Job Interview Skills: Staying Calm and Confident
CEFR: B1
Read/Listen first
Before my job interview this morning, I was so nervous that I almost cancelled it. However, I reminded myself that I had prepared well. I had reviewed the company website, practised common questions, and asked a friend to do a mock interview with me. When I arrived at the office, the recruiter greeted me with a friendly smile and offered me some water. During the interview, she asked about my experience, my strengths, and a recent challenge at work. I used clear examples from my last position to show how I solved problems and worked in a team. At one moment I almost forgot my words, but I took a breath and continued. By the end, I felt proud because I had stayed calm and answered honestly. I know I did my best, and I would be happy to work with that team in the future.⚡ Learning goals
- I can describe how I prepared for a job interview.
- I can talk about my strengths and experience using clear examples.
- I can reflect on how I felt during and after an interview.
✨ Key language
- I had prepared well “I had prepared well before the interview.”
- My main strengths are… “My main strengths are problem-solving and teamwork.”
- I would be happy to… “I would be happy to work with your team.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Past simple for past events
Rule: Use the past simple to talk about finished actions at a specific time in the past, such as yesterday or this morning.Examples: I arrived at the office early.; She asked about my experience.; I felt proud after the interview.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use the present tense with past time expressions — Always change the verb form: say “I arrived”, not “I arrive”, when the time is finished.
Choose the best option: Yesterday I ___ to an interview.
Tip: Use the past simple form with finished time expressions like yesterday, last week, or this morning.
Fill with the best answer: I ______ early for the interview.
Tip: Use the regular past form of “arrive” when the interview time is already finished.
2️⃣ Past perfect for preparation
Rule: Use the past perfect to show that one past action happened before another past action, often to talk about preparation.Examples: I had prepared well before I met the recruiter.; I had reviewed the company website before the interview started.; She felt calmer because she had practised common questions.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use only the past simple for both actions — Use “had” + past participle to show the earlier preparation clearly.
Choose the best option: I felt confident because I _____ the questions.
Tip: Use the past perfect to show that practising happened before the feeling in the past.
Fill with the best answer: Before the interview, I ______ well.
Tip: Use “had” plus the past participle to show earlier preparation.
3️⃣ Would to express willingness
Rule: Use “would” to express willingness or a polite intention about the future, especially in interviews.Examples: I would be happy to join your team.; I would like to develop my skills here.; I would be glad to answer any further questions.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use only “want” in formal situations — Use “would like” or “would be happy” to sound more polite and professional.
Choose the best option: I _____ work with your company.
Tip: Use “would be happy to” in interviews to sound polite and professional.
Fill with the best answer: I ______ learn more about this position.
Tip: “Would like to” is a polite way to express what you want in an interview.
4️⃣ Verb + to infinitive for purpose
Rule: Use verb + “to” + infinitive to explain the purpose of an action, often when talking about preparation or goals.Examples: I used clear examples to show my experience.; I reviewed the website to understand the company better.; I practised questions to feel calmer in the interview.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes forget “to” before the verb — Always include “to” when you explain a reason or goal with a verb.
Choose the best option: I gave details _____ my skills.
Tip: Use “to” plus the verb when you explain the purpose of your action.
Fill with the best answer: I practised questions _____ before the interview.
Tip: Add “to” before the verb when you explain your goal or intention.
✍️ Vocabulary
interview
Meaning: A formal meeting where someone asks questions to decide if you are right for a job.Synonyms: meeting, discussion, assessment
Chunk/Idiom: job interview
Example: I have a job interview tomorrow morning.
Morphology: noun; plural interviews
Self-practice: Describe your last interview in two sentences.
recruiter
Meaning: A person whose job is to find and select candidates for a company.Synonyms: hiring manager, talent scout, headhunter
Chunk/Idiom: the recruiter greeted me
Example: The recruiter greeted me with a friendly smile.
Morphology: noun; related verb recruit
Self-practice: Write one question you would ask a recruiter.
experience
Meaning: Knowledge or skill that you get from doing a job or activity over time.Synonyms: background, practice, expertise
Chunk/Idiom: work experience
Example: She asked about my work experience in detail.
Morphology: noun; related verb experience
Self-practice: List three points from your experience to share in an interview.
strengths
Meaning: Positive qualities or abilities that help you perform well.Synonyms: advantages, talents, assets
Chunk/Idiom: my main strengths
Example: One of my strengths is staying calm under pressure.
Morphology: noun; singular strength
Self-practice: Write two sentences about your main strengths.
challenge
Meaning: A difficult situation that tests your skills or character.Synonyms: difficulty, test, obstacle
Chunk/Idiom: a recent challenge at work
Example: I described a recent challenge at work in the interview.
Morphology: noun; related verb challenge
Self-practice: Think of one challenge you solved and explain it in one sentence.
team
Meaning: A group of people who work together toward a common goal.Synonyms: group, crew, staff
Chunk/Idiom: work in a team
Example: I used examples of times when I worked in a team.
Morphology: noun; related adjective team-based
Self-practice: Write one sentence about a time you worked in a team.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
I had prepared well before the interview started.
She asked about my experience and my main strengths.
I used clear examples to show how I solved problems.
I would be happy to work with your team in the future.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the best option: By the end of the interview, I ___ proud.
Tip: Use the past simple for a finished feeling at a clear time.
Choose the best option: I felt ready because I ______ the company website.
Tip: Use the past perfect to show the review happened before the feeling.
Fill with the best answer:
I ______ at the office a few minutes early.Tip: Use the regular past form of “arrive”.
Fill with the best answer:
I used clear examples ______ my skills.Tip: Remember to add “to” before the verb to explain purpose.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
In the mini text, who greeted the candidate at the office?
Tip: Look for the word used for the person who selects candidates.
Which word describes a difficult situation mentioned in the mini text?
Tip: Think of the word used for a difficult situation at work.
Fill with the best answer:
In an interview, you should talk about your main ______.Tip: Use the plural form of the word for your positive qualities.
Fill with the best answer:
The recruiter asked detailed questions about my work ______.Tip: Use the noun that describes your background and skills from past jobs.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Thank you for coming today. Could you tell me about your recent experience?B: Of course. I have worked as a project assistant for three years and I enjoy working in a team.
A: What are your main strengths in that role?
B: One of my strengths is staying calm in stressful situations, and I would be happy to bring that to this position.
Why this matters:
Job interviews are key moments in your career. Clear stories about your experience help recruiters understand your strengths. Practising these answers in advance makes it easier to stay calm on the day.Verb & Adjective Pack:
stay calm — I try to stay calm when I answer difficult questions.feel proud — I felt proud when I finished the interview.
be prepared — It is important to be prepared before you meet the recruiter.
be willing — I am willing to learn new tools in this position.
be nervous — I was nervous at the start but relaxed after a few questions.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Before the interview, I ______ ____.
Tip: Use the past perfect form from the mini text.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: I feel proud because I stay calm.
Tip: Match the tense in the mini text to describe how you felt after the interview.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
I would be happy to work with your team.
Tip: Pay attention to the rhythm and stress in the sentence.