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Tricky Job Interviews
Many people know how to write a job application letter and put together an impressive resumé but when it comes to the job interview, they are not quite sure how to handle those difficult questions. Here are some of those questions and how to deal with them.
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is quite a commonly asked question so do have some points in mind. Stick to work-related areas that are relevant to the position you are being interviewed for. Start with information from further back and work your way to the present.
2. What is your greatest strength?
Be positive when you answer this. Some examples are your problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, excellent time management and capacity to thrive under pressure - the list goes on.
3. Explain how you would be an asset to this company.
Before the interview, anticipate this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points in relation to the position you are applying for.
4. Why should we hire you?
Focus on how your assets will address the organisation's needs. Avoid making any comparisons with other job applicants.
5. What kind of salary do you need?
This is a loaded question. If you answer first, you lose the game. Instead, say it's a tough question and ask what the salary range for the position is. In most cases, the interviewer may be taken off guard and tell you. If he does not, tell him it depends on the details of the job and then give a wide salary range.
These are just some of the more common tricky questions interviewers ask. It is good to sound confident but be sure you don't sound like you're bragging. The key to clinching that job offer is to be honest, positive and enthusiastic.
Felicia Nah, Division of Communications & Media Management, TP
Tune in to Communicate Confidently. For other related articles, click here. |
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Why is Q Always Followed by U? Word-perfect answers to the most-asked questions about language
By Michael Quinion
Do these phrases ring any bells for you: cloud nine; by and large; get one's goat? You might be familiar with some, if not, all of them. However, do you have any inclination where these words come from? If you are stumped by their etymology, do not push the panic button yet for help comes in this neat book which lays out the most unusual and fascinating words, phrases, lingos, and slangs in a question-and-answer fashion.
Here are some examples.
Elephant in the room
The expression is American in origin though it has been around in the UK since about 2000. It refers to a problem or issue that everyone ignores or avoids mentioning because it's politically or socially embarrassing though in truth, it's too big to ignore. "For much of the day Zimbabwe was the elephant in the room, a crisis the summit strenuously avoided discussing."
Dead cat bounce
This bit of gruesome, if graphic, jargon of the financial world does refer to a temporary recovery from a big drip in a stock's price but one that's an illusory sign of improvement which is short-lived. "Banks shares were today able to repair some of the damage caused by this week's sell-off but does this standalone performance mean it is time to call the bottom of the credit crunch or is this just a Wall Street-inspired dead cat bounce?"
Contributed by Eleaner Ang, National Library Board
To check availability online, click here. |
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Forewords vs. Prefaces vs. Introductions
As it turns out, preface, foreword and introduction are not synonyms. To quote The Chicago Manual of Style: "A foreword is usually a statement by someone other than the author, sometimes an eminent person whose name can be carried on the title page." A preface, meanwhile, is written by the author, and often includes acknowledgements along with the reason that the person wrote the book. An introduction, unlike a preface or foreword, is required reading, because it is actually the beginning of the book's narrative.
Source: Mental floss: What`s the difference by John Green ... [et. al].
Contributed by Ng Cheng Soon, National Library Board |
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Q1 What is the difference between "a few" and "few", if any? For example what is the difference between "We saw few monkeys at the park." and "We saw a few monkeys at the park."?
'Few' without 'a' gives an indication that the number was disappointing. Thus, if we say "We saw few monkeys at the park." there is an indication that we expected to see more (and we are dissatisfied). "We saw a few monkeys at the park" has neither a negative nor positive feel to it and a lot would depend on the tone with which it was said and on the context.
Q2 Is there a difference between the words "continuously" & "continually"?
The American Heritage Dictionary and Longman's Dictionary state that both adjectival forms, "continual" and "continuous", mean without stopping or without a break. They are often used interchangeably:
In certain contexts only continuous is possible because continual here would imply that breaks are possible. In these examples, there are clearly no breaks, so continuous is preferred. For example,
A continuous line of people stretched as far as the eye could see.
They executed the dance in one continuous movement.
The progress of pupils was measured though continuous assessment and not through examinations.
When we want to describe things that happen repeatedly, continual is preferred. For example,
His continual drinking was bound to lead to liver failure one day.
He refused to give up despite the continual warnings of his family.
Q3 I would like to know if there is a difference in using "approve" with or without the preposition "of", or is it the same?
The meaning of approve changes when you add the preposition "of" to make it "approve of". "Approve" by itself means 'sanction' or 'endorse' as in these two examples.
I cannot approve the reimbursement because you haven't given me the receipts for your expenditure.
I cannot approve your application to study law because you do not have the relevant qualifications.
If you approve of something, then you consider it to be good or you agree with it.:
I don't approve of smoking in restaurants because it is so upsetting usually for non-smokers.
Why don't you approve of my friends? They are all good people.
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Careful enunciation of certain consonants is crucial to good spoken English. Don't confuse the sound "r" with "l". If you confuse these sounds, "rice" sounds like "lice".
To pronounce "r", curl your tongue upward but do not let it touch the roof of your mouth.
In the following words, you can see why it's important to pronounce the "r" sound distinctly and strongly so as not to confuse it with the "l" consonant.
Click on the word to hear the correct pronunciation. |
Talking Books
by Michelle Martin
Level 26
by Anthony E. Zuiker
There is a law enforcement classification of serial killers that stretches to 25. In this book we meet a killer that is classified at level 26.
Anthony E. Zuiker is perhaps best known for his role in the creation of the phenomenally popular television series: CSI. Here, he takes the traditional crime novel and transforms it into a cross-platform experience, allowing the reader to read, watch, and log-in to the world's first "digi-novel."
You can log on to the webpage of the book to unlock deeper levels of the experience, and watch the story unfold on YouTube with 20 cyber-bridges throughout, featuring A-list actors. This is a thriller you won't want to put down.
If you've a book to recommend, email express@938LIVE.sg
Tune to Talking Books with Michelle Martin at 6.40 pm every weekday for more great book recommendations on 938LIVE.
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Laugh and Learn 2010
Thu 11 Mar 6.30pm
Mandarin Orchard
$65 per person $600 per table
MediaCorp celebrates women!
Hear from media personality, Diana Ser, speech and language trainer Heather Hansen and people development specialist Jaime Lim.
Enjoy dinner, laugh and learn about life and leadership, and benefit from the networking opportunity.
Men are welcome too.
For more information, click here.
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