----面试官可能会以这种或者那种形式问你这个问题。这个问题与“在你以前的那份工作中，你的愿望与现实有什么相异之处？”那个问题很相似，但更巧妙一点。虽然从根本上说，这两个问题都是在确定同一样东西，但是这种提问形式更巧妙一点。许多首次应聘者对他们的公司抱有幻想，而且对于从事平凡的抄写员的工作感到意外与不快。雇主想确信你对该工作抱有现实的态度，还有你会愉快地在那个职位上工作好几年。
Q: What would you say are the broad responsibilities of an editorial assistant? A: Though I’m sure it varies from company to company, I think it would be safe to say that being an editorial assistant involves a lot of typing, filing, and general administrative work. I would probably be expected to read and evaluate book proposals, write manuscript rejection letters, have some limited correspondence with authors, and generally assist the editor in whatever needed to be done.
36问：你熟知什么电脑系统和软件？
答：我用过装有办公软件的个人电脑，软件包括WORD、WORDPERFECT、LOTUS 123和EXCEL。同样我也有使用MACINTOSH系统的经验。通过对电脑网络的研究，我已对局域网熟悉起来。我们使用某公司的电脑系统和软件，它们就培训我们如何排解一些基本的故障问题。
-----在今天的商业环境里，电脑操作能力是必需的。WORD文字处理程序和EXCEL电子制表经验是必要的，熟悉数据库的操作或制图程序也一样有用。大多数行业使用PC机，但很多创新型领域，如出版业和广告业就使用MACINTOSH。假如你正在面试这个领域里的一家公司，你会发现熟悉MACS的好处。
Q: What computer systems and software do you know?
A: I have used PCs with general office software such as Microsoft Word for Windows, WordPerfect, Lotus123, and Excel. I have some experience with Macintosh systems as well. And through my search for a computer network, Ive gained some familiarity with local networks; the computer company we used trained me on basic troubleshooting issues.
37问：举出一个例子说明你是如何不顾困难把一个项目坚持到底的。
答：实际上我已逐渐退出某个账目，但作为一个顾问仍保持着对其跟踪服务，因为那个顾客威胁说要是他不跟我交易，他就撤销账户。3个多月来，我一边做补偿调整工作，一边逐渐减少出面次数，这样就使那顾客觉得愉快多了。
----示范你是如何收集资料和预见并解决困难的。你的回答应集中在如何解决困难和执行方案上，而不是集中在困难的本身。
Q: Give an example of how you saw a project through, despite obstacles.
A: I actually rotated off an account but kept my hand in it as an adviser, because the client had threatened to pull the account if he wasn’t dealing with me. Over three months I was able to make the client more comfortable with my replacement while I slowly decreased my presence.
38问：告诉我你做决策的一个例子。
答：我曾努力把我们的生产系统转变为专用路线。最大的问题就是说服厂里的工人，因为他们要学会用不同的方法来做这工作，但这个策略是可行的。我向他们保证在几个月内这份工作就会变得很容易了，那时我们每个职员每周能节省4个工作时，我还说服了管理部门用一半储蓄去提高利润分红，这样做也赢得了员工们对我的支持。
----描述你坚持达到目标的一个事例。个人目标（例如：一个可以反应你发展一项新技能的兴趣的个人目标）在这里会更适合。说明你怎样收集资料、预见困难和对付压力的。
Q：Share an example of your determination.
A：I led an effort to change our production system over to dedicated lines. The biggest problem was convincing the factory workers that this strategy made sense, even though theyd have to learn to do their jobs differently.
I assured them that within a few months their jobs would be easier, and wed save about four manhours per employee per week. I convinced management to increase the profit sharing account using half of those savings, which also helped get the employees on my side.
39问：让我听一下你勤奋或有恒心的实例。
答：上次在我们系统安装的过程中，顾客改变了要求。在新的花费由顾客负责的条件下， 我的同事同意了顾客的要求，决定按时完成工作。虽然知道这份工作要3个月时间才能完成，但我们每周花70～80个小时，最后我们完成了。
----描述你自己的职业个性，包括有毅力、勤奋刻苦和有责任感。说明你如何收集资料、运
用时间管理技巧或有超前意识。举出具体例子。
Q: Share an example of your diligence or perseverance.
A: About halfway through our last system installation, the client changed her requirements. Our partner agreed that, at the new costs the client would incur, we could still meet the original completion date. It took about seventy to eighty hours a week for us to get the job done, but we did it, knowing that it would be over within three months.
40问：描述你解决棘手的问题或是谁都不愿意接受的任务的情况。
答：我必须决定在我的部门里要取消哪项开支才可以使花费降低大概5%。我尽可能地保持客观。最后结果是通过减少每个科组领导的旅游开支，让他们负担所要减少的经费的25%，这是我们销售分部的一大笔经费。在可能的时候减少出差，并通过买打折机票而实现大部分的节约。
-----描述你曾愿意甚至是自愿去解决的一个曾被尝试但未能解决的问题。或者描述你完成的即使在短期内不甚受欢迎，可对公司的长远利益有重要作用的事情。例如，你的回答或许应包括对待一个难对付的员工或改进工序计划。
Q: Describe a time when you tackled a tough or unpopular assignment.
A: I had to determine which budgets would be cut within my division to yield an overall 5 percent cost reduction. I tried to remain objective and keep the personalities of department heads out of the decision. Ultimately, I ended up getting each department head to commit to a 25 percent reduction through frugal travel expense planning, which was an enormous part of our sales divisions costs. We accomplished most of the savings by combining trips and by securing two week advance airline reservations whenever possible
41问：你现任的老板会不会把你看做是一个有超前意识的员工？
答：绝对会。实际上，在我年度工作评语里她说我是她员工队伍中最可靠和适应能力最强的人。我认为主要归因于我善于应变和超越别人的能力。您想听一个例子吗？
-----随时准备提供一个你毅然坚持到底并获得重大成果的重要项目。说明你在解决一个棘手问题时的可靠性和自觉性。假如你描述你“长时间工作”，则要保证说明你这个时间是高效的，而不是低效率的。
Q: Would your current boss describe you as the kind of employee who goes the
extra mile?
A: Absolutely. In fact, on my annual evaluations she writes that Im the most
dependable and flexible person on her staff. I think this is mostly because of my ability to juggle and prioritize. Would you like an example?
42问：讲述你没能发挥你能力的一次事例。
答：我第一次被引见给董事会的时候，我没有料到他们会问其他一些问题。除了我准备汇报的事情外我没有准备其他任何东西。现在我的上司和我都绞尽脑汁提前准备所有的“怎么样”。
----这个问题要求求职者去叙述一次消极的情况。根据问题的意思讲一件早期因没工作经验而造成的工作失误。然后说明作为上次的经验教训，你现在有了更好的判断能力。
Q: Tell me about a time you didn’t perform to your capabilities.
A: The first time I had to give a presentation to our board, I failed to anticipate some of their questions. I was unprepared for anything other than what I wanted to report. Now my director and I brainstorm all in advance.
43问：员工们有的注重思想，有的注重实干，你如何评价自己呢？
答：对我来说在每个项目上都有明确的方向是重要的，那就是为什么与思路清晰的管理者在一起，我能成为很好的支持者的原因。我总是能很好地完成任务。
-----通过这个问题，面试官在寻找一个恰当的人选。假如工作以团体为主而该应聘者偏爱独立工作，那问题就出现了。在完成过去的工作项目时，你是否按工作任务所指定的界限进行呢？
Q: Employees tend to be either concept oriented or task oriented. How do you describe yourself?
A: Its important for me to have clear direction on each project. Thats why Im good in support roles, with managers who have very specific ideas. I’m thorough at carrying out the tasks.
44问：你的同事会告诉我有关你注意细节方面的什么呢？
答：我的同事总是靠我给他们指出他们工作中忽略的东西，所以他们很可能会告诉您，我在工作中考虑得很周密。
----在这里，面试官感兴趣的是应聘者的独立性和完成工作的能力。你负责任吗？你是否卓有成效地为团体活动做贡献而不是被卡在一些无关紧要的细节上？你能有效地利用你的时间吗？假如是的话，举出一个别人称赞你的例子。
Q: What would your colleagues tell me about your attention to detail?
A: My coworkers always count on me to help them think through what might have been overlooked, so they probably tell you I think through processes from A to Z.
45问：日常工作中，你怎样应付压力？
答：我每周至少出去吃一顿饭并借此清理一下我的大脑。我自己有一个原则，即直到我觉得冷静了才对事情作出反应。我先思考，然后行动，我已学会了加班加点地干活。
----在这里，叙述一个你已解决的压力较大的项目，及你在这个项目中组织每一步骤时所采取的具体行动，以及如何把工作坚持下去的事例，这可能会有好处。在压力下你是如何保持心境的平和及保证你的职业水准的？
Q: How do you manage stress in your daily work?
A: I try to get out for lunch at least once during the week to clear my head. I also have a personal rule that stops me from reacting to any problem until I fee calm about it. I think, then act，but I have learned to do that over time.
46问：如果事情不按你所计划的发展，你又如何重新部署呢？
答：我开始想像有可能出现的最坏结果，然后找出能避免那糟糕结果出现的预防措施。这样做之后，我通常都能取得和原定目标不相上下的结果。我前面叙述的那个培训例子就是证明。
----描述曾经出现的困难迫使你改变原来的计划，但你还是达到了预期的目的。你是否得到别人的协助支持才能实现这个目标的？吃一堑，长一智，你以后又是如何预见困难的呢？
Q: How do you regroup when things havent gone as planned?
A: I start by trying to imagine the worst possible outcome; then I back up and identify precautions I can take to avoid that scenario. In this way I usually end up with a result close to the original goal. The training example I described earlier is proof of that skill.
外企招聘面试会用到的英语对话
