Job Interview English: A1 Lesson for Beginners

Practice answering simple job interview questions in English. This free A1 lesson for adult beginners helps you introduce yourself, talk about experience and availability, use polite phrases, and take part in a guided interview role-play. The slides include audio, an interactive video quiz, and listening activities about work.

What you will learn

• Answer common interview questions using short, clear sentences.
• Talk about the job you want and your experience.
• Use do and can questions with the correct short answers.
• Start and finish an interview politely.
• Practice an interview conversation with a partner.

Starting a job interview in English

Begin with a greeting and introduce yourself. Say your name and the job you are applying for. For example: Good morning. My name is Sara. I am applying for a kitchen job. The lesson video shows a candidate meeting an interviewer, introducing herself, and sharing her resume.

Common job interview questions and simple answers

The question slides help you practice information about yourself, your experience, and when you can work.

• What is your name? My name is Sara.
• Where are you from? I am from Morocco.
• What job do you want? I want to be a cook.
• Do you have experience? Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
• Do you work now? Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
• Why do you want this job? I enjoy cooking and I want to learn.
• Can you work on weekends? Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
• Can you start tomorrow? Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

Use answers that match your own experience and availability. You can add one simple detail, such as I cook at home. or I can work from eight to five.

Grammar practice: do and can

Use Do + subject + base verb for questions such as Do you work now? Reply with Yes, I do. or No, I don't.

Use Can + subject + base verb for questions such as Can you work on weekends? Reply with Yes, I can. or No, I can't. Listen to the examples and practice the question and answer together.

Polite phrases for an interview

• Please: use it when asking for something.
• Thank you: use it to show appreciation.
• Excuse me: use it to get attention or interrupt politely.
• May I ask ...? use it to introduce a question politely.

For example, you can ask May I ask what training is provided? At the end, say Thank you for your time. and I look forward to hearing from you.

A short job interview role-play

Interviewer: Good morning. What is your name?
Candidate: Good morning. My name is Sara.
Interviewer: What job do you want?
Candidate: I want to be a cook.
Interviewer: Do you have experience?
Candidate: No, I don't, but I cook at home and I want to learn.
Interviewer: Can you work on weekends?
Candidate: Yes, I can. Thank you for your time.

Listening practice: talking about work

The listening activity includes five conversations about jobs. Listen for what each person likes and dislikes, such as pay, coworkers, working with children, travel, long hours, and tiring work. Complete the quiz and the missing-word activities, then practice saying your own opinion: I like working with people. or I like my job because the people are friendly.

Practice with the interactive lesson

1. Review names and contact details in the listening warm-up.
2. Watch the job interview video and answer its questions.
3. Listen to common interview questions and practice short answers.
4. Review polite phrases and interview closing lines.
5. Complete the job listening activities.
6. Take turns as interviewer and candidate in a guided role-play.

Using this lesson in class or for self-study

Teachers can model an answer, let learners repeat it, and then ask them to adapt it to their own situation. Independent learners can pause the audio and answer each question aloud. Speak slowly, listen carefully, and practice regularly. Finish by sharing one question or phrase you can now use in an interview.

Review personal information and resume vocabulary in Lesson 2, or browse the collection of free A1 English teaching materials.