Your CV has impressed, you’ve created the right impression to get a shot at landing your dream job at a company you’ve always wanted to work for. The only trouble is, the invitation states in no uncertain terms that the interview will be conducted in English. It makes sense, the business has a strong international dimension. But how can you shine in an interview in English?

Even if you are a confident, even fluent English speaker, the prospect of facing a grilling in a foreign language is likely daunting. But fear not! In this blog post, we provide guidance and resources to help you conduct yourself with confidence, fluency, and intelligence.

Research Proves It

"Having high English language abilities greatly improves one’s chances of finding employment."

In 2023, Malaysian researchers conducted a survey among employers to determine the value of English proficiency in the job market. They focused on private and public enterprises in Malaysia due to the importance of English as the language of communication in the region.

Using an online questionnaire with clear instructions, they posed an array of questions to determine the extent to which job interview candidates must be proficient in English. The survey also pitted English skills against job experience to establish whether one outclasses the other.

All employers rank proficiency in English as one of their top criteria in candidate selection. As the vast majority of companies communicate in English, a lack of English fluency becomes a problem. That said, exemplary English skills do not guarantee success in an interview. Employers still value job and industry experience.

"In conclusion, having high English language abilities greatly improves one’s chances of finding employment, especially in the current globalised and interconnected work market. Many organisations place a high value on English proficiency because it facilitates effective collaboration and communication as well as access to more employment opportunities. Studies indicate that multilingual candidates, particularly those who are fluent in English, are more likely to be considered for competitive positions and have higher earning potential, supporting the notion that English proficiency can positively impact employability (Zainuddin et al., 2019).

English proficiency is also frequently viewed as a sign of adaptability, openness to learning, and cultural awareness—highly valued qualities in multicultural and multinational work situations. (Ne’matullah et al., 2023)"

How Adult Educators Can Help Their Learners

VET and Adult Educators play an important role in preparing students for the workplace. By providing resources and staging mock interviews, they will help them complete successful interviews. In many situations, some learners are likely to be non-native speakers, so the following section provides a framework for both leaners and adult educators.

Interview 101 – Candidate Selection and Interview Structure

Having established that English proficiency is key to success, let’s examine the basic selection process and structure of an interview.

Companies use several methodologies to create a shortlist from the CVs they’ve received. Some task hiring managers or HR staff with the selection, while others use application tracking software designed to weed out unsuitable candidates from the outset.

Most HR departments set up round one interviews with multiple staff members, meaning you will answer questions from more than one person. On average, approximately five candidates are invited to interview. For top-level positions, HR departments frequently call on seven or eight candidates to attend a first interview.

Lower-level positions are often filled following the first interview. For all other positions, two or three candidates are selected to proceed to the second round.

Basic First Interview Structure

The flow of a first interview follows common sense:

1. General questions about you
2. Questions about your qualifications and experience
3. Skills questions
4. Situational questions: Describe a time when you had to…..How would you deal with…….?
5. Value and alignment questions to determine whether you are a good fit for the company and team
6. Job role and task-specific questions
7. Blank canvas questions to give you the opportunity to share relevant information or ask pertinent questions

Basic Second Interview Structure

During the second interview, hiring staff dig deeper into all the information you have already provided. In addition, they may test your problem-solving skills by giving you role-specific scenarios or evaluate your teamwork capabilities by seeking your answers to conflict situations. They will likely also try to discover under what circumstances you perform best.

Toward the end of the interview, they may want to discuss your attitude toward overtime, remote work, and your salary expectations, not to mention learn about your long-term career ambitions.

For businesses, it is also important that you understand their values and align with them. Make sure to do your homework, not just on the company as a whole, but, inasmuch as that is possible, on the department and role you wish to fill. Demonstrating knowledge of the business and the wider industry impresses decision-makers.

Preparing for a Job Interview in English

Beyond the standard job interview preparation, which includes researching your potential employer, gaining a clear understanding of your role, and considering how to answer the standard questions, you will need to refine your business English. Not intending to learn a script off by heart, writing up your potential answers is a must. To begin with, the process will help you gather the right words and phrases and then identify any knowledge or language gaps.

Naturally, it will not be possible to gather language for any eventuality. During the interview, you will likely have to understand and answer questions you did not expect, in which case, your speaking confidence must kick in.

Put time aside to speak out loud and build fluency until you speak English without having to choose your words. Mock interviews with family or friends are a great way to develop language and self-belief. Preparing for a job in English with a private tutor can also work a treat.

In the run-up to the interview, live and breathe English by reading, listening to, watching, and writing English content. And by the time the interview comes around, you’ll be more fluent than a native speaker.