I recently had my first tech interview in Italian, and it was a unique experience that taught me a lot about interviewing in a second language. Although I've been speaking Italian for a while, I had never used it in a professional setting, especially not in an interview.
I was nervous about the language barrier, but also excited to challenge myself and see how I could perform in a different language. The interview was for a frontend developer position at a company based in Rome. Here are some of the takeaways from my experience:
Preparing for the Interview
Before the interview, I reviewed notes from past interviews in English and created Italian versions of the most common questions and answers. I also practiced speaking about my projects and experiences in Italian, focusing on technical vocabulary and phrases I might need during the conversation. I prepared for some of the must-know questions I’d encountered in previous interviews, such as:
- Tell me about yourself
- Tell me about your experience with a given technology
- Why are you interested in this position?
- Why are you looking for a new job?
- Are you intending to relocate?
- What are your salary expectations?
I also familiarized myself with the company's products, technologies, and culture. This helped me tailor my answers to align with what they were looking for. Having a basic structure for my answers made me feel more confident, even if I stumbled over some words or phrases.
After jotting down my notes, I practiced saying them out loud. This was crucial for getting comfortable with pronunciation and flow, especially when discussing technical topics. I recorded myself speaking and listened back to identify areas for improvement, and I used ChatGPT's voice feature to practice pronunciation, intonation, and simulate an interview.
Then, I asked my cousin (a native Italian speaker) to run a mock interview with me. She helped me identify cultural differences, like being more personal and expressive, which is more common in Italian interviews than in U.S. ones. This was incredibly helpful for adjusting to the pacing and tone of a real interview. She also gave feedback on my language and helped me refine my answers.
Finally, I practiced how to ask for clarification in Italian if I didn't understand a question during the interview - the potential issue I was most nervous about happening.
During the Interview
The interview started a bit unusually because I don't have an Italian phone number. I was nervous the interviewer might not be able to reach me, but we were able to connect via WhatsApp. He was friendly and understanding, which helped ease my nerves. He spoke clearly and started with general questions about my background and experience, which I was able to answer confidently in Italian.
He asked questions similar to what I had prepared for, like my experience with React and how I approach problem-solving. I explained my projects and past work in Italian. Most of the technical terms, however, we both just said in English (which is normal in Italian language).
At one point, I mentioned I was a bit nervous about the language barrier, and he reassured me that it was completely fine and that I spoke Italian well. In fact, he admitted that he was nervous before the interview in case he had to speak in English! That moment reminded me we were both adjusting, and it helped me relax.
After about 30 minutes of questions and conversation from both parties, the interview wrapped up. The interviewer thanked me for my time and said he'd be in touch within a few days. I felt relieved, and honestly, proud of myself for getting through an interview entirely in a second language.
What Helped the Most
The most helpful part of my prep was having structured answers I had already practiced out loud. I could reference those “scripts” during the interview, which helped me sound more natural and confident.
The mock interview with my cousin was also invaluable. It helped me practice speaking conversationally and get used to the real-time pace of the interview. She also helped me refine how I asked for clarification, which came in handy.
Lastly, researching salary expectations in Italy helped me go into the conversation more confidently. Salaries in the U.S. are generally much higher, so knowing the local market helped me explain my expectations clearly and show flexibility in finding something sustainable for both me and the company.
What I Would Do Differently
One thing I'd do differently next time is prepare more phrases for the beginning and end of the interview. I felt a bit awkward during the opening and closing, and having a few polished phrases ready would've made those moments smoother.
I would also practice transitional phrases to help move between ideas more fluidly. I found myself stumbling when shifting from one topic to the next, and a few go-to connectors would've helped keep the conversation flowing.
Finally, I'd focus more on simplifying my language. I sometimes tried to use complex sentence structures or vocabulary, which led to some run-on sentences. Keeping things clear and simple would have made it easier for both me and the interviewer.
Conclusion
You don't need to be fluent in a second language to succeed in a tech interview, but it does require preparation and practice. My experience interviewing in Italian taught me that with the right mindset and a solid plan, you can overcome language barriers and still communicate your professional skills effectively.
Structured answers, speaking practice, and being honest about the language barrier were all key to my success. I also learned that making mistakes is okay and that most interviewers are understanding and appreciate your effort.
If you're nervous about interviewing in a second language, I encourage you to just go for it. It's a great opportunity to grow - not just as a developer, but as a communicator. You might surprise yourself with how well you can do!