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📕 A2: Grades 10-12 • JOBS & CAREERS

L3: Interview Experience - Present Perfect & Past Simple

Learn how to talk about your job experience using present perfect and past simple. Practice answering common interview questions.

L3: Interview Experience - Present Perfect & Past Simple
💬 Warm-up
1 Have you ever had a job interview? What happened?
2 What do you think is important to say in an interview?
3 What skills do you have that are good for a job?

🎯 Objectives

  • Use present perfect to talk about life experiences relevant to jobs
  • Use past simple to talk about specific past events in interviews
  • Prepare and deliver answers to common interview questions using target vocabulary
In this block:

📚 Vocabulary

1.
apply
"I will apply for a summer job at the bookstore."
to make a formal request for a job
2.
resume
"My resume lists all my education and work experience."
a document with your personal and professional information for a job
3.
interview
"She has a job interview tomorrow morning."
a formal meeting to ask questions and decide if someone is right for a job
4.
hire
"The company will hire three new employees."
to give someone a job
5.
experience
"He has experience working with children."
knowledge or skill from doing something
6.
skill
"Good communication is an important skill."
the ability to do something well
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
apply
to make a formal request for a job
resume
a document with your personal and professional information for a job
interview
a formal meeting to ask questions and decide if someone is right for a job
hire
to give someone a job
experience
knowledge or skill from doing something
skill
the ability to do something well

✍️ Practice

Guess the missing word.
1. Your resume should include your education and work history.
2. She has experience working as a volunteer.
3. Learning a new skill can help you get a better job.
4. During the interview , the manager will ask you questions.
5. If they like you, the company will hire you.
6. To get a job, you first need to apply for it.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
1. Your resume should include your education and work history.
2. She has experience working as a volunteer.
3. Learning a new skill can help you get a better job.
4. During the interview , the manager will ask you questions.
5. If they like you, the company will hire you.
6. To get a job, you first need to apply for it.

📖 Reading

My First Job Interview

Last summer, I applied for a job at a local cafe. I had never had an interview before, so I was nervous. I updated my resume and practiced my answers. During the interview, the manager asked about my experience. I told her I had volunteered at a school event. She said that was a good skill. In the end, she hired me! Now I have worked there for six months. I have learned a lot about customer service.

Comprehension Questions

1.
What job did the person apply for?
The person applied for a job at a local cafe.
2.
How did the person feel before the interview?
They were nervous because they had never had an interview before.
3.
What did the person say about their experience?
They said they had volunteered at a school event.
4.
What happened at the end of the interview?
The manager hired them.
5.
How long has the person worked there?
They have worked there for six months.

🎧 Listening Practice

Beth's Interview Tips

0:00 / 0:00
Listening context

Comprehension Questions

1.
How many interviews has Beth had?
She has had three interviews.
2.
What was her first interview for?
It was for a summer job at a bookstore.
3.
How did she prepare?
She practiced answering questions about her skills.
4.
What experience did Beth mention?
She mentioned helping her family at their store.
5.
What advice does Beth give?
She advises to be honest and show your skills.

🗣️ Pair Work

Mock Interview Practice

"Work with a partner. One person is the interviewer and the other is the candidate. Use the questions below. Then switch roles. Try to use present perfect and past simple."

👉 Interviewer: Ask 'Tell me about yourself.' Candidate: Answer using present perfect for experiences and past simple for specific events.

👉 Interviewer: Ask 'What experience do you have?' Candidate: Talk about your skills and past jobs.

👉 Interviewer: Ask 'Why do you want this job?' Candidate: Give reasons and use vocabulary like skill, experience.

🚀 EnglishDee Tasks

KEYWORDS: apply resume interview hire experience skill
✍️ WRITING

Interview Prep - Writing Strong Answers

Write 3 answers to common interview questions. For each answer, write 2-3 sentences. Then explain why your answer is strong.

✅ Checklist:
  • Minimum 80 words total.
  • Use at least 4 vocabulary words from the lesson.
  • Use present perfect for experiences and past simple for specific events.
  • Each answer should start with a sentence starter from the tips.
🎙️ SPEAKING

Record Your Answer

Record a 45-second talk answering 'Tell me about yourself.' Include your skills, experience, and a reason you want the job. Use present perfect and past simple.

✅ Checklist:
  • Recording duration: 45 seconds.
  • Use at least 4 vocabulary words.
  • Focus on fluency: speak naturally, don't stop.
  • Start with 'My name is...' and then talk about your experiences.
Helpful Phrases
  • My name is ___ and I have experience in...
  • I have worked as a...
  • Last year, I volunteered at...
  • One of my skills is...
  • I am interested in this job because...
  • In my previous job, I learned...