English for Interview

You need to be at B1 (English Intermediate) or higher to have a good chance of passing a job interview. This means you have to already have a solid understanding of grammar and be able to use English independently. However, it depends on your industry and position.

For example, a programmer at an international company will likely need B2 or higher to understand the terminology and workplace tasks. At the same time, a sales professional or marketing expert might need C1 or even C2 native-like proficiency to work with native clients and create content.

This might be the case if you’re applying for a job at a local company where you might only occasionally need English. Typically you’ll only need strong reading and correspondence skills to read instructions or work emails.

However, it’s not as easy to get even local jobs without good English anymore. With increased expectations at different workplaces, potential employers might overlook you regardless of other qualifications if you don’t speak good English. After all, you’re competing with other candidates who might be fluent and have better prospects in the same role.

Here are some questions to begin your interview preparation:

Why are you interested in this position? - this might be the most common question you’ll hear in every interview. Remember that your potential employer doesn’t just want to hear about your skills. Instead, they want to know how well you fit their company.

What makes you qualified for this job? - this is your chance to talk about your experience and the value you bring to the company. It'll be a straightforward response if you’re prepared and did research about their business.

Can you share a notable success/failure from your past? - here, your potential employer isn’t just looking for a good story or offering you an opportunity to brag. They want to know how adaptive you are based on your experience.

What is your process for working with tasks? - your potential employer will want to understand your thought process and goal-setting. The more details you can offer, the better. Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer in your process!

What are your salary expectations? - this is often the most difficult question to answer. There are different approaches you can take - take an industry standard, your current earning expectations, or even ask your employer for help if you can negotiate.
 

Firstly, you need to prioritize information. Your potential employer will be most interested in your current position, skills related to the job, and any certifications or data to prove your expertise. Put these first, so they can see you’re serious about the position.

Secondly, you want to personalize your resume for the employer. Cite facts and examples in their industry, as close to your desired role as possible. Make sure you add some humanity to your resume - whether it’s a unique design, fun facts, and so on.

Lastly, there might be some cultural differences. For example, companies in Europe usually require a photo on your resume. At the same time, American companies often prefer neutral resumes that only list qualifications and experiences.