面试英语第18章：教你如何回答面试中的必答题

Tell me about yourself.

I was born and raised in Dalian, China. I attended the University of Beijing and received my master's degree in Economics. I have worked for 5 years as a financial consultant in Beijing for various companies including Rossi Consultants, People's Insurance of China and Pepsi. I enjoy playing soccer in my free time and traveling.

I've just graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Computers Science. During the summers, I worked as a systems administrator for a small company to help pay for my education.

评语：这个问题的目的是想大概地了解你，所以无需讲太多细节的东西。你的回答通常会帮助面试官决定下个问题问什么。除了给对方一个整体的印象，最重要的是着重讲和工作有关的经验。工作经验是大多数面试中最重要的环节，比学历更重要。

What type of position are you looking for?

I'm interested in an entry level (beginning) position.

I'm looking for a position in which I can utilize my experience.

I would like any position for which I qualify.

评语：对于一个新人，公司总是希望你能从底层做起，慢慢了解、弥补不足。就算你以前很成功有多年经验，也应当有这个心理准备。

Are you interested in a full-time or part-time position?

I am more interested in a full-time position. However, I would also consider a part-time position.

评语：尽量留最大的余地争取机会。因为只要工作拿到了，以后的事情就容易把握，主动性大多了。

Can you tell me about your responsibilities at your last job?

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.

评语：提到过往工作经验时，注意越详细越好。新手最容易犯的错误之一是讲过去经历时太过笼统。雇主是想知道你到底做了什么，做得怎么样，又学到些什么。你可以换着用一些不同的词汇来形容，而且尽量不要每句话都用“I”开头，还要记得用过去时态。

What is your greatest strength?

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.

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.

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.

评语：不用谦虚，充满自信地把自己最好的方面都抖出来。记得要给一些具体例子，举例时变化用词。

What is your greatest weakness?

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.

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.

评语：这其实是一个很巧妙的问题，你要讲得出一个其实是优点的缺点。比如工作太认真啦，对自己对人要求很高啦，工作很追求完美啦，等等。在讲到缺点后要记得说你一直在致力于改善。

Why do you want to work for us?

After following your firm's 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.

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.

评语：对这个问题你要事前做研究，通过看公司网站，其他有关信息等。越了解公司，对你越有利。

When can you begin?

Immediately.

As soon as you would like me to begin.

评语：充分表示你想要工作！