Interviewing in English: practical preparation for international companies

When thinking about changing jobs to a foreign company, one of the points that many people feel anxious about is the “English interview.” In particular, many mid-level employees in Japanese companies in their 30s and 40s may wonder if they can compete because they have not used English in their work or because the interview style is different from that of Japanese companies.

However, if you prepare properly, an English interview can be a great opportunity to showcase your strengths. In this article, we will introduce some practical tips you should keep in mind to pass the English interview. Even if you have no experience working in a foreign company, be sure to learn the key points to make the most of your career and English skills and successfully pass the exam.

Why English interviews are important

In the selection process for international companies, there are many cases where interviews are conducted in English. In particular, understanding that your English proficiency will be checked based on the following backgrounds will make it easier to prepare for the exam.

1. Global business environment

international companies often need to collaborate with overseas headquarters and overseas branches, and are required to communicate in English at a practical level. Therefore, it is only natural that the level of English proficiency is checked at the hiring stage.

2. Alignment with company culture and leadership principles

Some international companies value their own culture and leadership principles. In an English interview, there are situations where you have to express your values and thought process more directly than in a Japanese interview, and you can determine whether the company's culture matches yours.

3. Confirmation of self-expression ability and flexibility

Presentations and meetings held in English are commonplace in global companies. It can be assumed that the candidate's overall skills, such as verbalization ability, problem-solving ability, and cross-cultural flexibility, are measured through the English interview.

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Differences from Japanese companies: Characteristics of English interviews for international companies

There are some major differences between interviews at Japanese companies and English interviews at international companies. By keeping the main points in mind, you will be able to take targeted measures when preparing.

1. Results-based/behavioral interview style

At international companies, behavioral interviews are mainly used to ask detailed questions about “what you accomplished and how you accomplished it.” In addition to English proficiency, candidates are required to have the ability to demonstrate past successes and learnings using numbers and examples.

2. Frank self-assertion

In the case of Japanese companies, “humility” and “cooperativeness” tend to be emphasized, but in international companies, it is normal to openly emphasize your strengths and achievements during interviews. The key to evaluation is how well you can communicate your achievements in English along with the evidence.

3. Emphasis on communication

An English interview for a foreign company is also an opportunity to test your ability to summarize your thoughts concisely in a way that can be understood by the other person. Whether or not you can provide logical and easy-to-understand explanations is considered an important point in determining your success after joining.

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Practical tips for making a difference in English interviews

Here, we will explain specific tips that you can put into practice right away to improve your English interview performance. Even if you are not confident in your English ability or are not used to interviews themselves, you can make a big difference just by understanding the key points.

1. Organize episodes using the STAR method

In a behavioral interview with a foreign company, it is essential to logically explain your past achievements and actions. Organize your episodes in advance using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and practice how to convey them in English. Adding numbers and concrete examples will increase your persuasive power.

2. Try to use simple English expressions

There is no need to use difficult words or long sentences during an English interview. Focus on “simple and accurate expressions” that are easy for the interviewer to understand, and be conscious of the structure of stating the conclusion first. It is important to avoid roundabout expressions and convey the main points clearly.

3. Prepare at the keyword level instead of memorizing answers to standard questions

If you memorize all the answers to standard questions such as “self-introduction”, “motivation”, and “strengths and weaknesses”, you may not be able to respond flexibly when asked questions in unexpected ways during the interview. Just keep in mind the outline and keywords of your answer, and practice speaking naturally on the spot.

4. Experience “real tension” with mock interviews

If you practice speaking out loud in public, rather than just formulating your answers in your head, your interviewing skills will improve dramatically. By experiencing real tension through mock interviews and receiving feedback, you can notice weaknesses and habits and use them to improve.

5. Have a plan for what to do if you can't understand English.

When you can't understand a question, you need to have the ability to listen carefully and ask questions again, rather than rushing to give a random answer. Be prepared with phrases like "Could you please repeat that?" or "Could you clarify what you mean by …?" A calm and checking attitude gives a sincere and professional impression.

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Common failure patterns in English interviews that you should be aware of

When attempting an English interview, it's a good idea to be aware of the failure patterns you want to avoid if possible. To avoid falling into the following situations, please objectively review your own words and actions.

1. Focusing only on English proficiency and lacking content

If you focus too much on English grammar and pronunciation, you may end up not being able to convey your accomplishments or message. English is just a means of communicating, and what the interviewer wants to know is "what's inside you." Keep a balance between language and content.

2. I'm too humble to highlight my accomplishments

As a remnant of Japanese corporate culture, we tend to understate our achievements. However, many international companies are performance-based, so being too humble can be interpreted as “not having a good enough track record.” Be proactive in your appeal using numbers and specific examples.

3. Not preparing questions for the interviewer

At the end of an English interview, it is common for the interviewer to ask you, "Do you have any questions for me?" Instead of just saying "Nothing in particular," prepare questions in advance about the job description, organizational structure, career path, etc. Showing your interest in the interviewer will give a good impression that you are highly motivated to join the company.

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What is GCI's interview preparation program?

In order to achieve good results in English interviews, it is a great advantage to not only study on your own but also get support from a professional. Here we will introduce the main features of the interview preparation program provided by GCI (Global Career Incubator).

1. One-on-one support from foreign coaches

GCI has many coaches who have worked in top-class international companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, as well as coaches with experience in global talent. Because we are familiar with sample questions and evaluation points specific to English interviews, we are able to provide accurate feedback. You will receive guidance tailored to your individual assignments, from mock interviews to detailed English expression corrections and how to structure your answers.

2. Curriculum tailored to your goals and background

GCI also has a full range of programs for those in their 30s and 40s who are in the middle ranks of Japanese companies and have no prior experience and are looking to change jobs to international companies. We ask questions such as “What kind of career do you want to build?” “What is your level of English proficiency?” and design the optimal curriculum. We provide comprehensive support, focusing not only on preparing for behavioral interviews, but also on strengthening your English skills and mindset.

3. Consistent support from self-analysis to obtaining offers

At GCAP, you can choose support for thinking about your career direction and preparation tailored to the destination you are applying to, depending on your goals. At GCAP PIVOT, we organize your experience, strengths, and desired conditions and consider career options. If you have decided where to apply, we will proceed with application and interview preparations according to the position using GCAP AMAZON, AWS, Google, etc. If you would like to face the challenges and demonstrate your abilities in your current position, we will introduce you to GCAP ELEVATE.

4. Practice answering to convey your experiences and strengths in English

During the English interview, you will organize your experience and strengths in a way that can be conveyed to the other person, and practice your answers in English if necessary. Please consult us regarding the content of support according to your current challenges and goals.

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Summary: Seize a global career with English interviews as your weapon

The English interview is not a place to test your "high language skills" but rather a process to determine whether you are a person who can produce results in a foreign business environment. In other words, if you can clearly communicate your experience and strengths using English as a tool, there is a good chance that you will get much closer to your results.

Furthermore, even if you are in your 30s or 40s and are in the mid-career ranks at a Japanese company, changing to a foreign company is not a dream if you properly conduct your self-analysis and interview preparation. Even if you are not confident in your English skills, with proper guidance and practice, you can overcome English interviews and aim for career advancement. Break through the first hurdle to succeed in the global business scene and expand your opportunities at once.

At GCI, our English interview professionals support you in maximizing your strengths and achievements, and provide thorough training in preparation for the actual interview. We have a comprehensive program that will support you until the day you jump into a new environment as a global human resource, so if you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

For those who want to stand out from the crowd in English interviews. Would you like to maximize your potential with GCI's professional support? Even if you are trying to work for a foreign company with no experience, you can pass the exam with the right methods and preparation. We sincerely support you in realizing your global career.

Author

Global Career Incubator Co., Ltd. CEO Shinichi Ikawa

Biography: Entered the business world after working for the Ministry of Defense (National Class I) and the Australian Ministry of Defence. After working at a major real estate company, he started a real estate venture and experienced management and recruitment at a domestic fund, domestic business company, and overseas tech company before founding our company.

Developed a career accelerator program based on my experience as a corporate manager and hiring manager. We specialize in foreign-affiliated, bilingual, and senior talent, and support individual career advancement and corporate organizational strength and efficiency.