The Interview Handbook for Everyone

While we were closing a chapter in our lives, face a transition period and examinations. When we say exams, written tests may come to many of your minds. However, our topic today is English interviews where you are tested through conversation. Whether it's a job interview, interviews for residence permits, or academic interviews, I've tried to prepare an essay that covers for everyone. In this article, we will discuss the questions you may encounter during interviews and how to provide satisfactory answers. Additionally, we will, of course, have recommendations on topics such as which language rules to follow. Let's start without further ado!

Table of Contents:

• Types of Interviews

• Job Interviews

• Academic Admission Process

• Visa Interview

• Key English Interview Questions

• Language Rules to Follow During English Interviews

Types of Interviews

Interviews are a widely used form of assessment. In this process, individuals' abilities are tested through an interview by a higher authority; such as employer. Depending on your goal, the content of the interview, expected responses, and points to focus on will vary. The first thing individuals need to do in this regard is to thoroughly understand the institution they are interviewing with and the purpose of the interview. This way, you can predict the questions and mentally prepare for the answers.

However, there is an important aspect, and that is the language of the interview. The effectiveness of your responses will increase based on the fluency of your English. Regardless of the English proficiency level of those entering the interview, there is a need for English communication skills.

In this regard, Flalingo is here for you! You can learn English by speaking with native English-speaking instructors. This way, you can quickly and accurately respond to the questions you encounter in interviews. The Flalingo family is waiting for you to gain not only the necessary language skills but also confidence!

Now, let's examine the main types of interviews and what you need to be prepared for under the following headings!

Job Interviews

When we hear the word 'interview,' job interviews usually come to everyone's mind. While the majority of these interviews occur during the initiation process of a new job, some may also take place during promotion processes. The fundamental purpose of these interviews is to assess your qualifications for the job. However, in addition to this, individuals' confidence plays a crucial role. Demonstrating a confident attitude during these interviews may impress the employer. As the applicant show such a self-confidence, this implies that the potential employee can take responsibilities and do not afraid of taking initiative. 

The English rules to pay attention to during a job interview include speaking as clearly as possible. In other words, communicating with meanings acquired later, such as idioms or popular social media terms, would be an unfortunate choice. Additionally, you should not compromise on formality. However, depending on the work environment and the employer, you may need to adopt a more informal attitude. When the other party is less formal, you should be able to adapt to it. Your speech should be as fluent and confident as possible. But most importantly, you need to prove that you carry correct English words and terms in your pocket, especially in terms of professional jargon. At this point, I must warn professionals preparing for interviews to learn business English.

Academic Admission Process

School admission interviews are among the processes that elevate students' stress levels. Institutions can include interviews in the process for continuing education at various levels such as undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or research scholarships. The interview process, awaiting students who have successfully passed the necessary exams, comes into play more for the purpose of measuring and identifying motivation. Educators can prioritize students who are eager to participate in this educational process and are dedicated to self-improvement. Of course, previous educational experiences, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities also stand out as success criteria.

The questions that await those participating in such an English interview will vary. Besides assessing your knowledge, your interest in the subject will also be tested. What students need to pay attention to is expressing their own ideas and defending them within a logical framework. If you do not understand an English interview question, asking for clarification from the other party is a normal part of the process. However, to successfully navigate this English interview question-answer stage, you need to present strong arguments.

When it comes to strong arguments, students may initially think of staunchly defending an idea no matter what; however, this is incorrect. A strong argument should allow for exceptions. The individual should know that the subject they are defending is not a law and should use word groups and structures that indicate possibilities. In addition, the listed sentences should be expressed with correct patterns within the framework of an idea, belief, and thought. These are very important structures covered in advanced English classes. With the right English education process, you can take these courses and reinforce these patterns by speaking.

Visa Interview

Visa interviews, unlike the language of the country you want to enter, will predominantly take place in English. This is due to the opportunity to explore the whole world with just English and a backpack. Additionally, the high standard of living in countries like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom intensifies individuals' curiosity about English visa, and thusly interviews.

In the visa approval process to enter a country, the purpose of your overseas trip is questioned. Each country has specific criteria for approving your visa. When it comes to the visa interview stage, you should be able to clearly express your reasons. You may travel abroad for family reunification, education, work, research, cultural development, or another purpose. The sentences you construct during this interview should not be contradictory. Be at ease, and do not fear making English errors. The individuals you talk to during the visa interview are measuring your goals rather than testing your English. Therefore, effective communication can compensate for grammar or pronunciation errors. However, it is worth repeating: clearly state your reasons for traveling abroad. Providing the necessary documents on how you will sustain your life during this process will qualify you as a legal visitor or resident of the country. Attending general English courses at this point is crucial for reaching your goals in a short period.

Key English Interview Questions

The main interview questions will vary depending on the purpose of the interview. However, your educational background, graduation average, work history, and financial situation can be topics for any interview. These English interview questions and answers can be listed as follows:

• What’s your major?
• What’s your field of study?
• What is your GPA?
• What are your strengths and your weaknesses?
•  Why do you want to work at this company?
• Have you visited this destination before?
• Why did you choose this university?
• Where does your sponsor work?
• Can you show your bank statement?
• Have you booked your tickets?

I have listed some English interview questions and answers for you in a mixed order. You can choose which ones you will encounter. This way, you will have taken the first step for your English interview!

Language Rules to Follow During English Interviews

Let's talk about the language rules you need to adhere to during an English interview. First of all, these rules can be generalized for job interviews, school interviews, or visa interviews. The important thing is to be able to apply these rules correctly for the specific interview you are entering.

• Tense Rules: Firstly, the rule you must follow is tense usage. For example, the employer might be asking about your current job. To understand this, you should look at the tense. However, if you overlook tense usage, you won't be able to distinguish between your current job and past jobs. This communication gap can lead to an unsuccessful interview result.

• Formal-Informal Language: Another rule is the use of formal and informal language. During the interview, you should stick to formal language as much as possible. For example, words like "gonna" and "wanna" are informal. There is no problem using them on the internet or with your friends. However, using such words during an interview is inappropriate since the person you are speaking to is not a close acquaintance. Therefore, instead of saying "gonna," you should say "going to," and instead of saying "wanna," you should say "want to.

• Frequency Adverbs: Another rule is the use of frequency adverbs. It is inevitable that situations will arise during your interview where you need to use frequency adverbs. For instance, you will be discussing various topics from work routines to your plans. During this, adverbs like "always, sometimes, rarely, frequently, often, seldom," and many more will come up. I believe you might face difficulties not in mixing them up but rather in clarity. Each adverb can have a different degree of frequency, and using them incorrectly might lead to a misunderstanding on the part of the listener. For example, although "often" and "usually" may seem similar, they may not accurately reflect the situation depending on the context.

In this article, where I hope to guide you in English interviews, I have covered various topics and question-answer contents. Of course, interview processes are prone to surprises. If your dreams are as close as an interview, Flalingo is here for you! We will be delighted to provide you with the necessary training to handle English interview questions and answers. With just a click, you can meet with professional instructors who will prepare you for your interview.