Ten questions. That’s all that stands between you and the job you want.
Most English job interviews use the same questions. Over and over. Once you know them — and you know HOW to answer them — you have a massive advantage.
But here’s what nobody tells you. Each of these questions triggers a specific type of anxiety in non-native English speakers. It’s not just about knowing the right words. It’s about managing your brain while you say them.
I’ve taught more than 40 million students worldwide. The ones who succeed in English interviews are not the ones with the biggest vocabulary. They’re the ones who stay calm under pressure.
So for each question below, I’ll give you two things: the answer structure AND the anxiety trigger. Because you need to manage both.
Question 1: “Tell Me About Yourself”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: This question is completely open. No boundaries. Your brain panics because there are a hundred possible answers. Overload.
Answer structure:
“I’m a [job title] with [number] years of experience in [industry]. Most recently, I worked at [company] where I [one key achievement]. I’m excited about this role because [one reason connected to their company].”
Three sentences. That’s enough. Don’t tell your life story. Short and specific wins.
Question 2: “What Is Your Greatest Strength?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: Talking about your strengths while feeling weak in English creates an identity conflict. Your brain fights itself.
Answer structure:
“My greatest strength is [specific skill]. For example, at [company], I [concrete result with numbers]. I believe this skill would help your team because [connection to their needs].”
Name it. Prove it with a story. Connect it to their company. Three steps.
Question 3: “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: Being vulnerable in a second language feels doubly dangerous. Many non-native speakers accidentally say something too negative because they lack the subtle vocabulary to soften it.
Answer structure:
“One area I’m actively improving is [real but manageable weakness]. I’ve been working on this by [specific action you’re taking]. For example, recently I [evidence of improvement].”
Always show progress. Never say “I have no weakness.” Never name a weakness that kills your candidacy.
Question 4: “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: You need to show knowledge about THEIR company while speaking in English. Double cognitive load — remembering research AND finding English words.
Answer structure:
“I’ve followed [company name] because [specific thing you admire — a product, a value, a project]. My background in [your skill] aligns well with [their need]. I want to contribute to [specific goal or team].”
Prepare this BEFORE the interview. Research the company. Write down two specific facts. Don’t improvise this answer.
Question 5: “Tell Me About a Time You Solved a Problem”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: Story retrieval under pressure. Your brain must search through years of experience while managing anxiety AND speaking English. Three jobs at once.
Answer structure (STAR method):
- Situation: “At [company], we faced [specific problem]…”
- Task: “My responsibility was to…”
- Action: “So I decided to…”
- Result: “The result was [specific, measurable outcome].”
Pre-prepare three STAR stories. Practice them out loud. If you have three stories ready, you can adapt them for almost any behavioral question.
Question 6: “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: You might have a complicated reason. Explaining complexity in a second language is hard. Many people stumble into negativity about their previous employer.
Answer structure:
“I learned a lot at [previous company], especially about [skill]. Now I’m looking for an opportunity to [growth goal] and I believe [this company] is the right place for that.”
Always positive. Always forward-looking. Never criticize your previous company. Even if they were terrible.
Question 7: “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: Planning the future in English is abstract. Abstract topics are harder than concrete topics in a second language. Your vocabulary feels smaller.
Answer structure:
“In five years, I see myself [growth position] with deeper expertise in [relevant skill area]. I want to grow with a company that values [something this company values].”
Keep it simple. Show ambition but also loyalty. They want to know you’ll stay.
Question 8: “How Do You Handle Pressure?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: You’re being asked about handling pressure WHILE you’re under pressure. The irony is not lost on your brain. It can short-circuit you.
Answer structure:
“I handle pressure by [specific method — prioritizing, breaking tasks into steps, staying focused on what I can control]. For example, when [brief STAR story of handling a high-pressure situation successfully].”
Give a real example. Don’t just say “I work well under pressure.” Prove it.
Question 9: “Do You Have Any Questions for Us?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: Your brain is exhausted by this point. Adrenaline is crashing. Forming a thoughtful question in English feels impossible.
Pre-prepared questions (choose two):
- “What does success look like in this role in the first six months?”
- “What do you enjoy most about working here?”
- “What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?”
Always have two questions ready BEFORE the interview. Write them on a notepad and bring it. Nobody thinks less of you for having notes.
Question 10: “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”
⚠️ Anxiety trigger: Money plus English plus negotiation. Triple threat. You feel linguistically weak, so your brain pushes you to accept less than you deserve.
Answer structure:
“Based on my research and experience, I’m looking at a range of [X to Y]. But I’m flexible depending on the full compensation package.”
Give a range, not one number. Speak slowly. Slow speech sounds confident. Fast speech signals nervousness.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The same 10 questions appear in almost every English job interview. Prepare your answers using these structures. Practice them out loud. Your brain needs structure under pressure — give it structure, and your English will flow.
The Secret Nobody Talks About
Here’s what I want you to understand. Knowing these answers is important. But it’s only half the battle.
The other half is your emotional state. If your body is flooded with anxiety, even perfect answers will come out broken.
Before any English interview, do this: Take one slow double-inhale through your nose, then one long exhale through your mouth. This is called the physiological sigh. It’s the fastest known method to reduce anxiety. One breath. That’s the starting point.
I teach my students that you need both The Engine and The Fuel. The Engine is your English method. The Fuel is your psychology — your confidence, your emotional control. You need both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common job interview questions in English?
The 10 most common English interview questions are: Tell me about yourself, What is your greatest strength, What is your greatest weakness, Why do you want to work here, Tell me about a time you solved a problem, Why did you leave your last job, Where do you see yourself in five years, How do you handle pressure, Do you have questions for us, and What are your salary expectations.
How should I prepare for an English job interview?
Prepare answer structures for the 10 most common questions. Practice three STAR stories out loud. Research the company. Prepare two questions to ask them. And practice a 60-second breathing routine to manage anxiety before the interview starts.
How can I speak English confidently in a job interview?
Confidence in English interviews comes from two things: preparation and nervous system control. Prepare your answers using simple structures so your brain has less to manage. Then use breathing techniques like box breathing or the physiological sigh to calm your nervous system before and during the interview.
What to Do Next
Want to go deeper? Watch my free video on building English speaking confidence:
How to Feel More Confidence When Speaking English
Ready to master business English? My Business English Course teaches you real English for interviews, meetings, and presentations — with psychology built in.
Or start free with my book and 7 Rules:
Get My Free Book → EffortlessEnglishClub.com/7rules
Commit, don’t quit.
— A.J. Hoge
