第19章

英语面试

如果你是一个具有战略眼光,期待进入国际性跨国大企业的求职者,本章值得你仔细研读。

英语面试主要考察两个部分:英语口语能力和你做人的特质。外企会有专门的人力资源经理和你聊天,会问你关于人生、经历、团队合作、成功收获、失败教训等一系列问题。这里和一般的技术类面试不同,不是考验你的技术能力,而是考验你的语言能力及情商。所以事先要预测一下面试官可能提出的问题。本章取材于实际英语面试中关于工作问题、个人特质、未来企划等知识点,并给出了详细的参考答案。请读者结合个人经历修改这些答案以应对可能出现的英语面试。

19.1 面试过程和技巧

现在,不管是国企还是外企,在招聘时都非常看重应聘者的英语交际能力,公司往往通过英语面试,对应聘者的英语交际能力进行考查。我们对参加英语面试的应聘者提出4个建议。

建议一:精心设计一个自然的开场白。例如:

C(应聘者):May I come in?(我能进来吗?)

I(考官):Yes, please. Oh, you are Jin Li, aren't you?(请进。哦,你是李劲吧?)

C:Yes, I am.(对,我是。)

I:Please sit here, on the sofa.(请坐在沙发上。)

C:Thank you.(谢谢。)

采用“Excuse me. Is this personnel department?”(请问,这里是人力资源部吗?)或“Excuse me for interrupting you. I'm here for an interview as requested.”(不好意思打搅了,我是依约来应聘的。)类似的问法都比较合适。在确定了面试场所和面试官之后,简洁地用“Good morning/afternoon”向面试官打招呼,也能令在场的人提升对你的印象。

建议二:不要害怕外表冷冰冰的考官。

一些用人单位与面试者的最初交流是比较冷冰冰的。例如:

I:Your number and name, please.(请告知你的号码和名字。)

C:My number is sixteen and my name is Zhixin Zhang.(我是16号,我叫张志新。)

这时,面试者不要觉得有压力,面试官的态度冷漠并不是针对你个人,你只需要照实简洁地回答即可。在某些情况下,面试官会问一些看起来比较普通和随意的问题,但实际上是暗藏深意的,例如:

How did you come?A very heavy traffic?(你怎么来的?路上很堵吧?)

你的回答可以是这样:“Yes, it was heavy but since I came here yesterday as a rehearsal, I figured out a direct bus line from my school to your company, and of course, I left my school very early so it doesn't matter to me.”(是的,很堵。但我昨天已经预先来过一次并且找到了一条从我们学校直达贵公司的公交路线,并且在今天提早从学校出发。因此,路上的拥堵并没有影响到我。)这样的回答就点出了你的计划性及细心程度。

建议三:抓住考官问题的关键点回答。

如果应聘者突然听不懂面试官的话,或者问题太复杂,该如何回答?下面是一名学生参加一知名化妆品公司英文面试中的一段:

I:You are talking shop. How will you carry out marketing campaign if we hire you?(你很内行。如果我们雇用你的话,你打算如何开始你的市场工作?)

C:Sorry, sir. I beg your pardon.(对不起,能重复一下吗?)

I:I mean that how will you design your work if we hire you?(我的意思是如果我们决定录用你,你打算如何开展市场工作?)

C:Thank you, sir. I'll organize trade fair and symposium, prepare all marketing materials, and arrange appointments for our company with its business partners.(谢谢。我将组织贸易展销会和研讨会,准备所有营销材料,为公司及其商业伙伴安排见面会。)

I:Do you know anything about this company?(你对本公司的情况了解吗?)

C:Yes, a little. As you mentioned just now, yours is an America-invested company. As far as I know, ××Company is a world-famous company which produces cosmetics and skincare products. Your cosmetics and skincare products are very popular with women in all parts of the world.(是的,了解一点点。正如你刚才所提到的那样,贵公司是一家美资公司。据我所知,贵公司是一家世界闻名的生产美容护肤品的公司。你们的美容护肤品深受世界各地妇女的欢迎。)

在没听清对方问题的情况下,可以要求对方重复,除了“I beg your pardon.”还可以用“Would you please rephrase your sentence?”的表达方式。

建议四:巧用过渡语,表明自己用心听问题。

面试者在面试时可以用一些类似“As you mentioned”(正如您所说的)或者“As far as I know”(据我所知)之类的句子,表示你一直在认真听对方的谈话。此外,你还可以选择“As it is shown in my resume”(正如我的简历所提到的)或“As my previous experience shows”(如我之前的工作经验所示)之类的表达法。

另外,在面试之前,面试者对应聘公司应有所了解。比如公司的规模、业务、未来发展等,这些往往被面试者忽略了。对公司文化理解是否深刻,是你超出其他应聘者的一个亮点。但如果实在不了解,就应根据所知诚实回答。

19.2 关于工作(About Job)

面试例题1:Can you sell yourself in two minutes?Go for it.(你能在两分钟内自我推荐吗?大胆试试吧!)

A:With my qualifications and experience, I feel I am hardworking, responsible and diligent in any project I undertake. Your organization could benefit from my analytical and interpersonal skills.(依我的资格和经验,我觉得我对所从事的每一个项目都很努力、负责、勤勉。我的分析能力和与人相处的技巧,对贵单位必有价值。)

面试例题2:Tell us about your project experiences?(告诉我你的项目经验是什么?)

A:Northwest University Personnel Managing System is a system of auto-manage the persons' information. it is designed by PowerDesign. The project is a C/S architecture system. It is based on a Microsoft SQL database, and the UI is developed by Delphi 7. In this project, I designed the schema of database, programmed database connectivity using Delphi 7 and ADO.(西北大学人事管理系统是一个自动的人事信息管理系统,它是用PowerDesign设计的。整个项目是C/S系统架构。它的后台基于微软的SQL数据库,前台设计由Borland公司的软件Delphi 7完成。在这个项目中我负责系统的架构及数据库的连接。)

A:Base on ASP.NET+SQL 2000 We finished Northwest University Network Course-selected System. Everybody in this school can select, cancel, query course in network. The project is a B/S architecture system; the code is developed by Visual C#, and run on the .NET plat. In this project, I used the ADO interface which is provided by the Database program and after that, I joined the testing of whole system.(基于ASP.NET+SQL 2000的平台,我们实现了西北大学网络选课系统。学校内的任何人都能够在网上选择、取消、查询课程。整个项目是B/S的系统架构。项目基于.NET平台,前段代码是用C#完成的。在项目中我们使用ADO接口实现数据库的支持。整个系统架设结束后,我参加了系统的测试工作。)

面试例题3:Give me a summary of your current job description.(对你目前的工作,能否做个概括的说明。)

A:I have been working as a computer programmer for five years. To be specific, I do system analysis, trouble shooting and provide software support.(我干了5年的电脑程序员。具体地说,我做系统分析、解决问题及软件供应方面的支持。)

面试例题4:Why did you leave your last job?(你为什么离职呢?)

A:Well, I am hoping to get an offer of a better position. If opportunity knocks, I will take it.(我希望能获得一份更好的工作。如果机会来临,我会抓住。)

A:I feel I have reached the “glass ceiling” in my current job. I feel there is no opportunity for advancement.(我觉得目前的工作已经达到顶峰,即没有升迁的机会。)

面试例题5:How do you rate yourself as a professional?(作为一位专业人员,你如何评估自己呢?)

A:With my strong academic background, I am capable and competent.(凭借我良好的学术背景,我可以胜任自己的工作,而且我认为自己很有竞争力。)

A:With my teaching experience, I am confident that I can relate to students very well.(依我的教学经验,我相信能与学生相处得很好。)

A:My background has been focused on preparing me for the IT field, so I can exhibit my ability right away. I already have obtained the educational technology and skills I am confident of my ability to learn quickly in any assignment which I'm not familiar for the moment.(我的背景使我非常适合IT领域,我会在此展现我的能力。我已经获得了教育方面的能力和技巧,我确信我的能力能够迅速地学习那些我暂时不了解的任务。)

A:I realize that there are many other college students who have the ability to do this job. I also have that ability. But I also bring an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job — my attitude for excellence. I am a multi-tasked individual who work well under pressure. My ability to be trained in any area would definitely be a good reason to hire me to work for this firm.(我知道有很多大学生有能力去做这个工作。我也有这个能力。但是相对于这些人而言,我的积极态度决定了我是做这件工作的最佳人选。我是一个可以承担多种任务压力的人。我可以胜任公司的各个领域并为公司努力工作。)

面试例题6:What contribution did you make to your current (previous) organization?(你对目前/从前的工作单位有何贡献?)

A:I have finished three new projects, and I am sure I can apply my experience to this position.(我已经完成了3个新项目,我相信我能将我的经验用在这份工作上。)

面试例题7:What do you think you are worth to us?(你如何知道你对我们有价值呢?)

A:I feel I can make some positive contributions to your company in the future.(我觉得我对贵公司能做些积极的贡献。)

面试例题8:What make you think you would be a success in this position?(你如何知道你能胜任这份工作?)

A:My graduate school training combined with my internship should qualify me for this particular job. I am sure I will be successful.(我在研究所的训练,加上实习工作,使我适合这份工作。我相信我能成功。)

面试例题9:Are you a multi-tasked individual?(你是一位可以同时承担数项工作的人吗?)Do you work well under stress or pressure?(你能承受工作上的压力吗?)

A:Yes, I think so. The trait is needed in my current(or previous) position and I know I can handle it well.(这种特点就是我目前(先前)工作所需要的,我知道我能应付自如。)

面试例题10:What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them?(你将通过什么手段达到你的成功?你将采取哪些步骤?)

A:I have finished writing a book recently. And currently I am learning a lot of network certification. I obtained my first certification through self-study, so I am learning and keeping up with the latest technology trends. To be successful in this career, one should have to be a excellent problem solver, critical thinker, and team oriented.(我刚刚写完一本书。目前我在做一个网络认证,是完全通过自学完成的第一个认证,所以我一直学习,与最新的技术同步。为了在职场取得成功,我们必须成为一个优秀的问题解决专家,一个具有批判性的思考者,并以团队利益为主导。)

面试例题11:What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision?(在对一项问题进行研究并给出答案之前,你会遵循什么样的步骤?)

A:Following standard models for problem-solving and decision-making can be very helpful. Here are the steps and how I solve a problem with a group project:

(1)Define the problem to be solved and decision to be made.

(2)Have a plan. To solve a problem, you must establish a plan of attack which leads to a specific goal.

(3)Solve the problem.

(遵循标准的解决问题和做决策的模式会有很大帮助。以下就是我解决问题的步骤:

(1)给要解决的问题和要做的决定做一个限定。

(2)为要解决的问题拟一个计划,应该为具体的目标制定一个进攻计划。

(3)解决问题。

19.3 关于个人(About Person)

面试例题1:What is your strongest trait(s)?(你个性上最大的特点是什么?)

A:Helpfulness and caring.(乐于助人和关心他人。)

A:Adaptability and sense of humor.(适应能力和幽默感。)

A:Cheerfulness and friendliness.(乐观和友爱。)

面试例题2:How would your friends or colleagues describe you?(你的朋友或同事怎样形容你?)

A:(Pause a few seconds)(稍等几秒钟再答,表示慎重考虑。)

They say Mr. Chen is an honest, hardworking and responsible man who deeply cares for his family and friends.(他们说陈先生是位诚实、工作努力、负责任的人,他对家庭和朋友都很关心。)

A:They say Mr. Chen is a friendly, sensitive, caring and determined person.(他们说陈先生是位很友好、敏感、关心他人和有决心的人。)

A:They say I am an active, innovative man, a good team-worker, with rich IT knowledge and developing experience.(他们说我是一个积极、革新的人,是一个很好的同事,并且具备丰富的IT知识和研发经验。)

面试例题3:What personality traits do you admire?(你欣赏哪种性格的人?)

A:(I admire a person who is) honest, flexible and easy-going.(诚实、不死板而且容易相处的人。)

A:(I like) people who possess the“can do”spirit.(有“实际行动”的人。)

面试例题4:What leadership qualities did you develop as an administrative personnel?(作为行政人员,你有什么样的领导才能?)

A:I feel that learning how to motivate people and to work together as a team will be the major goal of my leadership.(我觉得学习如何把人们的积极性调动起来,以及如何配合协同的团队精神,是我行政工作的主要目标。)

A:I have refined my management style by using an open-door policy.(我以开放式的政策改进我的行政管理方式。)

面试例题5:How do you normally handle criticism?(你通常如何处理别人的批评?)

A:Silence is golden. Just don't say anything; otherwise the situation could become worse. I do, however, accept constructive criticism.(沉默是金。不必说什么,否则情况更糟。不过我会接受建设性的批评。)

A:When we cool off, we will discuss it later.(我会等大家冷静下来再讨论。)

面试例题6:What do you find frustrating in a work situation?(在工作中,什么事令你不高兴?)

A:Sometimes, the narrow-minded people make me frustrated.(胸襟狭窄的人有时使我泄气。)

A:Minds that are not receptive to new ideas.(不能接受新思想的那些人。)

面试例题7:How do you handle your conflict with your colleagues in your work?(你如何处理与同事在工作中的意见不和?)

A:I will try to present my ideas in a more clear and civilized manner in order to get my points across.(我要以更清楚和文明的方式提出我的看法,使对方了解我的观点。)

面试例题8:How do you handle your failure?(你怎样对待自己的失败?)

A:None of us was born “perfect”. I am sure I will be given a second chance to correct my mistake.(我们大家生来都不是十全十美的,我相信我有机会改正我的错误。)

面试例题9:Are you more energized by working with data or by collaborating with other individuals?(你能使组里气氛活跃,并且易于沟通吗?)

A:The best thing about working in a group or a team is combining the great minds from different facets. Compared with when you're working alone, communication can generate vitality in the project you're working on. No matter how much wisdom you've got together, without communication, you can't go very far. The perfect situation would be a combination of communication and people, and I'm confident of my abilities in both areas.(在一个团队或一个组里工作,你最重要的一件事就是集思广益,化腐朽为神奇,云集大家的智慧,而不要只是一个人闷头单干。与此同时,沟通是很重要的,它可以产生活力。无论你汇集了多高的智慧,如果没有沟通,你将不会成功。完美的境地是把人和沟通有机地组合。我确信我能在这两方面都做得很好。)

面试例题10:What provide you with a sense of accomplishment?(什么会让你有成就感?)

A:Doing my best job for your company.(为贵公司竭力效劳。)

A:Finishing a project to the best of my ability.(尽我所能完成一个项目。)

面试例题11:If you had a lot of money to donate, where would you donate it to? Why?(假如你有很多钱可以捐赠,你会捐给什么单位?为什么?)

A:I would donate it to the medical research because I want to do something to help others.(我会捐给医药研究方面,因为我要为他人做点事。)

A:I prefer to donate it to educational institutions.(我乐意捐给教育机构。)

19.4 关于未来(About Future)

面试例题1:What is most important in your life right now?(眼下你生活中最重要的是什么?)

A:To get a job in my field is most important to me.(对我来说,能在这个领域找到工作是最重要的。)

A:To secure employment hopefully with your company.(能在贵公司任职对我来说最重要。)

面试例题2:What current issues concern you the most?(目前什么事是你最关心的?)

A:The general state of our economy and the impact of China' entry to WTO on our industry.(目前中国经济的总体情况及中国入世对我们行业的影响。)

面试例题3:How long would you like to stay with this company?(你会在本公司服务多久呢?)

A:I will stay as long as I can continue to learn and to grow in my field.(只要我能在我的行业里继续学习和成长,我就会留在这里。)

面试例题4:Could you project what you would like to be doing five years from now?(你能预料5年后你会做什么吗?)

A:As I have some administrative experience in my last job, I may use my organizational and planning skills in the future.(我在上一个工作中积累了一些行政经验,我将来也许要运用我组织和计划上的经验和技巧。)

A:I hope to demonstrate my ability and talents in my field adequately.(我希望能充分展示我在这个行业的能力和智慧。)

A:Perhaps, an opportunity at a management position would be exciting.(也许有机会,我将会从事管理工作。)

如果不愿正面回答,也可以说:

It would be premature for me to predict this.(现在对此问题的预测,尚嫌过早。)

面试例题5:What range of pay-scale are you interested in?(你喜欢哪一种薪水标准?)

A:Money is important, but the responsibility that goes along with this job is what interests me the most.(薪水固然重要,但伴随工作而来的责任更吸引我。)

假如你有家眷,可以说:To be frank and open with you, I like this job, but I have a family to support.(坦白地说,我喜欢这份工作,不过我必须要负担我的家庭。)

面试例题6:What specific goals, including those related to your occupation, have you established for your life (career)?(您为您的职业生涯制定了什么样的具体目标?)

A:My specific goals related to my occupation is to work for a company where I can apply my technical and business skills I obtained from college and my past experience. To take advantage of the continuous learning process that goes along with the many technological advances.(我的职业的具体目标是为一个可以让我施展我在大学及过往经验中积累的技术与商业技巧的公司工作。通过技术上的不断学习推进技术创新。)