Are you a good interviewer?





Here are some suggestions about how to prepare an interview.

Complete the article with these verbs:

arrange, ask, find, have, let, start, use, want


1 Decide what you need to find out in the interview before you __________ and only ask questions
that are relevant.

2 Be prepared! Before you start, __________ out as much as you can about the interviewee from the
curriculum vitae and covering letter.

3 Write down the main questions you __________ to ask in advance and have them where you can see
them during the interview.

4 __________ the interview go where the interviewee’s answers lead to some extent, but __________
your list of questions to structure the interview, and as a checklist, so that you don’t forget to
__________ all the important questions.

5 Make sure that you __________ no interruptions during the interview.

6 Have the interview in a room where there are no distractions, such as disturbing noises.

7 Choose and __________ the chairs so that the atmosphere is neither too formal or too intimate.



Complete these interview questions with these words:

are, do, have


a __________ you good at persuading people to do things?

b __________ you ever prepared displays for shop windows?

c __________ you prepared to travel abroad?

d __________ you good with your hands?

e What software __________ you have experience of?

f Why __________ you want this job?

g __________you like being part of a team?

h __________ you ever been in an embarrassing professional situation?

i Why __________ you think you are qualified for this job?

j What languages __________ you speak?

k Why __________ you want to leave your present job?

l How much money __________ you earn in your present job?

m How long __________ you been in your present job?

n __________ you good at organising an office?

Match these answers with the previous questions.


1  Yes, I love making things in my spare time.

2  French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

3  Yes, my friends say I am very persuasive in discussions.

4  Yes, I’d love to visit other countries.

5  Yes, lots of times.

6  Yes, I prefer it to working by myself.

7  Well, I once went to work wearing the same suit as my boss!

8  I think I need a change.

9  Well, I reorganized the office in my present job and everyone was delighted with the result.

10 For nearly five years.

11 My basic salary is 15,000,- pounds plus bonuses.

12 I’d like a more challenging job than my present one.

13 Well, I have all the qualifications you asked for in your advertisement.

14 We use the latest version of Windows in my present company.