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INTERVIEW

2

I want to work with the best company in advertising.
You can also say...
1.
2.

I want to be a part of...
I think I can help...

Conversation:
A: Why did you apply for this position?
B: I want to work with the best company in advertising.
A: Why did you choose this company?
B: I felt that this was the right place for my experience and skills.

Questions:
1. What are the common questions in a job interview in your country?
2. Tell about your first job interview experience.
3. What was the most difficult question asked?

Note:

I want to + verb
I want to work with the best company in advertising.
to be part of this company.

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2

I made it possible for the industry to prosper.
You can also say...
1.
2.

I opened the door for...
I was the first to...

Conversation:
A: How did Kyoto Cell Phone manage to sell their products to international companies?
B: I opened the door for Kyoto Cell Phone to market its products overseas.
A: Wow! That’s great. You must be very proud.
B: I certainly am.

Questions:
1. What have you done in your life recently that has been productive?
2. What possible things would you do to keep a business?

Note:

I made it possible for Kyoto Trading to import products
from Australia.
(noun)
to export products in China.
(verb)

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2INTERVIEW

I always try to do the most difficult tasks of a project first.
You can also say...
1.
2.

I make it a point to...
I do my best to...

Conversation:
A: What approach do you take with complex projects?
B: I think the most important thing is to clarify goals.
A: I see, how do you plan on making the project go smoothly?
B: I always try to do the most difficult tasks of a project first.
A: I think that’s a good idea.

Questions:
1. Do you always give your best in everything you do?
2. Have you ever experienced failing to do something you worked hard for?
3. Have you ever worked under pressure?

Note:

I always try to + verb
I always try to do the right thing.

I do my best to + verb
I do my best to make the right decisions.

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2I will do my best to eliminate the source of the problem.
You can also say...
1.
2.

I would make sure ...
I will see to it that ...

Conversation:
A: Are you done with the report?
B: Yes, I finished it last night.
A: Please remind our clients that we will have a meeting with them tomorrow.
B: I will make sure all our clients are reminded.

Questions:
1. How do you check your work is correct?
2. Do you continue unfinished work at home?

Note:

WouldI hear a whistle. That would be the five o’clock train.
Will
I will do my exercises later.

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2INTERVIEWThat really motivated me to work harder.
You can also say...
1.
2.

That really inspired me to...
That really encouraged me to...

Conversation:
A: What are your future plans?
B: I hope to stay in this company for good. My family is depending on me.
A: I see. Is it not tough to have people depend on you?
B: No, not really. In fact, that is what motivated me to work harder.

Questions:
1. Do you have anything inspirational to your life?
2. What motivates you to work?
3. What is your motivation at work?

Note:

That really inspired me to continue my plan.
motivated me to study harder.
encouraged me to improve my English.

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2INTERVIEW
Aside from business, I really enjoy hiking.
You can also say...
1.
2.

Aside from business,...
Besides business,...

Conversation:
A: What is your main priority in life?
B: Work and being successful in my career are important to me. They’re my main priority.
A: What else do you do aside from work? Do you have any hobbies?
B: Well, aside from business, I really enjoy hiking.

Questions:
1. Aside from work, what keeps you busy?
2. Can you imagine yourself not working?

Note: Aside + from = excluding=with the ex­ception ofex. Aside from the small ac­count in thebank, I have no enough money at all.

Besides = in addition= moreover/further­more
ex. Besides work, I enjoy shopping during
weekends.

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2INTERVIEW
I’ve always wanted to have a piano of my own..
You can also say...
1.
2.

Since I was young, I wanted to...
Many years ago, I wanted to...

Conversation:
A: What’s your favorite musical instrument?
B: Piano. I’ve always wanted to have one of my own.
A: Do you know how to play the piano?
B: Yes, I do. Since I was young, I wanted to be a pianist like my grandfather.

Questions:
1. What’s your lifelong dream?
2. What have you done to reach for your dreams?

Note: noun/pronoun + have/has + past participle
I/You have (always) wanted- to become an inventor.
- to make a lot of money.

We, They wanted- to manage our own business.
He/She has (always) wanted- to play basketball.
- to design her own clothes.

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2INTERVIEW
A few years back, I didn’t get along well with my father,but now, I am really thankful to have him as my dad.
You can also say...
1.
2.

Sometime ago,...		
Prior to my graduation,...

Conversation:
A: How is your relationship with your father?
B: I’m close with my father and siblings. A few years back, I didn’t get alongwell with my father, but now, I am really thankful to have him as my dad.
A: What made you hate your father?
B: He was very strict. He wanted me to earn my way through school.

Questions:
1. What do you remember most about your past?
2. Is there any experience you had in life that you wouldn’t want to recall?

Note:

At the time + noun + verb(past tense) + but now
Before, I didn’t like my teacher, but now I’m really thankful to know her.
A few years back, she hated her officemate, but now they are good friends.

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2INTERVIEW
I come from a small town.
You can also say...
1.
2.

I grew up in...
I was raised in...

Conversation:
A: Tell me about your city.
B: I come from a small town with a nice view of the sea.
A: Sounds like a beautiful town. Is it far from the city?
B: No, not really. It is just an hour away.

Questions:
1. Describe the place where you grew up.
2. What’s the most memorable moment you had when you were there?
3. Do you live in a nuclear family or an extended family?

Note:

Come from = originate from= grew up in= live in

ex. I grew up in a populated town.
I live in a beautiful city.

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2INTERVIEWI’m good at dealing with problems.
You can also say...
1.
2.

My biggest strength is...
My greatest ability is...

Conversation:
A: What are your strong points?
B: I’m good at dealing with problems.
A: What about your weaknesses?
B: My biggest weakness is that at times, I expect my team to stay up all night, just to meet adeadline.

Questions:
1. What are your strong and weak points?
2. How do you deal with your weaknesses?
3. What’s the biggest problem that you have encountered?

Note:at- I’m good at motivating a team.
- She is good at organizing a party.

in- I’m good in planning.
- She is good in designing.

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B10