By coming prepared to the interview, you show your interviewer that you are conscientious and can be equally prepared (or better) for any task that comes your way. 

So, after weeks of waiting, you finally land the job interview that’s guaranteed to boost your career! But before you can update your LinkedIn page or design a new name card, you must first pass a line of questioning by your potential new boss (who will likely be flanked by the company’s eagle-eyed wardens from the Human Resources department).

A job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. And when it is conducted entirely in English, this part of the recruitment process can be twice as challenging for non-native English speakers. 

So, to help you boost your confidence, we have outlined five essential steps for you to follow and help you ace that job interview:

1. Dress appropriately

Even if the company to which you are applying presents itself as a laid-back tech start-up with bean-bag chairs and a mini pool table, always show up professionally dressed to a job interview. This means no jeans or food-stained garments of any kind! Remember, first impressions count, so if you arrive looking messy and unkept, you project the impression that you don’t care about the job. Furthermore, when you look good, you feel good, which boosts your confidence – and subsequently your English skills – in the face of an intimidating situation. 

2. Study up

Prepare yourself for the job interview by studying up on the company; browse its official website and social media accounts and take notes if you have to. This will give you the time and materials to come up with English questions about the job. Also, by coming prepared to the interview, you show your interviewer that you are conscientious and can be equally prepared (or better) for any task that comes your way. Not to mention, knowing more about your potential future employer allows you to decide whether you really want to work there.

A job interview is a formal process that requires you to stay professional at all times. This means that you’ll have to refrain from using casual language or slang terms.

3. Keep it simple

Interviewers are looking for straightforward and succinct answers to their questions; not long, rambling replies that may suggest that you can easily veer off track. Furthermore, in both speaking and writing, long and complex sentences can lead to grammar mistakes. By offering short and simple answers, you will avoid making unnecessary language errors that can only hurt your confidence.

4. Watch your language

A job interview is a formal process that requires you to stay professional at all times. This means that you’ll have to refrain from using casual language or slang terms. You can greet your friends with a friendly, “Hey man,” and exclaim that you are “totally stoked” to see them, but when speaking to an interviewer, stick to formal English phrases and instead say, “It’s nice to meet you,” and “I’m glad to be here”.

5. Ask questions

The final question of each interview is usually: “Do you have any questions for me/us?” Here’s your chance to prove how serious you are about the job and how prepared you are. So, it’s highly recommended to prepare several questions beforehand to ask your interviewer, both about the details of the position and the company in general. One example of the former is: “What would be my day-to-day responsibilities?” And of the latter: “What are the company’s plans for the next five years?”

But perhaps the most important thing to remember during a job interview is: be yourself. Make sure to follow the abovementioned tips, but also let your natural personality shine through and do the best you can. Good luck!

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