Job interview
Entrevista de trabajo
- Performing a job interview
- Indirect object
- Informal affirmative imperative: "Usted" and "Ustedes"
Learn how to handle a job interview in Spanish using informal affirmative commands. Practice key phrases and advice before, during, and after the interview. This A2-level lesson includes dialogues, verb conjugations, and practical tips to increase your confidence and fluency in real-life situations.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (18) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Contratar
To hire
2
La carrera
The career
3
Hablar con la jefa
Talk to the boss
4
El contrato
The contract
5
La entrevista
The interview
Ejercicio 2: Conversation exercise
Instrucción:
- Imagine you walk into the office for your job interview. What do you say? How do you introduce yourself politely? (Imagine you walk into the office for your job interview. What do you say? How do you introduce yourself politely?)
- What is important in a job interview? (What is important in a job interview?)
- What are the most important aspects of a job for you? (What are the most important aspects of a job for you?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Hola, soy John Smith. Encantado de conocerte. Estoy aquí para la entrevista. Hello, I’m John Smith. Nice to meet you. I’m here for the interview. |
|
Buenas tardes. Soy María López. Tengo una entrevista a las 10 en punto. Es un placer estar aquí. Good afternoon. I am Maria López. I have an interview at 10 o’clock. It’s a pleasure to be here. |
|
Es importante llegar a tiempo a una entrevista de trabajo. It’s important to be on time for a job interview. |
|
Deberías preparar respuestas y hacer preguntas. You should prepare answers and ask questions. |
|
El aspecto más importante de un trabajo es el dinero. Necesito un buen sueldo para mantener a mi familia. The most important aspect of a job is the money. I need a good salary to support my family. |
|
Para mí es importante que las personas que trabajan en la empresa sean amables. For me it is important that the people that are working in the company are nice. |
| ... |
Exercise 3: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 4: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. ________ en la entrevista a las nueve de la mañana para causar una buena impresión.
(________ at the interview at nine in the morning to make a good impression.)2. ________ con Recursos Humanos si el contrato ya está disponible para firmar.
(________ with Human Resources if the contract is already available to sign.)3. ________ al candidato ideal que cumple con todos los requisitos del puesto.
(________ the ideal candidate who meets all the job requirements.)4. ________ con la jefa si tiene alguna duda sobre las tareas asignadas.
(________ with the boss if you have any doubts about the assigned tasks.)Exercise 5: Preparation for the job interview
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Presentarse - Presentarse
Imperativo
- Usted preséntese
- Usted no se presente
- Ustedes preséntense
- Ustedes no se presenten
Contar - Contar
Imperativo
- Usted cuente
- Usted no cuente
- Ustedes cuenten
- Ustedes no cuenten
Hablar - Hablar
Imperativo
- Usted hable
- Usted no hable
- Ustedes hablen
- Ustedes no hablen
Preguntar - Preguntar
Imperativo
- Usted pregunte
- Usted no pregunte
- Ustedes pregunten
- Ustedes no pregunten
Contratar - Contratar
Presente
- yo contrato
- tú contratas
- él/ella/usted contrata
- nosotros/nosotras contratamos
- vosotros/vosotras contratáis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes contratan
Firmar - Firmar
Imperativo
- Usted firme
- Usted no firme
- Ustedes firmen
- Ustedes no firmen
Exercise 6: Imperativo afirmativo informal: "Usted" y "Ustedes"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Informal affirmative imperative: "Usted" and "Ustedes"
Show translation Show answersConfirmen, Hable, Firme, Contraten, Preséntese, Pregunten, Firmen, Esperen
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
A2.38.3 Gramática
Imperativo afirmativo informal: "Usted" y "Ustedes"
Informal affirmative imperative: "Usted" and "Ustedes"
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Presentarse to introduce oneself Share Copied!
Imperativo
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Preséntate! | Introduce yourself! |
| Preséntate! | Introduce yourself! |
| Preséntese! | You introduce yourself |
| Presentémonos! | You introduce yourselves |
| Presentaos! | They introduce themselves |
Contar to count Share Copied!
Imperativo
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| No existe forma imperativa afirmativa para 'yo'. | There is no affirmative imperative form for 'I'. |
| ¡Cuenta! | You count |
| ¡Cuente! | He count |
| ¡Contemos! | Let's count |
| ¡Contad! | You all count |
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Introduction to Job Interviews in Spanish
This lesson is designed to help you navigate the important process of a job interview using Spanish. It focuses on practical communication skills at an A2 level, teaching you how to prepare, conduct yourself during, and talk about a job interview afterward. You will learn how to use the informal affirmative imperative to give advice and instructions, which is common in everyday conversations among peers.
Key Contents
Imperative Affirmative Mood (Informal "Tú" and "Vosotros")
The lesson emphasizes using commands and advice with friends or colleagues. For example:
- Prepárate (Prepare yourself)
- Preséntate (Introduce yourself)
- Haz preguntas (Ask questions)
- Ten confianza (Have confidence)
Practical Dialogues
You will practice three stages of the interview process:
- Before the interview: Preparing together using advice in informal commands.
- During the interview: Simulating a real interaction, including common phrases such as "Buenos días, preséntate, por favor" and "Cuéntame por qué quieres este trabajo."
- After the interview: Discussing and reflecting on the experience with phrases like "Cuenta lo que pasó en la entrevista" and "Prepara un correo para agradecer."
Verb Conjugations and Mini Story
The lesson provides detailed verb conjugations in the present tense, imperative, and subjunctive moods for useful verbs such as prepararse, presentarse, contar, ayudar, and hacer. A mini story offers contextual examples to help you connect grammar and vocabulary with real-life situations.
Useful Cultural Notes
Note that in Spanish, the imperative forms change depending on whether you speak to one person informally (tú) or to a group (vosotros), unlike English where the imperative form is typically the same.
Additional Tips
- Use affirmative imperatives like "Prepárate" (Get ready) and "Haz las preguntas" (Ask the questions) when advising a friend.
- Practice polite phrases such as "Muchas gracias" (Thank you very much) to leave a good impression.
- Be aware of common interview topics: work experience, motivation, and handling stress.
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