- •Elektronski fakultet
- •Written and spoken communications in english for science and technology introduction
- •Nadežda Stojković
- •Edicija: Pomoćni udžbenici
- •Elektronski fakultet
- •Nadežda Stojković
- •Isbn 86-85195-02-0
- •Table of contents
- •VII spoken presentations and interviews 99
- •VIII bibliography 117
- •Foreword
- •VI correspondence 73
- •II paragraph
- •2.1. Paragraph structure
- •2.2. Kinds of paragraphs
- •III essay
- •3.1. Parts of an essay
- •Introduction
- •3.2. Kinds of essays
- •3.3. Five paragraph model of composition
- •Introductory paragraph
- •3.4. Quotations/ references/ bibliography
- •IV formal reports and instructions
- •4.1. Formal reports format
- •4.2. Proposal (feasibility), progress and final report
- •4.2.1. Proposal (feasibility) report
- •4.2.2. Progress report
- •4.2.3. Final report
- •Introduction
- •4.3. Laboratory report
- •4.4. Design reports
- •Introduction
- •4.5. Instructions
- •4.5.1. Instructions format
- •Introduction:
- •4.6. User guides
- •Information Included in User Guides
- •4.7. Other types of technical documents/reports
- •V research papers
- •5.1. Research papers planning and writing
- •5.1.1. Note on style
- •5.1.2. General structure of a research paper
- •Introduction:
- •5.2. Journal articles
- •5.2.1. Prose and style considerations
- •5.2.2. Specific sections of an article:
- •5.3. Diploma paper
- •5.3.1. General structure of a diploma paper
- •5.3.2. Diploma paper defending
- •5.4. Master's vs PhD thesis
- •5.5. General features of a PhD thesis
- •5.5.1. Two types of PhD theses
- •5.6. PhD thesis proposal
- •5.6.1. Proposal format
- •5.7. PhD thesis format
- •Introduction
- •VI correspondence
- •6.1. Common letter components
- •Sample letter of common kind
- •6.2. Types of correspondence
- •6.2.1. Technical Cooperation
- •6.2.2. Technical Visits Abroad
- •6.2.3. Technical Visits from Abroad
- •6.2.4. Technical Training
- •6.2.5. Requesting Information
- •6.2.6. Complaint and Adjustment Letters
- •6.2.7. Application Letter
- •Sample application letter
- •6.2.8. Letter of Recommendation
- •Sample letter of recommendation
- •6.2.9. Resume/ cv
- •The common structure of a resume/cv
- •Helpful tips considering cv style
- •Sample cv
- •Your name
- •6.2.10. Cover Letters
- •Sample cover letter
- •6.2.11. Thank you Letters
- •Sample post-interview thank you letter
- •Sample post-information thank you letter
- •Sample job offer acceptance thank you letter
- •6.2.12. Memorandum
- •6.2.13. Emails
- •VII spoken presentations and interviews
- •7.1. Spoken presentations
- •7.2. Preparing and delivering formal spoken presentation
- •1) Analyse your audience
- •2) Know your task
- •3) Determine primary purpose
- •4) Shape your presentation
- •5) Select effective supporting information
- •6) Choose an appropriate pattern of organisation
- •7) Select appropriate visual aids
- •8) Prepare a suitable introduction
- •9) Prepare a closing summary
- •10) Practice
- •11) Delivery
- •12) Time and focus
- •7.3. Scientific discussion - argumentation and contra argumentation
- •6. Conclusion
- •7.3.1. Appropriate phrases for developing an argument
- •7.4. Interviews
- •7.4.1. Some interview tips
- •7.4.2. Common interview questions and answering hints
- •VIII bibliography
7.4. Interviews
Engineers often find themselves in the position to have an interview for some reason. Most often, and most commonly, it is for the purpose of obtaining a job position. It can be arranged for other purposes, as well. Those may be attempts to persuade the management of the appropriateness of a project that an engineer proposes, get a scholarship, or alike. Regardless the actual cause, interviews, as a rule, come last in the process of assessing someone's qualifications. Interview is a conversation between an engineer (the applicant) and the personnel of an institution. But it is much more than just a conversation. Before an applicant is invited to an interview, all their professional qualifications have already been most carefully examined. What is left to judge is the personality of the candidate. Because of that, in an interview everything about you matters, the way you hold your body, speak, dress, move.
You may be interviewed by managers, supervisors, future coworkers. Those people will most often ask you specific questions, carefully designed so as to unveil your personal features. In other words, they are psychologically trained to see what you are really like. Although interviews are not standard or uniform procedures and cannot be therefore 'taught' how to perform best, it is no secret what the interviewers seek to learn about the applicants.
What most want to know is how well you are able to fit into a team. So, when answering try and show that you are a good team player. Pay attention to indicate explicitly that you are, at the same time, an individual. You may also be asked very specific and personal questions, like what salary you expect and what you have achieved professionally so far. They might ask you about your impressions of the company and the people who interviewed you. They might also ask if you have other offers. If so, chances are good that they are willing to compete for you. But if you say that you have other offers, be prepared to back it up with the who, what and when, because they might challenge you. The interviewers will conduct or arrange reference and background checks. They might have the final say.
While preparing for the interview it is always good to research a company you are applying for. Interviewers often ask open questions regarding their company like: "What do you know about our company?" or "Why do you want to work for us?" The purpose is to see if you are worth continuing the interview. If your response is something like "Because it is a great company," you are in trouble before the interview has really begun. A great company already knows it is great. Interviewers want to know specifically why you want to work for such a great company. If you conduct a company research beforehand, you can face the challenge and answer such questions intelligently. At minimum, know what a company's products and services are, why they interest you, and how you can help support them. At best, find out everything you can about the company, including benefits, history, culture, advancement opportunities, financial status, plans. You may also ask about these topics during the conversation, but with your previous knowledge about the issues, you are more likely to formulate your questions so as to show yourself a knowledgeable and truly discerning person.
Think positively about the entire situation. "They" will judge you, but it is also very much your chance to judge the employer. In fact, if you handle yourself well and ask the right questions, you will put the interviewer in the position of selling the company to you. If this happens, you are probably doing well.
Be prepared to attend a second interview at the same company, and maybe even a third or fourth. If you are called back for more interviews, it means that they are interested in you. Most likely, they are narrowing the competition, so keep doing your best.
After interviewing, immediately send a thank you letter to each of your interviewers. Sending thank you letters is professional and courteous, and will help to make you stand out in the minds of your interviewers, so it might even be the deciding factor in your favour.