Job interview in English: questions, answers, phrases

Job interviews in English: structure and expectations

A job interview in English follows much the same structure as one in German: greeting and small talk, introducing yourself, questions about experience and skills, behavioural questions, your questions for the company and the close. It is either held entirely in English, switches language midway to test your level, or contains individual English questions, such as introducing yourself.

English is required in many job adverts in Germany. An analysis by the Federal Employers’ Association of Personnel Service Providers (BAP) of around 915,000 job adverts from January 2021 found that just over 22 per cent asked for English skills, and as many as 55 per cent in IT and telecommunications, as tageskarte.io reports. If you list English on your CV, expect it to be tested in the interview.

Three typical formats

• Entirely in English: at international companies or when the hiring manager does not speak German
• A switch midway through: “Let’s continue in English for a few minutes.” This is a deliberate test of your language level.
• Individual questions in English: such as introducing yourself or a case question

The structure is the same as in a German interview: greeting and small talk, introducing yourself, questions about experience and skills, behavioural questions, your questions for the company, and the close. If you want to prepare with a teacher, you can do so at short notice in our language courses for individuals.

“Tell me about yourself”: introducing yourself in English

Almost every interview begins with this request. It does not mean your life story from primary school onwards, but a short professional summary of about one to two minutes. A proven structure is present, past, future: your current role, relevant positions and achievements, and why this particular job appeals to you. End with a clear bridge to the role.

Tips for introducing yourself

• Practise aloud and record yourself, but don’t learn it word for word.
• Mention a concrete result with a figure, for example reduced delivery times by 15 per cent.
• End your answer with a bridge to the role.

Typical job interview questions in English with sample answers

Almost every English-language interview includes these six questions: Why do you want to work for us?, What are your strengths?, What is your greatest weakness?, Where do you see yourself in five years?, Why are you leaving your current job? and What are your salary expectations? The sample answers below are building blocks for you to adapt to your own situation.

Why do you want to work for us?

I’ve followed your company’s expansion into the Scandinavian market, and I’d like to contribute my experience in setting up supplier networks. I also appreciate your focus on sustainable production.

What are your strengths?

I’m very structured, and I stay calm under pressure. In my last project, for example, we had to switch suppliers at short notice, and I coordinated the transition without any delays to production.

What is your greatest weakness?

I sometimes find it hard to delegate because I like to have everything under control. I’ve been working on this by agreeing clear milestones with my team and trusting them with more responsibility.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’d like to have grown into a role where I lead international projects and develop a team. I see this position as an important step in that direction.

Why are you leaving your current job?

I’ve learnt a lot in my current role, but there are limited opportunities to work internationally. I’m looking for a new challenge where I can use my English and my project experience.

What are your salary expectations?

Based on my experience and the responsibilities of the role, I’m looking for a salary in the range of … I’m open to discussing the overall package.

Important: never criticise your current employer directly. Phrase positively what you are looking for, rather than negatively what you are running away from.

How do you answer behavioural questions in English with the STAR method?

Questions such as Tell me about a time when you … or Give me an example of … are called behavioural questions. They target concrete experiences. The STAR method gives your answers structure: first describe the Situation, then your Task, then the Action you took and finally the Result. Tell finished events in the simple past, not the present perfect.

Example: Tell me about a time you handled a conflict.

In my previous role, two colleagues in my team disagreed about priorities, and it was starting to affect our deadlines (S). As team lead, I had to find a solution that worked for both (T). I spoke to each of them separately, then organised a short meeting where we agreed on clear criteria for prioritising tasks (A). As a result, we met the next three deadlines, and the atmosphere in the team improved noticeably (R).

Pay attention to the tense: finished events go in the simple past, not the present perfect. This is one of the most common mistakes made by German speakers, because German uses the perfect tense for such events in conversation.

Useful phrases for a job interview in English

For a job interview in English, have phrases ready for greeting, gaining time, asking for clarification, training, experience, responsibility and closing, such as Thank you for inviting me, Let me think for a moment or What are the next steps in the process? Also prepare a few questions of your own for the company, for example about a typical day in the role.

Questions you can ask

• What would a typical day in this role look like?
• How would you measure success in this position after six months?
• Could you tell me a bit more about the team I’d be working with?
• What are the biggest challenges the team is facing at the moment?

For small talk at the beginning and end of the interview, our article on small talk in English helps, and for general expressions in working life, see Business English phrases.

Common mistakes German speakers make in English job interviews

The most typical mistakes made by German speakers are since instead of for with periods of time, the present perfect for finished events, false friends such as become and chef, education instead of apprenticeship for Ausbildung, overly direct salary demands and too much modesty. State your own contribution clearly and soften very direct statements with I’d say or I think.

Cultural nuances

German-speaking applicants sometimes come across as too reserved in English, because they describe achievements factually and in the “we” form. In interviews shaped by British or American culture, you are expected to state your own contribution clearly: I led, I negotiated, I introduced. At the same time, very direct statements can quickly sound impolite. Softeners such as I’d say, I think or perhaps help you strike the right tone.

What matters in a video interview in English?

Many first interviews now take place by video, and then technology and impression count alongside language. Test your camera, microphone and software the day before, use a headset, look into the camera when speaking and keep a note card with key words to hand without reading from it. If you did not catch something acoustically, say so openly and ask for it to be repeated.

• Test your camera, microphone and software the day before, ideally with someone who speaks English with you.
• Use a headset; echo and room reverberation make understanding harder on both sides.
• Keep a crib sheet with key words next to the screen, but don’t read from it.
• Look into the camera when you speak, not at your own image.
• If you did not hear something properly, say so: Sorry, you broke up for a moment. Could you repeat the question?

If you get very nervous before an interview, you will find strategies in overcoming the fear of speaking English. And if you want to train your listening for fast speakers, read improving your English listening.

Preparing for a job interview in English: a two-week plan

Here is how to prepare in two weeks: on days 1 and 2, read the job advert and company website in English; on days 3 and 4, practise introducing yourself; on days 5 to 7, prepare answers to the standard questions; on days 8 to 10, work out three STAR stories; on days 11 and 12, hold a mock interview; on day 13, prepare questions and test the technology; on day 14, review and rest.

A mock interview with an experienced teacher is usually the single most effective step. You get feedback on language, structure and impression, and you experience the situation once without any risk. For short-notice preparation, one-to-one lessons are ideal; the article One-to-one or group course? explains why. If you are planning further ahead, How long does it take to learn English? helps you estimate the time you need.

At choices®, we prepare you in one-to-one lessons from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson, after a short needs analysis of the role and industry. You will find all formats among our English courses for individuals. If you will be working in English permanently in your new job, our Business English courses are a good choice. If a language certificate is required, our exam preparation will support you. And for a short-notice appointment, it is best to write to us directly via our contact page.

Sources

1. tageskarte.io: qualifikation englisch in jeder fuenften stellenausschreibung gefragt

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