1. 2012
Guide to Interview English: Part 2 – Interview, Negotiation
and Contract Reading
Copyright © 2012
Created by Mr. Miguel Cortes | Top
Management Coordinator
On May 10th, 2012

2. 2 Part 2 – Interview, Negotiation and Contract Reading
Table of Content:
Introduction 2
The interview 2-3
Negotiating for the job 4
Contract reading 5-6
Introduction
This guide to Interview English provides all the essential
tips you need to impress your potential employer.
Follow Carla on her search for that perfect job.
Listen to how she dazzles her interviewer.
And pick up savvy tips as she negotiates her salary package.
The interview
Clara’s winning resume and brilliant cover letter has scored
her an interview. It’s vital that Clara dresses professionally,
and researches the company, but it’s also crucial she has
all the right answers to her Interviewer’s questions!
Do you know how best to answer the most common
Interview questions?
Top Tips for a successful interview:
1. Practice answers to potential questions before the
interview
Draft out questions you may be asked and think about how you
would answer each one.
2. Be clear about your strengths – prepare specific
examples!
You say you’re a great problem-solver. Prove it with an example
of how you overcame a difficult situation at work.
3. List a weakness that you have already overcome
Find something you had trouble with before but have since dealt
with. Perhaps you were disorganized before but have now learnt
to prioritize.
4. Never allow yourself to be badgered about your salary
It’s okay to give a salary range. Don’t be bullied into settling for a package unworthy of
your qualifications.
Created by Mr. Miguel Cortes | Top Management Coordinator djfrance1@yahoo.fr Copyright © 2012

3. 3 Part 2 – Interview, Negotiation and Contract Reading
Clara’s interview:
Interviewer: Why don’t you start by telling me about yourself?
Clara: I’ve got five years of experience in the industry. I’m currently an Account
Executive for several major clients in my company.
Interviewer: Good. What would you say is your greatest strength?
Clara: I handle change well. I was asked to be the team’s leader when my line manager
was on maternity leave. I really enjoyed the challenge of this additional responsibility. I
was able to discover how to get the best from the individual members of the team. It
also gave me the opportunity to propose and implement changes in the annual appraisal
policies for the group. Now we use the process of 360 degree feedback in our appraisal
system and the team members feel this makes the process much more objective.
Interviewer: And what would you say is your greatest weakness?
Clara: I’ve had trouble planning in the past, but I’ve put a lot of effort to work on this. I
now prioritize all my tasks and plan everything ahead.
Interviewer: What would your co-workers say about you?
Clara: One of my team mates once mentioned that I was the most hardworking person
he knows. My other colleagues have also told me that I’m an excellent source of
feedback and ideas.
Interviewer: What would you say motivates you?
Clara: I’ve always been a conscientious person and I strive to do the very best no
matter what position I’m in. Of course, I’d appreciate some recognition from my
superiors from time to time!
Interviewer: Okay, thanks for coming in. We’ll be in touch.
Created by Mr. Miguel Cortes | Top Management Coordinator djfrance1@yahoo.fr Copyright © 2012

4. 4 Part 2 – Interview, Negotiation and Contract Reading
Negotiating for the job:
Clara has impressed her Hiring Manager with
her excellent answers and has received an
offer! Listen to her negotiate for a salary
package worthy of her skills and experience.
Top Tips for negotiating your salary:
1. Research the salaries in your field
Do a little market research so you know what to
expect.
2. Because you deserve it!
If you’re asking for more than what they’re
offering, be sure to make a solid case about how
you deserve it.
3. Be flexible - maybe they can give you
better benefits
It’s not that they don’t think you deserve what
you’re asking for. Perhaps they don’t have the
budget to give you the number you want. You
might want to consider taking the job anyway if
they’re willing to throw in free gym membership
or extra days off.
Clara Negotiates Her Salary Package:
Hiring Manager: I enjoyed meeting with you
the other day and would like to offer you the
position of Senior Project Manager.
Clara: Thank you for the offer! I am honoured
that you have selected me.
Hiring Manager: We’re happy to offer you a
salary of $30,000. The salary package will include an annual Christmas bonus and
medical benefits.
Clara: Hmmm… based on my current salary, I was expecting something a little higher.
Hiring Manager: I understand. Unfortunately, that is all I’m authorized to offer. What if
we gave you more vacation days and a gym membership?
Clara: Hmmm… I’m really interested in the position but I’ll need a few days to think it
over. Can I let you know my decision on Monday?
Hiring Manager: Sure. Let’s talk again on Monday.
Created by Mr. Miguel Cortes | Top Management Coordinator djfrance1@yahoo.fr Copyright © 2012

5. 5 Part 2 – Interview, Negotiation and Contract Reading
Contract reading
Clara has successfully negotiated a suitable
salary package and is meeting with the
Hiring Manager to sign her employment
contract. Contract reading can be a difficult
task, even for native English speakers. But
an understanding of a few key words and
phrases can help!
Top tips for reading contracts:
1. Take your time
It’s important that you understand what you’re
agreeing to, so take as long as you need.
2. Don’t be afraid to voice doubt if you
have any
Speak up if you need further clarification on an
issue. Even native English speakers sometimes
need help with legalese.
3. If you don’t understand it, don’t agree
to it
Never sign your name to anything unless you
understand the terms fully. If you still can’t
understand the terms, seek help from a legal
advisor.
4. Never agree to performance requirements that cannot be measured
You don’t want to get fired for not being ‘good’. Look out for measurable performance
requirements in your contract and have vague performance requirements explained.
Key terms you need to know:
“Party”
Contracts almost always refer to Party A and Party B. Party means the person or
persons forming one side of an agreement. Who is Party A and who is Party B is made
clear at the beginning of the contract.
“Article / clause”
An article or a clause is a particular statement or point in the contract. People will often
refer to them when discussing a contract. For example: Article 4.2 states clearly that
you have no right to publish that material.
Created by Mr. Miguel Cortes | Top Management Coordinator djfrance1@yahoo.fr Copyright © 2012

6. 6 Part 2 – Interview, Negotiation and Contract Reading
“Stipulate”
This is a verb that means to specify an essential condition. For example: Clause 8.1
stipulates that my client has the right to use the land as he wishes.
“Condition”
A condition means anything that is necessary before the performance of something else.
For example: You can buy the property on the condition that the money is paid in
advance.
“Legally binding”
If a contract is legally binding you must obey the rules of the contract or you can be
taken to court.
“Null and void”
If a contract is null and void the contract has no legal authority. It is therefore useless.
“Breach of contract”
If you are accused of breach of contract, a person is claiming you have broken your
agreement. This means he/she can take you to court.
Don’t close the file without reading this!
Let’s cut through the usual introduction – You are reading this right now because you
are unhappy with your current job or you are tempted to jump to another promising
position.
Impress the recruiter and your future boss with your brilliant self presentation in
English.
Make yourself stand out from all the other candidates!
You will find yourself in the fast track to career success and enjoying an upper class life
style in no time.
Created by Mr. Miguel Cortes | Top Management Coordinator djfrance1@yahoo.fr Copyright © 2012