How to Prepare for a Job Interview in English: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

A job interview is your chance to show you belong in the role. For non‑native speakers, preparation is about more than grammar: it’s about communicating competence. Follow these steps to build confidence and clarity.

Step 1: Research the company and the language they use

Go beyond reading the “About Us” page. Identify key values and jargon—words like “innovation,” “customer centric,” or “sustainability” that the company repeats. Write them down and practise integrating them into your answers. Search for recent press releases to understand current projects and priorities.

Step 2: Craft a strong self‑introduction

Prepare a 30‑second opening that states your role, years of experience, a significant achievement and why you’re interested in this company. Keep sentences short to maintain clarity.

Step 3: Master behavioural questions with the STAR method for your job interview

Most interviewers ask for examples. Use the Situation–Task–Action–Result structure. Practise answers to these questions:

1. Tell me about a time you solved a problem.

2. Describe a situation when you disagreed with a colleague.

3. What is your biggest weakness?

4. Describe a project that failed and what you learned.

5. How do you prioritise tasks when everything is urgent?

Start your answer with “One area I am actively working on is…” when discussing weaknesses. This frames shortcomings as improvements.

Build your question bank

Add industry‑specific and challenging prompts to your practice. Examples include:– How did you handle a project that went over budget?– Describe a time when you had to persuade senior leadership to adopt your idea.– Tell me about a situation where you had to learn a new technology quickly.– How do you manage conflicting priorities when leading a team?– Give an example of feedback you gave to a colleague and its impact.

These questions test leadership, adaptability and communication. Preparing varied stories ensures you aren’t stuck repeating the same example.

Step 4: Practise out loud and record yourself

Speaking builds fluency. Use AI tools such as InterviewWarmup or ChatGPT to simulate interviews and get instant feedback. Slow your pace, pause between ideas and avoid memorised scripts; natural answers score higher.

Step 5: Prepare questions for the interviewer

Ask about key performance indicators, team culture and growth opportunities. This shows confidence and ensures the company aligns with your values.

HillEd’s emergency preparation

Need to practise urgently? HillEd offers mock interview simulations with feedback within 24 hours. We analyse your answers, refine your vocabulary and coach you on tone. Book a session if your interview is less than three days away.

For deeper work on confidence and mental preparation, see our post on Interview Anxiety: How to Speak Clearly and Calmly. Together, these resources form a complete preparation package.