8 common red flags to avoid in job interviews for English learners

 In today's episode, learn some big red flags to avoid in your next job interview. 🚩

 📖 Check out the post on the Intrepid English website: https://intrepidenglish.co.uk/podcasts/8-common-red-flags-to-avoid-in-job-interviews-for-english-learners/

👩‍💼Intrepid English Member? Check out the updated Job Interviews course in our online Academy: https://members.intrepidenglish.co.uk/courses/business-english-skill-set-job-interviews-2/

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Transcript

The Interview Advice That’s Helped Our Learners Land Roles in Tech, Education, and Healthcare

When you think about job interviews in English, you probably worry that you won’t say the right thing.

But that’s not the biggest challenge; the real risk is that you could be the ideal candidate… and still not get the job… simply because your English doesn’t reflect your ability to do the job.

It happens to so many professionals. You’re highly qualified, have years of experience and hold strong values that align with your ideal employer. Yet, each interview you attend goes badly due to your performance in English.

It’s not your fault; most language courses never teach you how to communicate in real situations like job interviews. You may know lots of grammar and vocabulary, but nerves and pressure make it hard to share your story with confidence.

After hearing this again and again from our students, we were inspired to write the Job Interview Preparation Course. It’s for learners who have big ambitions and want to thrive in fast-moving sectors like tech, education, and healthcare. It’s for people like you, who want to be confident, capable, and clear when speaking English in interviews.

Here’s some proven advice that will help you to land the job you deserve:

1. Read Between The Lines

When you hear “What’s your biggest weakness?”, panic can set in. You might try to find the ‘right’ answer. But there isn’t one. So, you end up saying something unoriginal like “I’m a perfectionist” and then mentally kicking yourself as you watch the interviewers’ eyes glaze over.

You need to read between the lines. What are they really asking you?

What interviewers actually want to know is:

• Are you self-aware?
• Can you accept feedback?
• Are you committed to improving yourself?

It’s important for you to learn how to answer honestly, clearly, and with confidence, so you show interviewers the real qualities that matter.

2. Structure Helps You to Speak About Your Experience Naturally

Many of our learners say they struggle with behavioural questions in job interviews. We recommend using the STAR method for structuring answers. STAR stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

But here’s the secret: unless you practise your stories out loud, ideally with someone who will give you actionable feedback, nerves can make you forget them.

We recommend you choose strong, structured examples from your own life and practise them until you can talk naturally, not like a script, but like the most confident, professional version of yourself.

Watch the full video chat on YouTube here

3. Focus on Your Career Goals; Not Just Perfect Grammar

It’s great that you have ambition. But ambition without a plan is just a dream. At Intrepid English, our members have a monthly one-to-one goal-setting session with Lorraine, the founder and CEO. After that session, you’ll know exactly what you need to learn that month to make progress, and your English teacher will take it from there.

This isn’t just about lessons. It’s coaching that helps you clarify your career and learning goals and ensures you are working towards achieving them every month.

With Lorraine’s guidance, you set goals that are personalised for you, and those goals are broken down into your weekly milestones to fit your real-life needs.

Your lessons become the foundation of something bigger: a career path that matches your ambition and potential.

4. Sound Like Yourself in English

You don’t need to sound like a native speaker, you need to sound like you: confident, prepared, and authentic.

That means:

• Using vocabulary you’re comfortable with
• Speaking clearly (not quickly)
• Expressing your real ideas and values

When you can show interviewers who you truly are, new opportunities start to open up.

Your Next Step

If you’re ready to feel confident in your interviews and show your true potential, it’s time to take action. Book a £1 trial lesson today and receive your personalised action plan. Join a community of learners just like you. Build the confidence to say what matters, when it matters most.