A Job Interview. Tips and Vocabulary

Have you got a job interview?  Keep calm and prepare it.

Tips

1. Think ahead: Think about your personal and professional qualities and experiences from other jobs, and be prepared to tell a story or two about them. Back up your statements with real life details and remember, the best interviewees always go from the general to the specific.

General: “One of my greatest strengths is problem solving”.

Specific: “For example, when I met a challenge in a recent project, I managed to… and from this experience I learnt that…”.

2. Listen and Understand: Listen carefully to everything your interviewer says. Use eye contact when you speak and if there is anything you would like them to explain or repeat – ask. You don’t want to talk about something they didn’t ask!

3. Prepare set vocabulary: It’s a good idea to develop your vocabulary and learn as many common industry terms as you can before the actual interview. This shows genuine interest in what you do as well as a desire to progress.

4. Use appropriate tenses: When you are asked you about your current position, answer in the present tense (I am working at… etc.). When you are asked about your past positions use the past tense (I worked at…, etc.).

5. Short but sweet: Your answers to interview questions should be direct and precise and you should avoid using too many interjections to fill gaps in conversation.

6. Breathe: Take a moment to relax and keep things in perspective.

Useful Interview Vocabulary 

Work environment – the conditions in which an employee works. (Physical conditions, equipment, processes and procedures, etc.)

Management style – how a company manages its employees and their work activities.

Colleagues – people who work with you.

Background – the type of career, training, or education that you have had

Self-disciplined – the ability to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you what to do.

Great attention to detail – able to ensure information is complete and accurate and all details have been taken into account.

Salary requirements – the financial compensation you would require to accept a position.

For more tips and advice for your first job interview in English, watch 

                                                                                                                             Adapted from Your First Job Interview in English by Cat Symonds

Click here for questions and answers