When I finally snagged a job interview after sending out what seemed like a hundred applications, I was excited! I thought, I have the right education, training and experience for this job. I’ve got this! But then I imagined the interview and anxiety started to set in. I began worrying about my English. What if I can’t remember the right words? What if I can’t think fast enough and run out of things to say? What if I forget to wear pants? (Sorry, it’s one of my recurring dreams when I’m stressed).

Aside from worrying about how to make a good impression, newcomers like us need to hurdle our fear of speaking in English. The good news is that there are techniques that can help us overcome fears and bring our confidence back. Here are some of them:

Preparation is key!

We feel more relaxed when we are prepared. Your initial preparations should include the following:

• Researching on the company and the job. Find out what the company is all about – it’s mission, vision and corporate culture. Also read news articles about the company or the industry as a whole. This will boost your image and show your potential employer that you have a good grasp of recent issues. More importantly, such knowledge can help you formulate responses that will show them how you intend to fulfill your role if they hire you. You might be able to share insights that could actually help the company.

  Knowing the company’s mission and vision will help you craft your answers to reflect their beliefs and priorities. This will convince your interviewers that you are a good fit for the organization. For more tips, read How to research a prospective employer before an interview.

• Preparing a script. Think of answers to the most common interview questions and write them down. Memorize if you must, but be careful not to sound robotic or fake when you answer. Read The most common job interview questions you should prepare for to stay on track.
• Learning and using the STAR method when answering questions. STAR stands for Specific situation, Task, Action, and Result. This pattern is perfect for answering behavioral questions. For instance, if the question is: “Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a difficult project.” Don’t say something general like “I always took lead roles in all of my department’s projects, and I handled them all successfully.” Instead, name a specific project and relate exactly what you did to make it succeed. A good response would be something like this:
  “Our sales dropped drastically in the last quarter of the year (specific situation). I volunteered to lead a committee to study why this happened so that we can change the trend. First, I analyzed our numbers as well as customer feedback and saw that poor customer service was a common complaint (task). Then, I led a brainstorming session with the committee to come up with solutions which we then implemented in our branches. We began by holding customer service trainings to motivate front line staff and equip them with the proper skills (action). A month later, we saw our sales increase by 30% (result).”

Practice

Using your script, practice with a native speaker (if possible). Ask them to critique you. Note down important points for improvement. Focus on your weak points and edit your script (if you have one). Practise again if you have time.

Make your international experience a selling point

Many companies value diversity in the workplace. So instead of apologizing for not having “Canadian experience” tell them about your international experience. Emphasize the transferable skills you gained. For instance, you can say that your past work experience made you more adaptable to dynamic work environments, or that it made you aware of diverse management styles. Another good thing to mention is your proficiency in other languages besides English. Canada is a land of immigrants, your employer might be serving target markets that use the language you know.

When talking about your international experience, remember that your Canadian interviewer/s may not know anything about your country. It may help to add important details like, “I graduated from my country’s top school” or “I worked for my country’s leading pharmaceutical company” if you did. Articulating your achievements is expected in an interview. Don’t be shy!

Don’t mind your accent

Most people are used to accents in Manitoba, so you don’t have to sound like a native. What matters most is that you can be understood. If you have a heavy accent, speak slowly and enunciate your words better. Don’t be sad or offended if they ask you to repeat what you say. Speak confidently and remember to talk at the right pace.

Don’t worry! Even native speakers make mistakes

Most newcomers are tripped up by the fear of making mistakes. But most of the time, you’re the only one who notices those slight errors. Focus on the content of what you say and think positively!

During the interview: Ask if you don’t understand

If you don’t understand what the interviewer is saying, let them know by asking politely. You can say, “sorry?”, or “would you mind repeating that again, I did not catch the __ part.” You can also ask the interviewer to speak slower if they are speaking too fast for you to understand.
 
Article updated January 18, 2023.
 
Sources: 7 ways to conquer your fear of speaking English and communicate with courage, Real Life Global.com; Managing the English interview as a non-native speaker, CV Correct.com; STAR method, University of Leeds Career Centre.