How to Succeed During the Job Interview in English

Break the ice by starting a conversation

First impressions are important, and you want to start your interview on the right foot. However, interviewers often present themselves in somewhat intimidating environments, so finding the right way to start a conversation can be difficult. It’s hard to make a good first impression if you’re nervous or improvising in another language.

Another key to winning the job is to make the interviewer feel like they have your full attention; good conversation starters also include asking about their weekend or referring to a company social media post.

Maintain the right body language

Projecting confidence is not accessible to everyone. However, it is crucial to sell yourself in a job interview.

Fidgeting, slouching, or rolling your eyes all over the place are behaviors that make you look awkward, needy, or worse, fake.

It’s difficult, but if you are prone to these habits, make a special effort to control them during the interview.

Do your homework when it comes to money

Money is a tricky subject, to begin with, and it can make you look bad in a job interview.

Doing your homework is key to avoiding awkwardness when talking about salaries in your HR conversation. Know your value, know the market. When salary comes up, try to time it so that the interviewer is the one who says the first figure. Remember to stay flexible and honest.

Take it easy and keep your focus on what’s important

Control and manage your thoughts and emotions. If you rush your speech, you may sound incoherent and nervous as well as needy, not to mention the linguistic mistakes you will make. If you show anxiety about speaking or are in front of an inexperienced recruiter, it can be easy to stray from the main topic.

Speak as if you are going to start work tomorrow

Talk as if you already have the job. My friend, Scott Adams, CEO of online clothing retailer McCloth, was telling me about a candidate he loved in an interview. The candidate came up with some proposals to improve McCloth’s mobile app. Adams was impressed with the presentation, his enthusiasm, and the research he had done.

Ask about what is happening now

Especially for those who get nervous when they are in a recruitment process in a language other than their mother tongue, it can be a bit rash to ask about the next steps. However, ask what will happen next in the selection process to prove to the recruiter that you are pragmatic and really want the job.

Also, if your interviewer is enthusiastic in their response, it’s a good sign.

Send the perfect thank you email

Let’s say you did well in your interview. It’s easy to be so satisfied that you forget something crucial. You don’t want your job interview to end, like when a gymnast does everything right but lands wrong.

This happens when you connect with the recruiter but forget to send a thank you note. Something as simple as an email that shows you care about the job and, in some cases, can improve their view of you.

The questions!

Job interview. Questions and answers about your interests and motivators

With this type of question, the recruiter is hoping to find out what inspires and motivates you in the workplace in order to ensure that those same motivators will be present in the new role you are applying for.

Question 1: Tell me about yourself

It is usually, if not the first, at least one of the first questions the recruiter asks. It is a broad question that allows them to identify what aspects you focus on to give your answer, as this is where your interests lie. The recommendation is that you give a picture of yourself for that moment, from a professional point of view, and mention in little detail some more personal aspects. Avoid repeating the whole story that is already described in the CV. Here, again, preparation in the language of the interview will help you to be confident and not dither for the right words.

Example of an interview answer

I am X (profession) with 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in sales and commercial areas. I am passionate about the commercial area and designing proposals for new business development. I have experience in international markets, in the implementation of sales strategies, and in the consolidation of commercial teams from scratch. I am characterized by being analytical, planned, and with a great sense of collaboration and teamwork.

Question 2: Give me a summary of your experience

Although it might look a lot like question 1, in this question, the recruiter wants to know the added value you could offer in the new position. Therefore, rather than describing your CV in detail, you should focus on your achievements and the learning you have gained from them in order to reflect the contribution you hope to offer to the new company that hires you.

Sample answer

My experience focuses on 2 key areas: sales growth and identifying new business. In the area of sales, I have worked in both national and international companies, where I have been able to design very concrete commercial proposals that have meant a significant increase in sales. For example (cite an associated achievement that you have described in your CV). With respect to the identification of new business (cite another associated achievement described in the CV).

Question 3: What do you know about us?

To answer this question, it is essential to research the company very well. However, it is not enough just to browse its website, it is also important to look for news related to the company, as well as to know a bit more about the companies it competes with, what is its “star” product, what are its medium and long-term objectives, what changes it plans to make in the near future, etc.

When giving your answer, you can mention the research you have done and where you read the information, as this will reflect your interest and initiative, as well as your commitment to your future job. Finally, indicate the aspects that most appeal to you and where you know you will be able to add value.

Example of a job interview answer

I understand, from what I have read on various portals and on your website, that you are a digital marketing company that seeks to position itself as an ally of companies through projects that connect directly with the commercial area and its business objectives. I know that they are in a process of expansion and therefore looking for new talent for the position of X, and I think that this is precisely where my profile would fit quite well given my experience in (describe).

Question 4: Why do you want to work with us?

This question can be considered one of the typical trap questions in the interview. You should be very careful not to fall into the trap of mentioning what you expect to receive from the company, i.e., mentioning that they offer a good salary, good benefits, professional growth, etc. The recruiter doesn’t want to hear what they are going to offer you (they already know that), what they want to hear are those aspects of the role that motivate you and that you will feel a strong commitment to.

Example of a response

One aspect of the announcement that really struck me was the new business development they have proposed, based on the expansion they will have over the next two years. This means new challenges, changes, goals, and innovation, and it is precisely this that motivates me most in a job. I don’t feel comfortable in routine environments, I come from working in very dynamic and changing environments, and I perform very well there because I anticipate actions that perhaps others don’t see.
Because of this and because of the characteristics of the company, its working environment, and its values, I am interested in working in your organization.

Question 5: Why do you think you are a good candidate for this position?

Or its variant, why should we hire you? To answer this question, you should study the advertisement or job offer very well. From it, you should identify at least 2 or 3 key elements of the position that fit with your experience and where you clearly add value, differentiating yourself from other candidates.

Example of an interview response

I understand that for this position, they are looking for a person with extensive sales experience, with responsibility for developing new business, and able to lead international teams. I think I am a good candidate given that: (please give specific examples of your experience where it is evident that you meet each of the requirements you have mentioned).

While from my point of view, my profile fits what they are looking for, I also understand that I will have to learn many things about their policies and way of doing things, as well as their processes and other key factors to which I will be able to adapt easily. (This last point shows a certain humility and willingness to learn as you do not want to show an arrogant and “know-it-all” profile).

Question 6: How do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the question, where do you see yourself in 5 years? The recruiter needs to guarantee the entry of a stable employee or at least one who can deliver results and offer some ROI after the investment that any new hire means. Therefore, the least you can do is talk about expectations of being self-employed/freelance, starting your own company, etc., as the recruiter will have the perception that they will be simply funding your new business rather than hiring an employee for the next few years.

Focus your response on new challenges without specifying specific positions within the organization.

Example of a response

Firstly, with much better English, I see myself already established in the position, facing new challenges, continuously learning, and with a strong team. The position I am in at that time will depend on the company’s career development policies and on how my results impact the business and progressively add value to the organization.

Question 7: What are your key strengths and weaknesses?

Your critical judgment is what the recruiter will be assessing with this question. Beyond knowing what you say, it’s more about how you observe yourself, especially in terms of what you have demonstrated or are about to demonstrate in the interview.

Strengths in the interview are the easiest thing to expose, but weaknesses are not. For weaknesses, cite at least two, indicating: what it is (name it), how you realized it was a weakness, the negative impact on your work or other people, and how you have been working on it to improve. Avoid the typical “I’m a perfectionist,” “I find it hard to say no,” or those related to knowledge (e.g., “I’m a perfectionist”). or those related to knowledge (e.g., English is a weakness because I don’t speak it very well) because what the recruiter is looking for are weaknesses and strengths associated with soft skills.

Example of an answer

As strengths, I can indicate that I am very organized and planned. I use various tools to ensure my organization and that of my team, and I try to give a lot of structure and clarity to my projects. I am also very good in terms of communication as I am empathetic, a good listener, and I am able to explain myself easily at any level of the organization.

As a weakness, I can say that I sometimes focus too much on details, which impacts the speed of response I can provide and, consequently, on the work of others who depend on me.

Question 8: Why do you want to change jobs?

In the job change question, beyond your specific reasons or problems you might have in your current job, what the recruiter really wants to know is what motivates you and what demotivates you in a job. With your answers, he will know if he will be able to offer what you aspire to and if there will not be an environment that limits you from exposing your full potential. Be honest in your answer, but if you are changing because of problems in the company, avoid personalizing, accusing, or making value judgments about colleagues or bosses. Speak in general terms about “company policies,” “leadership style,” or “willingness to try new experiences abroad.”

Example response

After 5 years in the company, I am very grateful for all the learning I have achieved, however, I feel that I have already established myself in the position, and I am looking for new challenges and challenges that the organization does not have and does not expect. The objectives that have been set are basically similar to those of previous years, so from the very beginning, I have been able to achieve the same objectives as in previous years.

Question 9: Describe a successful project you have been involved in

In this interview question, beyond knowing the success achieved, the recruiter wants to know the steps you took to carry out a project, how you solved the problems you faced, and how you overcame obstacles. The process you went through and the how is what is most valuable to the recruiter in this answer.

Sample response to this interview question

Situation/Task: When I joined the company, project X, which consisted of (describe very briefly what it was about), had been put on hold because it was not producing the expected results.

Action: Since the original idea of the project seemed very good as it would help improve our sales by the end of the year, I decided to analyze it and investigate what had not worked. Within a week, I prepared a plan that included (describing the actions taken) and asked my boss for a meeting to present the plan. After a long discussion, he allowed me to implement it.

Result: Within 3 months of implementing the plan, we started to see results, and by the 4th month, sales had grown by 5%. At the end of the year, I was congratulated, and the project was recognized as the best plan implemented that year.

Question 10: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?

The key thing for the recruiter with this question is to identify if and how you are able to overcome obstacles. Including understanding what “a challenge” is for you, how you approach it, what strategies you put in place to resolve a situation, and whether you achieve the empowerment needed to do so.

An example answer to this question

Situation/Task: A year ago, I was assigned a customer who had stopped buying our product because of a mistake we made in the company in the quality area.

Action: The first thing I did was to understand what had happened in the past and how I could ensure that the mistake would not happen again. I also did research on the competitor’s product I was using, costs, disadvantages, etc. Once the analysis was done, I asked for an appointment, which of course, he declined, but I insisted, and after 2 weeks, he met with me. The approach I took with the client consisted of generating great empathy and gaining back his trust by (describe)

Result: After 3 months of constant visits to the client and regaining his trust, he made a very small purchase from us, but after 6 months, he had completely switched to us as his main supplier.

I understand that interviewing in a language you are not fluent in can be difficult. But it is not as difficult as some people imagine. Of course, you won’t be able to answer as quickly, and each answer will take longer, as you will have to think about it, but speed of speech is not a sign of fluency. So feel comfortable and speak at your own pace and at your own level.