Interviewing for an Interpreter Job (Advanced)

Practice on Your Own

Imagine you have a job interview for a job as an interpreter. Prepare yourself to answer the interviewer’s questions.

• Prepare yourself to tell the interviewer about your history of learning the target language. For instance:
  • I have been studying this language for four years, starting from my first year in college. I studied this language because it is a beautiful language and I like to travel to X country where people speak this language. At first, people think it is a hard language, but it is not difficult if you work hard…
• Why do you want to be an interpreter? This is another question you need to be prepared for. For instance:
  • It is a great job. First, I am good with languages and enjoy learning and using them. Second, I like helping people. I want to help people to communicate…
• What do you think an interpreter does? What does it mean to be an interpreter? These are other questions to be prepared for. For instance:
  • An interpreter translates from one language to another language. It is not about translating one word to an equivalent one in the other language, but translating the whole message…
• For all of these, be prepared to respond to follow‐up questions.

Practice in Conversation Session

• Your conversation partner will play the role of the interviewer. They can ask you the questions that you are prepared for.
• Switch roles; now you interview your conversation partner for the same job. Ask them follow‐ up questions. For instance:
  • Why this job and not others? Why do you think you are the best candidate for this job? What are your plans for the future – do you see yourself doing this job for life or as transitional step? ...
• What is your ideal job, and your ideal work environment? What is your conversation partner’s ideal job and work environment? Have a discussion about this.