Wibby - English for Business Program
Cómo Responder una Entrevista de Trabajo en inglés
Duración: 4 horas
Objetivo General: Equipar a los ejecutivos con las habilidades y el vocabulario
necesarios para responder entrevistas laborales en inglés de manera profesional y
efectiva.
Temario
Módulo 1: Introducción y Preparación (30 minutos)
• Objetivo: Entender los fundamentos de una entrevista laboral en inglés y cómo
prepararse eficazmente.
o Presentación del taller y objetivos.
o Estructura típica de una entrevista de trabajo en inglés.
o Investigar sobre la empresa y el puesto.
o Preparación de respuestas para preguntas comunes.
o Vocabulario esencial para describir experiencia, habilidades y logros.
Módulo 2: Respuestas a Preguntas Comunes (60 minutos)
• Objetivo: Aprender a responder preguntas frecuentes de manera clara,
profesional y con confianza.
o Cómo responder:
▪ "Tell me about yourself."
▪ "Why are you interested in this position?"
▪ "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
▪ "Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it."
o Uso de estructuras clave:
▪ STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) para respuestas basadas en
competencias.
▪ Transiciones naturales para organizar ideas.
o Práctica en parejas o en grupos pequeños con retroalimentación guiada.
Módulo 3: Respuestas a Preguntas Técnicas o de Nivel Ejecutivo (45 minutos)
• Objetivo: Desarrollar confianza al responder preguntas más avanzadas
relacionadas con estrategias, liderazgo y visión empresarial.
o Explicación de estrategias para responder preguntas como:
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▪ "How would you handle [specific business challenge]?"
▪ "What is your leadership style?"
▪ "How do you align your goals with company objectives?"
o Incorporar datos cuantificables y ejemplos concretos.
o Práctica en escenarios simulados con retroalimentación del instructor.
Módulo 4: Simulación de Entrevistas (60 minutos)
• Objetivo: Practicar todo lo aprendido en entrevistas simuladas con
retroalimentación detallada.
o Simulaciones individuales o en parejas, según el tamaño del grupo.
o El instructor actuará como reclutador para modelar una entrevista real.
o Retroalimentación personalizada sobre vocabulario, pronunciación,
estructura y confianza.
Cierre y Resolución de Dudas (15 minutos)
• Recapitulación de los puntos clave del taller.
• Preguntas abiertas y resolución de dudas.
• Recursos adicionales para seguir practicando (plantillas, videos, sitios web).
Materiales Incluidos:
• Guía en PDF con frases clave, ejemplos y consejos.
• Lista de vocabulario profesional.
• Grabaciones de audio de respuestas modelo.
Módulo 1: Introducción y Preparación
Objetivo:
Entender los fundamentos de una entrevista laboral en inglés y aprender estrategias para
prepararse eficazmente.
1. Presentación del taller y objetivos (5 minutos)
• Dinámica inicial: Breve presentación de los participantes (nombre, puesto actual,
y expectativa del taller).
• Resumen del taller:
o Qué aprenderán: estrategias, vocabulario, y estructuras para entrevistas
en inglés.
o Por qué es importante: destacar en un entorno globalizado y competitivo.
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Frase clave del facilitador:
"Today, we’re going to transform your English into a tool for professional success."
2. Estructura típica de una entrevista de trabajo en inglés (5 minutos)
• Introducción: Breve saludo, rompehielos (e.g., "Tell me about yourself").
• Preguntas del reclutador: Preguntas sobre experiencia, habilidades, retos y
objetivos.
• Preguntas del candidato: Espacio para mostrar interés y resolver dudas.
• Cierre: Agradecimiento y próximos pasos.
Actividad:
• Presentar un esquema visual de la estructura típica.
• Ejemplo básico:
1. Icebreaker – "Tell me about yourself."
2. Core Questions – "What are your strengths?"
3. Closing Questions – "Do you have any questions for us?"
Tip: La estructura varía, pero prepararse para cada parte es clave.
3. Investigar sobre la empresa y el puesto (7 minutos)
• Elementos clave de investigación:
o Misión, visión y valores de la empresa.
o Desafíos o logros recientes de la organización.
o Responsabilidades y competencias del puesto.
Herramientas prácticas:
• Revisar el sitio web, noticias relevantes, y LinkedIn.
• Analizar la descripción del puesto para identificar palabras clave.
Actividad grupal:
• Los participantes eligen una empresa (real o ficticia).
• Hacen una lista breve de 3 datos clave sobre ella.
Frase clave: "Preparation shows interest and sets you apart as a professional."
4. Vocabulario esencial para describir experiencia, habilidades y logros (5 minutos)
• Vocabulario clave:
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o Habilidades: Problem-solving, leadership, time management,
adaptability.
o Acciones: Managed, implemented, improved, led, developed.
o Logros: Increased revenue, reduced costs, enhanced efficiency.
Material de apoyo:
• Lista de verbos de acción y ejemplos de uso (entregar a los participantes).
Actividad práctica:
• Transformar frases básicas:
o Ejemplo: "I worked on a project."
o Mejorado: "I led a cross-functional team to complete a project ahead of
schedule."
Cierre del módulo:
• Resumen de los puntos clave:
o Investigar y prepararse para destacar.
o Usar vocabulario profesional y estructuras claras.
• Pregunta de reflexión: "What is one thing you’ll do differently for your next
interview?"
Módulo 2: Respuestas a Preguntas Comunes
Duración: 60 minutos
Objetivo: Aprender a responder preguntas frecuentes en entrevistas laborales en inglés
de manera estructurada, profesional y clara, utilizando vocabulario y estrategias clave.
1. Introducción a las Preguntas Comunes (10 minutos)
• Explicación del objetivo del módulo:
o Familiarizarse con preguntas frecuentes en entrevistas laborales.
o Usar estructuras claras para dar respuestas completas y bien organizadas.
• Ejemplos de preguntas comunes en inglés:
o "Tell me about yourself."
o "Why are you interested in this position?"
o "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
o "Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it."
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Actividad:
El instructor presenta cada pregunta y solicita ideas iniciales de los participantes sobre
cómo responderlas, destacando errores comunes (respuestas demasiado largas o vagas).
1. "Tell me about yourself."
Respuesta incorrecta:
"Well, my name is Ana. I’m 32 years old, and I live in Mexico City. I’ve worked in different
companies, and I like working with people. That’s all."
Respuesta correcta (usando la estructura Present-Past-Future):
"My name is Ana, and I’m currently a sales manager at XYZ Company, where I lead a team
of 10 and have consistently exceeded our sales targets. In my previous role, I worked as a
sales executive, focusing on building strong client relationships and driving revenue
growth. I’m now looking to bring my expertise to a dynamic company like yours, where I
can contribute to achieving ambitious goals while continuing to grow professionally."
Redacta tu propia respuesta:
2. "Why are you interested in this position?"
Respuesta incorrecta:
"I think this is a great company, and I need a job where I can grow."
Respuesta correcta (alineando intereses personales y objetivos del puesto):
"I’m particularly interested in this position because it combines my experience in project
management with my passion for leading cross-functional teams. Your company’s focus
on innovation aligns with my professional values, and I’m excited about the opportunity to
contribute to projects that make a meaningful impact in the industry."
Redacta tu propia respuesta:
3. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Respuesta incorrecta:
"I’m good at everything, but sometimes I work too hard."
Respuesta correcta (usando ejemplos y mostrando mejora en debilidades):
"One of my key strengths is my ability to adapt quickly to new challenges, which has
allowed me to lead diverse teams effectively in dynamic environments. For example, in my
previous role, I managed a project across three regions and delivered it ahead of schedule.
As for weaknesses, I used to struggle with delegating tasks because I wanted to ensure
everything was done perfectly. However, I’ve worked on this by building trust within my
team and using tools to track progress, which has improved overall efficiency."
Redacta tu propia respuesta:
4. "Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it."
Respuesta incorrecta:
"One time, my team didn’t finish a project on time. It was stressful, but we did our best."
Respuesta correcta (usando la estructura STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result):
"In my previous role, I was tasked with leading a project for a key client that had a very tight
deadline (Situation). My responsibility was to ensure that the deliverables met the client’s
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high expectations (Task). I reorganized the team’s workflow, prioritized critical tasks, and
scheduled daily check-ins to track progress (Action). As a result, we completed the project
two days early, and the client extended their contract with us for another year."
Redacta tu propia respuesta:
Nota:
Las respuestas correctas destacan claridad, estructura, y relevancia profesional,
mientras que las incorrectas son demasiado vagas o genéricas. Este enfoque enseña a los
participantes a usar estrategias del taller, como el modelo STAR y el vocabulario
profesional.
2. Estrategias para Responder (15 minutos)
• Uso de Estructuras Clave:
o Tell me about yourself: Usar la estructura Present-Past-Future.
▪ Present: Breve descripción de tu situación actual (rol, experiencia).
▪ Past: Resumen de logros y experiencias relevantes.
▪ Future: Cómo tus metas se alinean con el puesto.
o STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result): Para preguntas basadas en
competencias.
▪ Situation: Contexto o problema específico.
▪ Task: Tu rol o responsabilidad en la situación.
▪ Action: Las acciones que tomaste.
▪ Result: Los resultados concretos que obtuviste.
o Strengths and Weaknesses:
▪ Fuerzas: Elegir habilidades clave relacionadas con el puesto,
respaldadas con ejemplos.
▪ Debilidades: Ser honesto pero mostrar progreso y soluciones
implementadas.
Actividad:
El instructor guía a los participantes en la creación de una respuesta corta para "Tell me
about yourself", utilizando la estructura Present-Past-Future.
Módulo 3: Vocabulario Clave y Frases Útiles
Objetivo:
Aprender frases iniciales y palabras clave para responder con confianza y claridad en una
entrevista laboral en inglés.
1. Introducción (2 minutos)
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• Por qué es importante el vocabulario:
Las palabras que elegimos comunican profesionalismo y confianza. Usar
vocabulario específico y frases útiles demuestra preparación y capacidad de
respuesta.
Frase del facilitador:
"The right words can transform your answers from average to outstanding."
2. Frases para iniciar respuestas (3 minutos)
Ofrecer a los participantes 10 frases variadas que pueden usar como punto de partida en
diferentes tipos de preguntas.
10 Frases iniciales:
1. "I’d describe myself as..."
2. "One of my key strengths is..."
3. "A challenge I faced was when..."
4. "In my previous role, I was responsible for..."
5. "I’m particularly proud of..."
6. "An example of my leadership skills is when..."
7. "I consistently achieved results by..."
8. "What motivates me is..."
9. "In this role, I aim to contribute by..."
10. "I thrive in situations where I can..."
Visual sugerido:
Presentar las frases en un gráfico atractivo con iconos que representen fortalezas,
desafíos y logros.
3. Palabras clave para describir habilidades y logros (3 minutos)
10 Palabras clave:
1. Leadership: "I successfully led a team to achieve..."
2. Problem-solving: "I identified and resolved..."
3. Teamwork: "I collaborated with colleagues to..."
4. Efficiency: "I optimized processes to improve efficiency by..."
5. Initiative: "I took the initiative to..."
6. Adaptability: "I adjusted quickly to..."
7. Innovation: "I developed an innovative solution that..."
8. Communication: "I facilitated effective communication by..."
9. Project management: "I managed projects that resulted in..."
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10. Resilience: "I remained focused under pressure and achieved..."
Visual sugerido:
Un cuadro comparativo que conecte cada palabra clave con un ejemplo breve de cómo
usarla en contexto.
4. Actividad práctica (5 minutos)
Instrucciones:
1. Cada participante elige 3 palabras clave o frases iniciales del vocabulario
proporcionado.
2. Incorporan las palabras/frases en una respuesta breve para una pregunta común
(e.g., "Tell me about a challenge you faced.").
3. Compartir las respuestas con la clase para recibir retroalimentación.
Ejemplo práctico:
• Palabra clave: Leadership.
• Frase inicial: "An example of my leadership skills is when..."
• Respuesta completa: "An example of my leadership skills is when I successfully
led a cross-functional team to deliver a project 10% ahead of schedule, improving
client satisfaction significantly."
Material complementario:
• Ficha con las palabras/frases clave y espacio para que los participantes escriban
sus respuestas.
Cierre del Módulo:
Frase del facilitador:
"Practice using these phrases and words in every answer. The more natural they feel, the
more confident you’ll sound during your interview."
Role Model Q&A for Executives in Latin America
(LAC)
This Q&A includes 10 common interview questions with example answers and coaching
explanations tailored for executives in the LAC region.
1. "Tell me about yourself."
Answer:
"I’m currently the Chief Financial Officer at ABC Corporation, where I oversee financial
strategy and operations across five countries in Latin America. My career began in
corporate finance, and over the past 15 years, I’ve led major restructuring projects that
improved profitability by 25%. I’m particularly passionate about aligning financial
strategies with sustainable growth, which is why I’m excited about this role at your
company."
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Coach’s Tip:
• Use the Present-Past-Future structure to show relevance and progression.
• Mention achievements tied to quantifiable results (e.g., "improved profitability by
25%").
• For LAC executives, highlight regional experience to show cultural adaptability and
leadership in multinational contexts.
2. "Why are you interested in this position?"
Answer:
"This role excites me because it aligns with my experience leading regional strategies in
Latin America. Your focus on digital transformation resonates with my background in
driving technological innovation to improve operational efficiency. I’m eager to contribute
to your vision and help expand your presence in emerging markets."
Coach’s Tip:
• Focus on aligning your expertise with the company’s priorities.
• Mention specific aspects of the company’s strategy or mission that resonate with
you.
• For LAC executives, emphasize familiarity with regional challenges and
opportunities.
3. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Answer:
"One of my strengths is my ability to build and lead high-performing teams across diverse
cultures. For example, I recently implemented a leadership development program that
increased team productivity by 30%.
Regarding weaknesses, I’ve found that I tend to be very detail-oriented, which can slow
decision-making. I’ve worked on this by delegating effectively and focusing on strategic
priorities."
Coach’s Tip:
• For strengths, focus on leadership and measurable achievements.
• For weaknesses, pick a manageable trait and demonstrate improvement.
• Show self-awareness and a growth mindset.
4. "How do you handle stress or pressure?"
Answer:
"I view pressure as an opportunity to focus and prioritize. For instance, during a merger
process last year, I developed a step-by-step action plan and communicated
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transparently with all stakeholders, which reduced uncertainty and met our tight deadlines
successfully."
Coach’s Tip:
• Show a proactive and structured approach to managing stress.
• Highlight specific examples of high-pressure scenarios you’ve handled
successfully.
5. "What is your leadership style?"
Answer:
"I consider my leadership style to be collaborative and results-driven. I believe in
empowering my team with clear goals and providing the resources they need to succeed.
For instance, I introduced OKRs in my current role, which improved alignment and
accountability across departments."
Coach’s Tip:
• Tailor your leadership style to match the needs of the role.
• Use real examples to demonstrate how your leadership has delivered results.
6. "How do you manage conflict within your team?"
Answer:
"I believe in addressing conflicts directly and constructively. For example, I mediated a
disagreement between two department heads by facilitating a meeting to clarify their
goals and find common ground. As a result, they collaborated on a project that exceeded
our expectations."
Coach’s Tip:
• Show emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills.
• Highlight how you turn conflicts into opportunities for collaboration.
7. "Describe a project you led and its outcome."
Answer:
"I led the digital transformation initiative for our supply chain operations, implementing an
AI-driven forecasting tool. This reduced inventory costs by 20% and improved delivery
times by 15%, which directly impacted customer satisfaction."
Coach’s Tip:
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer.
• Focus on outcomes, especially quantifiable improvements.
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8. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Answer:
"In five years, I see myself continuing to drive regional growth initiatives, ideally in a role
that expands my influence on global strategy. I aim to be part of an organization like yours,
where I can contribute to transformational projects and develop the next generation of
leaders."
Coach’s Tip:
• Show ambition without appearing overly focused on personal gain.
• Tie your goals to the company’s growth or mission.
9. "How do you stay updated with industry trends?"
Answer:
"I regularly attend conferences, such as the Latin American Leadership Forum, and
subscribe to industry publications like Harvard Business Review and AméricaEconomía.
Additionally, I’m part of a professional network where executives share insights and best
practices."
Coach’s Tip:
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to continuous learning.
• Highlight connections to regional and global insights.
10. "Do you have any questions for us?"
Answer:
"Yes, I’d like to learn more about the strategic priorities for this role in the next 12 months.
Also, how does the company support professional development for its leaders?"
Coach’s Tip:
• Always ask thoughtful questions to show engagement.
• Focus on strategy, role impact, and alignment with your career goals.
These answers reflect professionalism, cultural relevance for LAC, and advanced
preparation. Practice delivering them confidently!
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12 Idioms for Job Interviews (and How to Use Them)
1. "Hit the ground running"
o Meaning: Start a task or job with energy and enthusiasm.
o Example: "I’m ready to hit the ground running and make an immediate
impact in this role."
2. "Think outside the box"
o Meaning: Approach problems creatively or unconventionally.
o Example: "I pride myself on thinking outside the box to develop
innovative solutions."
3. "A win-win situation"
o Meaning: A solution or outcome beneficial for all parties.
o Example: "Negotiating flexible deadlines was a win-win situation for
both the client and our team."
4. "Raise the bar"
o Meaning: Set a higher standard of quality or performance.
o Example: "I always strive to raise the bar and exceed expectations in my
projects."
5. "In the driver’s seat"
o Meaning: Being in control of a situation.
o Example: "As the project manager, I was in the driver’s seat, ensuring
everything was completed on time."
6. "Burning the midnight oil"
o Meaning: Working late into the night.
o Example: "During the product launch, I was burning the midnight oil to
ensure its success."
7. "A team player"
o Meaning: Someone who works well with others.
o Example: "I’m a team player who believes in collaboration to achieve
goals."
8. "Go the extra mile"
o Meaning: Put in additional effort to achieve something.
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o Example: "I’m always willing to go the extra mile to deliver outstanding
results."
9. "The ball is in your court"
o Meaning: Responsibility or decision now belongs to someone else.
o Example: "After presenting the strategy, the ball was in the executive
team’s court to approve it."
10. "Learn the ropes"
• Meaning: Learn the basics of a job or task.
• Example: "I quickly learned the ropes in my last role and began delivering
results within a month."
11. "Under my belt"
• Meaning: Achievements or experience gained.
• Example: "With over 10 years of leadership experience under my belt, I’m
confident I can excel in this role."
12. "Pulling out all the stops"
• Meaning: Make every possible effort to achieve something.
• Example: "We pulled out all the stops to ensure the campaign’s success."
30-Word Glossary for Job Interviews in English
1. Achievement – A significant accomplishment or success.
2. Alignment – Agreement or consistency with goals or values.
3. Analytical – Relating to analyzing data or solving problems.
4. Benchmark – A standard for comparison or evaluation.
5. Collaboration – Working together toward a common goal.
6. Competence – The ability to do something efficiently.
7. Conflict resolution – Solving disputes or disagreements.
8. Contribution – Efforts or actions that add value.
9. Deadline – A set time for completing tasks.
10. Delegation – Assigning responsibilities to others.
11. Diversity – Inclusion of different people or ideas.
12. Efficiency – Achieving results with minimal effort or waste.
13. Empowerment – Enabling others to take responsibility or lead.
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14. Engagement – Active participation or involvement.
15. Expertise – Specialized knowledge or skill.
16. Feedback – Constructive opinions or evaluations.
17. Flexibility – The ability to adapt to change.
18. Goal-setting – Establishing objectives to achieve.
19. Initiative – The ability to start tasks independently.
20. Innovation – Introducing new ideas or methods.
21. Leadership – The ability to guide or inspire others.
22. Negotiation – Reaching agreements through discussion.
23. Performance – The execution of tasks or duties.
24. Prioritization – Determining the order of importance for tasks.
25. Proactive – Taking action before issues arise.
26. Problem-solving – Identifying and resolving issues effectively.
27. Productivity – The rate of work completed efficiently.
28. Resilience – The ability to recover from challenges.
29. Strategy – A plan of action to achieve goals.
30. Teamwork – Collaborative efforts toward a shared objective.
Bibliography:
Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Job Interview by Thea Kelley.
Published by Plovercrest Press, Albany, California USA
60 Seconds & You’re Hired! By Robin Bryan. Published by the Penguin Group
IELTS Speaking practice tests. https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-
ielts-english-practice-tests/speaking
How to Prepare for an Executive-Level Interview. https://www.indeed.com/career-
advice/interviewing/executive-interview
23 Executive Interview Questions (With Example Answers).
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/executive-interview-questions
The HBR Guide to Standing Out in an Interview. https://hbr.org/2024/09/the-hbr-guide-to-
standing-out-in-an-interview
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