Job Interview: Conversation (Elementary)
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: Imperative sentences are used to give commands or requests. Adding 'Please' at the beginning makes the request polite.
Please open the door.
EN: In Western business culture, 'Have a seat' is a standard way to welcome someone into an office or meeting room. It is more common and slightly more formal than 'Sit down'.
EN: Use 'very much' after a verb like 'thank' to show a high degree of gratitude. It usually comes at the end of the sentence.
I like this book very much.
EN: In professional settings, responding to a greeting with a thank you is a standard way to show politeness and acknowledge the interviewer's time.
EN: Use 'Let's' (Let us) followed by a base verb to suggest an activity or to start a new topic in a conversation.
Let's go to the park.
EN: In Western job interviews, the interviewer often uses 'Let's start with...' to transition from small talk to the formal part of the interview. It is a polite way to take control of the conversation.
EN: Use the Past Simple tense (verb + -ed) to talk about actions that started and finished in the past. Use 'for' to show how long the action lasted.
She lived in London for three years.
EN: In job interviews, being specific about the duration of your previous roles (e.g., 'two years') shows stability and reliability to potential employers.
EN: Use 'was' to ask about a situation or state in the past. It is the past tense of 'is'.
What was your favorite subject in school?
EN: In job interviews, 'role' is a professional way to ask about your job title and responsibilities. It sounds more formal than just asking 'What was your job?'.
EN: Use 'was' to describe your job or role in the past. It is the past tense of 'am'.
I was a student at that school.
EN: In job interviews, clearly stating your previous job title helps the interviewer quickly understand your background. 'Marketing assistant' is a common entry-level or mid-level role.
EN: Use 'sound' followed by an adjective to describe your impression of something you just heard.
That sounds great.
EN: In Western job interviews, 'strengths' refers to professional skills and positive personality traits that help you do the job well. It is expected to be specific and confident.
EN: Use 'be good at' followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing to describe your skills or strengths.
She is good at playing the piano.
EN: In modern job interviews, 'social media' and 'writing' are considered highly transferable skills across many industries, not just marketing.
EN: Use 'Why' at the beginning of a sentence to ask for a reason. In questions with verbs like 'want', we use the helping verb 'do' before the subject.
Why do you like coffee?
EN: In job interviews, this question is designed to see if your goals align with the company's mission. It's not just about why you need a job, but why you want *this* specific role.
EN: Use 'want to' followed by a base verb to express a desire or goal.
I want to travel to Japan next year.
EN: In Western job interviews, expressing a desire to learn and grow is seen as a sign of a 'growth mindset,' which is highly valued by modern employers.
EN: Use 'Can you...' to ask about someone's ability or willingness to do something.
Can you drive a car?
EN: In Western job interviews, 'working under pressure' is a common soft skill. Adding 'sometimes' makes the question sound more realistic and less intimidating.
EN: Use 'can' followed by a base verb to express ability or possibility.
I can speak English.
EN: In Western job interviews, 'working under pressure' is a highly valued soft skill. Employers look for candidates who can maintain productivity and quality when deadlines are tight or situations are stressful.
EN: Use 'What are your...' to ask about plural things or ideas that someone has, such as expectations, plans, or goals.
What are your plans for the weekend?
EN: In many Western business cultures, discussing salary is expected during the interview process, but it is often the interviewer who brings it up first. Candidates should research the market rate beforehand.
EN: Use 'around' before a number to show that it is an estimate or not an exact amount.
The meeting will last around one hour.
EN: In many English-speaking job interviews, it is common to discuss salary expectations towards the end of the process. Using 'around' or 'expect' shows you are open to negotiation.
EN: The word 'within' is used to show that something is inside a specific limit or range, such as time, distance, or money.
Please finish the report within two days.
EN: In job interviews, discussing salary can be sensitive. When an interviewer says a number is 'within the budget range,' it is a positive sign that the candidate's expectations align with the company's financial plan.
EN: The pattern 'That is + adjective + to hear' is used to react to good or bad news. 'To hear' explains why you feel that way.
That is good to hear.
EN: In Western business culture, it is common and encouraged to show enthusiasm when receiving positive news during an interview. It shows you are engaged and genuinely interested in the position.
EN: Use 'When can you + verb' to ask about someone's availability or the time they are able to do something.
When can you call me back?
EN: In many Western job markets, giving a 'two-week notice' to a current employer is standard professional etiquette. That is why the candidate responds with 'in two weeks'.
EN: Use 'in + [time period]' to talk about when something will happen in the future.
The meeting will finish in ten minutes.
EN: In many Western countries, 'two weeks' notice' is the standard professional courtesy when leaving a job, which is why candidates often say they can start in two weeks.
EN: Use 'by' followed by a time to mean 'no later than' or 'at or before' a specific deadline.
Please finish the report by Friday.
EN: In job interviews, 'Perfect' is often used by interviewers to signal that a candidate's availability or answer aligns exactly with the company's needs.
EN: The verb 'work' can mean 'to be suitable' or 'to be convenient' for a situation or schedule.
Does 6:00 PM work for you?
EN: In professional settings, saying 'That works for me' is a standard way to accept a proposal or schedule. Adding 'well' makes it sound more enthusiastic and positive.
EN: Use 'Do you have...?' to ask about possession or existence in the present tense. Use 'any' in questions when asking if something exists, even in small amounts.
Do you have any ideas for the project?
EN: In Western job interviews, this question is a standard way to end the meeting. It is expected that the candidate has at least one or two questions prepared to show their interest in the company.
EN: Use 'What are...' to ask about plural nouns (more than one thing), such as 'working hours'.
What are your favorite colors?
EN: In many Western job interviews, it is common and expected for candidates to ask about practical details like working hours or company culture toward the end of the meeting.
EN: Use 'from... to...' to show the starting and ending points of time or a range.
The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
EN: 'Nine to five' is a common expression in English-speaking countries to describe a standard full-time office job.
EN: Use 'Sound + Adjective' to share your opinion or feeling about something you just heard.
That sounds great!
EN: In job interviews, 'That sounds good to me' is a professional way to accept a proposal (like working hours or salary) while showing enthusiasm.
EN: Use 'in' + 'a period of time' to talk about when something will happen in the future.
I will finish the report in two hours.
EN: In business contexts, 'in three days' usually refers to business days. It's a common way to set expectations for follow-up communication.
EN: Use 'Thank you for + [noun]' to express gratitude for a specific thing or action.
Thank you for your help.
EN: In Western business culture, thanking someone for their time is a standard way to show respect for the other person's schedule, especially after an interview or meeting.
EN: Use 'You're welcome' as a polite response after someone says 'Thank you'. It is a standard way to show politeness.
You're welcome. I'm happy to help.
EN: In Western culture, it is very common to end a professional or casual interaction with a positive wish like 'Have a great day'. It leaves a good final impression.
EN: The phrase 'You too' is a short way to return a wish or greeting. It is short for 'I wish you a great day too.'
Have a nice weekend! - You too!
EN: In a professional setting like an interview, 'You too' is a polite and standard response when the interviewer says 'Have a great day.' It shows you are listening and have good social manners.
EN: Use the past tense 'wrote' (past of 'write') to describe an action that happened at a specific time in the past.
He wrote a thank-you note after the party.
EN: In Western business culture, sending a 'follow-up email' within 24 hours of an interview is a standard professional practice to show gratitude and continued interest.
EN: Use the pattern 'thank someone for something' to express gratitude for a specific action or event. Use the past tense 'thanked' for things that already happened.
I thanked my friend for the gift.
EN: In Western business culture, sending a 'thank you' note or email within 24 hours of an interview is a standard professional practice. It shows respect and reinforces your interest in the position.
EN: When reporting what someone said in the past, we often change the verb to the past tense (said, was) to match the time of speaking.
He said he was happy.
EN: In professional follow-up emails, expressing enthusiasm for the job is a key way to show you are a motivated candidate.
EN: Use the word 'also' before the main verb to add a new piece of information to what was previously said.
He also likes playing basketball.
EN: In Western job applications, sending a follow-up email to 'mention' or reiterate your strengths is a common professional practice that shows enthusiasm and attention to detail.
EN: The verb 'hope' is followed by 'to' + 'base verb' to express a wish or desire for something to happen.
I hope to see you again.
EN: In Western business culture, 'hearing from someone' usually implies receiving a decision or update about a job application. Expressing this hope in a follow-up email is considered polite and shows enthusiasm.
EN: The past tense 'showed' is used to describe an action that happened in the past. In English, we often add '-ed' to the end of regular verbs to talk about completed actions.
He showed me his new car yesterday.
EN: In Western business culture, sending a 'follow-up email' within 24 hours of an interview is considered a standard professional practice. it demonstrates enthusiasm and good manners.
EN: Use 'this kind of' followed by a singular noun to talk about a specific type or category of something.
I like this kind of music.
EN: In many Western business cultures, sending a thank-you email or follow-up message within 24 hours of an interview is seen as a sign of professionalism and high interest in the position.
EN: The verb 'help' can be followed by an object and then either a base verb (without 'to') or an infinitive (with 'to'). In this sentence, 'stand out' is used as the base verb.
Reading books helps me relax.
EN: In Western job markets, 'standing out' is highly valued. Sending a follow-up thank-you email is a common professional practice to show initiative and social skills.
—