Job Interview English Conversation Practice
Reading is not enough: interviews are spoken. Here is a full short interview at two levels. Read it, then practise speaking each answer yourself.
Your goal
I can take part in a short job interview in English: greet, answer 4–5 common questions with examples, ask one question and close politely. (CEFR A2–B1: interacting in a structured conversation)
Sample dialogue
Sample dialogue: A2 (simpler)
Interviewer
Hello, please sit down. How are you?
You
I'm fine, thank you. Nice to meet you.
Interviewer
Tell me about yourself.
You
I am Grace. I work in a clothing shop. I help customers and I put clothes on the shelves.
Interviewer
Why do you want this job?
You
I like working with people, and this shop is close to my home.
Interviewer
When can you start?
You
I can start next month.
Interviewer
Do you have any questions?
You
Yes. What are the working hours?
Interviewer
From eight to five. Thank you, Grace.
You
Thank you for your time. Goodbye.
Sample dialogue: B1 (more detail)
Interviewer
Thanks for coming in. Did you find us easily?
You
Yes, thank you. The directions were very clear.
Interviewer
Great. Tell me about yourself.
You
I'm currently a receptionist at a medical practice. I've been there for two years, and I manage appointments and phone calls.
Interviewer
Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult situation.
You
Once, the booking system went down on a busy morning. I stayed calm, wrote the appointments by hand and kept patients informed, so nobody missed their visit.
Interviewer
What is your biggest weakness?
You
I used to find it hard to say no, so I took on too much. Now I check my priorities with my manager first.
Interviewer
Why should we hire you?
You
I'm organised, I'm good with people, and I already know how a busy front desk works.
Interviewer
Do you have any questions?
You
Yes, what are the next steps in the process?
Interviewer
We'll call you by Friday.
You
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Key phrases
Small talk
Yes, thank you. It was easy to find.
Story
Once, … So, …
Once, a delivery was late. So, I called the supplier.
Situation-Action-Result
The problem was… I… In the end…
Weakness
I used to…, so now I…
Question
What are the next steps in the process?
Close
I look forward to hearing from you.
Common mistakes
(Very long silence)
Let me think for a moment…
Fill thinking time politely.
Yes. / No.
Yes. For example, …
Add one sentence of detail to every answer.
Before I work in a bank.
Before, I worked in a bank.
Use the past simple for finished jobs.
I have no weaknesses.
I used to…, but now I…
Everyone has one; show you are improving.
Speak it: your turn
- Repeat: Read the 'You' lines of the B1 interview out loud.
- Adapt: Change each answer so it is about your real job.
- Your interview: Do a full practice interview with the AI interviewer: it asks, you speak, then you get feedback.
Practise this question
“Tell me about yourself”
Try a free practice conversationFree. No card needed. Audio is not stored.
Self-check
FAQ
How can I practise a job interview in English alone?
Read a sample interview out loud, change the answers to be about you, then answer the questions without reading. Our free practice asks you questions and gives feedback on what you said.
How long is a typical job interview?
Many first interviews take 20 to 45 minutes. Most questions only need a 30 to 60 second answer.
What questions are asked in most interviews?
Tell me about yourself, why do you want this job, your strengths and weaknesses, a difficult situation, why should we hire you, and do you have any questions.
I get nervous when I speak English. What can I do?
Practise the same questions out loud many times before the day. Short daily practice builds confidence more than one long session.