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Nestor Kiourtzidis

Fully updated for 2021-2022.

Looking for a job can be stressful. If you are feeling nervous because your interview will be in English and this is not your native language, these lectures are just for you. In this course, you will learn the job interview language, specific vocabulary, correct grammar, what questions to expect and how to answer.

The lectures cover both online and face-to-face interviews.

Here's what you will learn

Read more

Fully updated for 2021-2022.

Looking for a job can be stressful. If you are feeling nervous because your interview will be in English and this is not your native language, these lectures are just for you. In this course, you will learn the job interview language, specific vocabulary, correct grammar, what questions to expect and how to answer.

The lectures cover both online and face-to-face interviews.

Here's what you will learn

  • How to use English on the phone

  • How to make small talk with the interviewer

  • How to write emails during the job interview process

  • How to talk about your work experience

  • How to talk about your education

  • How to talk about your skills

  • How to talk about a weakness in English

  • How to use English grammar in an interview

  • Special vocabulary for answering difficult questions

  • Vocabulary for talking about remote work

  • Vocabulary for using the STAR method

Requirements

You should have at least a good intermediate (B1+ - B2) knowledge of English

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for non-native speakers of English who are getting ready for a job interview in English or who need to use English in their work.

Course highlights

  • Sample video questions and answers

  • Vocabulary and grammar quizzes

  • Downloadable pdf resources

Take the course today and improve your confidence in job interviews in English.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to use english on the phone
  • How to make small talk with the interviewer
  • How to write emails during the job interview process
  • How to talk about your work experience
  • How to talk about your education
  • How to talk about your skills
  • How to talk about a weakness in english
  • How to use english grammar in an interview
  • Special vocabulary for answering difficult questions
  • Vocabulary for talking about remote work
  • Vocabulary for using the star method

Syllabus

Learn how to use English with your recruiter, interviewer or potential employer before the interview takes place.
Course introduction
Pre-interview situations
Read more

In this lecture, you're going to learn how to use English on the telephone with a recruiter or potential employer in the following situations:

  • Answering the phone
  • Talking about your availability
  • Giving information
  • Arranging a time/day for the interview
  • Confirming arrangements

Listen to three sample calls and try to notice the expressions used in the previous lecture.

Corresponding by email with an employer is very common nowadays. In this lecture and the next lecture we're going to look at how to write important pre-interview emails in professional English, specifically how to respond to an interview invitation.

In this lecture, we're going to look at how to write an email when the employer or company emails you to request that you call or write to schedule your interview.

Test your knowledge on formal email vocabulary. Choose the best word to complete each sentence.

Learn what to say if you're late for your interview in order not to sound unprofessional.

Test your English for dealing with pre-job interview situations.

Learn how to make polite small talk with your potential employer at the start of the interview. Conversation topics include:

  • the weather
  • your journey to the office
  • the company office decoration
  • something interesting on your cv

If your interview is online, obviously some of the topics like your journey to the office and the weather outside will not be relevant. Here are some questions that you might hear instead

Practise making small talk.

Test your vocabulary for describing your education.

Test your vocabulary for talking about your work experience.

Test your vocabulary for describing your qualities, skills and motivation.

In this lecture, we will compare the present perfect continuous and the present perfect simple tenses. You will study their uses and how to use them in a job interview situation.

Test your job and company vocabulary knowledge.

Practise describing a weakness.

Questions like "Are you applying for any other jobs?" and "Have you applied for other jobs?" can be difficult to answer tactfully, especially if English is not your first language. In this lecture, you'll learn some useful vocabulary to help you deal with this kind of question.

Practise answering questions like 'Are you applying for any other jobs?'

If you are applying for a job that you might seem overqualified for, this lecture will teach you some useful vocabulary to help you deal with questions like 'Why are you interested in this job?'

Practise vocabulary for answering questions like 'You seem overqualified for this job. Can you tell me why you are interested?'

In this lecture, you're going to learn some vocabulary to help you answer questions such as:

  • How do you handle rejection?
  • How do you handle disappointment?
  • How do you handle failure?
  • How do you handle being criticised?
  • How do you handle stress?
  • How do you handle conflict?

Practise your vocabulary for answering questions like How do handle .....?

In this lecture, we're going to look at vocabulary to help you answer questions such as:

  • What has been your greatest disappointment?

  • What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?

  • What has been the greatest disappointment in your career?

  • Tell me about a failure.

Practise your vocabulary for answering questions like What has been your greatest disappointment?

In this lecture we're going to look at some vocabulary to help you explain "gaps" in your CV/resume. This will help you answer questions like:

  • Why have you been out of work?

  • You've been out of work for a while. Has it been difficult finding a job?

  • Why were you out of work for so long between these two jobs?

If you were fired from a previous job, being asked about it one of the most challenging and uncomfortable interview questions to answer, even in your own language. In this lecture we're going to look at some useful expressions to help you.

In this lecture, we will look at useful vocabulary to help you answer the difficult interview question “What are your salary requirements?” and variations of this question including:

  • What salary do you think you deserve?

  • What salary are you expecting?

  • What are you looking to earn?

  • How much are you expecting to make here?

  • What salary are you looking for?

Test your vocabulary for answering questions about your salary requirements.

An introduction to behavioural/competency questions and the STAR method recommended by recruitment experts.

Watch Anna answer my questions using the STAR method.

In this lecture, we will look at the two English present tenses: the present simple and the present continuous. You will study their uses and how to use them in a job interview situation.

Test your knowledge of the English present tenses.

In this lecture, I will explain the difference between the past simple and past continuous tenses. I will show you how to use them in a job interview situation.

Practise the past tenses.

In this lecture, we will compare the present perfect simple and the past simple tenses. You will study their uses and how to use them in a job interview situation.

Practise your knowledge of the present perfect and past simple.

Practise your knowledge of the present perfect.

In this lecture, I will cover three common structures for talking about the future:

  • will + infinitive
  • be going +infinitive
  • present continuous

In this lecture, I will cover two other future structures that candidates use in job interviews:

  • want/would like/aim/plan/intend/expect + to + infinitive
  • future continuous

Practise talking about the future with will + infinitive, going to + infinitive and the present continuous.

In this lecture, you will learn how to talk about hypothetical situations in a job interview using the two main conditional structures:

  • first conditional (If + present, will + infinitive)
  • second conditional (If + past, would/could/might + infinitive)

Test your knowledge of the first and second conditionals.

Your interview is over? Great. Let's hope you did well. Now might be a good time to send a follow-up email to thank the employer for speaking with you and remind them about your skills and interest in the job. In this lecture, I show you how to do that in English.

Congratulations! You've made it to the end of the course. Here's a quick recap of everything you've learned.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches practical English phrases for phone calls, small talk, and email correspondence, which are essential for pre-interview communication
Explores how to discuss education, work experience, skills, and motivation, which are key components of a successful interview
Addresses uncomfortable and difficult questions, such as weaknesses and gaps in a CV, providing vocabulary for tactful responses
Includes vocabulary for discussing remote work, which is increasingly relevant in today's job market
Requires at least a B1+ to B2 level of English, which may exclude some learners with lower proficiency
Explains the STAR method for answering behavioral questions, which is recommended by recruitment experts and can improve interview performance

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Reviews summary

Practical english for job interviews

According to learners say, this course is a highly practical and well-structured guide specifically designed for non-native English speakers preparing for job interviews. Many found the vocabulary sections particularly useful for answering common and difficult questions. Students appreciated the clear explanations and the variety of topics covered, including remote work vocabulary and the STAR method. While the course is generally well-received and helps build confidence, a few higher-level students noted some parts might be basic, suggesting it's best suited for those at the B1-B2 level as indicated in the requirements. The inclusion of sample answers and practice exercises is highlighted as beneficial.
Reviews essential grammar for interviews.
"The grammar sections were a helpful refresher, applied to interview contexts."
"Appreciated the focus on using correct grammar during interviews."
"Some grammar points were a bit basic for my level, but useful for others."
"Good overview of tenses and conditionals relevant to job interviews."
Ideal for intermediate English learners (B1-B2).
"Perfect level for intermediate English speakers (B1-B2) preparing for interviews."
"Advanced speakers might find some sections too basic or a review."
"As an intermediate learner, I found the difficulty just right."
"The course is challenging enough for B1+ without being overwhelming."
Includes quizzes and sample answers.
"The quizzes helped reinforce the vocabulary and grammar points learned."
"Sample video answers provided excellent examples of how to respond."
"Loved the practice exercises; they were very useful for applying what I learned."
"Downloadable PDFs are a great resource for review."
Well-organized content with clear explanations.
"The course is very well-structured and easy to follow step-by-step."
"Explanations are clear and concise, making complex topics easy to understand."
"Liked the logical flow of the modules, covering pre-interview to follow-up."
"The content is presented in a clear and organized manner."
Helps non-native speakers feel more prepared.
"This course significantly helped me build confidence for my job interviews."
"Feeling much more prepared and less nervous after taking this course."
"It definitely boosted my confidence in speaking English during the interview process."
"Great course that helps reduce the anxiety about interviewing in English."
Focuses on language needed for interviews.
"Provides very practical vocabulary and phrases specifically for job interviews."
"Learned many new words and expressions specific to interviews which I can use immediately."
"The sections on answering difficult questions had extremely useful vocabulary."
"I found the vocabulary related to remote work especially relevant and helpful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in English for Job Interviews: Express yourself Confidently with these activities:
Review Common Interview Questions
Familiarize yourself with common interview questions to reduce anxiety and improve your response quality during the actual interview.
Show steps
  • Find a list of common interview questions online.
  • Practice answering each question out loud.
  • Record yourself and review your answers.
Review 'Knock 'em Dead' by Martin Yate
Gain a broader understanding of job search strategies and interview techniques to complement the course's language-focused approach.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on interview preparation.
  • Identify key strategies for answering different types of questions.
  • Adapt the strategies to your own experiences and skills.
Practice the STAR Method
Master the STAR method to structure your answers effectively and provide compelling evidence of your skills and experiences.
Show steps
  • Choose five past experiences relevant to potential job interviews.
  • For each experience, outline the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
  • Practice articulating each STAR story clearly and concisely.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Record Mock Interview Answers
Improve your fluency and confidence by recording yourself answering common interview questions in English.
Show steps
  • Select ten interview questions from the course materials or online resources.
  • Record yourself answering each question as if you were in a real interview.
  • Review your recordings and identify areas for improvement in grammar, vocabulary, and delivery.
Review 'English for Everyone: Business English'
Expand your business English vocabulary and grammar to enhance your professional communication skills.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters relevant to job interviews and professional communication.
  • Complete the exercises and quizzes to test your understanding.
  • Incorporate new vocabulary and grammar into your mock interview answers.
Conduct Mock Interviews with Peers
Gain valuable feedback and practice your interview skills in a realistic setting by conducting mock interviews with other learners.
Show steps
  • Find a partner who is also preparing for job interviews in English.
  • Take turns interviewing each other using questions from the course or online resources.
  • Provide constructive feedback on each other's performance, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and delivery.
Write Follow-Up Emails
Reinforce your understanding of professional email etiquette by drafting follow-up emails for different interview scenarios.
Show steps
  • Draft a thank-you email to send after an interview.
  • Draft an email to inquire about the status of your application.
  • Draft an email to accept or decline a job offer.

Career center

Learners who complete English for Job Interviews: Express yourself Confidently will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Recruiter
A recruiter's role involves sourcing, screening, and interviewing potential job candidates. This course is relevant because it provides the language skills necessary to conduct interviews in English, including how to make small talk and how to ask and answer questions about work experience, skills, education, and motivation. Recruiters will benefit from the sample video questions, vocabulary quizzes, and downloadable resources to help structure and improve their interactions with candidates. The instruction on using the STAR method will help with behavioral interviewing.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalists handle various HR functions, including recruitment and onboarding. This course is beneficial because it equips HR professionals with the English language skills needed to interview candidates, as the course teaches how to use English on the phone, make small talk, and describe experience and skills. The course's focus on difficult questions, such as discussing weaknesses and salary requirements, ensures HR generalists can navigate such conversations professionally and confidently. The vocabulary and grammar focused on job interviews, specifically, will help in conducting thorough and equitable interviews.
Career Counselor
Career counselors guide individuals in their job search and career development. This course is directly applicable because it provides a strong foundation in the language and techniques needed to conduct effective mock interviews. By understanding how job interviews are conducted in English, especially for non native speakers who are transitioning to an English speaking environment, a career counselor can better prepare their clients by leveraging the course's materials on phone etiquette, email correspondence, and common interview questions. The course's lessons on describing weaknesses can also help a counselor assist their clients in overcoming potentially challenging questions.
Interview Coach
An interview coach helps individuals prepare for job interviews, and this course may be valuable because it provides the language skills and strategies needed to conduct mock interviews and give feedback. Understanding how to make small talk, describe work experience, and answer difficult questions in English is critical for an interview coach to effectively prepare their clients. The course’s focus on vocabulary, grammar, and the STAR method for behavioral questions provides a structure for effective coaching sessions. Sample interview questions and vocabulary quizzes help in assessing a client's skills and language level.
Training Specialist
Training specialists develop and deliver training programs to employees. This course may be helpful as it covers aspects of communication and interviewing skills, which are relevant to developing and delivering training sessions. A training specialist might even use this course's structure and lessons as a reference for designing modules for interview skills training in English for non native speakers. Familiarity with interview topics, special vocabulary, and the STAR method would enhance a training specialist’s ability to provide relevant and engaging training material. The course's exercises can also inform the creation of practical training assessments.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create learning materials and courses, and this course may be useful because it offers insights into the structure and content of an effective language skills development course. An instructional designer can examine the course's modules on email correspondence, grammar, and difficult questions to improve their own design of learning materials. The course's use of quizzes and sample answers provides a template for creating interactive and engaging exercises. Understanding the structure and format of the course may also enhance their understanding of how to deliver similar training materials effectively. The organization of this course, covering pre-interview, interview, and follow up can also help them to design a coherent training program.
International Business Development Manager
An International Business Development Manager works on expanding a business’s reach into international markets, often requiring communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds where English may be the common business language. This course may be beneficial because it focuses on improving English communication skills specifically within a professional setting. The emphasis on small talk, email correspondence, and articulating skills will help international managers build strong relationships with international partners and clients. The course's lessons on handling difficult interview questions could also aid in negotiating and navigating through complex international business discussions.
Sales Representative
Sales Representatives require strong communication skills to engage with clients and close deals. While this course is focused on interviews, it still provides valuable tools for articulating skills, making initial connections, and discussing requirements. The course's emphasis on small talk, clear communication about personal skills, and vocabulary for describing job tasks will help a sales person communicate with their clients. The section on 'difficult questions' may help a sales representative prepare for common objections and effectively tackle them. This course may help them to present themselves more confidently, which will help them succeed in their role.
Project Manager
Project managers are often required to communicate with diverse teams which may not always share a common native language, thereby making English a common language for communication. The course is helpful, as the skills required for interviews such as communicating your strengths and experience will be useful in a project management role. Project managers can improve the way they make small talk, describe their work experience, and talk about their skills so that they communicate confidently and clearly. This course may be valuable, as they can use this learning to better communicate with their team.
Marketing Associate
A marketing associate contributes to the development and execution of marketing campaigns, which may require communication in English. This course may be useful, since it covers the use of English in professional communications, including email. The ability to describe your skills, express your work experience and use professional English vocabulary will help the marketing associate perform their work better. The course also offers vocabulary and grammar instruction, which will help in producing effective written marketing material. This course may be useful to improve their overall communication skills in English
Technical Writer
Technical writers produce documentation for technical products or services, and English proficiency is crucial for this role, which often involves communicating complex information clearly. This course may be helpful, as it provides a solid foundation in various aspects for English language communications, including email. The vocabulary and grammar instructions of the course will be helpful for technical writers to create accurate and understandable documentation. The material on discussing work experience and skills can also help technical writers better understand and articulate the features of a product or service they are documenting. This course may help them communicate more effectively with both technical and non technical audiences.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistants perform a variety of office tasks, often requiring strong communication skills, especially in English, when working in international environments. This course may be valuable because it focuses on improving professional English language communication skills for job interviews. The course covers important aspects such as email communication, phone etiquette, and small talk, all of which are critical for an administrative assistant. The lessons within the course on discussing work experience and skills will help them communicate professionally with colleagues and clients. This course may be useful to improve their overall communication skills in English.
Customer Support Specialist
A customer support specialist assists customers with questions and issues, often requiring clear and professional English communication skills. This course may be valuable because it provides practice in several aspects of professional English communication. The topics covered on proper phone communication, written communication through email, and vocabulary for discussing job tasks will help customer service representatives communicate efficiently and clearly with customers. The course may help a support specialist to communicate more effectively on the job.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager creates content and manages a brand's presence online, often involving written communication in a professional tone. This course may be useful as it emphasizes professional email communication and vocabulary, which are valuable skills in a social media management role. The English grammar and vocabulary covered in this course will help in writing engaging, clear and error-free posts. This course may be useful for developing a more professional approach to written communications.
Translator
Translators convert written or spoken text from one language to another, and strong English skills are crucial for this role when working with English-language content. Although this course focuses on job interview English, the foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and professional communication could be helpful. The course could help a translator further improve their use of English grammar and vocabulary. With its focus on professional communication, the course may help in translating within a business context. Therefore, this course may be useful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in English for Job Interviews: Express yourself Confidently.
Provides a comprehensive overview of business English vocabulary and grammar. It covers topics such as writing emails, participating in meetings, and giving presentations. It useful resource for expanding your business English knowledge and improving your communication skills. This book is valuable as additional reading to add more depth to the existing course.
Provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of the job search, including interview preparation. It offers example questions and answers, as well as strategies for handling difficult interview scenarios. While not specifically focused on English language, it provides a solid foundation for structuring your responses effectively. This book is commonly used by job seekers and career counselors.

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