TOPIC 11 OF 25
At a Job Interview
How to prepare for and succeed in an American job interview
Part 1: Dictionary • Part 2: Dialogue • Part 3: Article
PART 1 | COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY
21 essential vocabulary terms with definitions and context sentences
Context: Preparing for and performing well in a professional job interview in America
1. Resume (noun)
Definition: A one- or two-page document summarizing a person’s work experience, education, and skills.
Example: “She tailored her resume to highlight the warehouse experience relevant to the job she applied for.”
2. Interview (noun)
Definition: A formal conversation in which an employer evaluates a job candidate.
Example: “He practiced common interview questions with a friend before the big day.”
3. Qualifications (noun)
Definition: The skills, education, and experience required or desired for a specific job.
Example: “Her qualifications matched all the requirements listed in the job posting.”
4. Experience (noun)
Definition: The knowledge and skills gained through time spent working in a specific field.
Example: “He had five years of warehouse experience, which made him a strong candidate.”
5. References (noun)
Definition: People who can speak about a candidate’s work performance and character to a potential employer.
Example: “She listed three references, including two former supervisors and a long-time colleague.”
6. Availability (noun)
Definition: The days and hours a job candidate is able to work.
Example: “The interviewer asked about her availability, and she confirmed she could work any morning shift.”
7. Overtime (noun)
Definition: Work hours beyond the standard 40-hour week, typically compensated at a higher pay rate.
Example: “He was comfortable with overtime and had often worked 50-hour weeks at his previous job.”
8. Salary (noun)
Definition: A fixed amount of money paid to an employee regularly, usually annually or monthly.
Example: “She negotiated her salary during the second interview and accepted $52,000 per year.”
9. Hourly wage (noun)
Definition: Pay calculated per hour worked rather than a fixed salary.
Example: “The job offered an hourly wage of $18 with benefits after 90 days.”
10. Benefits (noun)
Definition: Non-wage compensation such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans.
Example: “The job offered full benefits including medical, dental, and a 401(k) retirement plan.”
11. Background check (noun)
Definition: An investigation of a candidate’s criminal, employment, and sometimes financial history.
Example: “After the verbal offer, HR asked her to consent to a background check.”
12. Onboarding (noun)
Definition: The process of integrating a new employee into a company through paperwork, training, and orientation.
Example: “Her first week was part of onboarding — filling out forms, meeting the team, and learning the systems.”
13. Strengths and weaknesses (phrase)
Definition: A common interview topic in which the candidate describes what they do well and areas for growth.
Example: “When asked about weaknesses, she said she was working on delegating tasks more effectively.”
14. Dress code (noun)
Definition: The standard of clothing appropriate for a specific workplace or occasion.
Example: “She researched the company’s dress code and wore business casual to the interview.”
15. Follow-up email (noun)
Definition: A thank-you message sent to the interviewer after the interview, expressing continued interest.
Example: “She sent a follow-up email within 24 hours thanking the interviewer and reiterating her interest.”
16. Probationary period (noun)
Definition: A set time after starting a job during which the employee must demonstrate their abilities before being confirmed.
Example: “She was hired on a 90-day probationary period before receiving full benefits.”
17. Job offer (noun)
Definition: A formal proposal from an employer to hire a candidate at specific terms.
Example: “She received the job offer by email and was given three days to accept or decline.”
18. Behavioral question (noun)
Definition: An interview question asking the candidate to describe past experiences using specific examples.
Example: “A common behavioral question is: ‘Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation at work.'”
19. Certification (noun)
Definition: An official credential showing a person is qualified in a specific skill or field.
Example: “His forklift certification gave him an advantage over other candidates for the warehouse job.”
20. Full-time / Part-time (adjective)
Definition: Full-time is typically 35–40 hours per week; part-time is fewer hours with fewer benefits.
Example: “She was looking for a full-time position with benefits rather than a part-time role.”
21. Networking (noun)
Definition: Building professional relationships that can lead to job opportunities.
Example: “She got the interview through networking — a former coworker referred her to the hiring manager.”
TOPIC 11 — AT A JOB INTERVIEW
PART 2 | REAL-LIFE DIALOGUE
A realistic conversation demonstrating key communication in this situation
Setting: Interview for a warehouse position
Key Phrases: Experience • Available • Overtime • References
Interviewer: Thanks for coming in today. I’m Rob, the warehouse supervisor. Can you tell me a little about yourself and your work experience?
Applicant: Of course! My name is Hector. I have about five years of experience working in warehouses and shipping facilities, both in Mexico and here in the States.
Interviewer: That’s solid experience. What kinds of tasks were you doing?
Applicant: I did receiving, order picking, inventory counts, and I also operated a forklift for about two years. I have my forklift certification.
Interviewer: Very good — forklift experience is a plus here. This position is full-time, 7 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Are you available for those hours?
Applicant: Yes, absolutely. That schedule works well for me.
Interviewer: Sometimes we need overtime, especially in the holiday season — could be 10-hour days or Saturdays. Is that okay?
Applicant: Yes, I’m flexible. In my last job I regularly worked overtime and I appreciated the extra pay.
Interviewer: Good to hear. What do you consider your biggest strength for a warehouse environment?
Applicant: I’m very safety-conscious. I always follow the rules for lifting, moving equipment, and I never take shortcuts that could hurt myself or a coworker.
Interviewer: We appreciate that a lot here. Can you provide two or three references from former employers?
Applicant: Yes, I have a reference sheet with me. Both of my former supervisors are happy to speak about my work.
Interviewer: Excellent. We’ll be in touch by the end of the week. Do you have any questions for me?
Applicant: Yes — what does the onboarding process look like for new employees here?
Language Notes
Bring a reference sheet to every interview. Answer questions about availability honestly. It’s important to ask at least one question at the end — it shows you are engaged.
TOPIC 11 — AT A JOB INTERVIEW
PART 3 | INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE
How to prepare for and succeed in an American job interview | CEFR B1 Level
Key Vocabulary: resume • qualifications • behavioral question • follow-up email • onboarding
The American Job Interview Culture
Job interviews in America have a specific culture that may feel different from what you are used to in other countries. American employers generally expect candidates to be confident, enthusiastic, and able to talk positively about their own skills and experience. This is not considered arrogant — it is expected. If you are too modest about your abilities, the interviewer may think you are not qualified or not motivated.
Interviews are usually structured: the interviewer introduces themselves, asks you to talk about yourself and your experience, asks specific questions, tells you about the job, and invites you to ask questions. In most cases, there will be one to three interviewers. The whole process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for an entry-level or trade position.
Being punctual is critical. Arriving late to an interview — even by five minutes — creates a very negative first impression. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
Preparing Your Resume
A resume is a document that summarizes your work experience, education, and skills. In the United States, a standard resume is one to two pages long. It includes: your name and contact information at the top, a brief summary of your qualifications (optional but recommended), your work experience (listed most recent first), your education, and any certifications or special skills.
For each job listed in the experience section, include: the job title, the company name and location, the dates you worked there, and two to four bullet points describing your main responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs to begin each bullet point: “managed,” “trained,” “operated,” “supervised,” “increased,” “reduced.”
Tailor your resume for each job application. If the job posting mentions specific skills like forklift operation, customer service, or bilingual communication, and you have those skills, make sure they appear clearly on your resume.
Common Interview Questions
There are several questions that appear in nearly every job interview. Preparing clear, honest answers to these questions before the interview will help you feel more confident.
“Tell me about yourself” is almost always the first question. Give a 2–3 minute summary: your current situation, relevant experience, and why you are interested in this job. “What are your strengths?” — choose two or three specific, relevant strengths and give an example for each. “What is a weakness you are working on?” — choose a real weakness, but show that you are actively working to improve it.
Behavioral questions ask you to describe past experiences. They usually begin with: “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of…” Use the STAR method to answer: Situation (describe the context), Task (explain what you needed to do), Action (describe what you did), and Result (explain the outcome).
Common behavioral questions include: “Tell me about a time you handled a difficult customer,” “Describe a time you worked as part of a team,” or “Give me an example of a problem you solved at work.””
Dressing for the Interview
What you wear to an interview sends a message about how seriously you take the opportunity. The right clothing depends on the type of job and company. As a general rule, dress slightly more formally than the company’s everyday dress code.
For office or professional positions, business casual is usually appropriate: dress pants or a skirt, a button-down shirt or blouse, and clean shoes. For more formal companies, business professional means a suit and tie for men or a professional suit or dress for women. For trade, warehouse, or manual labor jobs, clean and neat clothes in dark colors are suitable — you do not need to wear a suit.
When in doubt, it is always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Before the interview, make sure your clothes are clean, wrinkle-free, and in good condition. Avoid strong perfume or cologne, and make sure your hair and nails are clean and tidy.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
At the end of almost every interview, the interviewer will ask: “Do you have any questions for us?” Always have at least two or three prepared questions. Asking thoughtful questions shows that you are genuinely interested in the position and have done your research.
Good questions to ask: “What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?” “What are the biggest challenges someone in this position faces?” “How would you describe the team culture?” “What does success look like in the first 90 days?” “What are the opportunities for growth or advancement here?”
Questions to avoid at a first interview: asking about salary or benefits too early (wait until you have an offer), asking about time off, or asking questions where the answer is clearly stated in the job posting.
After the Interview: Following Up
After the interview, send a thank-you email to the interviewer within 24 hours. This is standard practice in American professional culture and makes a good impression. The email should be short: thank the interviewer for their time, express your continued interest in the position, and mention one specific thing from the conversation that you found particularly interesting or that reinforced your enthusiasm for the role.
If you do not hear back within the timeframe the employer mentioned, it is appropriate to send one polite follow-up email. Say something like: “I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [position] role. I remain very interested in the opportunity and wanted to inquire about the status of the hiring process.”
If you receive a job offer, you can ask for 24 to 48 hours to consider it — this is completely normal. If you decide to accept, express your enthusiasm and confirm the start date and any details about onboarding.
Quick Tips: Interview Preparation Checklist
• Research the company before the interview — know what they do and why you want to work there.
• Prepare answers to: ‘Tell me about yourself’ and ‘What are your strengths?’
• Bring copies of your resume and a list of references.
• Dress slightly more formally than the company’s everyday standard.
• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview.
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