Vocabulary for Describing a Job Interview

A job interview is a key moment in the process of looking for a job. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities, background, and character to possible employers.

Whether it’s your first time interviewing or you’re experienced in the job hunt, knowing the right words can boost your confidence and help you express yourself better.

In this post, I will share helpful terms and expressions that relate to job interviews.

I’ll cover vocabulary for getting ready, the interview itself, and what to do afterward.

1. Vocabulary for Preparing for a Job Interview

Before going for a job interview, preparation is key.

Here are some words that can help you describe your preparation:

Research

Research means learning about the company, the role, and the industry. This is one of the first steps in preparing for an interview.
Example: I did some research on the company’s history and values before the interview.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A resume or CV is a document that lists your qualifications, skills, and work experience.
Example: I updated my resume to include my most recent job.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is a letter you send along with your resume, explaining why you’re the right candidate for the job.
Example: I wrote a cover letter to explain my experience in more detail.

Job Description

The job description is a document that outlines the duties and requirements of the job you are applying for.
Example: I carefully read the job description to understand the role and what the employer is looking for.

Dress Code

The dress code refers to the kind of clothing you should wear for the interview.
Example: The company has a formal dress code, so I wore a suit to the interview.

Practice

Practice means to prepare by doing something repeatedly to improve your performance.
Example: I practiced answering common interview questions with a friend before my interview.

Mock Interview

A mock interview is a practice interview where someone asks you questions similar to those in a real interview.
Example: I did a mock interview to build my confidence.

Prepare Questions

Prepare questions means thinking about what you would like to ask the interviewer.
Example: I prepared a few questions to ask about the company culture.

2. Vocabulary for the Interview Process

When the day of the interview arrives, it’s important to know the terms that describe the process.

Here are some words that will help you talk about the interview itself:

Introduction

The introduction is when you meet the interviewer and exchange greetings.
Example: During the introduction, I shook hands with the interviewer and introduced myself.

First Impressions

First impressions refer to the initial thoughts the interviewer forms about you.
Example: I made sure to make a good first impression by smiling and speaking confidently.

Small Talk

Small talk is informal conversation that helps to build rapport before diving into the formal part of the interview.
Example: We started with some small talk about the weather before getting into the interview questions.

Interview Questions

Interview questions are the questions the interviewer asks to understand your skills, experience, and personality.
Example: The interviewer asked me several questions about my previous job experience.

Competency-Based Questions

Competency-based questions are questions designed to assess specific skills or competencies that are important for the job.
Example: The interviewer asked me competency-based questions to assess my problem-solving skills.

Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions focus on how you’ve handled situations in the past.
Example: I was asked a behavioral question about a time I dealt with a difficult customer.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths are the things you do well, and weaknesses are areas you need to improve.
Example: The interviewer asked me about my strengths and weaknesses.

Follow-up Questions

Follow-up questions are questions the interviewer asks to learn more about something you’ve said.
Example: After I mentioned my previous role, the interviewer asked a follow-up question about my responsibilities.

Answering Questions

Answering questions refers to how you respond to the interviewer’s inquiries.
Example: I answered all the questions clearly and confidently.

Explain/Clarify

To explain means to give more detail, and to clarify means to make something easier to understand.
Example: The interviewer asked me to explain my previous job duties more clearly.

Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication refers to the body language, facial expressions, and gestures you use during the interview.
Example: I made sure my non-verbal communication was positive by maintaining good eye contact.

Closing the Interview

Closing the interview refers to the final moments of the interview when the interviewer thanks you and talks about the next steps.
Example: At the end of the interview, the interviewer closed by saying they would contact me in a week.

3. Vocabulary for After the Interview

After the interview, there are a few steps you can take to show appreciation and interest in the job.

Here are some words related to what happens after the interview:

Thank-You Note

A thank-you note is a message you send to the interviewer to express appreciation for the opportunity.
Example: I sent a thank-you note to the interviewer to show my gratitude.

Follow-up

To follow up means to contact the employer again after the interview to ask about your application status.
Example: I followed up with an email a week after the interview to inquire about the status.

Offer

An offer is when the employer formally offers you the job.
Example: I received a job offer the following week after my interview.

Acceptance

Acceptance is when you agree to the job offer.
Example: I accepted the job offer and signed the contract.

Rejection

Rejection is when the employer decides not to hire you.
Example: I received a rejection letter after the interview.

Feedback

Feedback refers to the information the employer provides about your interview performance.
Example: The interviewer gave me feedback on my communication skills after the interview.

Next Steps

Next steps are the actions that will take place after the interview.
Example: The interviewer explained the next steps in the hiring process during the closing of the interview.

4. Additional Vocabulary for Job Interviews

Here are a few extra terms related to job interviews that might come in handy:

Panel Interview

A panel interview is when more than one person interviews you at the same time.
Example: I had a panel interview with three members of the team.

Telephone Interview

A telephone interview is an interview that is conducted over the phone.
Example: I had a telephone interview before being invited for an in-person meeting.

Video Interview

A video interview is an interview conducted over a video call.
Example: The company decided to conduct a video interview due to travel restrictions.

Skype Interview

A Skype interview is a type of video interview conducted through the Skype platform.
Example: I had a Skype interview with the hiring manager yesterday.

Job Offer

A job offer is a formal invitation to join a company.
Example: I was excited to receive a job offer from the company.

Salary Negotiation

Salary negotiation refers to the process of discussing the salary and benefits with the employer.
Example: The final stage of the interview involved salary negotiations.

Probation Period

A probation period is a trial period at the start of a new job during which your performance is assessed.
Example: The job offer includes a three-month probation period.

Contract

A contract is a formal written agreement between the employer and employee.
Example: Once I accepted the job offer, I signed the contract.

Conclusion

A job interview has several important steps: getting ready, the actual interview, and what happens afterward.

Knowing the right words can make you feel more sure of yourself and help you express your thoughts better during the interview.

Starting with researching the company and getting your resume ready, all the way to sending a thank-you note at the end, each part of the interview has special terms you should know.

By using these words and phrases to describe your job interview experience, and with some practice, you’ll be prepared to tackle any job interview that comes up!