English Express for Interviews: Sound Professional in 24 Hours

It is not necessary to mention that job interviews command respect. Almost everyone feels nervous in this situation, especially when we’re really interested in the position. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous, but anxiety can affect our performance. Many people experience mental blocks when confronted with challenging questions, and it’s especially frustrating when nervousness impacts your English proficiency, making it difficult to demonstrate your true language abilities.

Nerves can only be overcome with practice, there’s not much else we can do, but in this article, we’re going to try to improve our corporate English very quickly. Obviously, you need to be realistic, and it makes the most sense to only apply for jobs that you know you can perform. This isn’t about deceiving anyone. If the tasks for that position need to be performed in English and you don’t have the necessary level, it’s better not to apply. You’ll avoid wasting your time and the interviewers’ time, and in the event that they hire you, you’ll also avoid the unpleasant experience of being in a job that you can’t do.

English for Interviews

 

Now, let’s get to what interests us: if you already communicate more or less fluently, there are some small tricks that will make you sound much more professional.

✅ 1. Use automatic connectors to sound fluent

🔟 Key phrases you can memorize and use without thinking:

The goal is to improve our English level quickly, so there’s no time to learn hundreds of words. We don’t want to get confused and end up sounding even worse than before. The good news is that since this is a job interview, the conversation topics will be limited, and we can focus on memorizing things we’re actually going to use. We’ll start with phrases that will undoubtedly be very useful to you. If you need to hear how they sound, paste them into Google Translate and click the speaker button.

 

“Well, I believe that…”
💡 Ideal to start almost any response.

“That’s a great question.”
💡 Gives you extra seconds to think.

“Let me think about that for a second.”
💡 Sounds calm, confident, and gives you breathing room.

“Actually, I’ve thought about this before…”
💡 Elegantly introduces a prepared response.

“From my experience, I’d say that…”
💡 Sounds experienced, even if you only have one instance of practice.

“To be honest, I think…”
💡 Conveys authenticity (even when saying something simple).

“If I understand the question correctly…”
💡 Perfect when you’re not sure about what you were asked.

“What I’d like to highlight is…”
💡 Expert phrase to point out a strength.

“The way I see it…”
💡 Allows you to give an opinion even without absolute certainty.

“In my opinion, the key is…”
💡 Very useful for answering questions about values, leadership, organization, etc.

✅ 2. Memorize fixed structure phrases

Now we’re going to look at a series of phrases that are even more focused on interviews that you can memorize to sound completely professional. Moreover, these are things that the interviewer wants to hear.

 

🔟 Phrases you can use as templates in any interview:

 

“I’m very comfortable working in a team, but I can also work independently.”
→ Useful for answering questions about collaboration or autonomy.

“One of my biggest strengths is [X], which I developed while working on [Y].”
→ Classic structure for discussing strengths with an included example.
🧠 Example: “One of my biggest strengths is attention to detail, which I developed while managing reports at my last job.”

“I’m looking for a position where I can grow professionally and contribute to the company’s goals.”
→ Perfect phrase for “why do you want this job?”

“I handled a similar situation in the past by [action] and the result was [result].”
→ Ideal for “tell me how you solved a problem” type questions.
🧠 Example: “I handled a similar situation in the past by reorganizing the schedule, and the result was a 30% increase in efficiency.”

“My background in [field] has prepared me well for this role.”
→ Sounds professional and connects your experience to the position.
🧠 Example: “My background in customer service has prepared me well for handling client concerns in this role.”

“I’m currently working on improving my [skill], and I’ve already seen progress by doing [action].”
→ Ideal for “what is your weakness?” without sounding negative.
🧠 Example: “I’m currently working on improving my Excel skills, and I’ve already seen progress by taking an online course.”

“What motivates me the most is [motivation], especially when I can [benefit or action].”
→ Solid response for “what motivates you?”

“I decided to apply for this role because it matches my skills in [X] and my interest in [Y].”
→ Versatile phrase to explain why you chose that company or position.

“I’ve always been passionate about [topic] and I think this role is a great opportunity to apply that passion.”
→ Adds a personal and positive touch to your motivation.

“Although I’m not a native speaker, I’m confident in my ability to communicate clearly and keep improving every day.”
→ Perfect if you want to acknowledge your English level without sounding weak.

✅ 3. Use simple business vocabulary

🔟 Frequently used words in interviews and office settings

There’s specific vocabulary used in corporate settings that you might not be familiar with if you’ve never worked in an office. Using these words fluently will create the impression that you’re already experienced in this type of environment.

 

Stakeholders
→ People or groups affected by a decision or project.
🧠 Example: “I always make sure to keep stakeholders informed throughout the process.”

Deliverables
→ Tasks, documents, or results that must be delivered.
🧠 Example: “I always meet deadlines for all my deliverables.”

Deadline
→ Due date, time limit.
🧠 Example: “I’m very good at working under tight deadlines.”

Proactive
→ Someone who acts before a problem occurs.
🧠 Example: “I’m a proactive person who anticipates team needs.”

Multitasking
→ Doing several things at the same time.
🧠 Example: “I’m used to multitasking in fast-paced environments.”

Time management
→ The ability to manage time effectively.
🧠 Example: “Good time management helps me stay efficient and organized.”

Workflow
→ The sequence of processes or work steps.
🧠 Example: “I improved the team’s workflow by automating tasks.”

Collaboration
→ Working together, teamwork.
🧠 Example: “I value open communication and collaboration in any project.”

Problem-solving
→ The ability to solve problems.
🧠 Example: “Problem-solving is one of my strongest skills.”

Results-driven
→ Describes someone focused on achieving measurable results.
🧠 Example: “I’m a results-driven professional who always looks for ways to improve performance.”

✅ 4. Always have a backup response ready

🔟 All-purpose responses to help you shine in any situation:

It’s perfectly normal to draw a blank during parts of a job interview, particularly when faced with difficult questions. Rather than stuttering, making uncertain sounds, or letting an uncomfortable silence develop, it’s better to use one of these phrases:

 

“That’s an interesting challenge, and here’s how I would approach it.”
→ Shows that you see difficulties as opportunities.

“In situations like that, I focus on staying organized and prioritizing tasks.”
→ Highlights your ability to manage under pressure.

“I usually rely on clear communication to solve issues like these.”
→ Emphasizes your teamwork ability.

“When faced with uncertainty, I prefer to gather all relevant information before deciding.”
→ Conveys that you make data-driven decisions.

“I believe continuous learning helps me handle challenges more effectively.”
→ Emphasizes your growth mindset.

“In my experience, breaking down a problem into smaller parts makes it easier to tackle.”
→ Demonstrates analytical thinking.

“I stay calm under pressure by focusing on what I can control.”
→ Indicates your emotional stability.

“Flexibility is key, so I adapt my approach depending on the situation.”
→ Shows your adaptability.

“I often consult with colleagues or mentors when I encounter new challenges.”
→ Highlights your willingness to collaborate and learn.

“Reflecting on past experiences helps me improve how I handle similar problems.”
→ Speaks to your self-assessment capability.

✅ 5. When you don’t understand the question: handle it gracefully

🔟 Elegant responses for when you’re unsure about the question

No matter how well you speak English, or even how well you understand it, sometimes the person in front of you has an accent that’s difficult to comprehend. When you add the fact that interview questions tend to be complex, you have a perfect combination for not understanding what’s being said. Here are some good examples of how to ask for the question to be repeated.

 

“Could you please clarify that a bit more? I want to make sure I fully understand.”
→ You ask for an explanation to better understand and sound professional.

“Just to make sure I’m on the right track, are you asking about…?”
→ You confirm that you’ve understood the question before answering.

“That’s an interesting point. If I’m interpreting it correctly, you mean…?”
→ You rephrase to gain time and show interest.

“I want to give you the best answer, so could you elaborate a little?”
→ You ask for more details to respond accurately.

“Thanks for the question. To confirm, are you referring to…?”
→ You thank and clarify the focus of the question.

“Let me take a moment to make sure I’m addressing your question properly.”
→ You pause to think and ensure you don’t go off-topic.

“I’d like to answer precisely—could you rephrase that?”
→ You ask for the question to be repeated using different words to understand better.

“Before I answer, could you provide an example to help me understand better?”
→ You request an example to better grasp the context.

“Could you please repeat that? I want to make sure I don’t miss any details.”
→ You ask for repetition to avoid missing important information.

“To clarify, are you asking about my experience with…?”
→ You ask again to confirm the exact topic.

✅ 6. Make your pauses professional, not anxious

🔟 Professional phrases to buy thinking time and maintain composure

Typically, you’ll be given time to think after a question. Interviewers want you to select appropriate examples and structure your thoughts. However, an overly long pause can lead to uncomfortable silence. Here are some phrases to help you buy time:

 

“Let me review the main points in my mind before answering.”
→ Indicates that you want to give a clear and structured response.

“I’m considering different perspectives to give you the best answer.”
→ Shows deep reflection.

“Let me make sure I understand every aspect before responding.”
→ Demonstrates attention to detail and precision.

“I want to provide a complete answer, so just a moment please.”
→ Conveys commitment to quality.

“Thinking through this carefully will help me give you a better insight.”
→ Reinforces that you’re not improvising.

“I’m organizing my thoughts to explain this clearly.”
→ Gives the idea of mental order.

“Allow me a moment to connect my response to relevant experience.”
→ Links the pause with preparation.

“Let me break down the situation before sharing my opinion.”
→ Helps structure the response.

“I appreciate the complexity of this question and want to answer it fully.”
→ Shows respect for the question and professionalism.

“Taking a brief pause will help me give you a thoughtful answer.”
→ Presents the pause as something positive and necessary.

✅ 7. Incorporate the question into your response

 

You can use this trick in any language, even in your native tongue. It will give you a few seconds of margin to think. It’s not much, but sometimes it’s more than enough

 

🎯 How this strategy improves your interview performance

 

You gain time to think while speaking.

You demonstrate active listening and show that you understand the question well.

You reinforce the topic you’re addressing to make it clear for the interviewer.

It helps you better structure your answer and sound more fluent.

✅ 8. Practice 3 phrases to end with impact

💪✨ Closing with a powerful phrase reinforces your message, shows confidence, and leaves a memorable impression that can make the difference in how they remember you.

 

Ending with a good impression will be fundamental to getting hired. Most likely, the last thing you say will be what they remember most, so you must choose your words carefully. Here are some good examples:

 

“I’m confident that my skills and experience make me a great fit for this role.”
→ Close by showing confidence in your candidacy.

“I’m eager to contribute and grow with your team.”
→ Convey motivation and desire to progress together.

“Thank you for the opportunity—I look forward to potentially working together.”
→ End with gratitude and positivity.

✅ 9. Maintain a positive attitude and open body language

😌💪 When you feel you’re drawing a blank or the words won’t come out, it’s not just about the phrases: your attitude and body language communicate a lot. Here are some tips to project confidence even when you’re uncertain:

 

→ Smile naturally to convey confidence and ease tensions, both yours and the interviewer’s.

→ Maintain eye contact, which demonstrates interest and sincerity, even when thinking about your response.

→ Breathe deeply and slowly to control nerves and help you focus.

→ Use gentle hand gestures to emphasize your points and add dynamism to your communication.

→ Lean slightly forward to show that you’re attentive and engaged.

→ Avoid crossing your arms or looking away, which can be interpreted as lack of confidence or disengagement.

→ Speak at a calm pace with a clear voice; don’t rush or lower your tone even when unsure.

→ Acknowledge with brief phrases that you need a moment, without over-apologizing. Example: “Just a moment, please.” or “Let me think for a second.”

→ Mentally visualize the key points you want to mention to quickly return to your response with clarity.

→ Remember that the interviewer values how you handle pressure, not just what you say. Showing emotional control is a great strength

✅ 10. Structure your response logically

🧩🗣️ Organizing what you say helps you sound clearer and more professional, even if your English isn’t perfect. Use a simple framework: problem → action → result, or situation → task → action → result (STAR). This helps you maintain control and avoid getting lost. We’ll talk more about this in another article. 😉

Improve your interview skills by taking tests

 

In addition to improving your English, you’ll need to know how to prepare for the interview in the most effective way. If you find theory boring, you can practice from the interview test area. Learn what the most common mistakes are and how to proceed in each situation.