- Interviews - Talk-English
- How to prepare for a first stage interview
- Job descriptions
- Careers - description +
- Get that Job - Virtual Interview
- BBC English at Work - The Interview
- Workshop Presentations
- Interview tips for Engineers
- 10 Most Common Interview questions
Mock Interview Preparation Form
List three questions you find or anticipate to be the most difficult to answer in the job interview (you may find sample questions from the interviewing handout and the Career Guide).
Tell us about the position, type of work, field, and/or employer that you plan to interview with.
What are your overall career goals? (A general overview is fine)
Questions to think about ahead of time:
An interview is also an opportunity to tell the interviewer why you believe you should be offered the job. Ask yourself why you believe you are the best candidate for the position you are seeking. Develop a statement addressing what you would say about yourself.
The interview is a two-way street. You must be prepared to ask questions that will help you decide if you want a particular job, internship or co-op. Write two to three questions that are important to you.
Interview Questions
Preparation for an interview is essential.
The list of questions below is designed to serve as a guide so that you are not taken by surprise.
Before the interview :
♦ Prepare and practise giving responses to the questions without trying to memorize them.
♦ Find out as much as possible about the company as well as the position you are interested in.
♦ Remember to take an extra copy of your CV/résumé with you so that the employer can refer to it.
| 1 | Tell me about yourself. |
| 2 | How would you describe yourself? (character / personality) |
| 3 | Are you married? Single? Do you have partner? |
| 4 | What are your strengths / weaknesses? |
| 5 | What do you do in your free time? What are your hobbies? / Do you have any hobbies? |
| 6 | Why are you interested in working for our company? Why do you want to work for this company? |
| 7 | What type of position do you think you are suited for / would suit you? |
| 8 | How would you describe the position we have to offer? |
| 9 | What aspects of the position are you most / least interested in? |
| 10 | What would you like to find in this job that you didn't have in your previous job? |
| 11 | How do you think you could develop the position? What would be your strategy to develop the position? |
| 12 | What have you got to offer us? What could you contribute to our company? |
| 13 | What do you think you gained by working in your last job? |
| 14 | What were you responsible for? What did your job involve? |
| 15 | What do you think of your (last) boss? |
| 16 | Why do you want to leave your present job? Why do you want to change jobs? |
| 17 | What are your salary requirements? How much would you hope to earn in this position? How much do you think you should be offered for this position? What salary would you expect (to be offered) for this position? |
| 18 | Have you received any offers of a job? |
| 19 | Why have you had to look for a job for so long? Why have you been looking for a job for so long? Why did it take so long to find a new job? |
| 20 | How do your feel about your future in the profession? |
| 21 | Have you had any failures? What failures have you had? Have you had any negative experiences? |
| 22 | What sort of obstacles have you come across / encountered in your work? |
| 23 | If you had to recruit colleagues, what qualities would you look for? |
| 24 | Would you be willing to relocate/to move to another part of the country/to work abroad? |
| 25 | Don't you think you have too much experience / you are over-qualified for this job? |
| 26 | How long do you think you would stay with us? If we offered you this job, how long would you expect to stay with us? |
| 27 | Which do you prefer : to work alone or in a team? Do you prefer working alone or with other people as part of a team? |
| 28 | Do you know how to manage a team? Are you capable of leading a team? Do you think you have the ability to be a team leader? |
| 29 | Why should I recruit you? How could you persuade me to recruit me? |
| 30 | Do you have any comments to make, or any questions to ask? |
Job interview conversation
Mike: Good Morning, John. I am Mike.
John: Good Morning.
Mike: How are you doing?
John: I am doing fine. Thank you.
Mike: How was the traffic coming over here?
John: I am so glad that the traffic was light this morning. No traffic jam and no accidents.
Mike: That is good. John, let’s start the interview. Are you ready?
John: Yes, I am.
Mike: First of all, let me properly introduce myself. I am the Finance Department Manager. As you know there is an open position in my department, and I need to fill this position as soon as possible.
John: Please, tell me a little bit about the position.
Mike: It is an entry-level position. The new employee will have to work closely with the
Accounting department. He will also have to deal with the bank on a daily basis.
John: What type of qualifications do you require?
Mike: I require a four-year college degree in Finance. Some working experience would be helpful.
John: What kind of experience are you looking for?
Mike: Doing office work is good. However, since this is an entry-level position, I do not require a lot of experience. I am willing to train the new person.
John: That is great!
Mike: John, tell me a little bit about yourself.
John: I was a student at West Coast University, and I just graduated with a Bachelor degree in
Finance. I have been working part-time as a payroll clerk for the last two years.
Mike: What are you looking for in a job?
John: The job should help me see what Finance is all about. I have learned a lot of Finance theories at school, and now it is time for me to put them into practice.
Mike: Anything else?
John: I also hope that it will help me grow in my field.
Mike: What are your strengths? Why should I hire you?
John: I am a hard-working person and a fast learner. I am very eager to learn, and I get along fine with people.
Mike: OK. Now, let me ask you a few quick questions. You do not mind working long hours, do you?
John: No, I do not.
Mike: Can you handle pressure?
John: Yes, I can. When I was going to school, I took quite a few courses each semester while working at least twenty hours every week. And, I handled that situation very well.
Mike: Do you still have any questions for me?
John: No, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the job. I believe that I can handle it with ease, and I hope to have the opportunity to work for you.
Mike: John, nice meeting you. Thank you for coming.
John: Nice meeting you too. Thank you for seeing me.
Expressions used in the conversation
I am so glad
Let’s start the interview
First of all:
As soon as possible
Entry-level position
On a daily basis
I am willing to
That is great!
Work part-time
What are you looking for in a job?
Put into practice
Hard-working person
Fast learner
I get along fine with everybody
I do not mind
Work long hours
I can handle the situation
Have an opportunity
Nice meeting you
How to succeed in a job interview in English
Job interviews are always so stressful. On top of that if the interview is in English, you're probably a nervous wreck. Interviewers make judgments quickly. Shaky English skills can lose you the job. How can you show off your skills and make a great impression in a foreign language? Whether you're interviewing with a multi-national company or trying to find work abroad, use our English job interview tips to increase your chances of success. Tell us how your job interview in English went. Do you have any tips for other job seekers?
