A job interview

Talking about experience and skills

Passato prossimo for experiences In an interview, use the passato prossimo to talk about concrete past experiences:

"Ho lavorato in un'agenzia di marketing." *(I worked at a marketing agency.)*

"Ho gestito un team di cinque persone." *(I managed a team of five people.)*

"Ho organizzato molti eventi." *(I organized many events.)*

Sapere + infinitive for skills Use "sapere" to say what you know how to do:

"So parlare tre lingue." *(I can speak three languages.)*

"So usare il computer." *(I know how to use a computer.)*

"So lavorare in team." *(I know how to work in a team.)*

The formal register (Lei)

In an interview, use the formal "you." The "Lei" form uses the 3rd person singular:

• Hai domande? (Informal tu) → Ha domande? (Formal Lei) — Do you have questions?
• Puoi iniziare? (Informal tu) → Può iniziare? (Formal Lei) — Can you start?
• Vuoi lavorare? (Informal tu) → Vuole lavorare? (Formal Lei) — Do you want to work?
• Sei laureato? (Informal tu) → È laureato? (Formal Lei) — Are you a graduate?

The conditional of politeness: vorrei

"Vorrei" (I would like) is the polite form of "voglio" (I want):

"Vorrei lavorare nella vostra azienda." *(I would like to work at your company.)*

"Vorrei sapere di più su questa posizione." *(I would like to know more about this position.)*

"Vorrei contribuire ai vostri progetti." *(I would like to contribute to your projects.)*

Useful interview expressions

• "Ho esperienza nel campo di..." *(I have experience in the field of...)*
• "Sono una persona organizzata e motivata." *(I'm an organized and motivated person.)*
• "Mi piace lavorare in team." *(I like working in a team.)*

💬 Example: "Ho lavorato tre anni come responsabile marketing. So gestire i social media e vorrei applicare queste competenze nella vostra azienda." *(I worked three years as a marketing manager. I can manage social media and I would like to apply these skills at your company.)*