Lesson 3 of 6
Job Interviews
Answer the most common interview questions with clear, confident structure.
Interviews in English are stressful because you need to sound confident, clear and natural all at once. The good news is that most interviews use the same few questions. With prepared, practised answers and a simple structure, you can perform well even if your English isn't perfect.
LearnThe key ideas
"Tell me about yourself": present, past, future
Present: "I'm a marketing specialist with four years of experience in digital campaigns." Past: "Before that, I worked at an agency where I managed social media for ten clients." Future: "Now I'm looking for a role where I can lead bigger projects, which is why this position really excites me." Keep it to 60–90 seconds.
Behavioral questions: the STAR method
| Step | What to say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Situation | Set the scene | Our biggest client was unhappy with delays. |
| Task | Your responsibility | I had to rebuild trust and fix the timeline. |
| Action | What YOU did | I set up weekly check-ins and a shared tracker. |
| Result | The outcome, with numbers if possible | We delivered early and they renewed for two years. |
Useful phrases
To buy time: "That's a great question. Let me think for a second." To ask for clarification: "Just to make sure I understand, are you asking about...?" To close: "What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?"
ListenListen and repeat
- I'm a software developer with three years of experience.Strong opening line.
- One of my strengths is staying calm under pressure.A specific strength.
- That's a great question. Let me think for a second.Buying time naturally.
- What would a typical day look like in this role?A good question to ask them.
AvoidCommon mistakes
SpeakShadowing practice
Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.
- I'm a teacher with five years of experience, mainly with high school students.
- In my last role, I led a team of four on a project that increased sales by twenty percent.
- Thank you so much for your time. I'm really excited about this opportunity.
CheckQuick quiz
1. A good structure for "Tell me about yourself":
2. In STAR, "A" stands for:
3. Best answer about weaknesses:
PracticeToday's speaking task
Write and record your 60-second "Tell me about yourself" answer and one STAR story. Practise until you can say them naturally without reading.