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Job Interview Tips for CAE Success

The document provides tips for candidates taking an English proficiency exam involving describing two pictures. It advises candidates to compare the pictures rather than simply describe them, using words like "both," "whereas," and "while" to highlight similarities and differences. It emphasizes finding as many comparisons as possible within the time limit rather than focusing on describing the pictures for a set time. Sample comparisons are provided as examples.

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Jane Austen
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50 views2 pages

Job Interview Tips for CAE Success

The document provides tips for candidates taking an English proficiency exam involving describing two pictures. It advises candidates to compare the pictures rather than simply describe them, using words like "both," "whereas," and "while" to highlight similarities and differences. It emphasizes finding as many comparisons as possible within the time limit rather than focusing on describing the pictures for a set time. Sample comparisons are provided as examples.

Uploaded by

Jane Austen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Q - Do you like your job?

A - Yes, it is good. Having a job is good and my job is good.

Q - Do you like your job?

A - Yes and no! I mean, it's a challenge and the work is varied. But sometimes the
workload is overwhelming and my work-life balance suffers.

don't want to hear a rehearsed speech learn some CAE level vocabulary that you can use for
the questions you might be asked.

start adding high-level words to your active vocabulary

You should turn your body slightly towards the other candidate. Look at them and listen to
what they are saying. Nod, smile, be interested - the examiner will see this and feel more
warmly towards you and more positively about your English.

 You are asked to talk about TWO pictures. Choose two and say nothing about the
third one.
 Weak candidates simply describe the pictures: "I can see a car. The car is red. There
is a tree." You aren't asked to describe them. Strong candidates compare the pictures -
that's explained more below.
 Don't waste the first five seconds by explaining which pictures you have chosen. Just
start comparing the pictures!

try to look at the examiner and the other candidate from time to time. It's hard because you
have to look at the pictures, but strong candidates don't talk to the photos - they talk about
the photos.

If you aren't comparing, you aren't scoring points.

Comparing means saying what's the same in your chosen pictures and what is
different.

The Three Magic Words


 Both ...
 Whereas ...
 While ...
 (In contrast)

the goal isn't to talk for 60 seconds... the goal is to say as much as you can in the time you are
given!

"Whereas in this picture the man is wearing a suit, in this picture the man is dressed in
some kind of traditional costume."

"While the businessman is sending a text or checking his portfolio, the man in the fluffy
hat is checking his voicemail."

you can practice finding similarities and differences before you get to the exam. (One way to
do that is to take any two photos and find 5 similarities and 5 differences.)

Useful speculative phrases include:

 Perhaps
 It seems like
 They might have
 It could be that
 (Probably) e.g she is probably…

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