Nail Your Job Interview: Essential English Vocabulary and Phrases (B1)

Nervous about job interviews in English? You’re not alone. Today, you’ll learn the most useful interview vocabulary and polite phrases, plus how to talk about your experience clearly. You’ll practice with quick exercises and get cultural tips so you sound confident and professional.

Key interview vocabulary (B1-friendly)

These words appear in almost every interview. Learn them with short examples you can reuse.

vacancy
an open job position
noun
We currently have a vacancy for a sales assistant.
There is an open job for a sales assistant.
qualifications
skills, education, and certificates you have
noun (plural)
My qualifications include a business degree and two internships.
I have a business degree and two internships.
responsibilities
the tasks you are expected to do
noun (plural)
My responsibilities included answering emails and managing the schedule.
I had to answer emails and manage the schedule.

More useful words:

  • strengths: skills you are good at (communication, problem-solving)
  • weaknesses: areas you want to improve (public speaking, delegating)
  • deadline: the latest time a task must be finished
  • notice period: time between resigning and your last working day
  • shift: a set period of work time (morning shift)
  • promotion: moving to a higher position
  • entry-level: for people with little or no experience
  • references: people who can talk about your work performance
  • internship: short work experience, often for students or recent graduates
English
I applied for the marketing assistant position last week.
I sent my application for the marketing assistant job last week.

Polite phrases to start strong

Use polite, positive language at the beginning. It sets the tone.

  • Thank you for inviting me today.
  • It’s great to meet you. I appreciate the opportunity.
  • I’m excited about this role and your company.
  • Could you please tell me more about the team?

Tip for tone: add softeners like could, would, and please. For example: Could you share what success looks like in the first 90 days?

I’m excited the opportunity to join your team.

Talk about your experience clearly (Present, Past, Future)

A simple structure for “Tell me about yourself”:

  • Present: who you are now
  • Past: relevant experience
  • Future: what you want next

Example: I’m a customer support specialist with three years of experience. Previously, I worked at ABC Tech, where I reduced response time by 20%. Now I’m looking to grow in a role where I can lead a small team.

For ongoing experience, use the present perfect:

  • I have worked in retail for four years. (still true now)
  • I worked in retail in 2021. (finished, specific time in the past)
work present perfect
Pronoun Conjugation
I have worked
you have worked
he/she/it has worked
we have worked
they have worked
🔠 Put the words in order

STAR: Action + Result in one sentence.

Strengths and weaknesses (be honest, be constructive)

  • One of my strengths is clear communication; I make sure everyone understands priorities.
  • I’m strong at staying calm under pressure.
  • I’m working on delegating more effectively. To improve, I plan tasks and assign owners at the start of the week.

Useful frames:

  • Strength: One of my strengths is … because …
  • Weakness: I’m working on … and I do this by …
I am good in teamwork. → I am good at teamwork. Use good at + noun/gerund.

Mini interview flow practice

Put the conversation in the correct order.

💬 Tell me about yourself (mini flow)

Smart questions to ask at the end

Show curiosity and professionalism by asking 1–2 questions:

  • What does success look like in the first 90 days?
  • How does the team measure performance?
  • What are the next steps in the hiring process?
  • Is there training or mentorship for this role?

Polite closing phrases:

  • Thank you for your time today. I look forward to hearing from you.
  • I’m very interested in the role. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
entry beginning level rank/grade

Culture notes: what interviewers expect

  • Be on time (5–10 minutes early is ideal).
  • Smile, make natural eye contact, and speak clearly at a medium speed.
  • Answer directly first, then give a short example (STAR).
  • It’s okay to pause and think. Say: That’s a great question. Let me think for a moment.
  • Avoid very negative comments about past employers. Focus on what you learned.
🧠 Choose the best option (B1)

Quick practice

  • Write a 30-second answer using Present–Past–Future.
  • Prepare one STAR story (challenge, what you did, result with numbers).
  • Write two questions to ask at the end.

You’ve got this! With the right words, clear structure, and calm delivery, your English interview can be your chance to shine. Practice out loud, record yourself once, and adjust. Good luck!