Close your eyes and count to 10. Does it seem like a long time? This is how long you have to make your first impression on someone. Not that long now, is it? It is said that you make your first impression in your first 10 steps, your first 10 words, and your first 10 seconds of meeting someone.
When you do a job interview, that first impression is crucial. And yet so many times, I have interviewed candidates who speak excellent English but they do not use the English that they know well. People who have been speaking a lot of English with native English speakers tend to pick up speaking habits that need to be controlled during job interviews in order to make a great first impression.
So, here are the DO’s and DON’T’s of a job interview in English:
The DO’s of a job interview in English
DO use formal language. In order to show the interviewer that you can use more advanced English structures and that you can use appropriate English in business situations, use polite and formal English.
DO use buzzwords. Buzzwords are words that are commonly used when people are talking about something in business. Some common buzzwords might be “referrals”, “renewals”, “quality service” or “strict time management”. You need to know what the buzzwords are for your industry.
DO research about the company. Every company is different. Ask yourself before the interview what is so special about the company and how the company’s values are aligned with your personality.
DO practice common interview questions. Interview questions are pretty obvious but you have to think about your answers in advance, in particular tricky questions like your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you have the English vocabulary to express yourself confidently.
DO make eye contact. Show you feel confident and that you are not nervous during the interview.
Do articulate answers clearly and concisely. Your answers should be clear and concise. No need to say the same thing over and over. Make sure you pause from time to time to leave some room for questions or comments from the interviewer.
DO ask questions about the company and the role. Show interest in the position and the company by asking relevant questions. At the end of the interview, if you’re asked if you have any questions, make sure you have one up your sleeves!
DO follow up with a thank-you note. At the end of the interview, it’s good practice to tell the interviewer that you feel this job is made for you either by saying it before you leave the room or by sending an email to thank the interviewer for their time talking to you.
The DON’T’s of a job interview English
DON’T use slang or overly informal language. Using informal language can make you appear unprofessional and may not give a good impression of your communication skills in English.
DON’T interrupt the interviewer. Interrupting the interviewer can make you appear impolite and disrespectful.
DON’T appear disinterested or distracted. Showing disinterest or distraction during the interview can make you seem unenthusiastic about the opportunity and may not make a good impression on the interviewer.
DON’T speak negatively about former employers or colleagues. Speaking negatively about your past experiences can give the impression that you may have trouble working with others or have negative work ethics.
DON’T answer questions vaguely or evasively. Vague or evasive answers can make you seem unprepared or uncertain about your abilities, which can lower the interviewer’s confidence in you.
DON’T use filler words such as “um” or “ah”. Filler words can make you appear nervous or unprepared, which can detract from your confidence and overall impression.
DON’T answer your phone or check messages during the interview. Checking your phone or answering calls during the interview can make you appear unprofessional and show a lack of respect for the interviewer’s time.
DON’T appear unprepared or not knowledgeable about the company. Not being prepared or knowledgeable about the company can make you seem uninterested or unwilling to put in the effort to learn more about the opportunity.
DON’T exaggerate your skills or qualifications. Exaggerating your skills or qualifications can lead to discrepancies when compared to your actual abilities, which can harm your credibility.
DON’T be overconfident or appear arrogant. Being overconfident or appearing arrogant can make you appear difficult to work with and may not make a good impression on the interviewer.
Check out how online English classes can definitely help you to feel more confident for your coming job interview in English.
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