Prepare for Your Job Interview:
10 Essential English Questions and Answers
Are you nervous about your job interview in English? We understand – job interviews can be stressful even in your first language! But here’s some good news: most job interviews follow a similar pattern. Interviewers around the world tend to ask the same basic questions, just in different ways.
That’s why we’ve created this guide with the 10 most common interview questions. By practicing these questions and answers, you’ll walk into your interview feeling prepared and confident. Remember – you don’t need perfect English to get the job. You just need to communicate your skills and experience clearly.
Let’s look at each question and learn some simple ways to answer them:
The Questions Every Interviewer Asks
(And How to Answer Them)
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
Keep it simple! Talk about:
- Your current job
- Your experience
- Why you like this type of work
Example: “I’m a software developer with 3 years of experience. I love solving problems and learning new technologies.”
2. “Why do you want this job?”
Show that you:
- Know about the company
- Are excited about the work
- Want to grow
Example: “I want to work for a company that helps people, and your products do that. Also, I want to learn more about AI.”
3. “What are your strengths?” (Soft Skills)
Choose 2-3 soft skills that match the job. Soft skills are about how you work with others. Use simple phrases like:
- “I’m good at teamwork”
- “I communicate clearly”
- “I stay calm under pressure”
- “I’m good at solving problems”
- “I adapt quickly to changes”
Remember to give a short example: “I’m good at teamwork. In my last job, I helped new team members learn our systems.”
4. “What is your weakness?”
Choose ONE small weakness that you are fixing.
Example: “Sometimes I work too fast. Now I always double-check my work.”
5. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Talk about growing in this company.
Example: “I want to become a team leader and help new employees learn.”
6. “Why should we hire you?”
Talk about how you can help the company.
Example: “I have experience with your type of customers, and I learn new things quickly.”
7. “What do you know about our company?”
Do your homework! Know:
- What the company does
- Their main products
- Recent news about them
8. “Why did you leave your last job?”
Stay positive! Never say bad things about old jobs.
Example: “I’m looking for new challenges and ways to grow.”
9. “What are your salary expectations?”
Research normal salaries first. Then say: “I think [amount] is normal for this position, but I’m open to discussion.”
10. “Do you have any questions for us?”
Always have 2-3 questions ready! Ask about:
- The team
- Daily work
- Company culture
- Growth opportunities
Pro Tips:
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Practice your answers out loud
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Use simple, clear English
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Give short examples
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Stay positive
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Be honest
Remember: The interviewer wants to know if you can do the job and fit in with the team. They understand that English might not be your first language, but you are at the interview because of your skills! Your experience and abilities are what matter most!
Want to practice these questions with a native English teacher?
We’ll help you feel confident and ready for your next job interview!
