Job interviews are nerve-wracking at the best of times. When you're doing one in English — especially if it's not your first language — the pressure can feel double. You're not just trying to sell yourself; you're simultaneously translating, searching for the right word, and hoping you don't sound stiff or awkward. The good news is that a lot of interview English is predictable. Master the right phrases in advance, and you walk in prepared instead of panicked.
Talking About Yourself
Almost every interview opens with some version of "Tell me about yourself." It sounds open-ended, but interviewers want a structured, confident answer — not a full life story. Here's a framework that works:
- "I've been working in [field] for [X] years, specialising in [area]."
- "In my most recent role at [company], I was responsible for..."
- "I'm now looking for an opportunity to..."
Keep your answer to two or three minutes. Phrases like "In a nutshell," or "To give you a bit of background," signal that you're organised and respectful of the interviewer's time. That matters more than most candidates realise.
Describing Your Skills and Experience
Vague answers like "I'm a good communicator" won't get you far. You need specific English vocabulary for job interviews that shows rather than tells. Try these:
- "I have a track record of..." (e.g., "delivering projects under budget")
- "I'm particularly skilled at..."
- "One of my key strengths is..."
- "I've had extensive experience dealing with..."
Linking experience to results is crucial. "I managed a team" is fine. "I managed a team of eight and reduced client response times by 30%" is far stronger. Numbers land. Use them wherever you can.
Handling Difficult Questions
Interviewers often ask about weaknesses, failures, or conflict. These questions exist to test your self-awareness, not to catch you out. Some useful phrases to have ready:
- "One area I've been actively working on is..."
- "In the past I struggled with X, but since then I've..."
- "That was a challenging situation. What I learned from it was..."
Don't dodge them — interviewers notice when you do. Use these moments to show growth. And if you genuinely need a moment to think, it's professional (not weak) to say: "That's a great question — let me think about that for a second."
Asking Good Questions
When the interviewer asks "Do you have any questions for us?", always say yes. Candidates who draw a blank look disengaged. Strong questions to ask include:
- "What does success look like in this role after the first six months?"
- "How would you describe the team culture here?"
- "What are the main challenges the team is currently working through?"
These show genuine curiosity and strategic thinking. Avoid asking about salary or annual leave in a first interview — it signals your priorities in the wrong way at the wrong moment.
Closing the Interview Well
How you end matters as much as how you begin. Before you leave, try: "Thank you for your time — I've really enjoyed learning more about the role and I'm genuinely excited about this opportunity." Warm, direct, memorable — without going over the top.
A follow-up email the same day is worth doing too. Keep it brief: thank them, restate your interest, and mention one specific thing from the conversation. It sets you apart from the candidates who simply wait and hope.
If you want to work on your English vocabulary for job interviews properly — not just memorising phrases but actually practising them in realistic scenarios — Kensington English offers one-to-one and small group classes built around your goals. Find out more on our courses page.
