If you have a job interview in English in your home country or English speaking countries, you probably know that you should use eye contact, answer job interview questions and make a good impression. But what about having a job interview in English when you are not a native English speaker?
Only one thing is true and different in this case, and that is that you must be actively preparing for an interview, improve your English and communicate in English. For that, you must have an excellent oral level in English.
In this article, we explore some tips for preparing for a job interview in English. We will look at interview preparation and the most common interview questions.
What is importance of conversational English in passing a job interview?
Imagine you're in an interview, and communication becomes a challenge. That's going to be awful, right? Yes, it will, and sadly that's the experience of many people going into the corporate world. Except if you want to start a business in Canada, you must undergo an interview to get employed in any company.
The process allows you to prove to your prospective employer that you can carry out the task. Generally, interviewers ask specific questions tailored to the job description of the applicant. As an applicant, you're expected to give a detailed answer to every question asked.
However, beyond knowing how to answer a question, you must also know what language to converse in, which is why conversational English is essential. Many multinational companies and even indigenous companies in Canada conduct their interviews in conversational English. Most times, they do this to ensure applicants can relate well with other employees of the business and customers as well.
There are important questions to ask to understand the importance of conversational English in passing a job interview.
Why would you need to have a job interview in English?
English is spoken worldwide and is the pseudo world language that is used to communicate between many people from different cultures and backgrounds. Originally from England, the English language is now spoken as a first language in countries far, wide and further, it is spoken as a second language in many others.
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It is important to know that while English is spoken as a first language in a handful of countries, you could still find places within your own country where people speak purely English. Jobs in the British and American embassies for example.
Even if you are not planning to live in an English speaking country, you should know that depending on the company that you work for you may or may not be interviewed in English. However, the thing to bare at the forefront of your mind is that no matter what having English as a skill will help your career and give you access to more opportunities.
So you will interview in the English language if you apply for a job in an English speaking country, but you may also interview in English if you apply for a role in an English company or if speaking in English is a large part of your job.
Why is a job interview conducted in conversational English?
As a prospective applicant, you may be wondering why job interviews are conducted in English and not any of the many other indigenous languages in Canada. The first reason for this is the advent of technology. Continuous advancement of science and technology means more businesses can now have a global audience. As against what was obtainable many years ago, the internet has helped to create an interconnected world.
To meet the demands of this interconnected world and project products and services offered to a larger business audience, companies and businesses ensure their employees understand a universal language.
Also, the understanding of conversational English has proven to foster unity in the workplace and create a healthier work environment. Employees can collaborate with themselves on tasks to achieve the goals of the company faster and better.
There is no better time to set the pace for the type of company you envision than at the point of interviewing new employees. This, among many other reasons, is why job interviews are always conducted in conversational English.
English speaking lessons with a tutor can always be of great help in your preparation.
How can you make a good first impression with English conversation practice?
First impressions are so important that no one ever gets a second chance to make them. When you give a poor first impression, you might never get an opportunity to redeem yourself. As an applicant who wants to apply for a job posting, you should know that the interview process allows you to create a first impression.
To make a good first impression in a job interview, English conversation practice is vital. The more you practice before the interview, the higher your chances of fluent communication. You can practice for a job interview with your friends, study the company interviewing you, or look to the internet for materials that will help present yourself well.
English speaking practice can appear very tasking, especially when you're still coming to terms with the language. As such, you have to start by mastering words and phrases that are used in daily conversations. Watch movies, read books, listen to podcasts and interact with native English speakers before the interview to know these common words and phrases.
Have you applied for a job and sent your cover letter and CV? Have you have been selected for a job interview that will take place partially or entirely in English?
Even for native speakers job interviews are stressful and nerve-racking. As an ESOL student, you may be feeling like you are under extra pressure due to your language skills. You may be concerned that there will be people who can speak and present themselves better and you may even feel that you are at a disadvantage.
Rest assured that if you have an interview you are one of the best candidates and this is already a success point. From this point, you must focus on what you have and what you can do and leave behind what you can’t do. You have been chosen for a reason and so there is no point in feeling insecure about your language skills.
At the moment, you have within your power an equal chance to all of the other candidates. So putting aside any insecurities is important to note that the process in English is no different from a regular job interview.
The aim for any recruiter is to find the best person for the job, the person who can grow with their company and help the company to be a success. Immediately you must have this mindset and focus on how you can give the recruiters what they need.
The success of your interview depends primarily on your ability to talk about yourself and share with the recruiter how and why you are the ideal person for the job, so:
- Pay attention to your speaking.
- Practice a list of questions.
- Take your time.
- Listen carefully to what is asked.
- Your posture is important, as are your gestures and your vocabulary.
If you can pay attention to these few things, you will support the recruiter in wanting to listen to you and hire you.
Top tips for your presentation
- Greet the employer or hiring manager.
- Wear a suit or formal clothing. The first impression is paramount!
- Be punctual. Arrive at least ten minutes early, especially if it is a large company. You will undoubtedly have to go through the reception, register, potentially have a badge and go to the interview room.
- When you arrive, be polite and speak in English straight away.
- During the interview, you will be asked to introduce yourself, and then you will be expected to answer questions which will be asked to get to know you better and evaluate your skill.
Consider preparing questions about the company or position you will be working in if successful. This is a powerful way to communicate interest when you conclude the interview.
You may also want to pick up on these tips for the best pronunciation in English.
Why is composure important in an English job interview?
Have you ever spoken to someone and you are sure they know what to say but don't know how to say it?
Yes, that's something that happens a lot of times in an interview. For most applicants, the lack of composure always shows in their expressions. Beyond trying to prepare for possible questions you will be asked in an interview, it is essential that you also work on your composure.
The major reason why composure is important in an English conversation or a job interview is that it gives confidence. That way, you can analyze every question you are asked and provide the best answer.
What is the best way to compose yourself when answering job interview questions?
Composure in a job interview is as important as fluent communication. It won't be easy to speak English fluently when you cannot compose yourself.
To compose yourself well in a job interview, take note of the following:
Dress appropriately
Knowing how to prepare for a job interview isn't just about composure in speaking alone, but appearance as well. It is a common saying that how you appear is how people will perceive you. Dressing inappropriately for a job interview already creates a bad first impression of you. Many times, those on-boarding you may not look past it.
The danger is that immediately they point it out, it causes you to lose touch with yourself and your fluency. Before going for the interview, find out if there is a particular dress code. If there is none, then you should appear corporately. With a good appearance, your confidence can be boosted.
Avoid vulgar words
Another way to compose yourself in a job interview is to avoid vulgar words when responding to questions. One of the things to do during conversation English practice is to find out certain words peculiar to that job posting. It has been established that interviewers always love applicants who respond to questions using the right terms and phrases. As such, it's not enough to respond; you must ensure you are responding as you should.
Research about the company’s values and workplace before the interview
One flaw of applicants is that they know so much about their job and so little about the company. It is expected that before going for a job interview, you should have background knowledge of the company. Please find out the company, its goals, and some of the successes it has recorded over the years.
Firm confidence on your English skills
You should be confident about your level of English. This is not an oral English exam; it is purely a conversation with someone who wants to understand if you can fit within their company.
That being said, you must speak slowly and pay attention to your pronunciation in English. Just because you know what you are saying doesn't mean the recruiter will follow you and understand. You should make sure to repeat essential information and pause for effect.
Of course, you must, however, be aware of how you are communicating and that you are doing so clearly and concisely. Speaking in a way that is not understood or always asking the other person to repeat will make the interview difficult for everyone.
English phrases and vocabulary for an interview
A job interview will probably begin with a brief presentation of the company and the recruiters.
Then comes the first question: "Tell me about yourself" – the hard thing about this question is the fact that it is so broad you can wonder what to say, but you should answer concerning the position that you are applying for. For example, give your name, professional situation and summarize your last professional experience or your educational background very briefly.
If you want to stand out, you could talk about how you became interested in working in this role and what you have done to prepare for it. But to do this correctly, you have to know how to read the interest in the room.
Of course, you must master English vocabulary concerning your life and experience so that you can express yourself adequately. Your fluency in speaking will be appreciated and noticed. You must not hesitate in your presentation. But don't let this mean that you rush through the presentation, take your time and show your personality.
Here are some words of vocabulary to help you:
- In my last job I worked as...
- I was an employee for…
- I worked full/part-time hours...
- I am a graduate from… university
- I was responsible for…
- I am a match for this position because…
- In previous roles I have…
- I will add value to your company by…
- I am always building my skills, and I have recently studied/I am currently studying…
- I have developed my skills by…
- This position is in line with my long-term goals for my future...
Common interview questions for a job interview in English
Although all interviews are different, there are a set of standard questions that are generally asked in a job interview situation. Of course, depending on your profession and your level these interview questions will differ but here is are some questions to get you started.
1. Tell me about yourself
Of course, this is an inevitable question. The recruiter will want to know more about you and your work experience. Also, this is not about your general hobbies, interests or childhood; your answer must link to the desired position as much as possible. If experience does not seem relevant, do not mention it.
You have 60 to 90 seconds to give this answer unless they prompt you to keep talking. Do feel confident to mention some of your accomplishments.
2. Why are you interested in this role?
Here you should highlight what is interesting about the job for you and match this with why you are uniquely qualified to do the role.
3. Why are you leaving your current job?
You must be able to explain why you want to leave your job to work elsewhere without giving any negative answer. You can mention that your current role has no possibility to grow and you are looking for a new challenge. An excellent way to put it is to say that you are looking for a role which better highlights your strengths.
4. Why would you be a good fit for this company?
This is a question that is feared by many candidates because it is necessary to differentiate themselves from other candidates without seeming pretentious. To do this, you should highlight the facts, highlight your knowledge about the company, its values, its history, its ambitions and what you can bring to it.
If you know the dreams and goals of the company, then you can draw a line yourself with those ideas. You can also point out any issues and mention how you can help to solve them.
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses? (one of the tough interview questions)
This question is still very often asked in interviews. The purpose is to see if you have self-awareness and how you manage it. None of us are perfect so be clear about your weaknesses and how you manage them with your strengths, this makes you seem very real and relatable.
This is not the time to open the floodgates and tell all of your dark secrets. A good example is: I'm not a patient person, and I love to be busy and active, and I like to work quickly.
What are the best tips for acing a conversational English interview?
Regardless of how well prepared we think we are for a job interview, we all need additional help. From years of experience preparing people for job interviews, Superprof has put together some tips to help you ace job interviews.
Don't get too anxious, be yourself
When going in for an interview, avoid being too anxious. There is no cause for worry; it's an interview and nothing more. Instead of trying to be someone else or trying to be overly cautious about everything you say or do, be yourself and give it your best.
Be confident when providing answers
When answering generic and specific questions in a job interview, do so confidently. No employer will want to hire someone they cannot commit a task to or who cannot work as a team. One way to know how well you will deliver on tasks is by your confidence in answering questions. However, in answering questions confidently, do so with some sense of humility.
State what you intend to do differently
You have to make the employers know that you're bringing your A-game to the job. The best way to do this is to identify some weaknesses in the company and state how you intend to make up for them. Every employer wants someone who can help drive their company's goals in line with the realities of the times we live in.
If it's a new business, you can identify some growth areas and how you can drive them. If it's an existing business, be creative in presenting how you intend to stand out from other employees they've worked with in the past.
Extra tips for a successful job interview in English
- Prepare your interview by practicing your answers to the usual questions.
- Review the vocabulary of the sector and also your previous positions.
- Train yourself: watch English shows and listen to the radio to get your ears used to hearing English.
- Do not worry about your accent: it's better to be understood and clear with concise and a sharp emphasis than to have a good accent but not to know how to align two words in English.
- Do not hesitate to ask for a question to be repeated. Even native English people have to do this sometimes.
- Be interested: ask questions about the company - the size of the team, the company, the usual working hours.
- Plan ahead of time.
The goal of every job applicant is to ace their interview and get the job. However, it's not always easy because getting the job will be impossible without passing the interview stage.
Understanding conversational English is necessary for every job applicant in Canada. You can surf the internet and get helpful English materials. Alternatively, you can take an online English course or hire a private tutor from Superprof for conversational English practice.
Read about how to meet and speak with native English speakers or even learn English online.
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