Job interview
Entrevista de trabajo
- Performing a job interview
- Indirect object
- Informal affirmative imperative: "Usted" and "Ustedes"
This lesson teaches the use of the formal imperative in Spanish to handle job interviews, focusing on key expressions like "Preséntese" (Present yourself), "Hable" (Speak), and "Prepárese" (Prepare yourself) to guide professional interactions during telephone and in-person interviews.
Listening and reading
Start this class by listening to the audio and completing the corresponding exercises.
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:
- Imagina que entras en la oficina para tu entrevista de trabajo. ¿Qué dices? ¿Cómo te presentas de manera educada? (Imagine you walk into the office for your job interview. What do you say? How do you introduce yourself politely?)
- ¿Qué es importante en una entrevista de trabajo? (What is important in a job interview?)
- ¿Cuáles son los aspectos más importantes de un trabajo para ti? (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. _____ con traje para la entrevista y cause una buena impresión.
(_____ with a suit for the interview and make a good impression.)2. _____ la hora de la entrevista con recursos humanos para evitar confusiones.
(_____ the interview time with human resources to avoid confusion.)3. _____ al candidato que cumpla todos los requisitos del puesto.
(_____ the candidate who meets all the job requirements.)4. _____ un correo de confirmación después de la entrevista.
(_____ a confirmation email after the interview.)Exercise 5: Preparation for the job interview
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Presentarse - Presentarse
Imperativo
- (tú) Preséntate
- (usted) Preséntese
- (vosotros) Presentaos
- (ustedes) Preséntense
- (nosotros) Presentémonos
- (vos) Presentate
Hablar - Hablar
Imperativo
- (tú) Habla
- (usted) Hable
- (vosotros) Hablad
- (ustedes) Hablen
- (nosotros) Hablemos
- (vos) Habla
Contar - Contar
Imperativo
- (tú) Cuenta
- (usted) Cuente
- (vosotros) Contad
- (ustedes) Cuenten
- (nosotros) Contemos
- (vos) Contá
Contratar - Contratar
Imperativo
- (tú) Contrata
- (usted) Contrate
- (vosotros) Contratad
- (ustedes) Contraten
- (nosotros) Contratemos
- (vos) Contratá
Preguntar - Preguntar
Imperativo
- (tú) Pregunta
- (usted) Pregunte
- (vosotros) Preguntad
- (ustedes) Pregunten
- (nosotros) Preguntemos
- (vos) Preguntá
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)!
A2.38.2 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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Job Interview in Spanish: Using the Formal Affirmative Imperative
This lesson focuses on preparing you for a job interview situation in Spanish, emphasizing the use of the formal affirmative imperative ("usted" and "ustedes" forms). These commands are essential for polite instructions and requests—exactly what you need in professional settings such as interviews.
Lesson Content and Structure
You will explore three main interview stages through dialogues and practice: the initial phone interview, the in-person company interview, and closing the interview with next steps.
- Phone interview: Learn to give and respond to instructions like Pres9ntese con su currDculum ma1ana a las nueve (Present yourself with your resume tomorrow at nine).
- In-person interview: Understand how to give polite commands such as Traiga su DNI y referencias laborales, por favor (Bring your ID and references, please).
- Finalizing: Practice courteous closing sentences like Espere nuestro correo con la oferta formal (Wait for our email with the formal offer).
Key Verbs and Expressions
The lesson highlights imperative verbs useful in interview contexts, including:
- Presentarse (to present oneself): Pres9ntese (you formal)
- Hablar (to speak): Hable
- Prepararse (to prepare oneself): Prep1rese
- Contratar (to hire): subjunctive form linked with certainty or instruction
Important Notes on Spanish Formal Imperatives
In English, you usually use "please" and modal verbs (can, should) to give polite commands or advice. Spanish uses specific verb forms—the formal imperative—for such situations with "usted" and "ustedes." For example:
- Spanish: Pres9ntese (Formal "Present yourself")
- English equivalent: "Please present yourself" or "You should present yourself"
These forms are direct but polite commands and are widely used in professional contexts, making them especially important in job interviews.
Useful Phrases to Remember
- Pres9ntese a las nueve en recepci3n – Present yourself at 9 at reception
- Hable con honestidad y confianza – Speak with honesty and confidence
- Confirme si est1 disponible – Confirm if you are available
- Espere nuestro correo – Wait for our email
Mastering these commands will help you navigate job interviews smoothly and demonstrate polite professionalism in Spanish-speaking environments.
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