Job interviews in English: how to be prepared to get a job
Work And Study / / December 25, 2019
1. In summary, write the truth
Typically, companies require English knowledge is not the applicant to then head could boast linguistic podkovannosti employees. Language is needed for the work. Therefore it is necessary to specify in the summary of the actual level of English. So you will save yourself time and hassle, no claim to a position where you most likely will not take. Because even the most careful preparation will pump not your tongue with pre-intermediate to advanced.
2. Prepare a list of questions that you can ask
Most likely, in an interview you will be asked about the same as that of the Russian-speaking interview, because the HR-scripts quite unified. The most common issue:
Can you tell me a little about yourself? | Tell a little about yourself |
How did you hear about the position? | How did you hear about this position? |
What do you know about the company? | What do you know about our company? |
Why should we hire you? | Why should we hire (that) you? |
What are your greatest professional strengths? | What would help you in your work? |
What do you consider to be your weaknesses? | What do you consider your weaknesses? |
What is your greatest professional achievement? | Tell us about the most important achievement |
Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it |
Tell us about the difficulties or conflict, you faced at work, and how you solved the problem |
Where do you see yourself in five years? | Where do you see yourself in five years? |
What's your dream job? | Describe your dream job |
What other companies are you interviewing with? | You go to an interview in the other company? |
Why are you leaving your current job? | Why did you leave this job? |
Why were you fired? | Why you were fired? |
What are you looking for in a new position? | What do you expect from a new job? |
What type of work environment do you prefer? | In what situation do you prefer to work? |
How would your boss and co-workers describe you? | As a leader and colleagues would describe you? |
3. Learn all about the company
Carefully review the company's website, in which you go to a job interview. But is not limited to these. Find informal community organizations, interview managers, staff pages social networks, Information on competitors. You need to draw maximum data so as not to be trapped. At the same time the photos from the office find out how best to dress for an interview.
4. Prepare answers to anticipated questions
At the interview, you are not waiting for crystal honesty, but still lie and frankly is not worth. Build the answers, based on what you want to hear from. Here it will be useful of small-company research. For example, in response to a question about their preferred work environment you describe it such as in the organization.
Prepare stories about their successes and failures that you finally managed to transform into victories, store of facts and figures. This will make the interview subject and do duty by saying sociability and teamwork, which benefits you provide against other competitors.
5. Write down the answers
Form the text of your speech rather than as answers to specific questions. Make small semantic units with which you will be able to juggle in the conversation. This will not reconcile in my head questions with answers and choose a suitable within the meaning of information.
Keep in mind a few nuances:
- Choose a simple design. All sixteen times (plus ten in the passive voice) are used only in the classroom at school and at a reception at Queen's, but what about the Queen is not accurate. Speaking distinguish short sentences and simple words without zaum.
- Check the Dictionary of English semantic accents of words that you use. For non-native speakers are not all the details are clear. Neutral wording to you may be insulting to his interlocutor.
- Do not abuse idioms. The use of fixed expressions, undoubtedly, testifies to a deeper knowledge of the language. But if it is only one who speaks looks unnatural and even comical.
To formulate responses can be entered into Google a question in English, and to see what options offer specialized job sites. But copy them word for word, still not worth it.
6. Make an outline
Answers to the questions you have saved not for entertainment, they have to learn. However, cramming the text by heart - a bad idea. You will look unnatural and nervous if something is forget. Therefore, make a plan, a summary of his speech. You can write one key proposals on each block or words that will draw.
7. learn the answers
Strung on the skeleton of the text created by the abstract, "meat" of the facts, events, percussion phrases. The main task - to learn how to clearly and consistently to tell stories, not peeping in a leaflet. You need to easily switch between units, if the answers directly generate at the time of the interview.
8. Rehearse your responses aloud
Even if the text reads smoothly in your head, try to say it aloud. So you will understand that the need for additional rehearsals. Involve caring family who will be willing to listen to as you shoot down and start again. Well, if one of them speaks English and will ask clarifying questions to create an environment approximate to the "battle".
If in the immediate environment there were no volunteers that use the Internet. Especially since you can even contact with a native speaker. For search companion use foreign forums, Skype. Chatroulette suitable even, if you do not mind that it is necessary to look at other people's genitals, before the connection will adequate person. Explain the problem and tell us about yourself as planned. This will help to consolidate the text and give confidence.
9. Make your own dictionary
The interview questions are not limited to duty, so it's best to brush up on the basic terms that are used in your profession. The following words can also be useful:
a team-player | team player |
adaptable | adaptable |
competent | competent |
creative | creative |
dependable | reliable |
determined | purposeful |
enterprising | enterprising |
enthusiastic | full of enthusiasm |
experienced | experienced |
flexible | able to quickly adapt to circumstances |
loyal | dedicated |
motivated | motivated |
problem-solver | person, problem solver |
reliable | reliable |
successful | successful |
team building skills | team building skills |
10. Sand result
If you followed the previous nine recommendations, you are ready to interview. But there are little things that will help you look at the interview even more convincing.
Try to avoid disturbing pauses in the conversation, while remembering the correct answer. Note that all input design, nervous jokes and words of parasites must be in English. «I am... what's it called? I am JavaScript developer »rather than« I am... damn, how did it... I am JavaScript developer ».
Watch for intonations. In English sentences expressing a confident and authoritative opinion, the formal questions and answers require the descending tones. In matters of the bottom-up tone.
Try to treat the interview as a pleasant conversation, and not as the exam.
This is primarily a conversation with someone, you need to please. So be nice, polite, confident, competent. So you can get the title, even if your knowledge of English is far from ideal.
see also
- 50 life hacking for successful interviewing →
- 15 English words and phrases that make you take for a native speaker →
- 7 questions you need to ask at the interview →