“Tell me about your experience.” You don’t need a polished speech. Start with one skill, give a real example and ask a question about the role.
The Big Idea
ROLE → EXPERIENCE → EXAMPLE → QUESTION
Ten useful phrases
1. Thank you for meeting with me.
Use this greeting at the beginning of the interview.
2. I’m interested in this role because…
Finish with a specific reason: “I enjoy helping customers solve problems.”
3. I have experience in…
Name an area you know: “I have experience in food service.”
4. One example is…
Describe a real situation, what you did and what happened.
5. I enjoy working with teams.
Follow with an example of how you worked with a teammate.
6. I’m comfortable learning new systems.
Support the statement with a system you learned or a task you practised.
7. Could you explain the main responsibilities?
Ask this when a part of the job description is unclear.
8. What does success look like in this role?
Use this to learn what the employer expects from the person hired.
9. What are the next steps?
Ask about the hiring process near the end of the conversation.
10. When might I hear back?
Ask for a timeline without assuming a decision has already been made.
Real-world conversation
Interviewer: “Tell me about your experience.”
Candidate: “I have two years of customer-service experience.”
Interviewer: “Can you give an example?”
Candidate: “I helped resolve customer problems and trained new staff.”
Four Finger Rule
WANT TO: State your goal.
HAVE TO: Explain the important facts.
NEED TO: Ask for a specific action or answer.
MIGHT: Prepare for a delay, mistake, or clarification.
Before You Go — Mission
Practise the dialogue with a partner. Change one detail and ask them to repeat the next step. Finish by saying: “Just to confirm…”
Practical tip
Use truthful examples from your own experience rather than memorized claims or exaggerated qualifications.
Stop memorizing English. Start using it.
Learn it. Prepare for it. Go use it.
Keep practising
Try Free Week 1: prepare for your next conversation.
Explore the complete 52-week Four Finger Rule course — US$52 one time.
