How to prepare for a job interview in English: the 6 stages
1. Your CV, out loud
Have a 60 to 90 second intro that matches your CV, plus calm answers to the tricky lines on it, like a gap or a short job. "Tell me about yourself" usually opens the first call and the last one.
2. The HR screen
A relaxed first two minutes, then short, clear answers on motivation, salary expectations, notice period and logistics. The recruiter is checking fit and clarity more than depth.
3. The work or tech task
Clarify the task before you start, talk while you work, and ask for a hint without losing confidence. Thinking out loud in English is a skill of its own, and it's worth practicing.
4. The task review
Walk through your solution, explain your trade-offs, and take critique calmly. "Here's why I chose this, and here's what I'd change with more time" goes a long way.
5. Culture fit
Expect questions about teamwork, conflict, mistakes, feedback and weaknesses. Prepare two or three short STAR stories (situation, task, action, result) and practice telling them in under two minutes.
6. The senior round
Your manager's manager or a C-level leader cares about impact, direction and long-term fit. Talk in their language: results, priorities, why this company. End with good questions and a confident close, then send a short follow-up email.
An honest note
Nobody can promise you an offer. Every company, process and interviewer is different. What practice does is take the language out of the way, so you can focus on what you want to say.
Practice it with feedback
Interview English at SpeakingCamps takes four weeks and follows these stages, with versions for developers, QA and any other role. Week 1, the Essential Toolkit, starts with a mock HR screen, then your CV, the HR screen, a strong close and interview day essentials. Week 2 covers the task, culture fit, the senior round and the offer, and ends with a mock final round. Weeks 3 and 4 follow you into the new job: your first weeks, your first 1:1 with your manager and the probation review, each with a practice mock. The HR screen and final round mocks both open with "tell me about yourself", so you can hear the difference. Your tutor sends voice feedback on each recording. Open the Interview English demo or see a sample feedback page.
Questions
How do I answer "tell me about yourself" in English?
In 60 to 90 seconds: what you do now, one or two past roles that led here, and why this job is the next step. Practice it out loud until it sounds like you talking, not like a text you memorized.
Should I memorize my interview answers?
Memorize the structure and a few key phrases, then say it differently each time. Fully memorized answers tend to sound flat and break when the question changes.
What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Ask about the first 90 days, how success is measured, and what the team is working on now. In a senior round, ask about direction and priorities.
Slow down. Tune in. Speak up.
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