of the most recent and influential books in your profession and on management.

Consider it part of the work of your job search to read up on a few of these leading books.  But make sure they are quality books that reflect favorably upon you, nothing that could even remotely be considered superficial.  Finally, add a recently published bestselling work of fiction by a world-class author and you’ll pass this question with flying colors.

Question 16    Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.

TRAPS:  This is a tough question because it’s a more clever and subtle way to get you to admit to a weakness.  You can’t dodge it by pretending you’ve never been criticized.  Everybody has been.  Yet it can be quite damaging to start admitting potential faults and failures that you’d just as soon leave buried.

This question is also intended to probe how well you accept criticism and direction.

BEST ANSWERS:  Begin by emphasizing the extremely positive feedback you’ve gotten throughout your career and (if it’s true) that your performance reviews have been uniformly excellent.

Of course, no one is perfect and you always welcome suggestions on how to improve your performance.  Then, give an example of a not-too-damaging learning experience from early in your career and relate the ways this lesson has since helped you.  This demonstrates that you learned from the experience and the lesson is now one of the strongest breastplates in your suit of armor.

If you are pressed for a criticism from a recent position, choose something fairly trivial that in no way is essential to your successful performance.  Add that you’ve learned from this, too, and over the past several years/months, it’s no longer an area of concern because you now make it a regular practice to…etc.

Another way to answer this question would be to describe your intention to broaden your master of an area of growing importance in your field.  For example, this might be a computer program you’ve been meaning to sit down and learn… a new management technique you’ve read about…or perhaps attending a seminar on some cutting-edge branch of your profession.

Again, the key is to focus on something not essential to your brilliant performance but which adds yet another dimension to your already impressive knowledge base.

Question 17    What are your outside interests?

TRAPS:  You want to be a well-rounded, not a drone.  But your potential employer would be even more turned off if he suspects that your heavy extracurricular load will interfere with your commitment to your work duties.

BEST ANSWERS:  Try to gauge how this company’s culture would look upon your favorite outside activities and be guided accordingly.

You can also use this question to shatter any stereotypes that could limit your chances.  If you’re over 50, for example, describe your activities that demonstrate physical stamina.  If you’re young, mention an activity that connotes wisdom and institutional trust, such as serving on the board of a popular charity.

But above all, remember that your employer is hiring your for what you can do for him, not your family, yourself or outside organizations, no matter how admirable those activities may be.

Question 18    The “Fatal Flaw” question

TRAPS:  If an interviewer has read your resume carefully, he may try to zero in on a “fatal flaw” of your candidacy, perhaps that you don’t have a college degree…you’ve been out of the job market for some time…you never earned your CPA, etc.

A fatal flaw question can be deadly, but usually only if you respond by being overly defensive.

BEST ANSWERS:  As every master salesperson knows, you will encounter objections (whether stated or merely thought) in every sale.  They’re part and parcel of the buyer’s anxiety.  The key is not to exacerbate the buyer’s anxiety but diminish it.  Here’s how…

Whenever you come up against a fatal flaw question:

1.                  Be completely honest, open and straightforward about admitting the shortcoming.  (Showing you have nothing to hide diminishes the buyer’s anxiety.)

2.                  Do not apologize or try to explain it away.  You know that this supposed flaw is nothing to be concerned about, and this is the attitude you want your interviewer to adopt as well.

3.                  Add that as desirable as such a qualification might be, its lack has made you work all the harder throughout your career and has not prevented you from compiling an outstanding tack record of achievements.  You might even give examples of how, through a relentless commitment to excellence, you have consistently outperformed those who do have this qualification.

Of course, the ultimate way to handle “fatal flaw” questions is to prevent them from arising in the first place.  You will do that by following the master strategy described in Question 1, i.e., uncovering the employers needs and them matching your qualifications to those needs.

Once you’ve gotten the employer to start talking about his most urgently-felt wants and goals for the position, and then help him see in step-by-step fashion how perfectly your background and achievements match up with those needs, you’re going to have one very enthusiastic interviewer on your hands, one who is no longer looking for “fatal flaws”.

Question 19    How do you feel about reporting to a younger person (minority, woman, etc)?

TRAPS:  It’s a shame that some interviewers feel the need to ask this question, but many understand the reality that prejudices still exist among some job candidates, and it’s better to try to flush them out beforehand.

The trap here is that in today’s politically sensitized environment, even a well-intentioned answer can result in planting your foot neatly in your mouth.  Avoid anything which smacks of a patronizing or an insensitive attitude, such as “I think they make terrific bosses” or “Hey, some of my best friends are…”

Of course, since almost anyone with an IQ above room temperature will at least try to steadfastly affirm the right answer here, your interviewer will be judging your sincerity most of all.  “Do you really feel that way?” is what he or she will be wondering.

So you must make your answer believable and not just automatic.  If the firm is wise enough to have promoted peopled on the basis of ability alone, they’re likely quite proud of it, and prefer to hire others who will wholeheartedly share their strong sense of fair play.

BEST ANSWER:  You greatly admire a company that hires and promotes on merit alone and you couldn’t agree more with that philosophy.  The age (gender, race, etc.) of the person you report to would certainly make no difference to you.

Whoever has that position has obviously earned it and knows their job well.  Both the person and the position are fully deserving of respect.  You believe that all people in a company, from the receptionist to the Chairman, work best when their abilities, efforts and feelings are respected and rewarded fairly, and that includes you.  That’s the best type of work environment you can hope to find.

Question 20    On confidential matters…

TRAPS:  When an interviewer presses you to reveal confidential information about a present or former employer, you may feel it’s a no-win situation.  If you cooperate, you could be judged untrustworthy.  If you don’t, you may irritate the interviewer and seem obstinate, uncooperative or overly suspicious.

BEST ANSWER:  Your interviewer may press you for this information for two reasons.

First, many companies use interviews to research the competition.  It’s a perfect set-up.  Here in their own lair, is an insider from the enemy camp who can reveal prized information on the competition’s plans, research, financial condition, etc.

Second, the company may be testing your integrity to see if you can be cajoled or bullied into revealing confidential data.

What to do?  The answer here is easy.  Never reveal anything truly confidential about a present or former employer.  By all means, explain your reticence diplomatically.  For example, “I certainly want to be as open as I can about that.  But I also wish to respect the rights of those who have trusted me with their most sensitive information, just as you would hope to be able to trust any of your key people when talking with a competitor…”

And certainly you can allude to your finest achievements in specific ways that don’t reveal the combination to the company safe.

But be guided by the golden rule.  If you were the owner of your present company, would you feel it ethically wrong for the information to be given to your competitors?  If so, steadfastly refuse to reveal it.

Remember that this question pits your desire to be cooperative against your integrity.  Faced with any such choice, always choose integrity.  It is a far more valuable commodity than whatever information the company may pry from you.  Moreover, once you surrender the information, your stock goes down.  They will surely lose respect for you.

One President we know always presses candidates unmercifully for confidential information. If he doesn’t get it, he grows visibly annoyed, relentlessly inquisitive,  It’s all an act.  He couldn’t care less about the information. This is his way of testing the candidate’s moral fiber.  Only those who hold fast are hired.

Question 21    Would you lie for the company?

TRAPS:  This another question that pits two values against one another, in this case loyalty against integrity.

BEST ANSWER:  Try to avoid choosing between two values, giving a positive statement which covers all bases instead.

Example:  “I would never do anything to hurt the company..”

If aggressively pressed to choose between two competing values, always choose personal integrity.  It is the most prized of all values.

Question 22    Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?

TRAPS:  This question is usually asked to uncover any life-influencing mistakes, regrets, disappointments or problems that may continue to affect your personality and performance.

You do not want to give the interviewer anything negative to remember you by, such as some great personal or career disappointment, even long ago, that you wish could have been avoided.

Nor do you wish to give any answer which may hint that your whole heart and soul will not be in your work.

BEST ANSWER:  Indicate that you are a happy, fulfilled, optimistic person and that, in general, you wouldn’t change a thing.

Example:  “It’s been a good life, rich in learning and experience, and the best it yet to come.  Every experience in life is a lesson it its own way.  I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Question 23    Could you have done better in your last job?

TRAPS:  This is no time for true confessions of major or even minor problems.

BEST ANSWER:  Again never be negative.

Example:  “I suppose with the benefit of hindsight you can always find things to do better, of course, but off the top of my head, I can’t think of anything of major consequence.”

(If more explanation seems necessary)
Describer a situation that didn’t suffer because of you but from external conditions beyond your control.

For example, describe the disappointment you felt with a test campaign, new product launch, merger, etc., which looked promising at first, but led to underwhelming results.  “I wish we could have known at the start what we later found out (about the economy turning, the marketplace changing, etc.), but since we couldn’t, we just had to go for it.  And we did learn from it…”

Question 24    Can you work under pressure?

TRAPS:  An easy question, but you want to make your answer believable.

BEST ANSWER:  Absolutely…(then prove it with a vivid example or two of a goal or project accomplished under severe pressure.)

Question 25    What makes you angry?

TRAPS:  You don’t want to come across either as a hothead or a wimp.

BEST ANSWER:    Give an answer that’s suited to both your personality and the management style of the firm.  Here, the homework you’ve done about the company and its style can help in your choice of words.

Examples:  If you are a reserved person and/or the corporate culture is coolly professional:

“I’m an even-tempered and positive person by nature, and I believe this helps me a great deal in keeping my department running smoothly, harmoniously and with a genuine esprit de corps.  I believe in communicating clearly what’s expected, getting people’s commitment to those goals, and then following up continuously to check progress.”

“If anyone or anything is going off track, I want to know about it early.  If, after that kind of open communication and follow up, someone isn’t getting the job done, I’ll want to know why.  If there’s no good reason, then I’ll get impatient and angry…and take appropriate steps from there.  But if you hire good people, motivate them to strive for excellence and then follow up constantly, it almost never gets to that state.”

If you are feisty by nature and/or the position calls for a tough straw boss.

“You know what makes me angry?  People who (the fill in the blanks with the most objectionable traits for this type of position)…people who don’t pull their own weight, who are negative, people who lie…etc.”

Question 26    Why aren’t you earning more money at this stage of your career?

TRAPS:  You don’t want to give the impression that money is not important to you, yet you want to explain why your salary may be a little below industry standards.

BEST ANSWER:  You like to make money, but other factors are even more important.

Example:  “Making money is very important to me, and one reason I’m here is because I’m looking to make more.  Throughout my career, what’s been even more important to me is doing work I really like to do at the kind of company I like and respect.

(Then be prepared to be specific about what your ideal position and company would be like, matching them as closely as possible to the opportunity at hand.

Question 27    Who has inspired you in your life and why?

TRAPS:  The two traps here are unpreparedness and irrelevance.  If you grope for an answer, it seems you’ve never been inspired.  If you ramble about your high school basketball coach, you’ve wasted an opportunity to present qualities of great value to the company.

BEST ANSWER:  Have a few heroes in mind, from your mental “Board of Directors” – Leaders in your industry, from history or anyone else who has been your mentor.

Be prepared to give examples of how their words, actions or teachings have helped inspire your achievements.  As always, prepare an answer which highlights qualities that would be highly valuable in the position you are seeking.

Question 28    What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?

TRAPS:  Giving an unprepared or irrelevant answer.

BEST ANSWER:  Be prepared with a good example, explaining why the decision was difficult…the process you followed in reaching it…the courageous or effective way you carried it out…and the beneficial results.

Question 29    Tell me about the most boring job you’ve ever had.

TRAPS:  You give a very memorable description of a very boring job.  Result?  You become associated with this boring job in the interviewer’s mind.

BEST ANSWER:  You have never allowed yourself to grow bored with a job and you can’t understand it when others let themselves fall into that rut.

Example:  “Perhaps I’ve been fortunate, but that I’ve never found myself bored with any job I have ever held.  I’ve always enjoyed hard work.  As with actors who feel there are no small parts, I also believe that in every company or department there are exciting challenges and intriguing problems crying out for energetic and enthusiastic solutions.  If you’re bored, it’s probably because you’re not challenging yourself to tackle those problems right under your nose.”

Question 30    Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position?

TRAPS:  If you’ve had a problem, you can’t lie.  You could easily be found out.  Yet admitting an attendance problem could raise many flags.

BEST ANSWER:  If you have had no problem, emphasize your excellent and consistent attendance record throughout your career.

Also describe how important you believe such consistent attendance is for a key executive…why it’s up to you to set an example of dedication…and why there’s just no substitute for being there with your people to keep the operation running smoothly, answer questions and handle problems and crises as they arise.

If you do have a past attendance problem, you want to minimize it, making it clear that it was an exceptional circumstance and that it’s cause has been corrected.

To do this, give the same answer as above but preface it with something like, “Other that being out last year (or whenever) because of (your reason, which is now in the past), I have never had a problem and have enjoyed an excellent attendance record throughout my career.  Furthermore, I believe, consistent attendance is important because…”  (Pick up the rest of the answer as outlined above.).

Question 31    What changes would you make if you came on board?

TRAPS:  Watch out!  This question can derail your candidacy faster than a bomb on the tracks – and just as you are about to be hired.

Reason:  No matter how bright you are, you cannot know the right actions to take in a position before you settle in and get to know the operation’s strengths, weaknesses key people, financial condition, methods of operation, etc.  If you lunge at this temptingly baited question, you will probably be seen as someone who shoots from the hip.

Moreover, no matter how comfortable you may feel with your interviewer, you are still an outsider.  No one, including your interviewer, likes to think that a know-it-all outsider is going to come in, turn the place upside down and with sweeping, grand gestures, promptly demonstrate what jerks everybody’s been for years.

BEST ANSWER:  You, of course, will want to take a good hard look at everything the company is doing before making any recommendations.

Example:  “Well, I wouldn’t be a very good doctor if I gave my diagnosis before the examination.  Should you hire me, as I hope you will, I’d want to take a good hard look at everything you’re doing and understand why it’s being done that way.  I’d like to have in-depth meetings with you and the other key people to get a deeper grasp of what you feel you’re doing right and what could be improved.

“From what you’ve told me so far, the areas of greatest concern to you are…” (name them.  Then do two things.  First, ask if these are in fact his major concerns.  If so then reaffirm how your experience in meeting similar needs elsewhere might prove very helpful).

Question 32    I’m concerned that you don’t have as much experience as we’d like in…

TRAPS:  This could be a make-or-break question.  The interviewer mostly likes what he sees, but has doubts over one key area.  If you can assure him on this point, the job may be yours.

BEST ANSWER:   This question is related to “The Fatal Flaw” (Question 18), but here the concern is not that you are totally missing some qualifications, such as CPA certification, but rather that your experience is light in one area.

Before going into any interview, try to identify the weakest aspects of your candidacy from this company’s point of view.  Then prepare the best answer you possible can to shore up your defenses.

To get past this question with flying colors, you are going to rely on your master strategy of uncovering the employer’s greatest wants and needs and then matching them with your strengths.  Since you already know how to do this from Question 1, you are in a much stronger position. 

More specifically, when the interviewer poses as objection like this, you should…

1.                  Agree on the importance of this qualification.

2.                  Explain that your strength may be indeed be greater than your resume indicates because…

3.                  When this strength is added to your other strengths, it’s really your combination of qualifications that’s most important.

Then review the areas of your greatest strengths that match up most favorably with the company’s most urgently-felt wants and needs.

This is powerful way to handle this question for two reasons.  First, you’re giving your interviewer more ammunition in the area of his concern.  But more importantly, you’re shifting his focus away from this one, isolated area and putting it on the unique combination of strengths you offer, strengths which tie in perfectly with his greatest wants.

Question 33    How do you feel about working nights and weekends?

TRAPS:  Blurt out “no way, Jose” and you can kiss the job offer goodbye.  But what if you have a family and want to work a reasonably normal schedule?  Is there a way to get both the job and the schedule you want?

BEST ANSWER:  First, if you’re a confirmed workaholic, this question is a softball lob.  Whack it out of the park on the first swing by saying this kind of schedule is just your style.  Add that your family understands it.  Indeed, they’re happy for you, as they know you get your greatest satisfaction from your work.

If however, you prefer a more balanced lifestyle, answer this question with another:  “What’s the norm for your best people here?”

If the hours still sound unrealistic for you, ask, “Do you have any top people who perform exceptionally for you, but who also have families and like to get home in time to see them at night?”  Chances are this company does, and this associates you with this other “top-performers-who-leave-not-later-than-six” group.

Depending on the answer, be honest about how you would fit into the picture.  If all those extra hours make you uncomfortable, say so, but phrase your response positively.

Example:  “I love my work and do it exceptionally well.  I think the results speak for themselves, especially in …(mention your two or three qualifications of greater interest to the employer.  Remember, this is what he wants most, not a workaholic with weak credentials).  Not only would I bring these qualities, but I’ve built my whole career on working not just hard, but smart.  I think you’ll find me one of the most productive people here.

I do have a family who likes to see me after work and on weekends.  They add balance and richness to my life, which in turn helps me be happy and productive at work.  If I could handle some of the extra work at home in the evenings or on weekends, that would be ideal.  You’d be getting a person of exceptional productivity who meets your needs with strong credentials.  And I’d be able to handle some of the heavy workload at home where I can be under the same roof as my family.  Everybody would win.”

Question 34    Are you willing to relocate or travel?

TRAPS:  Answer with a flat “no” and you may slam the door shut on this opportunity.  But what if you’d really prefer not to relocate or travel, yet wouldn’t want to lose the job offer over it?

BEST ANSWER:   First find out where you may have to relocate and how much travel may be involved.  Then respond to the question.

If there’s no problem, say so enthusiastically.

If you do have a reservation, there are two schools of thought on how to handle it.

One advises you to keep your options open and your reservations to yourself in the early going, by saying, “no problem”.  You strategy here is to get the best offer you can, then make a judgment whether it’s worth it to you to relocate or travel.

Also, by the time the offer comes through, you may have other offers and can make a more informed decision.  Why kill of this opportunity before it has chance to blossom into something really special?  And if you’re a little more desperate three months from now, you might wish you hadn’t slammed the door on relocating or traveling.

The second way to handle this question is to voice a reservation, but assert that you’d be open to relocating (or traveling) for the right opportunity.

The answering strategy you choose depends on how eager you are for the job.  If you want to take no chances, choose the first approach.

If you want to play a little harder-to-get in hopes of generating a more enticing offer, choose the second.

Question 35    Do you have the stomach to fire people?  Have you had experience firing many people?

TRAPS:  This “innocent” question could be a trap door which sends you down a chute and lands you in a heap of dust outside the front door.  Why?  Because its real intent is not just to see if you’ve got the stomach to fire, but also to uncover poor judgment in hiring which has caused you to fire so many.  Also, if you fire so often, you could be a tyrant.

So don’t rise to the bait by boasting how many you’ve fired, unless you’ve prepared to explain why it was beyond your control, and not the result of your poor hiring procedures or foul temperament.

BEST ANSWER:    Describe the rational and sensible management process you follow in both hiring and firing.

Example:  “My whole management approach is to hire the best people I can find, train them thoroughly and well, get them excited and proud to be part of our team, and then work with them to achieve our goals together.  If you do all of that right, especially hiring the right people, I’ve found you don’t have to fire very often.

“So with me, firing is a last resort.  But when it’s got to be done, it’s got to be done, and the faster and cleaner, the better.  A poor employee can wreak terrible damage in undermining the morale of an entire team of good people.  When there’s no other way, I’ve found it’s better for all concerned to act decisively in getting rid of offenders who won’t change their ways.”

Question 36    Why have you had so many jobs?

TRAPS:  Your interviewer fears you may leave this position quickly, as you have others.  He’s concerned you may be unstable, or a “problem person” who can’t get along with others.

BEST ANSWER:  First, before you even get to the interview stage, you should try to minimize your image as job hopper.  If there are several entries on your resume of less than one year, consider eliminating the less important ones.  Perhaps you can specify the time you spent at previous positions in rounded years not in months and years. 

Example:   Instead of showing three positions this way:

6/1982 – 3/1983, Position A;
4/1983 – 12/1983, Position B;
1/1984 – 8/1987, Position C;

…it would be better to show simply:

1982 – 1983, Position A;
1984 – 1987 Position C.

In other words, you would drop Position B altogether.  Notice what a difference this makes in reducing your image as a job hopper.

Once in front of the interviewer and this question comes up, you must try to reassure him.  Describe each position as part of an overall pattern of growth and career destination.

Be careful not to blame other people for your frequent changes.  But you can and should attribute certain changes to conditions beyond your control. 

Example:  Thanks to an upcoming merger, you wanted to avoid an ensuing bloodbath, so you made a good, upward career move before your department came under the axe of the new owners.

If possible, also show that your job changes were more frequent in your younger days, while you were establishing yourself, rounding out your skills and looking for the right career path.  At this stage in your career, you’re certainly much more interested in the best long-term opportunity.

You might also cite the job(s) where you stayed the longest and describe that this type of situation is what you’re looking for now.

Question 37    What do you see as the proper role/mission of…
…a good (job title you’re seeking);
…a good manager;
…an executive in serving the community;
…a leading company in our industry; etc.

TRAPS:  These and other “proper role” questions are designed to test your understanding of your place in the bigger picture of your department, company, community and profession….as well as the proper role each of these entities should play in its bigger picture.

The question is most frequently asked by the most thoughtful individuals and companies…or by those concerned that you’re coming from a place with a radically different corporate culture (such as from a big government bureaucracy to an aggressive small company).

The most frequent mistake executives make in answering is simply not being prepared (seeming as if they’ve never giving any of this a though.)…or in phrasing an answer best suited to their prior organization’s culture instead of the hiring company’s.

BEST ANSWER:    Think of the most essential ingredients of success for each category above – your job title, your role as manager, your firm’s role, etc.

Identify at least three but no more than six qualities you feel are most important to success in each role.  Then commit your response to memory.

Here, again, the more information you’ve already drawn out about the greatest wants and needs of the interviewer, and the more homework you’ve done to identify the culture of the firm, the more on-target your answer will be.

Question 38    What would you say to your boss if he’s crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?

TRAPS:  This is another question that pits two values, in this case loyalty and honesty, against one another.

BEST ANSWER:    Remember the rule stated earlier:  In any conflict between values, always choose integrity.

Example:  I believe that when evaluating anything, it’s important to emphasize the positive.  What do I like about this idea?”

“Then, if you have reservations, I certainly want to point them out, as specifically, objectively and factually as I can.”

“After all, the most important thing I owe my boss is honesty.  If he can’t count on me for that, then everything else I may do or say could be questionable in his eyes.”

“But I also want to express my thoughts in a constructive way.  So my goal in this case would be to see if my boss and I could make his idea even stronger and more appealing, so that it effectively overcomes any initial reservation I or others may have about it.”

“Of course, if he overrules me and says, ‘no, let’s do it my way,’ then I owe him my full and enthusiastic support to make it work as best it can.”

Question 39    How could you have improved your career progress?

TRAPS:  This is another variation on the question, “If you could, how would you live your life over?”  Remember, you’re not going to fall for any such invitations to rewrite person history. You can’t win if you do.

BEST ANSWER:  You’re generally quite happy with your career progress.  Maybe, if you had known something earlier in life (impossible to know at the time, such as the booming growth in a branch in your industry…or the corporate downsizing that would phase out your last job), you might have moved in a certain direction sooner.

But all things considered, you take responsibility for where you are, how you’ve gotten there, where you are going…and you harbor no regrets.

Question 40    What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department?

TRAPS:  This question and other hypothetical ones test your sense of human relations and how you might handle office politics.

BEST ANSWER:  Try to gauge the political style of the firm and be guided accordingly.  In general, fall back on universal principles of effective human relations – which in the end, embody the way you would like to be treated in a similar circumstance.

Example:  “Good human relations would call for me to go directly to the person and explain the situation, to try to enlist his help in a constructive, positive solution.  If I sensed resistance, I would be as persuasive as I know how to explain the benefits we can all gain from working together, and the problems we, the company and our customers will experience if we don’t.”

POSSIBLE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:  And what would you do if he still did not change his ways?

ANSWER:  “One thing I wouldn’t do is let the problem slide, because it would only get worse and overlooking it would set a bad precedent.  I would try again and again and again, in whatever way I could, to solve the problem, involving wider and wider circles of people, both above and below the offending executive and including my own boss if necessary, so that everyone involved can see the rewards for teamwork and the drawbacks of non-cooperation.”

“I might add that I’ve never yet come across a situation that couldn’t be resolved by harnessing others in a determined, constructive effort.”

Question 41    You’ve been with your firm a long time.  Won’t it be hard switching to a new company?

TRAPS:  Your interviewer is worried that this old dog will find it hard to learn new tricks.

BEST ANSWER:  To overcome this objection, you must point to the many ways you have grown and adapted to changing conditions at your present firm.  It has not been a static situation. Highlight the different responsibilities you’ve held, the wide array of new situations you’ve faced and conquered.

As a result, you’ve learned to adapt quickly to whatever is thrown at you, and you thrive on the stimulation of new challenges.

To further assure the interviewer, describe the similarities between the new position and your prior one.  Explain that you should be quite comfortable working there, since their needs and your skills make a perfect match.

Question 42    May I contact your present employer for a reference?

TRAPS:  If you’re trying to keep your job search private, this is the last thing you want.  But if you don’t cooperate, won’t you seem as if you’re trying to hide something?

BEST ANSWER:  Express your concern that you’d like to keep your job search private, but that in time, it will be perfectly okay.

Example:  “My present employer is not aware of my job search and, for obvious reasons; I’d prefer to keep it that way.  I’d be most appreciative if we kept our discussion confidential right now.  Of course, when we both agree the time is right, then by all means you should contact them.  I’m very proud of my record there.

Question 43    Give me an example of your creativity (analytical skill…managing ability, etc.)

TRAPS:  The worst offense here is simply being unprepared.  Your hesitation may seem as if you’re having a hard time remembering the last time you were creative, analytical, etc.

BEST ANSWER:  Remember from Question 2 that you should commit to memory a list of your greatest and most recent achievements, ever ready on the tip of your tongue.

If you have such a list, it’s easy to present any of your achievements in light of the quality the interviewer is asking about.  For example, the smashing success you orchestrated at last year’s trade show could be used as an example of creativity, or analytical ability, or your ability to manage.

Question 44    Where could you use some improvement?

TRAPS:  Another tricky way to get you to admit weaknesses.  Don’t fall for it.

BEST ANSWER:  Keep this answer, like all your answers, positive.  A good way to answer this question is to identify a cutting-edge branch of your profession (one that’s not essential to your employer’s needs) as an area you’re very excited about and want to explore more fully over the next six months.

Question 45    What do you worry about?

TRAPS:  Admit to worrying and you could sound like a loser.  Saying you never worry doesn’t sound credible.

BEST ANSWER:  Redefine the word ‘worry’ so that it does not reflect negatively on you.

Example:  “I wouldn’t call it worry, but I am a strongly goal-oriented person.  So I keep turning over in my mind anything that seems to be keeping me from achieving those goals, until I find a solution.  That’s part of my tenacity, I suppose.”

Question 46    How many hours a week do you normally work?

TRAPS:  You don’t want to give a specific number.  Make it to low, and you may not measure up.  Too high, and you’ll forever feel guilty about sneaking out the door at 5:15.

BEST ANSWER:  If you are in fact a workaholic and you sense this company would like that:  Say you are a confirmed workaholic, that you often work nights and weekends.  Your family accepts this because it makes you fulfilled.

If you are not a workaholic:  Say you have always worked hard and put in long hours.  It goes with the territory.  It one sense, it’s hard to keep track of the hours because your work is a labor of love, you enjoy nothing more than solving problems.  So you’re almost always thinking about your work, including times when you’re home, while shaving in the morning, while commuting, etc.

Question 47    What’s the most difficult part of being a (job title)?

TRAPS:  Unless you phrase your answer properly, your interviewer may conclude that whatever you identify as “difficult” is where you are weak.

BEST ANSWER:  First, redefine “difficult” to be “challenging” which is more positive.  Then, identify an area everyone in your profession considers challenging and in which you excel.  Describe the process you follow that enables you to get splendid results…and be specific about those results.

Example:  “I think every sales manager finds it challenging to motivate the troops in a recession. But that’s probably the strongest test of a top sales manager.  I feel this is one area where I excel.” 

“When I see the first sign that sales may slip or that sales force motivation is flagging because of a downturn in the economy, here’s the plan I put into action immediately…” (followed by a description of each step in the process…and most importantly,  the exceptional results you’ve achieved.).

Question 48    The “Hypothetical Problem”

TRAPS:  Sometimes an interviewer will describe a difficult situation and ask, “How would you handle this?”  Since it is virtually impossible to have all the facts in front of you from such a short presentation, don’t fall into the trap of trying to solve this problem and giving your verdict on the spot. It will make your decision-making process seem woefully inadequate.

BEST ANSWER:  Instead, describe the rational, methodical process you would follow in analyzing this problem, who you would consult with, generating possible solutions, choosing the best course of action, and monitoring the results.

Remember, in all such, “What would you do?” questions, always describe your process or working methods, and you’ll never go wrong.

Question 49    What was the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?

TRAPS:  Being unprepared or citing an example from so early in your life that it doesn’t score many points for you at this stage of your career.

BEST ANSWER:  This is an easy question if you’re prepared. Have a recent example ready that demonstrates either:

1.      A quality most important to the job at hand; or

2.      A quality that is always in demand, such as leadership, initiative, managerial skill, persuasiveness, courage, persistence, intelligence, etc.

Question 50    Have you consider starting your own business?

TRAPS:  If you say “yes” and elaborate enthusiastically, you could be perceived as a loose cannon in a larger company, too entrepreneurial to make a good team player…or someone who had to settle for the corporate life because you couldn’t make a go of your own business.

Also too much enthusiasm in answering “yes” could rouse the paranoia of a small company indicating that you may plan to go out on your own soon, perhaps taking some key accounts or trade secrets with you.

On the other hand, if you answer “no, never” you could be perceived as a security-minded drone who never dreamed a big dream.

BEST ANSWER:  Again it’s best to:

1.      Gauge this company’s corporate culture before answering and…

2.      Be honest (which doesn’t mean you have to vividly share your fantasy of the franchise or bed-and-breakfast you someday plan to open).

In general, if the corporate culture is that of a large, formal, military-style structure, minimize any indication that you’d love to have your own business.  You might say, “Oh, I may have given it a thought once or twice, but my whole career has been in larger organizations.  That’s where I have excelled and where I want to be.”

If the corporate culture is closer to the free-wheeling, everybody’s-a-deal-maker variety, then emphasize that in a firm like this, you can virtually get the best of all worlds, the excitement of seeing your own ideas and plans take shape…combined with the resources and stability of a well-established organization.   Sounds like the perfect environment to you.

In any case, no matter what the corporate culture, be sure to indicate that any desires about running your own show are part of your past, not your present or future.

The last thing you want to project is an image of either a dreamer who failed and is now settling for the corporate cocoon…or the restless maverick who will fly out the door with key accounts, contacts and trade secrets under his arms just as soon as his bankroll has gotten rebuilt.

Always remember:  Match what you want with what the position offers.  The more information you’ve uncovered about the position, the more believable you can make your case.

Question 51    What are your goals?

TRAPS:  Not having any…or having only vague generalities, not highly specific goals.

BEST ANSWER:  Many executives in a position to hire you are strong believers in goal-setting. (It’s one of the reason they’ve achieved so much).  They like to hire in kind.

If you’re vague about your career and personal goals, it could be a big turnoff to may people you will encounter in your job search.

Be ready to discuss your goals for each major area of your life:  career, personal development and learning, family, physical (health), community service and (if your interviewer is clearly a religious person) you could briefly and generally allude to your spiritual goals (showing you are a well-rounded individual with your values in the right order).

Be prepared to describe each goal in terms of specific milestones you wish to accomplish along the way, time periods you’re allotting for accomplishment, why the goal is important to you, and the specific steps you’re taking to bring it about.  But do this concisely, as you never want to talk more than two minutes straight before letting your interviewer back into the conversation.

Question 52    What do you for when you hire people?

TRAPS:  Being unprepared for the question.

BEST ANSWER:  Speak your own thoughts here, but for the best answer weave them around the three most important qualifications for any position.

1.      Can the person do the work (qualifications)?

2.      Will the person do the work (motivation)?

3.      Will the person fit in (“our kind of team player”)?

Question 53    Sell me this stapler…(this pencil…this clock…or some other object on interviewer’s desk).

TRAPS:  Some interviewers, especially business owners and hard-changing executives in marketing-driven companies, feel that good salesmanship is essential for any key position and ask for an instant demonstration of your skill.  Be ready.

BEST ANSWER:  Of course, you already know the most important secret of all great salesmanship – “find out what people want, then show them how to get it.”

If your interviewer picks up his stapler and asks, “sell this to me,” you are going to demonstrate this proven master principle.  Here’s how: 

“Well, a good salesman must know both his product and his prospect before he sells anything.  If I were selling this, I’d first get to know everything I could about it, all its features and benefits.”

“Then, if my goal were to sell it you, I would do some research on how you might use a fine stapler like this.  The best way to do that is by asking some questions.  May I ask you a few questions?”

Then ask a few questions such as, “Just out of curiosity, if you didn’t already have a stapler like this, why would you want one?  And in addition to that?  Any other reason?  Anything else?”

“And would you want such a stapler to be reliable?...Hold a good supply of staples?”  (Ask more questions that point to the features this stapler has.)

Once you’ve asked these questions, make your presentation citing all the features and benefits of this stapler and why it’s exactly what the interviewer just told you he’s looking for.

Then close with, “Just out of curiosity, what would you consider a reasonable price for a quality stapler like this…a stapler you could have right now and would (then repeat all the problems the stapler would solve for him)?  Whatever he says, (unless it’s zero), say, “Okay, we’ve got a deal.”

NOTE:  If your interviewer tests you by fighting every step of the way, denying that he even wants such an item, don’t fight him.  Take the product away from him by saying, “Mr. Prospect, I’m delighted you’ve told me right upfront that there’s no way you’d ever want this stapler.  As you well know, the first rule of the most productive salespeople in any field is to meet the needs of people who really need and want our products, and it just wastes everyone’s time if we try to force it on those who don’t.  And I certainly wouldn’t want to waste your time.  But we sell many items.  Is there any product on this desk you would very much like to own…just one item?”  When he points something out, repeat the process above.  If he knows anything about selling, he may give you a standing ovation.

Question 54    “The Salary Question” – How much money do you want?

TRAPS:  May also be phrases as, “What salary are you worth?”…or, “How much are you making now?”  This is your most important negotiation. Handle it wrong and you can blow the job offer or go to work at far less than you might have gotten.

BEST ANSWER:  For maximum salary negotiating power, remember these five guidelines:

1.      Never bring up salary.  Let the interviewer do it first.  Good salespeople sell their products thoroughly before talking price.  So should you.  Make the interviewer want you first, and your bargaining position will be much stronger.

2.      If your interviewer raises the salary question too early, before you’ve had a chance to create desire for your qualifications, postpone the question, saying something like, “Money is important to me, but is not my main concern.  Opportunity and growth are far more important.  What I’d rather do, if you don’t mind, is explore if I’m right for the position, and then talk about money. Would that be okay?”

3.      The #1 rule of any negotiation is:  the side with more information wins.  After you’ve done a thorough job of selling the interviewer and it’s time to talk salary, the secret is to get the employer talking about what he’s willing to pay before you reveal what you’re willing to accept.  So, when asked about salary, respond by asking, “I’m sure the company has already established a salary range for this position.  Could you tell me what that is?”  Or, “I want an income commensurate with my ability and qualifications.  I trust you’ll be fair with me.  What does the position pay?” Or, more simply, “What does this position pay?”

4.      Know beforehand what you’d accept.  To know what’s reasonable, research the job market and this position for any relevant salary information.  Remember that most executives look for a 20-25%$ pay boost when they switch jobs. If you’re grossly underpaid, you may want more.

5.      Never lie about what you currently make, but feel free to include the estimated cost of all your fringes, which could well tack on 25-50% more to your present “cash-only” salary.

Question 55    The Illegal Question

TRAPS:  Illegal questions include any regarding your age…number and ages of your children or other dependents…marital status…maiden name…religion…political affiliation…ancestry…national origin…birthplace…naturalization of your parents, spouse or children…diseases…disabilities…clubs…or spouse’s occupation…unless any of the above are directly related to your performance of the job.  You can’t even be asked about arrests, though you can be asked about convictions.

BEST ANSWER:  Under the ever-present threat of lawsuits, most interviewers are well aware of these taboos.  Yet you may encounter, usually on a second or third interview, a senior executive who doesn’t interview much and forgets he can’t ask such questions.

You can handle an illegal question in several ways. First, you can assert your legal right not to answer. But this will frighten or embarrass your interviewer and destroy any rapport you had.

Second, you could swallow your concerns over privacy and answer the question straight forwardly if you feel the answer could help you.  For example, your interviewer, a devout Baptist, recognizes you from church and mentions it. Here, you could gain by talking about your church.

Third, if you don’t want your privacy invaded, you can diplomatically answer the concern behind the question without answering the question itself.

Example:  If you are over 50 and are asked, “How old are you?” you can answer with a friendly, smiling question of your own on whether there’s a concern that your age my affect your performance.  Follow this up by reassuring the interviewer that there’s nothing in this job you can’t do and, in fact, your age and experience are the most important advantages you offer the employer for the following reasons…

Another example:  If asked, “Do you plan to have children?” you could answer, “I am wholeheartedly dedicated to my career“, perhaps adding, “I have no plans regarding children.”  (You needn’t fear you’ve pledged eternal childlessness.  You have every right to change your plans later.  Get the job first and then enjoy all your options.)

Most importantly, remember that illegal questions arise from fear that you won’t perform well.  The best answer of all is to get the job and perform brilliantly. All concerns and fears will then varnish, replaced by respect and appreciation for your work.

Question 56    The “Secret” Illegal Question

TRAPS:  Much more frequent than the Illegal question (see Question 55) is the secret illegal question.  It’s secret because it’s asked only in the interviewer’s mind.  Since it’s not even expressed to you, you have no way to respond to it, and it can there be most damaging.

Example:  You’re physically challenged, or a single mother returning to your professional career, or over 50, or a member of an ethnic minority, or fit any of a dozen other categories that do not strictly conform to the majority in a given company.

Your interviewer wonders, “Is this person really able to handle the job?”…”Is he or she a ‘good fit’ at a place like ours?”…”Will the chemistry ever be right with someone like this?”  But the interviewer never raises such questions because they’re illegal.  So what can you do?

BEST ANSWER:  Remember that just because the interviewer doesn’t ask an illegal question doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it.  More than likely, he is going to come up with his own answer.  So you might as well help him out.

How?  Well, you obviously can’t respond to an illegal question if he hasn’t even asked.  This may well offend him.  And there’s always the chance he wasn’t even concerned about the issue until you brought it up, and only then begins to wonder.

So you can’t address “secret” illegal questions head-on.  But what you can do is make sure there’s enough counterbalancing information to more than reassure him that there’s no problem in the area he may be doubtful about.

For example, let’s say you’re a sales rep who had polio as a child and you need a cane to walk.  You know your condition has never impeded your performance, yet you’re concerned that your interviewer may secretly be wondering about your stamina or ability to travel.  Well, make sure that you hit these abilities very hard, leaving no doubt about your capacity to handle them well.

So, too, if you’re in any different from what passes for “normal”.  Make sure, without in any way seeming defensive about yourself that you mention strengths, accomplishments, preferences and affiliations that strongly counterbalance any unspoken concern your interviewer may have.

Question 57    What was the toughest part of your last job?

TRAPS: This is slightly different from the question raised earlier, “What’s the most difficult part of being a (job title…)” because this asks what you personally have found most difficult in your last position.  This question is more difficult to redefine into something positive.  Your interviewer will assume that whatever you found toughest may give you a problem in your new position.

BEST ANSWER:  State that there was nothing in your prior position that you found overly difficult, and let your answer go at that.  If pressed to expand your answer, you could describe the aspects of the position you enjoyed more than others, making sure that you express maximum enjoyment for those tasks most important to the open position, and you enjoyed least those tasks that are unimportant to the position at hand.

Question 58    How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?

TRAPS:  Seems like an obvious enough question.  Yet many executives, unprepared for it, fumble the ball.

BEST ANSWER:  Give a well-accepted definition of success that leads right into your own stellar collection of achievements.

Example:  “The best definition I’ve come across is that success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”

“As to how I would measure up to that definition, I would consider myself both successful and fortunate…”(Then summarize your career goals and how your achievements have indeed represented a progressive path toward realization of your goals.)

Question 59    “The Opinion Question” – What do you think about …Abortion…The President…The Death Penalty…(or any other controversial subject)?

TRAPS:  Obviously, these and other “opinion” questions should never be asked.  Sometimes they come up over a combination dinner/interview when the interviewer has had a drink or two, is feeling relaxed, and is spouting off about something that bugged him in today’s news.  If you give your opinion and it’s the opposite of his, you won’t change his opinions, but you could easily lose the job offer.

BEST ANSWER:  In all of these instances, just remember the tale about student and the wise old rabbi.  The scene is a seminary, where an overly serious student is pressing the rabbi to answer the ultimate questions of suffering, life and death.  But no matter how hard he presses, the wise old rabbi will only answer each difficult question with a question of his own.

In exasperation, the seminary student demands, “Why, rabbi, do you always answer a question with another question?”  To which the rabbi responds, “And why not?”

If you are ever uncomfortable with any question, asking a question in return is the greatest escape hatch ever invented.  It throws the onus back on the other person, sidetracks the discussion from going into an area of risk to you, and gives you time to think of your answer or, even better, your next question!

In response to any of the “opinion” questions cited above, merely responding, “Why do you ask?” will usually be enough to dissipate any pressure to give your opinion.  But if your interviewer again presses

********************************************************************************

English Speaking

Greetings1. Hi.

    Hello.

2. Good morning.

    Good afternoon.

    Good evening.

3. How are you?

    How are you doing?

   How ya doing? (Informal)

4. Fine. How about you?

5. Okay. Thanks.

Introducing Yourself

1. I'm John.

    I'm Jackie.                               (Use first name in informal situations)

2. I'm John Kennedy.

    I'm Jackie O'Neill.                   (Use full name in business and formal situations)

3. (It's) nice to meet you.

    (It's) nice meeting you.

    (It's) good to meet you.

4. Nice to meet you too.

Introducing Other People

1. This is my friend, Jack.                                        Hi Jack. I'm Linda
    my brother, Bob.

    my sister, Cindy.

    my father, Mr. Harris.

    my mother, Mrs. Harris.

    my teacher, Ms. Watson.

    my student, Carrie.

    my friend, Mary Jones.

    my boss, Mr. Ritter.

    my co-worker, Penny Pitcher.

2. Nice to meet you.              

Identifying People, Things

1. This is Minnie Rivers.

   That is Mr. Lewis.

2. Minnie is a writer.

    Mr. Lewis is a barber.

    Gail is an artist.

    He is a photographer.

    She is a secretary.

    He's a dentist.

    She's a doctor.

3. I am a computer programmer.

    I'm a businessman.

    I'm a businesswoman.

I'm not a mechanic.

4. We are writers.

    They are engineers.

    You are a student.

    You are students.

5. This is an apple.

    This is a banana.

    That is an orange.

    That is not a tomato.

    It is a telephone.

    It's a horse.

    It's not an airplane.

Asking for Information

1. What is this? 2. What is that? 3. What's this? 4. What's that? 5. What are these? 6. What are those? 7. Where is Mr. King? 8. Where is Ms. Knight? 9. Where's Johnny? 10. When's the movie? 11. When's lunch? 12. How is the food?

This is a table. That is a chair. It's a pen. It's an apple. These are pencils.  Those are books. He is over there. She's (right) here.  He's in the house. It's at 9:00. Lunch is at noon. It's delicious.

Giving Information

1. Jeremy is from Ohio. 2. Kelly is a saleswoman. 3. He's a university student. 4. Ronda lives in Texas. 5. I work at a restaurant. 6. I live in Florida. 8. Where are you from? 9. What is your occupation?

Oh really? What part of Ohio? Is that right? What company? Oh. What university? Really? What city (in Texas)? Oh really? Which restaurant? Oh yeah? Where in Florida? I'm from Delaware. I'm a police officer.

Columbus. Microsoft. Harvard. Dallas. Angelo Meroni's  Orlando.

Simple sentences

Click for Audio

1. I work in a post office. 2. Greg works in a bank. 3. They live in Washington. 4. I eat breakfast at 8:00 a.m. 5. She goes to work at 9:00 a.m. 6. Eddy plays basketball every Friday. 7. Penny starts class at 10:00. 8. I don't drink beer.

Are you a letter carrier? Is he a teller? Are they senators? What do you eat? Where does she work? Where does he play? When does she finish? Why (not)?

No, I'm a postal clerk. Yes, he is. No, they aren't. (I eat) eggs, bacon, and toast.  In the cafeteria. At the gym. At 11:00. I don't like it.

Simple Questions

Very Simple Yes/No Questions Are you from Canada? Is he a doctor? Is this free? Do you like apples? Does she live in New Orleans? More examples of Yes/No Questions Is she going to the dance? Are they flying home? Are you coming to the party? Examples of simple Wh- questions What do you do (as an occupation)? What do you do on the weekends? Where are you from? Where do you live? How do you say that in English? How do you spell your name? How do you know Mr. Amos?

Yes, I am. No, he isn't. Yes, it is. Yes, I do. No, she doesn't Yes, she is. No, they're taking the bus. No, I have other plans. I'm a computer programmer. I usually stay home and watch television.  I'm from Ontario, California. I live in Arizona. I live at the Chateau Apartments. I don't know. S-I-M-O-N. He's my teacher.

Numbers and Counting

1. How many fingers do you have? 2. You have eight fingers? 3. How many brothers does Ryan have? 4. How many students in your class? 5. How old is your sister? 6. How many hours do you work every day? 7. How many people are in the group? 8. How many cookies are left? 9. How many toothpicks are in the box?

I have eight fingers. Eight fingers and two thumbs.  He has four (brothers). Thirty-five, including me. She is seventeen. From nine to five. Eight hours.  About seventy. Five or six. More than a hundred.

Talking about Favorite Things

What is your favorite color? 2. What's your favorite kind of music? 3. Favorite sport? 4. Do you have a lucky number? 5. What kind of food do you like best? 6. How about movies? 7. Who is your favorite movie star? 8. What city do you like most?

Purple. I like pop music. Kung fu. Yes. It's eight. I like Cantonese food. Action. Jackie Chan. Hong Kong, of course!

Talking about here and now

1. What is Ms. Chan doing? 2. What is he doing? 3. What are you doing? 4. Who is singing that song? 5. Who is washing the dishes? 6. Where are you going now?

She is writing a letter. He's playing hockey. I'm reading a book. Frank (is). The children are. I'm going to the library.

Oh. That's nice. That's interesting. Is it interesting? Oh. It sounds good. That's great. Okay. Have fun.

Describing People

Personality and Appearance 1.Tell me about your father. What kind of person is he? 2. What does he look like? 3. What does your mother look like? 4. How about your little sister? Clothing 5. What is your brother wearing? 6. What kind of shoes does he have (on)? 7. Is Susan wearing a dress? 8. Anything else?

Description Well, he's very friendly, smart and funny. He's young, short and handsome. He has straight black hair and green eyes. She's tall, thin and beautiful. She has blonde hair and wears glasses. She has curly red hair and a cute smile. Everybody likes her. He's wearing light brown pants and an orange t-shirt.  Sneakers, and he's wearing white socks. No. She's wearing a blue skirt and a yellow blouse. Yes. She's wearing boots and carrying a purse.

What time is it?

7:00 12:00 3:10 7:14 9:15 1:21 11:05 2:09 6:30 4:50 10:45 8:35

It's seven o'clock. It's twelve o'clock. It's three ten. It's seven fourteen. It's nine fifteen. It's one twenty-one It's eleven oh five. It's two oh nine. It's six thirty. It's four fifty. It's ten forty-five. It's eight thirty-five.

It's seven p.m. / a.m. It's noon / midnight. It's ten (minutes) after three. It's fourteen after seven. It's (a) quarter after nine. It's twenty-one minutes past one.  It's five after eleven. It's nine minutes past two. It's half past six. It's ten minutes to five. It's quarter to eleven. It's twenty-five minutes to nine.

Talking about Past Actions

1. What did you do last Friday? 2. Where did you go? 3. When did you get back? 4. Where did you stay? 5. What did Sally have for lunch? 6. What did he eat last night? 7. How was the weather?

I went to a baseball game. I went to Detroit. I got back on Saturday night. I stayed with my parents. She had soup and sandwiches.  He ate Chinese food. It was wonderful.

Talking about the Future

What will you do tomorrow? 2. When will you finish? 3. What will we do in class today? 4. Where will they put the table? 5. When will Joe leave for New York? 6. How will he get there?

I'll help my mom with the housework.  In the afternoon. We'll play some word games. They'll put it next to the window. He'll leave right after dinner. He'll take the bus.

Note: Another way of talking about the future is with the phrase "be going to" + verb.
For example,

I am going to eat out tonight.
Mr. Wolfe is going to stay home.

What are you going to do tomorrow?
I'm going to visit my grandmother.

How are you going to get there?
I'm going to walk through the forest. 
Please be careful!

Talking about Life Events

When is your birthday? 2. What year? 3. Were you born and raised here? 4. Did Sam grow up here? 5. Where did Lisa go to school? 6. Which university did Rick go to? 7. When will she graduate? 8. When did they get married? 9. When was your son born? 10. What day is your wedding anniversary? 11. When did they move to Pittsburgh? 12. When did his grandfather pass away/(die)?

December 29(th) That's personal. No. I wasn't. Yes, he did. In California. Princeton. Next April. They got married in June.  Two months ago. It's July 17th Last September. Five years ago.

Talking about Feelings/Health Issues

How's the weather today? How do you feel? How are you feeling? Is everything okay? What's wrong? What's the matter? Are you all right? What happened?

It's really cold. I'm fine. Not too good. I feel sick. I have a headache. My leg hurts. I cut my hand. He broke his arm.

Let's stay inside. That's good. Sorry to hear that.  That's too bad. Here's some aspirin  Let me help you. That looks serious.  Call 911!

Expressing Likes and Dislikes

1. I like fruit. 2. Helen likes sports. 3. Ms. Cramer doesn't like coffee. 4. Tony does not like action movies. 5. Does Terry like swimming? 6. Does Phil like soft drinks? 7. Does Sheila like salad? 8. Do you like Chinese food?

What kind? What kind of sports? Really? Does she like tea? Oh. What kind does he like? Yes, he does. No, he doesn't. No, she does not. Yes, I do. No, I don't. A little.

Oranges and bananas.  Football and tennis. Yes, she does. (He likes) drama.

Simple Shopping

Where are the pencils? 2. How much is this mirror? 3. How much does this cost? 4. How much are these? 5. Do you have any t-shirts? 6. That comes to $26.59. 7. That will be $17.48.

They're on the second shelf. It's $19.95. That one is $5.00. They're $4.00 each. What size? Medium or Large? Here's $30.00. Here's $17.50. Keep the change.

Okay, thanks. Okay. I'll take it. How about this one? That's too expensive. Large. Your change is $3.41 Thanks.

Contractions

In speaking, contractions are often used in place of auxiliary verbs such as is, are, am, will, have, has, had, and would.

See the following examples:

Regular I am British. He is Chinese. They are Italians. There is a man at the door. Where is the butter? What is he doing? Who is that? She is going to the beach. We are going to eat now. They are not ready yet. I will be back in a minute. There will be lots of food. I have seen that movie already. She has finished her homework. I had played that game before. We would be glad to help. They would like to go now.

Contracted I'm British. He's Chinese. They're Italians. There's a man at the door. Where's the butter? What's he doing? Who's that? She's going to the beach. We're going to eat now. They're not ready yet. I'll be back in a minute. There'll be lots of food. I've seen that movie already. She's finished her homework. I'd played that game before. We'd be glad to help. They'd like to go now.

Short Questions and Answers

Are you a doctor?	Yes, I am. No, I'm a nurse.
Is he from Colombia?	Yes, he is No, he isn't. No, he's from Venezuela.
Is it time to go?	Yes, it is. No, it isn't. Not yet.
Is she married?	Yes, she is. No, she isn't. I don't know.
Are they here yet?	Yes, they are. No, they aren't.
Do you live in Oklahoma?	Yes, I do. No, I don't. No, I live in Texas.
Does she drink coffee?	Yes, she does. No, she doesn't. No, she drinks tea.
Does it fly?	Yes, it does. No, I don't think so.
Do you need some help?	Yes, I do. No, I'm fine.
Can I have this?	Yes, you can. No, you can't.
Should we go?	Yeah. Okay. No, not yet.
Could you help me?	Sure. No, sorry.

Closing a Conversation

Before closing

It's been nice talking to you.
Nice talking to you too.

(I'm sorry, but) I have to go now.

Closing

Good-bye

Bye.

See you later.

See ya

(informal)

Catch you later

(informal)

Expressing Thanks

Expressing Thanks

Thanks

Thank you

I appreciate it.

Thanks for the tour.

Thanks for your time.

Thank you for the nice gift.

I appreciate your kindness.

Situation: At the Store

When you enter the store/start a conversation with the clerk:

What a clerk might say: May I help you? Can I help you? Can I help you find something? What can I do for you?

What a customer might say:  Excuse me. Do you work here? Can I ask you something?

What a customer might respond:

Yes. I'm looking for ________________.

Do you have any ___________ (s)?

Can you tell me where the ___________is/are?

When you check out/leave the store:

Clerk:

Did you find everything you needed?

Did you find what you were looking for?

Did you find everything okay?

Will that be all (for today)?

Is that everything?

(Will there be) anything else?

Customer:

That's all for today.

That's it. Thanks.

Describing a Picture

What do you see in the picture?

There is a
There's a

There are some
There're some

Is there a . . . ?

Are there (some) . . . ?

Locations

On the right/left Near the window

By the door In the box

On the chair Under the table

Actions

The man is _______ ing

The woman is __________ing

Clothing

What is the man/woman wearing?

She/He is wearing a



some

Opinions

What do you think

I think

Tell a Story

Yesterday, Ms. Jones . . .

Use PAST tense

Situation: Talking about Occupations

A: What do you do for a living?A: What is your occupation?

B: I'm a____(mechanic)___________.

A: A____(mechanic)_____________? That must be a lot of work.

B: It is. Every day I ___(fix)_____ ___(cars)______.

A: How interesting. How many___(cars)_____ do you __(fix)____?

B: I ___(fix)_____ about __(8)____ __(cars)____ every day.

Match the occupation with the daily activity.

Occupation 1.             Mechanic 2.     Teacher 3.     Dentist 4.     Doctor/Nurse 5.     Journalist 6.     Fisherman 7.     Gardener 8.     Chef/Cook 9.     Fire fighter 10.           Photographer

Activity k.     catch fish l.      take pictures m.    fix cars n.     cook meals o.     pull teeth p.     plant flowers q.     put out fires r.      take care of patients s.     teach classes t.      write news stories

Calling On the Phone
Objective: To be able to answer the phone and make phone calls.
Dialog:
    A: Hello.
    B: Hello. May I speak to Sara?
    A: I'm sorry, she's not home now.
    B: Do you know when she'll be back?
    A: No, I don't. Would you like to leave a message?
    B: Yes, ask her to call Sylvia. My number is 377-6194.
    A: O.K. I'll give her the message.
    B: Thanks. Good-bye.
    A. Bye.
Practice 1: Vocabulary Expansion
    I'm sorry,she's not home right now.
                she can't come to the phone now.
                she's out right now.
Practice 2: Vocabulary Expansion
    Sure. Just a minute.
                I'll call her.
                She'll be right here.

Practice 3
    Would you like toleave a message?
                have her call?
Practice 4
    Ask her to callme. My number is 377-6194.
                her mother. Her
                her father. His
Practice 5: Dictation
    Dictate the dialog.

--------------------------------------------

Click the answer buttons to see the correct answers.

A: Hello! My ___ is Nancy Brown. What ___ your name?
 Answer name  Answer 's / is 

B: Hi. I ___ Karla Lopes.
 Answer 'm / am 

A: ___ you new here?
 Answer Are 

B: Yes, this is ___ first trip ___ the States. I arrived two days ___.
 Answer my  Answer to  Answer ago 

A: And why ___ you come to the States?
 Answer did 

B: I ___ to the States ___ an exchange student.
 Answer came  Answer as 

I plan ___ improve my English. I'll ___ living ___ the Perrys ___ six months.
 Answer to  Answer be  Answer with  Answer for 

A: That's great! I hope ___ enjoy your stay here.
 Answer you 

B: Thanks.

---------------------------------------------------------

Making friends

Thinh: Hello.

Jim: Oh, hi there!

Thinh: Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Thinh Nguyen and this is my wife, Lan Quong.

Jim: Pleased to meet you. My name is Jim Peters. Did you just move in next door?

Lan: Yes, we did. Have you lived here long?

Jim: Me? I guess so. I've lived here for about 6 years now. Have you lived in America very long?

Thinh: No. Not really. When we left Vietnam and came to America we lived with a cousin in Dallas for 2 years. Where do you work, Jim?

Jim: I teach mathematics at Willow Springs community college. What do you do?

Thinh: I am a mechanic at Allied Diesel. I repair truck engines.

Jim: What about you, Lan?

Lan: I am a nurse's assistant at Whitfield County hospital.

Jim: Well, Thinh and Lan, it was good to meet you. I have to go now. I'm teaching a class this evening and I need to get to the college.

Thinh: It was good to meet you, too, Jim.

Lan: Yes, it was good to meet you.

Jim: See you around!

Thinh and Lan: Good-bye, Jim!

APARTMENT HUNTING

Agent: Hi! Welcome to Rental Property Management. How may I help you?

Bill: Hi, yes. I'm interested in renting a two-bedroom apartment.

Agent: Okay. If you have a seat, one of our rental agents will be with you in a moment.

Bill: Thank you.

Associate: Hi, my name is Ann Smith.

Bill: Hi, I'm Bill Harrington.

Ann: Hi, Mr. Harrington. So that we will be able to match your needs better, I would like to ask you a few questions before I show you what we have available. First, what price range were you interested in?

Bill: Somewhere between $400-$450 a month.

Ann: Okay. Did you have a specific location in mind?

Bill: Well, I would like to live somewhere near the university. Or at least on a bus line.

Ann: And when would you like to move in?

Bill: On the first of the month.

Ann: Okay. Are there any other amenities which you would like to have? For example, a dishwasher, a balcony, a swimming pool or central air conditioning?

Bill: I would definitely like to have a dishwasher, and with summers like these, central air! A balcony is not that important. Oh, yes, and two bathrooms would be nice.

Ann: Okay. Here are photos of the apartments we have available which fit your preferences.

Bill: Thank you. This one on Broadway Avenue looks nice. I would like to see that one. And the one on Main Street.

Ann: Sure. Let me get the keys and we will go look at them. If you choose to rent one of them, we will need a damage deposit of $250. You will be responsible for all the utilities. You can sign a lease today, if you like. 

Bill: Great! Thank you.

At the Library

Listen to the Whole Conversation

---

Librarian: Can I help you?

Natalie: Yes. I am a bit confused. My sociology class is supposed to read a chapter in a book called Sociology and the Modern Age. According to the syllabus, the book is in the library, but I haven't been able to find it.

Librarian: Do you have your syllabus with you? May I see it?

Natalie: Yes, uh....I put it in the front of my sociology notebook. Oh, here it is.

Librarian: Let me see. Oh yes. Your professor has placed this book on reserve. That means you cannot find it on the shelves in its usual place. You need to go to a special room called the reserve room. It's down the hall and to the right.

Natalie: I'm sorry - I still don't understand what you mean by on reserve.

Librarian: You see, your professor wants every one in the class to read the chapter. If one student removes the book from the library, it is likely that none of the other students will have the opportunity to read it. So, your professor has insured that all students have the opportunity to read it by placing it on reserve.

Natalie: So, will I be able to find this book?

Librarian: Yes, when a book is on reserve, a student can go to the reserve room and ask the reserve librarian for the book. The student can have the book for a few hours, and he or she MUST read it in the library during that time. That way, the book stays in the library, and all students have a chance to read it.

Natalie: Okay. Thank you. I understand now.

Librarian: Will there be anything else?

Natalie: No! I am on my way to the reserve room. Thanks again!

Asking for the Way

Visitor: Can you tell me how to reach the bank please?

Policeman: Which bank? There are two: the Allied Irish Bank and the Bank of Ireland.

Visitor: I have an AIB pass card and I want to withdraw money from the bank.

Policeman: You need to go to the Allied Irish Bank which is near the local shopping centre, Dunnes Stores.

Visitor: How do I get there. I have no knowledge of this area.

Policeman: Cross the road and turn left at the other side. Walk along the footpath until you reach the traffic lights. You will see a shopping centre on the right hand side. Walk across the road and turn right after the shopping centre. Keep going straight for about 100m and the bank is to your left.

Visitor: It sounds very complicated. How far is it from here?

Policeman: It's not so complicated. It's about five minutes walk from here. I can draw a map for you if you wish.

Visitor:Oh, I would really appreciate that . By the way will I be going North or South ?

Policeman: You will be going northwards. You are now in the the Western part of the city and the Allied Irish Bank is situated in the North East. Here's a rough sketch of the area.

A VISIT TO THE ADVISOR

The Whole Conversation

---

In this conversation, an international student has been asked to see her advisor. The advisor has something very important to discuss with the student.

---

Student: You wanted to see me?
Advisor: That's right. We need to have a serious talk.
Student: About what?
Advisor: Your attendance--or rather, lack of it.
Student: OK, so I've ditched class a few times . . .
Advisor: A few times? I've been told you've missed six out of eight times in two different classes! That's really setting yourself up to fail.
Student: Oh, come on. Those classes are really boring!
Advisor: But they're also required, so that doesn't matter. You're about to be in big trouble.
Student: What's the big deal about missing some classes?
Advisor: The big deal is that you're here on a student visa.
Student: So?
Advisor: So if you don't attend class regularly, you won't be a full-time student--which your visa requires. You'll be out of status.
Student: What are you gonna do? Turn me in to the Immigration Police?
Advisor: Oh, of course I'll have to report you if you continue missing your class, but I'm going to do something else first.
Student: Like what?
Advisor: Like faxing your father.

Shopping in America

Conversation A:

INTRODUCTION

Conversation A is a typical conversation about shopping in the United States. Masahiro is an international student who has just arrived from Japan, and Anna and Will are introducing him to the shopping scenario in America.
Listen to Conversation A

---

Anna: As I was telling you, Masa, where you shop depends largely on what you need. So, if you want to buy an answering machine or a CD-player, your best bet would probably be an appliance store such as Radio Shack..

Will: Yup! Or Circuit City. I like Best Buy the best, though.
Masahiro: Why?
Will: Coz they usually have the best deals. They have sales on their TVs and CD-players every once in a while.
Anna: Hum. I'll bet they send you their glossy ads loaded with so-called "SALES"!
Masahiro: (laughs)
Anna: Well, I still think the CD-player I bought from them was a rip off.
Will: I'll admit some of their items are high-priced, but at least the shopper's guaranteed quality. There are very few places that have such a wide selection.
Masahiro: I need to buy disks, at least two disk holders, note cards, transparencies, and that kind of stuff.
Will: For office supplies, I suggest Office Max.
Anna: Or Comp USA. One good thing about living in a campus town, though, is that you can easily get that stuff at any of the bookstores. No doubt they do overcharge. I try to get around that by shopping around.
Masahiro: Shopping around?
Anna: Yes. That simply means you go to different stores, check out the prices of items you need and purchase them from the store(s) with the lowest price or prices.
Masahiro: I see. Sounds very practical.
Will: And time-consuming, too!
Masahiro: Where is Office Max located?
Anna: There's one in the mall, so we can stop by there this afternoon.
Masahiro: Great! Thanks.
Will: Hey, Masa. Just so you know, you can always run to the discount stores whenever you're out of something you need right away. There are several around campus.
Anna: That's right. And they carry pretty much everything a student needs. Pop, pasta, eggs, hair spray . . . you name it!
Will: They don't usually carry milk, though, so you might want to walk down to White Hen (Pantry), Walgreens, or some other convenience stores close by.
Anna: I wouldn't advise you to buy things in bulk from such stores, though. I mean, do your major shopping at the specialized stores. It's much cheaper, and more convenient in the long run.
Masahiro: Good advice!
Will: Sort of like Mom's!
Anna: Hey, watch it!
Will: Just kiddin'!
Masahiro (laughs). Life sounds great in this town! Oh! Before I forget, guys, where can I rent movies? I love watching movies in my spare time.
Anna: Me too! Let's see. There are two video stores close to your apartment. Lucky you! One's Blockbuster, and the other's That's Rentertainment. I believe they both have specials on weekdays, right Will?
Will: Yup. But not for the new releases. It's usually a buck each for the older movies.
Anna: Are you guys ready to go to the mall?
Masahiro & Will: Sure.
Anna: Masa, don't forget to take your shopping list with you.
Masahiro: Thanks for reminding me.
Anna: You're welcome. What are we waiting for? Let's go.

Shopping in America

Conversation B

(At the mall)

Listen to Conversation B

---

Anna: Here we are, guys, I'm going to stop by Bergner's first. I might just get lucky today. Who knows, some of their dresses might be on SALE.

Masahiro:Bergner's?
Will: It's a fairly well-known department store. Sort of like Penny's. They've got some quality stuff. Wanna check it out?
Masahiro: Why not.
Anna: I need to get something for Lisa's birthday. She's into name brands. Any suggestions?
Will: A Gucci handbag or Calvin Klein T-shirt might be nice. Designer perfume is another option. Which reminds me! I have a 15% discount coupon for Lerner's and Penny's. I hardly ever shop at Lerner's, as I'm not that big on women's clothing. And I rarely shop at Penny's, so go ahead and use the coupons if you can. Here they are (handing them over).
Anna: Thanks a lot, Will. That's really very thoughtful of you.
Will: My pleasure, Ma'am!
Anna: Oh no! I was supposed to give Liz a buzz an hour ago! Hope I have a quarter (checks her purse).
Will: Need a nickle?
Anna: Actually, I don't have anything but pennies in change. Does any of you have a dollar in change?
Masahiro: Sorry, I don't, but I do have 35 cents on me. Will that be okay for the phone call?
Anna: Great! I really appreciate it. I'll make it quick. Do you guys want to go ahead?
Masahiro: We'll wait.
Will: Just don't forget us.
Anna: I won't. Why don't we just meet here in 30 minutes?
Will: Sounds good. I guess I'll just look around.
Salesperson: Can I help you, Sir?
Will: No thanks, I'm just looking. Well, just out of curiosity, how much is that necklace?
Salesperson: Twenty-nine, ninty nine.
Will: Really! My sister's birthday is tomorrow. She loves jewellry. I just wasn't sure I could afford it.
Saleperson: You'll find that a lot of our stuff is amazingly affordable.
Will: Well, that's certainly nice to know. I'll take it.
Saleperson: It's a good choice. I'm sure she'll love it.
Will: Let's hope so.
Salesperson: Cash or charge, Sir?
Will: Charge, please. Do you accept Discover?
Salesperson: Yes, we do.
Will: Great.
Salesperson: That comes to thirty one, ninty-nine with tax (handing him the charge sheet). Please sign next to the "X."
[Meanwhile, in another section of the store]
Salesperson: Do you need some help, Sir?
Masahiro: Well, I'm looking for . . . let's see. I've forgotten the name again! It's used to make fresh coffee.
Salesperson: A coffee maker?
Masahiro: That's right.
Salesperson: Well, we have a few in kitchenware, which is upstairs.
Masahiro: Thank you.
Salesperson: You're welcome.
[minutes later]
Anna: Oh, there you are, Masa! What did you get?
Masahiro: Just a simple coffee maker.
Anna: Good choice. And you, Will? Find anything interesting?
Will: A necklace for Stephanie's birthday.
Anna: Lucky her!
Will: Did you get anything?
Anna: Just a couple of silly earrings that I liked. I hope I wear 'em! I did a lot of window shopping.
Will: That can't hurt.
Anna: True. Well, do you guys need anything else from this place?
Masa: One last thing. Oh no! I've forgotten what you call it?
Will: Just describe it and we'll probably figure out what it's called.
Masa: It's a crystal container for flowers with long stems. I need to get one for my Mom.
Anna: Oh! A VASE!
Masa: That's it!
Anna: They should have a bunch in giftware.
Will: Let's go get one.
Anna: I'm going to have to stop by Jewel on my way home. Is that okay with you guys? I'm almost completely out of groceries.
Will: No problems. I could pick up a couple of things, too.

Shopping in America

Conversation C

Complaining about Some Purchases

Listen to the Conversation C

---

[Three weeks after Anna, Will, and Masahiro went to the mall]

Anna: Hi Masahiro! How's it going?
Masahiro: Fine, I guess. How about you?
Anna: Busy. Guess who's coming our way?
Will: Hi guys! What's up?
Anna: Nothing much. We just ran into each other.
Will: That's nice. So Masahiro, how's the coffee maker working?
Masahiro: Actually, it doesn't work well. It was a waste of money. I guess I should have shopped around for a good one.
Anna: Why don't you take it back?
Masahiro: I'd like to, but I've misplaced the receipt.
Will: Well, if it's any consolation, my shopping wasn't all that great either. I wish I'd never bought Stephanie a necklace. Just last night she was telling me how she wished she had Liz Taylor's new perfume.
Anna: That makes three displeased shoppers. Guess what? The camera I bought and shipped to Mike just this morning is now on sale! It's a pity that I bought it then. Then again, I guess I shouldn't complain. It was a good buy, even though I didn't get the best deal on it. Anyway, Masahiro, I suggest you look for that receipt and just go to the Complaints Department and say "I'd like to exchange this, please." It's as simple as that. And Will, it's not too late for you to ask for a refund.

Going to a Party

When planning to go to a party, we need to consider two things. 1) Who will we be talking to, and 2) What are some likely topics. In this lesson you will see three sample conversations. Conversation A , Dan is calling Kay to confirm the party's information and accept the invitation. In Conversation B, Dan arrives at the party, greets Kay, the hostess, and offers her some wine he brought. Finally in Conversation C, Dan meets the other guests, then makes "small talk" and future plans with them. Requests are also made and received. Remember, any conversation needs to incorporate clarification strategies to be sure of the information. Many miscommunications have not only resulted in embarrassment, but even disaster. Various clarification strategies are used throughout the three conversations. Please read the notes, which will help you understand the text.

Conversation A

Listen to Conversation A

---

(Dan calls Kay)

Dan Hello Kay. It's Dan. I just received the invitation to your party.
Kay Can you make it?
Dan Well, let's see. It's next Saturday night, 7:00 pm, at 201 Liberty Lane, Champaign. Right?
Kay That's right. I hope you can come?
Dan It would be my pleasure. Can I bring anything?
Kay Just yourself.
Dan Ok, I'll be there with bells on. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks.
Kay Bye.
Dan See you then.

Conversation B

Listen to conversation B and C

---

(Dan and Kay upon his arrival.)

Dan: Hello.
Kay: Hi, come in. Glad to see you.
Dan: (inside) Thanks for inviting me. I brought some wine.
Kay: Oh, how nice. Let me take it to the kitchen. Go on into the living room. I think you know most everyone.

Conversation C

(Dan and the other guests.)
Bill: Hi! How are you?
Dan: Fine. How about you?
Bill: Super! Let me introduce you to my niece, Claire.
Claire, this is Dan--he works with me at the office.
Claire: Hello, Dan.
Bill: Dan, this is my brother John's daughter, Claire.
Dan: Pleased to meet you. I didn't know John had a daughter? Where's he been hiding you?
Bill: She's been living out East with his wife's sister. She just moved back.
Dan: What part of the East, Claire?
Claire: Boston, near the harbor.
Dan: It must be quite a change--coming back here?
Claire: It is, but I'm glad to be back and see all my freinds.
Bill: Hey, Dan. Do you still play golf?
Dan: Not as much as I would like.
Bill: Claire plays. Maybe we could all play sometime soon?
Dan: That sounds great. How about tomorrow morning?
B.&C.: Sure, say 7:00, out at Harrison Park?
Dan: Great, 7 A.M. at Harrison. I'll look forward to it.
Kay: (rejoining the group) I see you've met Elizabeth.
Dan: Elizabeth? I thought your name was Claire?
Claire: It is. My aunt just calls me by Elizabeth.
Dan: Well, I've not only met Elizabeth, but the three of us are off to the greens in the morning.
Kay: She'll probably whip the both of you! Ha Ha.
Bill: Dan, could you pass me that newspaper? Let's see what the weather's supposed to be.
Dan: Sure, here you go.
Bill: Thanks.
Claire: How often do you play, Dan?
Dan: Well, this year I've only played twice. How about you?
Claire: I was playing weekly in Boston-- with my aunt, but since I came home I haven't played once.
Bill: The report is a humdinger. I guess the leftovers from hurricane Opal are gone.
Dan: So are you saying it is supposed to be nice tomorrow?
Bill: I sure am. It says it will be sunny and dry--perfect weather.
Kay: Enough about golf. How's your dancing? Hey, Pete. Would you turn up the stereo? We've got a party going on!

Ordering Lunch

---

Listen to the whole conversation

---

Karl: Do you have time to stop for lunch?

Ann: Yes, I'm hungry. This restaurant has a good selection and the prices are moderate.

Karl: That sounds fine with me. Let's try it.

Ann: Where do you want to sit, the smoking or the nonsmoking section?

Karl: I prefer nonsmoking, but the sign says to wait to be seated.

Hostess: Good afternoon. How many are in your party?

Ann: Just two and we'd like a booth in the nonsmoking section, if you have one.

Hostess: Right this way. Follow me. Will this booth be all right?

Karl: The one by the window would be better, thanks.

Ann: No problem. Here are your menus. Your server will be right with you.

Server: Hello, my name is Chris, and I'm your server today. May I bring you something to begin with, a drink or some appetizers perhaps?

Karl: No appetizer for me. I'll have a glass of water for now.

Ann: I'd like an iced tea, decaffeinated or herbal. What flavors do you have?

Server: We have mint, peach, or raspberry.

Ann: Bring me a large mint, please.

Server: Will that be all, or are you ready to order?

Karl: I'm ready. I'll have the veggie sandwich on whole wheat. Hold the mayonnaise, please.

Server: That comes with your choice of soup or a salad.

Karl: What soups do you have?

Server: We have potato, bean, vegetable beef, or cream of broccoli.

Karl: Does the potato soup have pork in it?

Server: Yes, it has pieces of ham.

Karl: Well, then I'll have the cream of broccoli.

Ann: I'd like a hamburger on a sour dough bun with plenty of onions, please.

Sever: How do you want your burger cooked, medium, or well done?

Ann: Medium will be fine, thanks.

Server: The burger comes with your choice of cole slaw or fries.

Ann: Make it fries, and please bring ketchup with them.

Server: Will that be all?

Karl: I think so. Please bring us the check when you return with our food. We're pressed for time.

GOING TO A MOVIE

Arif Siswanto, Michele Moreno

Listen to Part One

---

I

George: Hi, Heather, I was wondering if you're free tomorrow night.

Heather: Well, George, I guess I am. Why do you ask?

George: I have just gotten a pair of pre-sale "Star Wars" movie tickets from a friend and was thinking of inviting you along for the opening premier. Are you interested?

Heather: Yeah, definitely! Thanks for inviting me!

George: No problem.

Heather: I really wanted to watch "Star wars" on the opening day but the pre-sale tickets were sold out. How did you manage to get hold of 'em?

George: A friend of mine works at the corporate headquarters of "Pepsi", which is a major sponsor of the movie. He was able to get the tickets for free, and then he sold 2 to me for $50 a piece.

Heather: You paid $50 for each ticket? That's a huge premium over the regular price!

George: Not really, considering the fact that other people are paying as high as $200 each on the "black market". Besides, I knew you were really looking forward to watching "Star Wars" on the opening day.

Heather: Wow, I'm really honored you went through all this trouble just for my sake. I really appreciate that. So, what time are we going?

George: Well, let's see. The movie starts at 10 PM. We should get there at least 1 hour earlier because there'll be a big line. I could pick you up at your house at 8, if that's OK with you.

Heather: 8 o'clock? That's fine with me.

George: Okay good.

Heather: So I'll see you tomorrow at 8 then?

George: Yeah. That's great. I'll see you tomorrow night, Heather.

Heather: Okay, George. Bye!

George: Bye, Heather.

George: Wow, look at the line! It's worse than I expected. We're lucky we got here an hour early. Or else we would definitely have had problems getting good seats. I'm glad we made the effort to come early.

Heather: Me too. I learned my lesson the last time I went to a premier opening. I didn't arrive early enough and ended up with a terrible seat all the way in the front row! Believe me, it was one of the worst movie experiences ever.

George: Yeah! I hate sitting in the first row.

Heather: By the way, it was really thoughtful of you to get this ticket for me. Why don't I show you a bit of appreciation by getting you some popcorn and a drink?

George: That would be great!

Heather: OK. What kind of soda do you want?

George: Let me see... I'll take a large Coke. As for the popcorn, medium size will do. Thanks a lot.

Heather: I better get going. You hold my place and I'll be back real quick. Oh... I almost forgot. I better hold on to my ticket stub in case you get let in before I get back. If that happens, just save me a seat and I'll meet you inside.

George: Okay. It's a plan.

(Ten minutes later... inside the theater.)

George: Over here Heather, on your left!

Heather: There you are!

George: Here you go! I saved this seat just for you.

Heather: Thanks. Here's your popcorn and Coke. Sorry it took me so long. There was a huge line at the counter.

George: That's OK. Thank you so much. I love popcorn. Did you add butter?

Heather: Yes I did. I thought you might like butter on your popcorn. I'm glad I made it back before the trailers started. I like trailers. They're part of the whole movie-going experience.

George: I think so too. Even though they're just previews, they tend to be quite entertaining. You know movie trailers are a fundamental marketing tool for production companies. They greatly affect the initial appeal and overall gross profits of a film.

Heather: Speaking of which, I think the trailers are about to begin. Let's sit back and enjoy.

---

Listen to Part Three

---

III

George: So... what did you think about the movie?

Heather: Well... I think this "Star Wars" episode is an excellent piece of work. But not as good as the previous ones.

George: Really? I don't agree. This "Star Wars" episode was incredible!

Heather: Why do you think so?

George: Well, one of the most spectacular things about it are the special effects. State of the art special effects are the main reason for the success of the previous episodes, so audiences bear high expectations on this one. And I don't think they'll be disappointed.

Heather: You're right. The special effects were amazing! And I like that fact that they created so many fantastic settings and other-worldly costumes, weapons and creatures.

George: It's kind of cool that they still use the same "Star Wars" theme song for this movie.

Heather: Yeah! It reminds me of the previous "Star Wars" scenes.

George: I know exactly what you mean! Hearing that song gives me a nostalgic feeling.

Heather: I thought the overall plot of the movie was very interesting. But I don't think the character development was that strong.

George: Do you think that had anything to do with the casting of the movie?

Heather: No, the casting is great, the actors were excellent. They just didn't have a lot of funny or meaningful dialogue. The writing was a little weak.

George: Well, maybe, but I like the little kid who played young "Anakin Skywalker". I can't imagine anyone else playing that role.

Heather: I liked him too. He's soooo cute! You know, even though I was slightly disappointed, I can't wait for the next episode. I wonder when they're going to start making it and when it's scheduled for release?

George: I have no idea. But looking at the success of this "Star Wars" episode, I have a strong feeling production for the following episode will begin pretty soon. I hope it'll be even better than this one.

Heather: I hope so, too.

George: Well, I think we should go now. It's getting pretty late.

Heather: OK. Let's go.

Telling Time

Objective: To be able to ask for and tell time.
To be able to use common expressions associated with going out to eat.
Dialog:
    A. What time is it?
    B. It's 11:30. I'm getting hungry.
    A. Me too. Let's go eat.
    B. Do you know of a good place to eat?
    A. Yes, the Goodburger is just down the street.
    B. Do they have Mexican food?
    A. Yes, I think they do.
    B. Let's go.
Practice 1: Vocabulary Expansion
It's11:00 (eleven o'clock) It's11:00 (eleven ten)
            1:00 (one o'clock)11:15 (eleven fifteen)
            5:00 (five o'clock)11:30 (eleven thirty)
Practice 2: Command-Response
    Stand up.
    Go to the chalkboard.
    Take the clock in your hands.
    Set the clock for __________.
    Put the clock down.
    Write the time on the chalkboard.
    Tell the class what time it says.
Practice 3: Question-Answer
    What time is it? It's __________.
Practice 4: Vocabulary Expansion
Let's go eat. I'm getting hungry
            get a drink. thirsty.
            to bed. sleepy.
            play. bored.
            sit down. tired.
Practice 5: Rejoinder
I'm getting hungry. Me too. Let's go eat.
            sleepy. to bed.
            bored. play basketball.
            tired. sit down.
            thirsty. get a drink.
Practice 6: Question-Response
    T. Do you know of a good place to eat?
    S. Yes, McDonald's.
    T. Do you know of a good place to buy clothes? (food?) (shoes?)
    S. Yes, __________.
Practice 7: Question-Response
At McDonald's do they have Mexican food? S. No, they don't.
            hamburgers?S. Yes, they do.
            sea food?
            Chinese food?
            sandwiches?
            milkshakes?
Practice 8: Dictation
    A. What time is __________?
    B. It __________. I'm __________ hungry.
    A. Me __________. __________ go eat.
    B. __________ you know __________ a good place to eat?
    A. Yes, the Goodburger __________ just down the street.
    B. Do __________ have Mexican food?
    A. Yes, I think they __________.
    B. __________ go.
Practice 9: Role Play
    What time is it?
    It's __________. I'm getting __________.
    Me too. Let's go __________.

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Short Answers

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Are you busy?
   Yes, ___.
    Answer Yes, I am. / Yes, we are. 
2. Do you live in New York?
   No, ___.
    Answer No, I don't. / No, we don't. 
3. Can Sylvia ride a bike?
   Yes, ___.
    Answer Yes, she can. 
4. Does your father read the newspaper every day?
   Yes, ___.
    Answer Yes, he does. 
5. Do you and your friends play soccer on Saturday?
   No, ___.
    Answer No, we don't. 
6. Is your sister a doctor?
   No, ___.
    Answer No, she isn't. 
7. Can Jack and Brian play the piano?
   Yes, ___.
    Answer Yes, they can. 
8. Is Paris big?
   Yes, ___.
    Answer Yes, it is. 
9. Are you thirsty?
   No, ___.
    Answer No, I'm not. / No, we aren't. 
10. Does Robert like pepperoni pizza?
    No, ___.
     Answer No, he doesn't. 
11. Are the students listening to music?
    No, ___.
     Answer No, they aren't. 
12. Is the supermarket next to the post office?
    No, ___.
     Answer No, it isn't. 
13. Is Leonardo di Caprio Vietnamese?
    No, ___.
     Answer No, he isn't. 
14. Is your mother sleeping?
    No, ___.
     Answer No, she isn't. 
15. Can you speak Portuguese?
    Yes, ___.
     Answer Yes, I can. / Yes, we can. 

GRAMMER

Adjectives are used to describe nouns. They give more details or information about the nouns they are associated with.

A: Tell me about your boyfriend

B: Well, he is tall, dark, and handsome.

A: Sounds like mine.

Adjectives can be used to answer the questions "What kind (of) ?" or "Which one?"

A: Hi. I'm calling about the car you're selling?

B: It's a great car. (It's) in excellent condition.

A: What kind of seats does it have?

B: They're very comfortable seats, (soft, plush, just like a sofa.)

A: Uh. I think I'll sleep on it.

A: Hand me a book.

B: Which one do you want?

A: The red book. The red one.

Adjectives come before the nouns they modify (not after).

Three happy hippies lived in the Heartquake Hotel.

WRONG: Three hippies happy lived in the Heartquake Hotel.

Adjectives can also be used with linking verbs to describe the subject of a sentence.

When used in this manner, the adjective(s) come after the linking verb.

My mother is tall and slender.

WRONG: My mother tall and slender. (No linking verb.)

Seem, become, appear, and verbs of perceptioncan also be used as linking verbs. Note how they are used with adjectives in the following. Can you identify the linking verbs and the adjectives?

The journey seemed long. (It appeared strenuous and boring.)

You smell nice today. What kind of cologne are you wearing?

A: What do you want to do this weekend? Bowling? Shopping? A movie?

B: Bowling sounds good.

CAUTION/BE CAREFUL:

Tom looked greedy. (He appeared to be a greedy person.)

The adjective greedy is used to describe Tom.

Tom looked greedily at the pie on the table. (He saw it and wanted it for himself.)

The adverb greedily is used to describe Tom's action.

Adverbs

Adverbs are used to describe actions. They may come before or after a verb, but not between a verb and its object.

Mrs.Jenner sang softly. (Most common word order.)

Mrs. Jenner softly sang. (Also possible.)

Mrs. Jenner softly sang a lullaby.

Mrs. Jenner sang a lullaby softly.

Mrs. Jenner sang softly a lullaby. (Not correct.)

Adverbs may come between a main verb and its auxiliaries.

Mrs. Jenner is softly singing a lullaby.

Mrs. Jenner softly is singing a lullaby. (Not correct.)

Mrs. Jenner has been softly singing that lullaby for a long time.

Some time and frequency adverbs are ?movable.? That is, they can be placed at various points in a sentence.

Yesterday I visited the dentist.

I visited the dentist yesterday.

Jack Prompt is here already.

Jack Prompt is already here.

Caution:

Even though some adverbs can be used in certain sentence positions, others can not.

I yesterday visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

I already visited the dentist. (Okay.)

Already I visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

Adverbs such as quite, very, really, extremely, and absolutely are used to modify adjectives and other adverbs.

They come directly before the words they describe.

Greg is quite happy with his new boss.

Sue eats very slowly.

You're absolutely right!

Many adverbs can be formed by adding "ly" to adjectives:

Carl is a quick runner.

Carl runs quickly.

Some adverbs are identical to adjectives in form. Others are completely different.

Carl is a fast runner. (Adjective) Carl runs fast. (Adverb)

Jill is a good student. (Adjective)  Jill studies well. (Adverb)

Be careful with words like hardly and lately, which have no relation to the adjectives/adverbs hard and late.

Jacob kicked the ball hard. Jacob hardly kicked the ball. Trudy came to class late. Trudy hasn't come to class lately.

He kicked the ball with tremendous force.)  (He barely touched the ball.) (She was tardy.) (She hasn't been to class recently.)

Adverbs and Prepositions

Adverbs and Prepositions

Adverbs are words or groups of words which tell time, place, frequency or manner. I ate my lunch yesterday. I ate at that restaurant last week. She went there. She went downtown. Prepositions are usually followed by objects in prepositional phrases. They can also be used to indicate time, place, frequency, duration, reason, manner, or to show contrast. I ate my lunch at noon. I ate in the cafeteria. She went to the store. She walked into the house. *Do not use adverbs as objects of prepositions. Incorrect: Correct: I went to somewhere. I was busy at last night. John works in downtown. She came to home on yesterday. I went somewhere. I was busy last night. John works downtown. She came home yesterday. Be careful with words such as home, downtown, today, next/last week, etc. which are sometimes used as adverbs and sometimes used as nouns. As adverbs As nouns I will go back tomorrow. She went home last night. Next week I will travel to Iowa. Tomorrow is another day. They built a home in Oregon. Next week is my vacation.

Basic Modals

Modal auxiliary verbs are used to moderate the main verb, that is to enhance or restrict the verb to a certain context. The most common modal auxiliaries in English are: can could may should might will must would Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences: I pay my taxes. General declaration of fact. Paying taxes is something I normally do. I can pay my taxes. Expresses ability. I have the means (funds) to pay. I might pay my taxes. Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I won't. I will pay my taxes. Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time. I should pay my taxes. Expresses mild obligation. It is required, and I expect to comply. I could pay my taxes. Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I might pay taxes. I would pay my taxes. (In this case), expresses reservation. If I had the money (but I don't). . . I must pay my taxes. Expresses strong obligation. I am required and have to comply. Modals are followed by only the base form of the verb and are not used alone unless there is a clear connection to a main verb. He must to finish his homework. He must finish his homework. Jack could heard the bell. Jack could hear the bell. Penny will going to the movie. Penny will go to the movie. WRONG RIGHT WRONG RIGHT WRONG RIGHT There are many ways to make requests in English. The most common involves using the imperative and modals. See the examples below: Using the Imperative The imperative is the simple form of the verb. The subject of an imperative sentence is understood as "you" although it is usually not spoken. Open the door. Will you help me? Pick up your toys. Please help me. (You) open the door. Yes, I will (help you). (You) pick up your toys. (You) please help me. The imperative is often used by persons of authority when speaking to subordinates, e.g. parent to child. Using Modals To show respect and politeness, most people use modal expressions when making requests. For example: Will you...? Would you...? Would you please...? Could you (please)...? Could you possibly...? Would you kindly...? Would you mind (Ving )...? Would you be so kind as to...? Will you open the door for me? Would you open the door for me? Would you please open the door (for me)? Could you (please)...? Could you (please) open the door? Could you possibly open the door? Would you kindly open the door? Would you mind opening the door? Would you be so kind as to open the door? Common Problems with Modals 1. Using "to" unnecessarily: Incorrect They going to meet us at the theater. He should to eat his dinner. I had better to go now. You must not to use that pencil. Correct They are going to meet us at the theater.  He should eat his dinner. I had better go now. You must not use that pencil. 2. Using anything but the base form after a modal: John could heard the bell. Penny will going to the movie. John could hear the bell. Penny will go to the movie. 3. Using double modals: You should ought to speak English. She might can help me. You ought to speak English. /should speak  She might be able to help me. 4. Omitting "be" in certain modal expressions: They going to meet us at the theater. Jack supposed to take his medicine. They are going to meet us at the theater.  Jack is supposed to take his medicine. 5. Using wrong word order in questions: How I can help you? Where I should go for the meeting? How can I help you? Where should I go for the meeting?

Basic Sentence Structure

There are five basic patterns around which most English sentences are built.* They are
as follows:

S-V	Subject-Verb	John sleeps.
		Jill is eating.
		Jack will arrive next week.
S-V-O	Subject-Verb-Object	I like rice.
		She loves her job.
		He's eating an orange.
S-V-Adj	Subject-Verb-Adjective	He is funny.
		The workers are lazy.
		Karen seems angry.
S-V-Adv	Subject-Verb-Adverb	Jim is here.
		Flowers are everywhere.
		No one was there.
S-V-N	Subject-Verb-Noun	She is my mom.
		The men are doctors.
		Mr. Jones is the teacher.

At the heart of every English sentence is the Subject-Verb relationship. Other elements can
be added to make a sentence more interesting, but they are not essential to its formation.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V pattern.

She sleeps.	Core sentence
She sleeps soundly.	An adverb is added to describe how she sleeps.
She sleeps on the sofa.	A prepositional phrase is added to tell where she sleeps.
She sleeps every afternoon.	A time expression is added to tell when she sleeps.
She is sleeping right now.	Verb tense is changed, but S-V relationship remains the same.
Mary will sleep later.	Subject is named and another tense is used.
The dogs are sleeping in the garage.	New subject may require a different form of the verb.

Note: Any action verb can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-O pattern.

They like rice.	Core sentence
The people like rice.	Specific subject
The friendly people like rice.	Subject modified with an adjective
The people in the restaurant like rice.	Subject modified with an adjective
The people like boiled rice.	Object modified with an adjective
The people like hot, white rice.	Object modified with more than one adjective

Note: Only transitive action verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-Adj pattern.

He is fine.	Basic sentence with "be" verb
He seems happy.	Basic sentence with another linking verb
Jordan is tall, dark and handsome.	Series of adjectives
He appears very comfortable.	Adverb or intensifier added
George became sick last night.	Different tense and linking verb

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-Adv pattern.

The teacher is here.	Basic sentence
The teacher is over there.	Using an adverb phrase
Teachers are everywhere.	Plural noun and verb used
The teachers are in the lobby.	Prepositional phrase functioning as adverb

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-N pattern.

The man is a doctor.	Basic sentence
The women are doctors.	Using plural noun and verb
My father is a nice guy.	Modified subject and complement
My grandparents are senior citizens.	Modified plural subject and complement

Building Sentences

Remember, the S - V relationship is at the "heart" of every sentence. All sentences are
built around this core.
To give a sentence more substance, you may enhance the subject or verb:

(VERB enhancements)

1. Change the verb in tense or aspect or a combination of the two.

He eats.	(simple present)
He will eat.	(future/modal)
He is eating.	(continuous)
He has eaten.	(perfect)
He has been eating.	(combination)
He should have been eating.	(combination)

2. Add an adverb or adverb phrase, or prepositional phrase.

He should have eaten already/ by now.
He was eating in the kitchen.

3. Add an adverbial clause.

He was eating when the bus arrived.

4. Add a participial phrase.

Having finished his homework, he ate.

(SUBJECT enhancements)

5. Change the noun to a pronoun or vice versa.

He eats.
John eats.

6. Add an article, demonstrative, or possessive.

The man eats.
This man eats.
His father eats.

Note: Subjects and Objects may be enhanced in similar ways.

Subject

Object

7. Add an object.

John eats rice.
The man eats an apple.

8. Add an adjective or adjectives.

The handsome man eats.

The man eats the big, red apple.

9. Add a prepositional phrase.

The man in the kitchen eats.

The man eats an apple from the bowl.

10. Add a relative (adjective) clause.

The man who lives next door eats.

The man ate the apple that I bought.

11. Use quantifiers.

Some of the men eat.

They eat some of the apples.

12. Use a noun clause.

Whoever gets here first can eat.

He eats whichever apple he chooses.

Enhance both the subject and the verb to make sentences more interesting.

The man who lives on the corner is eating his lunch now.
The men from the health club eat every day after working out.
The tall, green men from Mars are eating tuna sandwiches.
Some of the men ate the apples (that) I left on the table.
Whenever he feels like exercising, the fat man eats a huge meal instead.

Basic Sentence Structures

S-V	He sleeps.	S-LV-N	He is a doctor.
S-V-O	She eats rice.	S-LV-Adj	The doctor is sick.
S-V-IO-DO	She told him a lie.	S-LV-Adv	The doctor is here.

Article Chart

	Specific (This one, that one) (This/that group) Which one? Which ones?	Non-Specific Any one Any group One of many One of many groups	Generic In general
Count Singular	The apple The bird The child	An apple A bird A child	* *
Count Plural	The apples The birds The children	Some apples Some birds Some children	Apples Birds Children
Non-count	The water The information	Some water Some information	Water Information

Notes: Specific articles are used with nouns which have been identified previously. (The speaker and the listener both know which thing/person/substance/idea is being referred to.) The teacher is coming up the stairs. (Both listener and speaker know which teacher and which stairs.) Give me the red shirt. (I know which one you are talking about.) Non-specific articles are used with nouns that have not been identified previously (by both the speaker and the listener.) They are used with items that have not been singled-out yet. (Note: As soon as the items are identified, they require a specific article.) I want a candy bar. (Any candy bar will do.) Which one do you want? (Asking for specification) The one on the right. (I choose that one.) Give me some milk. (Any milk is fine.) I need some new shoes. (But I haven't decided which ones to buy yet.) I bought some shoes at Valmart. (I know which shoes, but you don't.) These are the shoes that I bought. (Now we both know which ones.) Non-count and plural nouns are used without articles in the generic sense. Cats are afraid of dogs. (in general) Water is necessary for survival. *However, singular count nouns cannot stand alone in a sentence, so an article (usually a or an) is used. Oranges contain Vitamin C. (generally) Orange contains Vitamin C. (incorrect) An orange contains Vitamin C. (okay)

Articles

Singular count nouns cannot stand alone in a sentence.

Apple is on table. (Wrong!)

They must be preceded by one of the following:

1. An article (the, a, an)

An apple is on the table.
The professor gave us a test.

2. A number or quantifier (one, another, the other, each, every, either, neither)

One man was in Chicago. Neither man was with his wife.

The other man was in Saint Paul. Either man could be in trouble.

Note: Never use the and another, each, every, neither, either together:

The another man was in Milwaukee. (Wrong!)

3. This, that, some*

This artist created that painting.
Some woman came to see you. (*unidentified subject)

4. A possessive pronoun or noun.

It is my bicycle now.
It was John's bicycle.

Complex Question Formation

Statement Questions

Statement questions can be used to express surprise or disbelief.

You're not married?

They won the game?

He does?

For added effect, you can add a wh- word.

You did what?

She went where?

Negative Questions

Aren't you going to the dance?

Haven't you been there before?

Isn't that Doctor Zimbango?

Collective Nouns

Some nouns can be used with either ?singular? or plural ?verbs,? depending on whether the speaker is referring to them as a one group or individually.

Examples of collective nouns are:

group

family

committee

team

management

The committee has not made a decision yet. The committee have not made a decision yet. The team is posing for a photograph. The team are signing autographs.

(It will submit one conclusion as a group.)  They are still arguing among themselves.) (as a group) (as individuals)

Be careful when using collective nouns with pronouns.

The Jones family is having a reunion this Sunday. It meets every summer.

The Jones family are going home on Monday. They all live in different states.

Common Modal Usage

Using Simple Tenses and Modals

To state facts

Present	Past	Modal
Lions live in Africa.	Dinosaurs roamed the earth for millions of years.	Mr. Jones can juggle.
Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.	My grandmother passed away last March.	He couldn't swim at age 10.

To express opinions

(I think) smoking is a disgusting habit.	That was delicious.	Gambling should be banned in the US.
The Internet is more useful than the library.	I thought she gave an excellent performance.	He must really like ice cream.
I think it was a beautiful concert.		You should have left earlier.

To indicate actions which occur every day or on a regular basis

I get up at 7:30 every day.	When I was in high school, I got up at 6:30.	I have to be at the office at 7.
My father drives to work on Tuesdays.	My mother rode the bus until she bought a car.	They used to take the subway.

With frequency adverbs

Jerry always comes to class on time.

At camp, she usually ate breakfast before 7:00.

You should never be late for work.

Using Modals in various situations

Requesting	Asking Permission	Possibility	Hinting	Other
Can you help me?	Can I help you?		I can use some help.	I can help you.
Could you help me?	Could I help you?		I could use some help.	I could help you.
	May I help you?	I may need some		I may help you.
		help. (probably)
		I might need some		I might help you
		help. (probably)
Will you help me?		I will need some		I will help you.
		help. (most likely)
Would you help me?		I would need some help.		I would help you.
		(I guess I probably can't
		do it by myself.)
Would you mind	Would you mind if
helping me?	I helped you?

Future Progressive Tense

Future progressive tense is used to indicate action which will be taking place at some time in the future.

For example,

I will be singing at Symphony Hall next month.

We'll be leaving next Monday.

When you arrive, I'll be cooking dinner.

The future progressive tense is formed by adding will be to the ?ing form of the main verb.

She will be coming around the mountain in a few minutes.

She'll be riding a white horse into town.

The future progressive tense is not as common as other tenses, and it can some-times be replaced by simple future, present progressive or even simple present.

I'll be leaving in a few minutes.

I'll leave in a few minutes.

I'm going to leave in a few minutes.

I'm leaving in a few minutes.

I leave in a few minutes.

Indirect Objects

Indirect Objects can be used in several ways.

Give some money to John.

Give some money to him.

Give it to John.

Give it to him.

Give John some money.

Give him some money.

Give John it. (not common)

Give him it. (not common)

(In some very informal situations, you may hear people use this one.

Example: angry mother to child: Give me it right now!!)

Note the following:

Lend me some money. Bring me a cup of coffee. Get me a cup of coffee. Make me a cup of coffee. Ask him a question. Tell her a story.

Lend some money to me.  Bring a cup of coffee to me. Get a cup of coffee for me. Make a cup of coffee for me. Ask a question of him. Tell a story to her.

Direct Object and Indirect Object Patterns

Pattern A I gave him an apple. I bought her a car. I asked him a question.

Pattern B I gave an apple to him. I explained it to him.

Pattern C I bought a car for her. I opened the door for her.

Pattern A and B

write, read, show, teach, tell, sell, send, lend, bring, take, pass, give

Pattern A and C

buy, get, make, find, do, bake, cash, save

Pattern A only

ask, cost, charge, wish

Pattern B only

explain, announce, describe, introduce, mention, prove, repeat, say, speak, report

(When used with for, has the meaning of ?on behalf of?)

Pattern C only

open, answer, close, change, pronounce, prescribe

All patterns

sing

Intensifiers

Intensifiers are adverbs that enhance adjectives and adverbs. In English, they come
before the words they modify.

Examples:

It's quite hot today.

Ms. Stress is really busy right now.

He's my very best friend.

I'm a little tired today.

That was a pretty good shot.

Sam just got a brand new car.

I know her fairly well.

It's extremely hot outside.

You're absolutely right!

Passive Voice

How to construct the passive.

     How to construct the passive.

            1.  Check to see if the active sentence contains an object.

                        John ate an apple.         (S V O)            Passive is possible.

                        John ate yesterday.       (S V)                Passive is not possible.

            2.  Move the object to the front of the sentence.  Put the original subject in a "by" phrase .

                        An apple (V) by John.

            3.  Put the verb in the form "be" +3 (of main verb)*

                        An apple "be" eaten by John.

            4.  Put the "be" in the same tense as the original active sentence.

                        An apple was/were eaten by John.  ( past tense)

            5.  Make the first verb agree with the new subject.

                        An apple was eaten by John.

            (Put other elements of the sentence in grammatical and logical order.)

Yesterday the large green apple was quickly eaten by John, who didnТt realize that it belonged to his sister.

When other (auxiliary) verbs and modals are used in combination with the passive, remember:

                                                                        be + 3*              (Passive)

                                                            be + V ing                     (Progressive)

                                                have + 3                                   (Perfect)

                                    modal + 1                                             (Modal)

            The apple         should  have     been     being    eaten by John.

Combination of auxiliary verbs with the passive.

                                                                        be + 3              (Passive)

                                                            be + V ing                     (Progressive)

                                                have + 3                                   (Perfect)

                                    modal +1                                              (Modal)

            The apple                                             is          eaten    by John.  (Present tense)

            The apple                                             was      eaten    by John.  (Past tense)

            The apple                                 is          being    eaten    by John.  (Present Progressive)

            The apple                                 was      being    eaten    by John.  (Past Progressive)

            The apple                     has       been                 eaten    by John.  (Present Perfect)

            The apple                     had       been                 eaten    by John.  (Past Perfect)

            The apple                     has       been     being    eaten    by John.  (Pres. Perfect Progressive)

            The apple                     had       been     being    eaten    by John.  (Past Perfect Progressive)

            The apple         will                               be        eaten    by John.  ( Future/Modal)

            The apple         is going to                     be        eaten    by John.  (Future/Modal)

            The apple         must                             be        eaten    by John.  (Modal)

            The apple         must     have     been                 eaten    by John.  (Past Modal)

            The apple         must     have     been     being    eaten    by John.  (Combination)                       

*Note, to simplify things, we refer to the forms of the verbs with numbers, as follows:

1 base form (be, go, do)
2 past form (was/were, went, did)
3 past participle (been, gone, done)

Passive with Get

The word get is sometimes used instead of be to form the passive. In such cases, get indicates a change in status or condition. For example,

I got sick after eating the red meat. They will get married tomorrow. He got killed in the accident.

(I became sick.) (They changed from ?single? to ?married.?)  (Something caused him to die.)

Get is often used in idiomatic expressions. For example,

What time will you get done? James got drunk at the party. I hope you get better soon. We got engaged last week.

(What time will you be finished?)  (He became drunk at the party.) (I hope you become well soon.) (We became an engaged couple.)

Plurals and Nationalities

Why do we say but we say

The Russians are here.* The Koreans are here. The Americans are here The Italians are here. The New Zealanders are here The Pakistanis are here.

The Chinese are here.* The Japanese are here. The British are here. The Swiss are here. The French are here. The Portuguese are here.

It's mostly phonetic. That is, it depends on the final sound of the word.

Words ending in -an, -ian, -er, -i require an ?s in the plural

Words ending in -ese, -ish, -iss, -ch do not change

Languages (no article)

Russian is easy. Korean is easy. Italian is easy.

Chinese is easy. Japanese is easy. French is easy.

Generalizations**

Russians are friendly Koreans are friendly. New Zealanders are friendly.

The Chinese are friendly. Chinese people are friendly. The Japanese are friendly. Japanese people are friendly. The French are friendly. Frenchmen are friendly.

*If you are talking about a specific group (of Russians, etc.), the article the must be used.

Most of the Italians (in this class) are female.
Most of the Japanese (in the restaurant) are from Kyoto.

**If you are talking generally, no article or preposition is needed.

With s Most Americans speak English. Not: Most of Americans
No s Most Vietnamese live in Asia. Not: Most of Vietnamese

Possessives

Possessives take many forms in English.

Pronouns in the possessive case can be used as adjectives to modify nouns or stand alone as subjects, objects or complements. For example,

My book is on the table. Mine is on the table. I put mine in the refrigerator. The red one is mine.

(used to modify a noun)  (used as a subject) (used as an object) (used as a complement)

See the table below.

Pronouns as adjectives my his her its your our their

Pronouns as subjects, objects and complements  mine his hers its (not common) yours ours theirs

The possessive is formed by adding ?s to singular nouns and plural nouns not ending in s. Such possessives can be used as modifiers, or they can stand alone.

It is John's bicycle.
Those are the children's toys.
Jack's is the white one.
I'm going to Joe's.

With plural nouns ending in ?s, only an apostrophe (?) is used to form the possessive.

The girls' bicycles are in the repair shop.
All the students' books were stolen.

Prepositions and Time Words

Prepositions and Time Words


General

In	(year, month)	In 1989, in December
On	(day, date)	On monday, on Dec. 14, 2001
At	(time)	At 7:00, at 8:30
During	(decade, long time period)	During the 1960s, during the 20th Century

Specific Time: ?When?? (Use simple tenses.)

When did you eat your breakfast?	I ate my breakfast at 9:00.
When were you born?	I was born in 1979.
When is your birthday party?	My birthday party is on Friday.
When will you graduate?	I wil graduate in June.

Ongoing Action

Mr. Barnes is watching television now.
While he was watching television, the phone rang.
He will be watching television tonight when his wife gets home.

Duration: "How Long?"

How long have you been in the U.S.?	I have been here since 1999/for two years.
How long were you in California?	I was in California for three weeks.
How long will you be in Maine?	I will be there for a month.

Completed Action

I have finished my homework already. (before now)
After I had finished my homework, I started to cook dinner.
I will have finished my homework, when I start to cook dinner.

Notes:

In + (amount of time) usually refers to the future:		I will see you in two days (from now).
But it can also indicate a length of time:		I finished the job in two hours.

Ago follows time word(s) and is used to indicate the amount of time before the present:

I called her two weeks ago.

She returned my call five minutes ago.

Words indicating actions occurring at the ?same? time (or nearly the same time)

When		When I was in high school, I had a car.
As soon as		As soon as I got to the theater, I looked for a seat.
Once		Once I finish my geometry, I will start studying chemistry.
The moment (that)		The moment (that) I saw her, I knew who she was.

Words indicating actions occurring at ?different? times

Before		Before my husband left, I had already packed his bags.
After		After she eats her dinner, Ms. Warner will go shopping.
By the time		By the time I get to Denver, I will have traveled 200 miles.
Until		I cleaned the house until my wife came home.

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense can be used in three situations:

1. To indicate something that has happened at an indefinite time in the past.

I have seen that movie already.

She has left for California.

They have not eaten their dinner yet.

2. To indicate something which started in the
past and continues until now.

I have lived in New York for nine years.

We have been here since Friday.

He has played football since he was a child.

3. To indicate something which occurred recently.

I have been sick lately.

She hasn't slept much recently.

Notes:

When speaking about a specific time, use past tense.

A: I have seen that movie already. B: Oh really? When did you see it? A: I saw it last week with Bob.

(Non-specific time) (Specific time)

Some words should not be used in situation 2 (above)

I have met John for five years. I have known John for five years. I met John five years ago. I have met John already.

(INCORRECT) (CORRECT) (CORRECT) (CORRECT)

Sometimes, but not always, present perfect continuous can be used instead of present perfect.

I have lived there for ten years. I have been living there for ten years. I have exercised a lot recently. I have been exercising a lot recently. I have seen that movie ten times. I have been seeing that movie ten times.

(Okay) (Okay) (Okay) (Okay) (Okay) (NOT Okay)

 

Sentence Structure and Punctuation

Basic English Sentence Structures

S - V S - V - O S - V - IO - DO

Jack is sleeping. Jack ate an apple. Jack gave Jill a ring.

S - LV - Adj. S - LV - Adv S - LV - Noun

Jack is sick. Jack is here. Jack is a doctor.

Combinations: One verb or one subject (no comma)

S V S and S V S V and V S V O and O S and S V O and O

Jack is drinking. Jack and Jill are drinking. Jack is eating and drinking. Jack drinks coffee and tea. Jack and Jill drink tea and coffee.

Combinations: Two subjects, two verbs

Subordination (One idea is stronger.)

Jack drinks coffee although Jill drinks tea. (without a comma)

Although Jack drinks coffee, Jill drinks tea. (with a comma)

Coordination (equal ideas, with coordinator: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)

Jack is drinking, and Jill is eating. (A comma [,] is needed here.)

Jack drinks coffee, but Jill drinks tea. (closest connection between ideas)

Closely related ideas (without coordinator)

Jack drinks coffee; Jill drinks tea. (A semi-colon [;] is used here.)

Jack drinks coffee; however, Jill drinks tea. (with a sentence connector)

Separate sentences (strongest break between ideas)

Jack drinks coffee. Jill drinks tea. (Use a period [.] to separate complete sentences.)
Jack drinks coffee. However, Jill drinks tea. (with a sentence connector)
Jack drinks coffee. Jill, however, drinks tea. (variation)
Note:
Do not use subordinators and coordinators to connect ideas in the same sentence:

Although Jack drinks coffee, but Jill drinks tea. Jack drinks coffee, but Jill drinks tea. Although Jack drinks coffee, Jill drinks tea.

(INCORRECT) (Okay) (Okay)

Subordinators

The most common subordinators are:

although, even though, because, since*, so that, when, while, before*, after*, whenever, wherever, anywhere, if, unless, whether?[or not] as, as [adjective] as, whereas

(to show slight contrast) (to give reasons) (to indicate time relationships) (to indicate place) (to indicate conditions) (to give comparisons) (to show major contrast)

*These words can also be used as prepositions.

Subordinators have an interesting effect on words in a sentence. A clause (S +V) without a subordinator can stand alone as a complete statement.

I went to the store yesterday.

(Complete statement)

However, when a subordinator is added, the statement seems incomplete.

When I went to the store yesterday, . . .

(Well, what happened?)

The subordinating clause becomes dependent on something else to complete its meaning:

When I went to the store yesterday, I saw an old friend.

(Idea is complete)

Subordinating or ?dependent? clauses can occur at the beginning or end of a sentence. When used at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is necessary after the clause itself.

S + V although S + V

Although S + V , S + V

In English, the subordinator always comes before the subject and verb in a clause.

I went to the grocery store after, I stopped at the bank. After I went to the grocery store, I stopped at the bank.

(Incorrect) (Correct)

Subordinators and coordinators should not be used in the same sentence to introduce clauses. Choose one or the other, but do not use both together.

Although Nina won the prize, but she was not happy. Although Nina won the prize, she was not happy. Nina won the prize, but she was not happy.

(Wrong) (Correct) (Also correct)

The Linking Verb

Recognize a linking verb when you see one.

Linking verbs do not express action. Instead, they connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject. Look at the examples below:

Keila is a shopaholic.

Ising isn't something that Keila can do. Is connects the subject, Keila, to additional information about her, that she will soon have a huge MasterCard bill to pay.

During the afternoon, my cats are content to nap on the couch.

Areing isn't something that cats can do. Are is connecting the subject, cats, to something said about them, that they enjoy sleeping on the furniture.

After drinking the old milk, Bladimiro turned green.

Turned connects the subject, Bladimiro, to something said about him, that he was needing Pepto Bismol.

A ten-item quiz seems impossibly long after a night of no studying.

Seems connects the subject, a ten-item quiz, with something said about it, that its difficulty depends on preparation, not length.

Irene always feels sleepy after pigging out on pizza from Antonio's Ristorante.

Feels connects the subject, Irene, to her state of being, sleepiness.

The following verbs are true linking verbs: any form of the verb be [am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been, etc.], become, and seem. These true linking verbs are always linking verbs.

Then you have a list of verbs with multiple personalities: appear, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, smell, sound, taste, and turn. Sometimes these verbs are linking verbs; sometimes they are action verbs. Their function in every individual sentence determines what you call them. 

How do you tell when they are action verbs and when they are linking verbs? If you can substitute am, is, or are for the verb and the sentence still sounds logical, you have a linking verb on your hands. If, after the substitution, the sentence makes no sense, you are dealing with an action verb instead. Here are some examples:

Sylvia tasted the spicy squid eyeball stew.

Sylvia is the stew? I don't think so! Tasted, therefore, is an action verb in this sentence.

The squid eyeball stew tasted good.

The stew is good? You bet. Make your own!

I smell the delicious aroma of a mushroom and papaya pizza baking in the oven.

I am the aroma? No way! Smell, in this sentence, is an action verb.

The mushroom and papaya pizza smells heavenly.

The pizza is heavenly? Definitely! Try a slice!

The distressed travelers looked at their map, wondering how the Eiffel Tower had gotten to Egypt.

The distressed travelers are the map? Of course not! Here, then, looked is an action verb.

The map looked hopelessly confusing.

The map is confusing? Without a doubt! You try to read it.

This substitution will not work for appear. With appear, you have to analyze the function of the verb.

Swooping out of the clear blue sky, Superman appeared on Lois Lane's balcony.

Appear is something Superman can do--especially when danger is near.

Superman appeared happy to see Lois.

Here, appeared is connecting the subject, Superman, to his state of mind, happiness.

There is/are

There is/There are is a common phrase in English, used to indicate that something ?exists? or is in a certain location. The main subject follows the verb when there is/are is used.

There is an apple on the table.

There are some apples on the table.

Other forms of ?be? can also be used with there is/there are.

There will be a party at Bill's house on Saturday.

There were four witnesses at the crime scene.

There have been two robberies in the last five months.

Contractions are possible, but they are mostly used informally in speech.

There's a fly in my soup.

There're plenty of oranges left.

There'll be a lot of people in attendance.

There's is by far the most common contraction, and it is sometimes used inadvertently with plural subjects by native speakers.

There's ten people outside!

Common mistakes

Since the expression there is/are usually has no equivalent in other languages, students sometimes use have instead.

Have a lot of food on the table. It has a lot of food on the table. There have a lot of food on the table. There is a lot of food on the table.

(Incorrect) (Incorrect) (Incorrect) (Correct)

Used To

The expression used to is commonly used when talking about past habits. It means "something was true in the past, but it is not anymore." For example,

I used to live in Toronto, but I don't anymore. Now I live in Vancouver.

I used to ride a bicycle to school, but I don't anymore. Now I drive a car.

Sentence Connectors

She drinks coffee. He drinks tea. She drinks coffee, but he drinks tea. She drinks coffee, and he drinks tea. She drinks coffee; he drinks tea. Although she drinks coffee, he drinks tea. She drinks coffee although he drinks tea. Although she drinks coffee, but he drinks tea. She drinks coffee; however, he drinks tea. She drinks coffee. However, he drinks tea. She drinks coffee. He, however, drinks tea.

(Two separate sentences) (Coordination) (Both ideas are equal) (Closely related ideas) (Subordination) (One idea is stronger) (INCORRECT!) (Sentence connector)  (Stronger break between ideas) (Variation)

Remember:

A period (.) provides the strongest break between ideas.

A semicolon (;) is next, and a comma (,) provides the weakest separation.

Coordinators provide connection between equal ideas.

(and, but, or, nor, so, for, yet)

Examples:

Mom and Dad

red or green

She stayed, but he left.

Subordinators provide connection between unequal ideas.

(because, although, when, while, if, as, since, whenever, wherever?)

Example:

He didn't go to work because he was sick.  Although John was unhappy, he still smiled.

Sentence Connectors provide connection between large groups of ideas/sentences. (usually paragraphs)

(therefore, otherwise, thus, in conclusion, furthermore?)

Essential Job Interview Tips and Tricks II

Last week I discussed some of the basics of interviewing for a job in English and specific job related vocabulary. This week I would like to focus on some of the common questions that are asked during the interview and appropriate responses to these questions.

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself.
Comment: This question is meant as an introduction. Do not focus too specifically on any one area. The above question will often be used to help the interviewer choose what h/she would like to ask next. While it is important to give an overall impression of who you are, make sure to concentrate on work related experience. Work related experience should always be the central focus of any interview (work experience is more important than education in most English speaking countries).

Interviewer: What type of position are you looking for?
Candidate: I'm interested in an entry level (beginning) position.
Candidate: I'm looking for a position in which I can utilize my experience.
Candidate: I would like any position for which I qualify.

Comment:You should be willing to take an entry level position in an English speaking company as most of these companies expect non-nationals to begin with such a position. In the United States, most companies provide many opportunities for growth, so don't be afraid to start from the beginning!

Interviewer: Are you interested in a full-time or part-time position?
Candidate: I am more interested in a full-time position. However, I would also consider a part-time position.

Comment: Make sure to leave open as many possibilities as possible. Say you are willing to take any job, once the job has been offered you can always refuse if the job does not appeal (not interest) to you.

Interviewer: Can you tell me about your responsibilities at your last job?
Candidate: I advised customers on financial matters. After I consulted the customer, I completed a customer inquiry form and catalogued the information in our database. I then collaborated with colleagues to prepare the best possible package for the client. The clients were then presented with a summarized report on their financial activities that I formulated on a quarterly basis.

Comment: Notice the amount of detail necessary when you are talking about your experience. One of the most common mistakes made by foreigners when discussing their former employment is to speak too generally. The employer wants to know exactly what you did and how you did it; the more detail you can give the more the interviewer knows that you understand the type of work. Remember to vary your vocabulary when talking about your responsibilities. Also, do not begin every sentence with "I". Use the passive voice, or an introductory clause to help you add variety to your presentation

Interviewer: What is your greatest strength?
Candidate: I work well under pressure. When there is a deadline (a time by which the work must be finished), I can focus on the task at hand (current project) and structure my work schedule well. I remember one week when I had to get 6 new customer reports out by Friday at 5. I finished all the reports ahead of time without having to work overtime.

Candidate: I am an excellent communicator. People trust me and come to me for advice. One afternoon, my colleague was involved with a troublesome (difficult) customer who felt he was not being served well. I made the customer a cup of coffee and invited both my colleague and the client to my desk where we solved the problem together.

Candidate: I am a trouble shooter. When there was a problem at my last job, the manager would always ask me to solve it. Last summer, the LAN server at work crashed. The manager was desperate and called me in (requested my help) to get the LAN back online. After taking a look at the daily backup, I detected the problem and the LAN was up and running (working) within the hour.

Comment: This is not the time to be modest! Be confident and always give examples. Examples show that you are not only repeating words you have learned, but actually do possess that strength.

Interviewer: What is your greatest weakness?
Candidate: I am overzealous (work too hard) and become nervous when my co-workers are not pulling their weight (doing their job). However, I am aware of this problem, and before I say anything to anyone, I ask myself why the colleague is having difficulties.

Candidate: I tend to spend too much time making sure the customer is satisfied. However, I began setting time-limits for myself If I noticed this happening.

Comment: This is a difficult question. You need to mention a weakness that is actually a strength. Make sure that you always mention how you try to improve the weakness.

Interviewer:Why do you want to work for Smith and Sons?
Candidate: After following your firms progress for the last 3 years, I am convinced that Smith and Sons are becoming one of the market leaders and I would like to be part of the team.

Candidate: I am impressed by the quality of your products. I am sure that I would be a convincing salesman because I truly believe that the Atomizer is the best product on the market today.

Comment: Prepare yourself for this question by becoming informed about the company. The more detail you can give, the better you show the interviewer that you understand the company. 

Interviewer: When can you begin?
Candidate: Immediately.
Candidate: As soon as you would like me to begin.

Comment: Show your willingness to work!

The above questions represent some of the most basic questions asked on any job interview in English. Probably the most important aspect of interviewing in English is giving detail. As a speaker of English as a second language, you might be shy about saying complicated things. However, this is absolutely necessary as the employer is looking for an employee who knows his or her job. If you provide detail, the interviewer will know that you feel comfortable in that job. Don't worry about making mistakes in English. It is much better to make simple grammar mistakes and provide detailed information about your experience than to say grammatically perfect sentences without any real content.

I hope these features help you to improve your job interviewing skills. Practice your replies often to these and other questions. Sit down with a friend and act out the interview. By repeating these phrases you will gain much needed confidence.

What are your weaknesses?

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

What do you look for in a boss?

What are your weaknesses?

Why did you leave your last job?

Un-Answered in HR Interview Questions

1. What is meant by Employee Retention? 2. what is the procedure to write a cv and resume.. pls help... what is the difference between them 3. how will you ensure your learning? 4. Speak about yourself professionally? 5. 1. What are the competitive challenges in Human Resource Management?a. Explain managing changes in HRM?b. Explain... 6. Tell me about a suggestion you have made? 7. Have you ever been asked to leave a position? 8. What is your philosophy towards work? 9. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that? 10. What kind of salary do you need? 11. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year? 12. What do co-workers say about you? 13. What experience do you have in this field? 14. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job? 15. What has been your biggest professional disappointment? 16. Describe your work ethic? 17. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others? 18. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience? 19. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for? 20. What has disappointed you about a job?

Latest Questions in HR Interview Questions

1. What is meant by Employee Retention? 2. what is the procedure to write a cv and resume.. pls help... what is the difference between them 3. how will you ensure your learning? 4. I have given an HR interview where they ask me to write where do you see yourself in 5 years down lane.... 5. Why should we not hire you? 6. What should be the answer for why did you choose and pursue carrier in only hr in an interview? 7. What to answer and what not to answer for "Tell me something about you"? 8. Why do you want to leave your current job? 9. Why do you want to join in industry? (for recent graduates) 10. How do you organize your priorities?

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