Will you have a job interview in English? Do not panic with these tips!

Whether or not you want to master this language, in the current global context, it represents a competitive advantage in this job search.

In the current global context, whether you like it or not, managing the English language represents a competitive advantage in this job search.

According to a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of The Economist, 70% of the executives consulted stated that their workforce would have to master this language to carry out some corporate expansion, and 25% highlighted that even more than half of its employees must master the language to be part of the company, becoming a central criterion in the determination of work.

Therefore, the command of English could be transcendental to get a new job. In that sense, Keri Craig, director of the Teaching Center of the British Council in Mexico, gives you some advice to consider if your next job interview is or could be in this language.

Preparation is key

Prepare yourself as you would for any other interview. Investigate the history and mission of the company you are applying to, determine how much time you should spend on transportation and carefully choose your outfit.

Some companies may ask you to take a skills test in English, such as the Aptis test of the British Council . So that you are better prepared, there are websites that offer tests of skills for the English language, at low cost or even free.

Anticipate potential questions

Most interviewers have a list of generic questions, which can guide them to know if a candidate would fit in the position. Some examples in English of which they can include, are:

• How would you describe yourself? (How would you describe yourself?)
• What are your strengths? (Which are your strengths?)
• What are your weaknesses? (What are your weaknesses?)
• Why do you want to work here? (Why are you interested in working here?)
• Take some time to structure your response and give real examples that refer to your work experience.

As a recommendation, refer to the job offer and identify some keywords that you could include in your speech. Avoid memorizing your answers so that you sound as natural as possible during the dialogue.

If you have difficulty understanding the question, do not be afraid to ask the recruiter to repeat it or even if you can reformulate it in another way. This is completely normal and also happens among speakers with fluent language.

Role play: rehearse the interview

Practice. Ask a friend who can act as an interviewer and give you feedback. In addition, you could record the audio and play it later to review how you can improve your answers.

Sometimes when we are nervous we tend to talk faster, so practicing it slowly and clearly during the role play may make it easier for you to feel more relaxed and confident during the actual interview.

Do not underestimate the importance of body language

Psychologist Albert Mehrabian suggests that only 7% of communication involves the spoken word, while 55% is based on nonverbal behaviors such as posture and eye contact, and 38% is focused on the tone of the voice.

It is unlikely that your interlocutor will penalize you for incorrectly pronouncing a word, but will pay close attention to your confidence and movements when speaking.

Being multilingual is an important asset

In today's global labor market, the ability to speak several languages ​​in the workplace is an important asset. According to a report by the organization New American Economy, the number of online job offers aimed at bilingual profiles has more than doubled between 2010 and 2015. Recruiters are constantly looking for people who understand more than one language, so you can be sure that your language skills will be valued.

"Learning a new language requires patience and dedication, two traits that can differentiate you from other candidates from the start. If you are studying it or if you are interested in perfecting it, there are many options to do it ", concludes Keri Craig.