Recently, we asked three of our English job interview trainers: Steph, Eva, and Natasha, to share what they tell job interview clients, especially our Gemeente Amsterdam Switch program clients. We asked them to focus on 3 important aspects of their English job interview training process: CVs, cover letters, and interviews. In this article, you’ll find their advice, English Job Interview Training Tips for Non-Native Speakers, in their own words.
If you want help with your English job interview (and the entire job search process) – and if English isn’t your first language, contact us about customized private training. Don’t let poor English stand between you and that shiney new job.
Some of the tips below may be new to you, and others may be “old hat” (= a skill or knowledge you’ve had for a long time.) But remember that sometimes the old habits, the things that you think you’re doing right, aren’t “right” anymore.
So be honest with yourself and see where you can “up your game” (= improve performance) with our English Job Interview Training Tips. Let’s do this!
Table of Contents
Does your design-led CV still include a profile photo, date of birth and text tables? If the answer is yes, it could be time for a new approach in this AI-driven age.
As more and more companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to short-list applicants, one of the most significant trends in CV writing is a back-to-basics shift to simpler layouts and streamlined information.
So here are some top tips on how to strike the right balance between a clean layout for AI but which also makes your personality stand out from the crowd when read by a human HR professional.
ATS systems often scan CVs for specific keywords relevant to the job. Use industry-specific terminology and action verbs that align with the job you’re applying for. Online scanning tools can help you match your CV with the job description, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial terms.
An ATS-friendly CV is all about clarity. Use standard fonts, bullet points, and clear headings. Avoid complex layouts and graphics that can confuse AI systems.
Kick off your CV with a strong professional summary that captures who you are and what you bring to the table. This brief introduction should highlight what career choices & skills have led to your current situation. Keep it short, maximum 3 sentences.
Focus on contact information, location and online profiles such as LinkedIn. Remove DOB, photos and nationality. If you’re an NL freelancer (ZZP’r), include your KvK number to show you can legally work here.
Instead of simply listing your job duties, focus on your accomplishments. Use quantifiable metrics to illustrate your successes—think percentages, financial amounts, or other impactful figures. For example, “Increased sales by 30% in six months” paints a much clearer picture than “Responsible for sales.”
Highlight any relevant software skills, tools, or platforms you’re proficient in. While technical skills can give you an edge, soft skills like languages, communication, teamwork, and adaptability are equally valuable. Highlight these traits, especially in a world where collaboration and remote work are increasingly common.
Spelling, grammatical errors and longer than 2 sides are never acceptable in a professional CV. Take the time to proofread multiple times and review with your teacher. Having their objective input is also invaluable to ‘selling yourself’ in an authentic way.
By following these English job interview training tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a CV that not only gets noticed by ATS but also resonates with hiring managers. Here’s to landing that dream job!
Your cover letter is the place to expand on your job roles and responsibilities, not repeat them. It should highlight what makes you stand out from the crowd, why you are a fit for this job and what you can bring to the team. Don’t forget to emphasise key achievements and, if you can, use numbers to quantify previous success in your work. Using bullet points, rather than full sentences, is also a good way to bring focus to your accomplishments.
It’s great to have a template cover letter to use as a starting point. However, a cover letter is not ‘one size fits all’, it needs to be edited for each job. Make sure you take some time to delve into the culture, values and mission of the organisation. Write how you, your goals and your experience align with their principles and objectives. If you can, it’s also a good idea to find and use the name of the hiring manager to start your letter; ‘Dear _____’ is much more personal!
It might sound obvious but, even though this is an easy fix, I still read many cover letters that have not been proofread. Nothing screams unprofessional more than a typo on the first line. Online tools can be a huge help in identifying easily overlooked typos or badly phrased sentences. Getting a second pair of eyes to look at it like those of a family member, friend (or English Teacher!) can also work wonders. Applying for jobs can be lengthy and tiring – we all make small mistakes here and there, so make sure you check!
We all know that interview preparation starts with researching the company and the position you’re applying for. Having knowledge of their mission, values, recent projects, and company culture, as well as your role and responsibilities, not only helps you to tailor your answers but also shows your genuine interest in the organization. And interviewers love that!
But you can take your research a step further. Use it as an opportunity to find key vocabulary related to the job and industry. Make a list of important terms and phrases you believe could come up in the interview and think about how you can incorporate them into your answers. Practice using these words in various sentences and scenarios until you feel comfortable with them. Familiarizing yourself with key vocabulary can help you feel more confident (and look more professional) when discussing your experience and skills.
One of the most powerful tools you have in an interview is your personal stories. Prepare a few key stories that highlight your strengths, challenges you’ve faced (for the dreaded “Tell us about your weaknesses” question), and valuable lessons learned in your career. Keep them concise and relevant to the questions you might be asked. Use specific details to illustrate your points, making them relatable, memorable, and impactful.
Practice telling these stories in a conversational manner. The goal is to integrate them naturally into your responses rather than delivering them as memorized speeches. By being well-prepared, you can adapt your stories to fit different questions, and not be caught off-guard when questions are worded differently to how you expected!
Speaking of being caught off-guard, it’s totally okay to take a moment to gather your thoughts during the interview. If a question takes you by surprise, don’t rush your answer – just take a deep breath and give yourself a little pause. This will help you to relax and give you time to consider your answer. It also demonstrates that you are deliberate in your responses. You might say something like, “That’s a great question; let me think for a moment.” Remember, it’s better to take a moment than to rush and potentially miss the point!
It’s also okay to ask for clarification if you’re unsure about what’s being asked. This demonstrates your engagement and willingness to understand fully before answering. Remember that interviews are a conversation, not an interrogation. By staying calm and adaptable, you’ll find it easier to communicate your skills and experiences effectively.
We all get nervous. We all forget words or stumble over our answers sometimes. We’re only human! But there are tools available to you to help mitigate this. Knowing that it is okay to pause, to slow down, and to breathe is a simple yet effective tool.
If you need help with 1, 2 or all 3 of these aspects for securing your ideal job, let us know by clicking on the button below. We can customise a course especially for you.
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Editors: “English Job Interview Training Tips,” Brenda de Jong-Pauley, MA and Kerry Finlayson, B.Ed, Dip. P.M, English Center trainers.
