Written by Gabriela Estrada

Use phrasal verbs in an English interview is an effective way to sound fluent and natural—just what a recruiter is looking for in a candidate aspiring to a competitive job position.

In this blog, I want to share with you the strategy for stopping sounding like someone who translates mentally and starting to project confidence in front of your interviewers. 

Read with me until the end and take note of the Phrasal Verbs that will help you get the job you want. that will help you get the job you want.

What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal Verb is a structure composed of a verb and a preposition or an adverb (or both). 

For example: Verb: Look (To look) + Preposition: Up (Up) = Phrasal Verb: Look up (Meaning: to search for information in a book, dictionary, or database).

Note: The final meaning (to look for) has nothing to do with the action of looking up; and that's the interesting thing about phrasal verbs!

The combination of these words creates a completely new meaning, different from that of the original verb. 

Important: In professional English, phrasal verbs are most commonly used in the office, on the phone, and in negotiations.

The importance of stopping translating and starting to speak

To become a potential candidate for a bilingual job, you have to stop translating word for word from your native language. 

To integrate phrasal verbs into your vocabulary, your brain stops searching for complex and rigid verbs (such as investigate or execute) and start using natural English forms (such as look into or carry out). This works in your favor in the interview, as it shows that you have mastered English and are ready for the duties required by the position.

Phrasal Verbs essential for your interview

Here are some common terms to highlight skills and work experience:

• Bring up (mention/highlight): "I’d like to bring up a project where I increased sales by 15%."
• Fill in (inform/update): "I can fill you in on the details of my previous responsibilities."
• Carry out (execute/carry out): "I carried out the reorganization of the department successfully."
• Go over (review/examine): "Let’s go over my accomplishments in my last role."
• Take on (assume): "I am eager to take on new challenges within this team."
• Work out (solve): "We faced a technical issue, but we worked it out effectively."

Important: Recruiters often ask how you could contribute to the team's success when there are demanding goals. 

Analyze which of the following options would be the most appropriate:

• A) Take on / Carry out — (to assume, to carry out)
• B) Take off / Carry on — (to take off, to remove something, to continue)
• C) Take after / Carry over — (to resemble someone, to transfer something)

(The correct answer is A. Using this combination shows that you not only accept the challenge, but also have the technical ability to see it through to the end.)

Want to learn more English phrases to stand out at work? At Immiland Education, we can teach you.

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I hope this topic gives you the confidence you need to excel in your next interview.

Thank you for reading. See you in the next blog!

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education