Afraid of speaking english because you’re making common interview mistakes?

Are you going for an interview, but feeling afraid of speaking English because you might make common interview mistakes? As a non-native English speaker, it is completely normal to feel this way. However, if you are prepared, you can avoid making these common mistakes in your next job interview in english.

Above all, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Remember to speak English with confidence, and show your interviewer that you are qualified and capable of doing the job.

Here are common interview mistakes that you should keep in mind when preparing for your interview.

1. You’re apologizing for your English level

You’re in a job interview and you make a speaking mistake. What do you do? 

A common natural reaction, especially after a few mistakes, is to apologize to your interviewer. You might say, “I’m sorry for my English.”

Do not apologize for your language ability.

You are there to be judged for your ability to do the job. NOT your ability to speak English. Your interviewer will not be afraid to ask for clarification if they do not understand something you say. 

As for your errors, everyone makes mistakes. What is important is how you react and move on from these moments. 

If English is a big part of the job, talk about how you are improving your speaking abilities by giving clear examples. 

2. You’re speaking too much

If you are not completely comfortable speaking in English, you probably feel the need to prove your ability in an interview. 

So you start speaking, and keep speaking. Even after you finish answering the question, you keep speaking. 

This is a common interview mistake, and a good way to lose your interviewers attention by saying something that will be damaging. 

Instead, know when to stop!

Give an answer to the question and, if appropriate, give an example. But stop talking before you go off-topic. If the interviewer wants to know more, they can always ask you.

Giving just the right amount of information is an important skill to have.

3. You’re not answering the right questions

You feel comfortable understanding English and so you might not think too much more when you hear a question from the interviewer. But do keep in mind the common english interview questions and answers, as the meaning behind interviewers questions is often very different.

Unfortunately, this problem is not unique to non-native speakers. Too many people go into an interviewer without understanding what they will be asked. 

For example, when the interviewer asks “Why should we hire you?” They really want to know, “What makes you different from the other candidates.”

To avoid this mistake, it’s crucial to think about the question from the interviewer’s perspective. Ask yourself, “What does the interviewer hope to learn about me?”

If you don’t understand the true meaning of the questions, you are going to answer the wrong questions. This will result in a long frustrating interview as the interviewer asks for more details.

4. You’re not having a conversation

You prepared for your interview by thinking of every possible question and planning how you will answer. That’s great!

But what happens when we speak from a script and not in the moment? 

If you use only the answers you memorized, you may seem distant or robotic to your interviewer. 

Remember, the most important part of your interview is how you connect to the interviewer. You must show them your personality and be able to improvise. 

You may hear a question you weren’t expecting or an unexpected joke. Your reactions are important because at the end of the day, companies are looking for someone who is human. 

Be prepared, but don’t worry so much if everything doesn’t go how you imagined. Relax, be yourself and don’t be afraid to show a little personality. Get involved in our community for more English interview tips.