How to prepare for a job interview in English: Tips and tricks to ace an interview
LikeAs a tutor for English as a foreign language, something I often hear from my students is how much they dread doing an interview in English. So if you´ll soon be applying for new jobs or taking part in an interview, look no further than these tips to ace any interview!
1. Prepare for the interview. Give yourself time to read over all the documents you have so it's fresh in your mind. Read over the job specification and requirements making sure you possess the skills and qualities they are looking for. If there are words in the job decsription or specification you don´t understand, look up the definitions so you can ensure you´ve gained a full understanding. Furthermore, prepare answers to possible questions they may ask, ensuring you refer to the keywords and skills they´ve used in the job description.
2. Research the company your applying for. Ask yourself why would you like to join the company, why would you be the perfect fit for the role, what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are in reference to the job position.
3. Practise answers to possible questions. Get a family member or friend to help you roleplay the interview. They can ask you the questions whilst you answer. Make sure you give real-life examples to back up your strengths or when you have used a particular skill/quality. A good idea is to use the STAR method when preparing answers. This refers to Situation, Task, Action and Result, and can be applied to most real-life examples you could refer to. Make notes of the answers you come up with as few prompts and then take them away and practise without them.
4. Be confident, talk clearly and concisely. This is a time to showcase who you are so you may bring up anything that is relevant about yourself - talk about your education, work experience, and volunteering for example. The best way to speak confidently and clearly is to ensure you´ve prepared well and practised regularly.
5. Stick to the questions being asked. Ensure you answer the questions with relevant information and avoid going on a tangent. When you´ve been asked a question, repeat it in your mind so you remember what you´ve been asked. If you don´t fully understand a question straight away, don´t be afraid to ask your interviewer to elaborate or re-word the phrasing.
6. Ensure you look professional and smart in how you dress for your interview. Also remember to smile and relax when you go into your interview. You only have a short time to impress so you need to make as much of a positive impression as possible!
Follow these tips and practise your English skills through listening and speaking, and in no time you'll ace that interview and successfully land a job.
Good luck to you all!
If you need private tuition for English and would like help with preparing a job interview, please don´t hesitate to reach out to me. I am an English tutor offering private lessons.