Common Questions You'll Be Asked During An English Job Interview

Summary

In this English lesson, Bob the Canadian discusses the 14 most common job interview questions and provides helpful tips on how to answer them confidently. He covers questions such as 'How would you describe yourself?', 'Why should we hire you?', and 'Where do you see yourself in five years?' offering practical advice and sample responses. Bob emphasizes the importance of preparation, being honest, and connecting your personal qualities and skills with the job and company. The video serves as a great resource for English learners preparing for job interviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first question in a job interview is often about describing yourself, where you can talk about your personality or interests.
• 😀 Knowing about the company is crucial when answering why you want to work there, as it helps you connect your strengths to their work.
• 😀 When asked 'Why should we hire you?', highlight your key strengths, such as punctuality, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• 😀 The 'Where do you see yourself in five years?' question gives you an opportunity to be honest about your long-term goals, whether it’s staying in your current role or aiming for promotion.
• 😀 Motivation in the workplace varies; be honest about what motivates you, whether it's self-motivation, having a good schedule, or an organized boss.
• 😀 Describing your last job should be simple and focus on your key responsibilities and what you enjoyed about the role.
• 😀 When asked 'What led you to this career?', explain your passion for the field and how it aligns with your skills and education.
• 😀 For questions about your strengths, be honest and specific, mentioning skills like problem-solving, planning, or teamwork.
• 😀 Address weaknesses by being honest but framing them positively, perhaps by mentioning how you are working to improve them.
• 😀 Prepare for questions about past achievements by reflecting on significant moments where you solved problems or completed big projects successfully.

Q & A

What is one of the first questions you will likely be asked in an English job interview?

One of the first questions you will likely be asked is, 'How would you describe yourself?' or a similar version like, 'Tell us a little bit about yourself.' This is a very open question that invites you to talk about who you are as a person or your interests.

How can you prepare for the question 'Why do you want to work for us?'

To prepare for this question, it's important to research the company and understand their values or recent achievements. You can mention things like admiring their community work or how a recent project impressed you, connecting your skills to what the company does.

What is a good way to answer the question, 'Why should we hire you?'

When answering this question, focus on your strengths as a worker, such as being on time, organized, efficient, and a problem solver. You want to highlight what makes you a good fit for the job and how you can contribute to the company.

How should you respond to 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'

Your response should be honest. If you are interested in staying in the same role, say so. However, if you want to work your way up, mention your aspirations to take on more responsibility, like becoming a manager or leader in the company.

What is the purpose of the question 'What motivates you?' in a job interview?

This question is meant to gauge what drives you to perform well at work. You could mention being self-motivated, enjoying a structured schedule, or being inspired by a good manager. It's important to answer honestly about what keeps you productive.

How should you describe your last job during an interview?

When asked to describe your last job, provide a simple overview of your responsibilities and experiences. For example, if you were a teacher, mention your role, the subjects you taught, and the grade level. If you were a waiter, explain your duties and your enjoyment in helping people.

What is the best approach to answering 'What led you to this career?'

To answer this question effectively, explain why you are passionate about the field you’re in. Talk about your interests and how they naturally led you to pursue a career in that area. For example, if you're a teacher, mention your love for working with kids and teaching.

How should you answer the question 'What is your greatest strength?'

When answering this question, you should be honest and highlight a strength that is relevant to the job. If you're good at problem-solving, planning, or working with people, mention it and provide examples of how it has helped you succeed in your work.

What is the best way to answer the question 'What is your greatest weakness?'

Be honest about a weakness, but also show how you manage it. For instance, if you get bored by repetitive tasks, mention it and explain that you work better with variety. You can also follow up by discussing how you manage to overcome this weakness.

What is the purpose of the question 'Do you work well with others?'

This question assesses how well you collaborate with others in a team setting. Be honest about your preference. If you enjoy working solo but can work well with others when needed, explain this balance. Providing examples of teamwork can strengthen your response.