How to answer the hardest interview questions

Answer and give a real example for each one.

1. Have you ever had a job interview that went really well or really badly?
2. What is the strangest question you've been asked at an interview?
3. How many jobs have you had in your life?
4. What is the most useful skill you have learnt at work?
5. Do you feel nervous at interviews? What helps?
6. What would your colleagues say is your biggest strength?

For each word or phrase, say one true sentence about your work experience.

Choose the word or phrase that fits.

1. She has fifteen years of in marketing.
2. Speaking three languages is a very useful .
3. In my last job I was all the social media accounts.
4. Nurses have to very stressful situations.
5. I've five jobs, but nobody has called me back.
6. My biggest is that I'm a perfectionist.
7. He helps everyone and shares his ideas. He's a real .
8. After only two years, she was to head of department.

Choose the word that goes together, then press Check answers.

1. to
   meetmakedo
   a deadline
2. to work under
   pressurestressforce
3. to apply
   fortoat
   a job
4. to
   gainwinearn
   experience
5. to be responsible
   forofabout
   a team
6. to take
   onupin
   new projects

Use each phrase to talk about your real work experience.

• I've been working as... for...Я працюю ... вже...I've been working as an accountant for six years.
• I'm currently responsible for...Зараз я відповідаю за...I'm currently responsible for a team of five.
• One of my main achievements was...Одним з моїх головних досягнень було...One of my main achievements was cutting costs by 20%.
• I'm good at... / I have experience in...Я добре вмію... / Маю досвід у...I have experience in project management.
• For example, when I was working at...Наприклад, коли я працював(-ла) у...For example, when I was working at the bank, I...
• As a result, ...У результаті...As a result, the client signed a new contract.
• I'd describe my working style as...Я б описав(-ла) свій стиль роботи як...I'd describe my working style as calm and organised.
• I'm looking for a role where I can...Я шукаю посаду, де я зможу...I'm looking for a role where I can grow.

Read the article. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Behavioural questions ask about your past actions.
   TrueFalse
2. Recruiters like general answers like "I'm always calm".
   TrueFalse
3. "Action" is the most important part of a STAR answer.
   TrueFalse
4. In the Action part you should say "we" as much as possible.
   TrueFalse
5. Experts suggest preparing five or six stories before an interview.
   TrueFalse

1. Have you ever answered a question like this at an interview? How did it go?
2. Which STAR story from your life would you tell about a difficult situation?
3. Do you think these questions really show who is a good worker?
4. What is the hardest interview question for you personally?

Rule of thumb: How many / how much → Present Perfect Simple. How long → often Present Perfect Continuous. I've written five reports today. I've been writing reports all day. State verbs (know, have, be) stay in Simple: I've known my manager for years.

1. I
   have been workingam working
   here since 2019.
2. I
   have finishedhave been finishing
   three projects this month.
3. She
   has been learninghas learnt
   German for two years, and she still goes to classes.
4. How many interviews
   have you hadhave you been having
   this week?
5. I
   have knownhave been knowing
   my manager for ten years.
6. In 2021, I
   ledhave led
   a team of eight people.
7. How long
   have you been workingare you working
   in sales?
8. We
   have soldhave been selling
   2,000 units so far.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. I am working here since 2018. →
2. I have been writing four reports today. →
3. How long do you work in this company? →
4. I have been knowing her for years. →
5. Last year I have been promoted. →
6. She has been visiting 20 countries. →

Answer in detail. Use Present Perfect Simple and Continuous, and Past Simple for stories.

1. How long have you been working in your current job (or studying)? What have you achieved so far?
2. What new skills have you been learning recently?
3. How many different jobs have you had? Which one taught you the most?
4. Tell a STAR story about a time you dealt with a difficult person.
5. Tell a STAR story about a time you worked under pressure.
6. What have you been doing to improve your career this year?

Answer each question as if you were at a real interview for a job you want. Speak for about one minute each.

Use the STAR structure. Your teacher will check: did you say what YOU did, and what the result was?

1. Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. (S-T-A-R)
2. Describe a situation when you had to learn something very quickly.
3. Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager.
4. Describe your biggest professional achievement.

1. What is your current job, and how long have you been doing it?
2. What have you been responsible for in your career?
3. What is the most difficult situation you've dealt with at work?
4. Have you ever been promoted? How did it happen?
5. What skills have you gained outside work (hobbies, volunteering, family)?
6. How do you usually prepare for an interview?
7. Who has been the best manager you've ever had? Why?
8. What would you like to learn in the next two years?

1. What makes a candidate stand out?
2. Should interviewers ask personal questions (family, age, plans for children)?
3. Is it OK to lie a little in a job interview?
4. Who gives better references: managers or colleagues?
5. What do young people often get wrong at interviews?
6. Would you hire a friend?

1. Is experience more important than education?
2. Should job interviews be replaced by test days at work?
3. Can AI choose the best candidates fairly?
4. Should CVs have photos?
5. Is it better to stay in one company or change jobs often?
6. What is more important for a manager: skills or personality?

"Experience is more important than a university degree."

Round 1: give your real opinion for 1–2 minutes. Round 2: defend the opposite side for 1 minute. Use: In my experience... · I've been working for... years, and... · That depends on the job. · Let me give you an example from my career...