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.)