💼 Speaking: Specific Purposes B1 - Lesson 1: Answering Common Job Interview Questions
Welcome! This series will help you use English in specific, important situations. Today, we focus on one of the most common challenges: the job interview. Preparing answers for common questions is the best way to feel confident and succeed.
Scenario: A Job Interview Role-Play
Listen to this role-play. A candidate1 named Rina is interviewing for a "Hotel Receptionist" position. Notice how she gives clear, structured answers.
Interviewer: "Good morning, Rina. Thank you for coming. To start, could you please tell me about yourself?"
Rina: "Certainly. I am currently a student at the University of Puthisastra, studying hospitality and tourism. For the last year, I have been working part-time as a cashier at a cafe, where I am responsible for2 customer service and handling payments. I was very excited to see this receptionist role3 because I want to start my career in the hotel industry."
Interviewer: "I see. And what would you say is your greatest strength4?"
Rina: "I believe my main strength is my communication skill5. For example, in my cashier job, I often have to help tourists who don't speak Khmer. I am good at listening patiently and explaining things clearly in English. I am confident this skill would be very useful when welcoming guests to the hotel."
Question 1: "Tell me about yourself."
This is your professional introduction. Don't tell your whole life story. Use the simple "Present - Past - Future" formula.
- Present: Who are you now? Your current job or study focus.
- "I am currently a..." / "I have been working as a..."
- Past: What relevant experience do you have? A previous job or key project.
- "In my last role, I learned..." / "I have experience in..."
- Future: Why are you here? Why do you want this specific job?
- "I want to use my skills to..." / "I was interested in this role because..."
Question 2: "What are your strengths?" or "What are your skills?"
Don't just list adjectives. Prove your skill with evidence using the "Claim - Example - Connect" formula.
- Claim: State your strength clearly. (e.g., organized, good at teamwork, creative, a fast learner).
- "My main strength is..." / "I am very skilled at..."
- Example: Give one specific, short example that shows this skill.
- "For example, in my last job, I..." / "During my university project, I..."
- Connect: Explain why this skill is useful for *this* job.
- "I believe this would be very helpful for..."
💡 Interview Success Tips
1. Be Professional and Polite: Use formal greetings like "Good morning." Use the interviewer's name (e.g., "Thank you, Mr. Sophal"). Dress professionally. This shows respect.
2. Research the Company: Before the interview, spend 10 minutes looking at the company's website or Facebook page. Knowing what they do shows you are genuinely interested.
3. Prepare a Question for Them: Always have one question ready to ask at the end. It makes you seem engaged and curious. Example questions:
"What does a typical day look like in this role?"
"What skills are most important for success in this job?"
🧠 Practice Quiz: Match the Formula
Read the two answers below. Which formula does each answer use?
Answer 1: "I am very good at working in a team. For instance, in my marketing course, I worked with three other students to create a successful advertising campaign for a local brand. This experience taught me how to collaborate, so I know I can be a valuable member of your marketing team."
→ Formula: This uses the Claim - Example - Connect formula for answering about a strength.
Answer 2: "I currently work in sales at a mobile phone shop. Before that, I studied business administration at Vanda Institute. I am applying for this Sales Executive position because I want to grow my career and take on more responsibility."
→ Formula: This uses the Present - Past - Future formula for answering "Tell me about yourself."
📝 Your Mission: Prepare Your Answers
Your mission is to prepare for your next job interview, even if it's just for practice.
- Find a real job advertisement you are interested in (on Bong Thom, CamHR, etc.) or just imagine your dream job.
- Write your answer to "Tell me about yourself" using the "Present - Past - Future" formula.
- Write your answer to "What are your strengths?" for ONE strength, using the "Claim - Example - Connect" formula.
- Practice saying your answers out loud until they sound natural and you feel confident. This is the most important step!
Vocabulary Glossary
- Candidate: (Noun) - បេក្ខជន (beyk'kâ'chôn) - A person who is applying for a job or is competing in an election. ↩
- Responsible for: (Phrase) - ទទួលខុសត្រូវលើ (tɔtuəl kʰoh trəw ləə) - To have a duty or job to do something. ↩
- Role: (Noun) - តួនាទី (tuə'nii'tii) - The position or function that someone has in an organization or situation. ↩
- Strength: (Noun) - ចំណុចខ្លាំង (chɑmnuch kʰlaŋ) - A good quality or ability that gives someone an advantage. ↩
- Skill: (Noun) - ជំនាញ (chumnanh) - The ability to do an activity or job well, especially because you have practiced it. ↩