Interviews are always scary, but even more so when you have to speak in a language which is not your mother tongue. So, as a non-native English speaker, how can you succeed in an interview and prevent the nerves from taking over?

Firstly, and most importantly, you have to prepare. You won’t know exactly what questions the interviewer will ask, so having a solid, all-round grasp of vocabulary and grammar is essential.

Have a look at the diagram below. This will give you an idea of the standard interview topics that you could be asked about.

Your background and experience

Your first option, is to be very specific.

For five years I worked:

in + INDUSTRY (teaching, engineering, retail)

for/at + COMPANY (Coca Cola, a youth centre, my local church)

with + PEOPLE/ANIMALS (teenagers, abandoned dogs, the homeless)

Of course, if you weren’t getting paid, you can change “worked” for “volunteered”.

 

If you want to give a more general overview, without giving a time frame, use the present perfect (I have + past participle):

I have worked in retail.

 

This doesn’t tell the interviewer much, so add in a few more details using gerunds (-ing words):

I have worked in retail, serving customers, stocking shelves, and placing orders.

 

If you are applying for a role in the same industry that you are in now, you can say:

I have worked in retail since + date (January, 2005, last summer)

I have worked in retail for + time frame (5 years, 6 months, 2 weeks)

 

What are your own ideas?

 

What you can bring to the role and the company

This is an opportunity to detail your strengths. What matters to this role?

I am + adjective/noun: hard-working, patient, a team player

I am good at + gerund: dealing with complaints, networking, writing reports

I am good at + noun: IT, sales, languages

I have + adjective/noun: a good eye for detail, a lot of experience, a calm personality

I can + verb: communicate easily with people, work on different projects at the same time, manage my time effectively

 

What are your own ideas?

 

Your knowledge of the company

It is essential that you research the company before an interview. Even knowing basic information will impress the interviewer. Take the time to look at the company website and remember key details, such as:

When the company started

How many employees it has

In what countries it operates

What the company mission statement is

 

What are the answers to these questions in your company?

 

Your hobbies and interests

I like/love/enjoy + gerund: cycling, reading novels, travelling

I like/love/enjoy + noun: action movies, history, photography

Be prepared to expand on these. In the above examples, the interviewer may ask:

What’s your favourite action movie?

Where is the most interesting place you have travelled to?

 

What are your hobbies and interests?

 

Additional tips

As well as preparing answers to the possible questions, here are a few more tips:

Don’t panic. Listen carefully to the question, and take your time to reply. There is no hurry. Silences appear longer than they are when you are the one who needs to respond.

Be honest. If you don’t understand the question, say so. Interviewers will always repeat or rephrase the question to help you.

Drink water. A dry mouth is common before and during an interview, so if you are given an opportunity to have a glass of water, take it. Take sips, not gulps.

Consider your posture. Sit straight and look confident;

Try to enjoy the experience; it is all good practice!

And finally, be yourself. Interviewers want to get to know you, so let your personality shine through.

 

If you are preparing for an interview in English, contact me and together we will make sure you are 100% prepared.

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