How to talk about yourself in English at an interview?

138

17 March 2025

English-learners

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

The ability to tell your story is an important skill that is needed everywhere: in exams, interviews, and when communicating with new people. There's no doubt that business English can help with this. Anyone who is fluent in English should be able to tell about themselves and provide at least some facts.

Frequently asked questions at the interview

Interviewers may ask different questions to candidates, but some of them may be more common. Standard interview questions may not be enough, but they are necessary. For example, information about the previous job, job responsibilities, reasons for leaving, and relationships with the team.

They also discuss education, additional skills, etc. Preparing answers to these questions will help you to better present yourself as a candidate and speak with confidence during the interview.

Features of self-presentation at the interview

The peculiarity of presenting yourself at an interview is that you have a specific goal - to get a job. You will talk about what you have achieved in other companies. In addition, it is important to give a clear answer as to what knowledge, qualities, and character traits you have used to achieve these results. The employer is not interested in your previous achievements, but in what you can do for them with your knowledge and skills in the future. To prepare for an interview in English, it is useful to write a text with sample answers to common questions.

Talk about your educational and professional path

Tell us about your education and work experience, emphasizing the aspects that best meet the requirements of the position. Be sure to mention achievements that are directly related to the position you are applying for. For example, if the job description states that the company is looking to increase sales or expand the market, you should emphasize the benefits associated with increasing the customer base. If you're interviewing for a Project Manager position, tell us more about your success in project management and team coordination.

A description of your hobbies, personal traits, and future plans in English

Your personal qualities that can be valuable for future work are something that is definitely worth telling about yourself at the interview. These can be qualities such as responsibility, sociability, and the ability to work in a team. It's important that they match the company's culture and requirements.

How to connect the parts of your self-story

To make the story logical and consistent, it is important to use connecting elements.

Start your self-presentation with a sincere greeting and a brief introduction to create a friendly atmosphere and demonstrate your confidence right away.
Focus on the aspects that are most relevant to the position. If your previous work is directly related to the position, be sure to emphasize this connection.
Use specific examples and quantitative indicators when talking about your achievements.
Explain your interest in this particular position and how it fits into your career plan.

A sincere story about your motivation to work for a particular company demonstrates your dedication and helps you overcome internal barriers to a new professional challenge.

Justify your suitability

Conclude your self-presentation with clear arguments as to why you are the perfect candidate. Prepare several convincing examples from your previous experience that illustrate your key competencies and suitability for the position.

By following these guidelines, you will be able to present yourself confidently at the interview and leave a vivid impression that will set you apart from other applicants.

Your story should show the development of your career, where each step leads to the next and, ultimately, to the position you are applying for.

How to talk about your weaknesses

During the interview, employers often ask you about your weaknesses. Choose real weaknesses, but ones that are not critical to the position. Talk about the steps you are already taking to overcome them. For example: “Sometimes I focus too much on details, so I implemented a planning system to better control project deadlines.” This shows your ability to self-reflect and improve.

Emphasize the desire for continuous growth - employers love it.

Phrases to use in an interview

Here are some phrases you can use during an interview when talking about yourself in English:

“I have a strong background in...”
“I am highly motivated by...” - I am highly motivated by...
“I believe my strengths are...” - I believe my strengths are...
“I am looking for opportunities to grow in...” - I am looking for opportunities to grow in...

Using these phrases will help you present your skills, experience, and motivation clearly and confidently.

Common mistakes during an interview in English

It is quite easy to make mistakes during an interview in English, for example

speaking too much;
use narrow-profile slang and unusual phrases;
speak in student's English;
use idioms and phrases too often.

An interview in English is a challenging task, so it's worth taking the time to prepare. This will help you feel more confident.

How famous people describe themselves: literature from Dinternal Education

To improve your self-presentation skills, you can pay attention to books:

Publications dedicated to public speaking and oratory skills. Of course, you can learn to speak only with practice, but reading is a great help in this regard.
Biographies of famous people. Reading works and essays about the lives and experiences of famous people can inspire and provide examples of how they saw themselves and reached the top.
Professional development books. These books often have sections on how to pass an interview, write an essay or essay about yourself based on a model.

Using these resources will not only help you prepare your presentation, but will also give you insight into how successful people build their careers and achieve great results.