Abybody speak French?

Nicks Fan · #1 01-10-2009, 06:01 PM

I have an interview on Monday and the position is designated Bilingual. I speak very little French but I was told that one question is asked at the end which is in French. They tell me that the question is very basic (How did you get here?, What book have you read in the past six months that you liked?). I have been studying but the problem is I have no idea what the question will be. The one good thing is that the position is at my Branch where I presently work as a page which you don't have to be bilingual for. However to work at the Cards and Accounts desk you have to speak French.

Any thoughts or suggestions

Matt

shackin'up · #2 01-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Strand! Live out your passion! eh Ton Passion.

Musicman408 · #3 01-10-2009, 06:29 PM

I mean, I wouldn't worry about it. If you can't really speak French, you're not going to be able to learn overnight. You'll be alright, and if they question gets asked, and you don't know how to answer, you tell them that.

David · #4 01-10-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicks Fan

I have an interview on Monday and the position is designated Bilingual. I speak very little French but I was told that one question is asked at the end which is in French. They tell me that the question is very basic (How did you get here?, What book have you read in the past six months that you liked?). I have been studying but the problem is I have no idea what the question will be. The one good thing is that the position is at my Branch where I presently work as a page which you don't have to be bilingual for. However to work at the Cards and Accounts desk you have to speak French.

Any thoughts or suggestions

Matt

It doesn't matter what they ask. Simply say: "Qu'est-ce que vous avez bien pu raconter?" & screw up your face with a confused look.

iamnotafraid · #5 01-10-2009, 08:14 PM

La Belle et la Bete

Chrislit18 · #6 01-10-2009, 10:26 PM

say:
je ne parlais pas plus de francais

or something like that
it means 'i dont speak much french' basically
i took french for 4 years. its not too bad to learn.

Zombie · #7 01-10-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

It doesn't matter what they ask. Simply say: "Qu'est-ce que vous avez bien pu raconter?" & screw up your face with a confused look.

All right, what's that mean?

I took Spanish in high school instead of French because the Spanish class was the only one that actually took a trip of all the foreign language classes in my school...little did I know that the year before me had screwed it up by getting plastered while in Spain - the ENTIRE class, sheesh, learn to hold your alcohol, lightweights - so Spanish trips were all banned afterwards.

Jerks.

Also, can you get a bilingual job if you're not actually bilingual? That will totally open up my career prospects.

Nicks Fan · #8 01-11-2009, 09:00 AM

The job states that you must be able to soeak and write French. However in speaking with my supervisor I was told that they ask one question in French to see how well you understand. She said that if you don't pass the French question ,but do pass the English portion getting more points then the other candidates (Of which there are 4)

Matt,then she doesn't see why they wouldn't hire me.

Matt

Josh2003 · #9 01-11-2009, 10:25 AM

I speak French, but I don't think I understand what you're asking for...

Sahara · #10 01-11-2009, 11:28 AM

I had to answer similar questions for my French oral exam last year ... I'll check to see if I have my old notes to scan for you if you're interested...? I got an A1, my teacher was really good!

Nicks Fan · #11 01-11-2009, 03:31 PM

Yes that would be helpful. For me it is just the uncertainty of knowing what will be asked.

Thanks

Matt

Sahara · #12 01-11-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicks Fan

Yes that would be helpful. For me it is just the uncertainty of knowing what will be asked.

Thanks

Matt

Any questions in particular?

JWS · #13 01-11-2009, 08:21 PM

I took three years of Latin. A lot of good that does me.

Nicks Fan · #14 01-11-2009, 11:35 PM

Any basic questions that you think are not too advanced. I have been thinking since Christmas was just a fre weeks ago they might ask me how my holidays were.

So far from asking fellow employees these are some of the questions that they have asked.

1. What skills do you look for in a manager?
2. How did you arrive here?
3. How was your summer Holidays?
'4. How did you learn French?
5. Why did you become a Librarian?
6. What are your fav extra curricular hobbies?
7. What is a fav book that you have read in the past six months?

Matt

Sahara · #15 01-12-2009, 05:49 AM

Oh gosh, I've just realised your interview is on Monday ... I'm afraid those notes of mine are in Dublin, I won't be able to get to them in time...!

I'm so sorry mate!

My advice would be to prepare a few short, simple sentences for each question you think you might be asked. The French shouldn't have to be complicated, just clear and correct.

Good luck!