A free learning journey · Turkish · Threshold II (B1.2) — say what you mean in Turkish · Unit 8 — The interview

The questions they always ask

8 stepsabout 6 minutesEnglish & Arabic

Four questions, every interview, no exceptions: tell us about yourself, why this job, where in five years, and any questions for us. Memorize the moves now or freestyle your way into a very awkward silence later.

Face the panel

The words — The questions they always ask

Four questions. Every interview on Earth. Memorize the script, become unstoppable.

Bize biraz kendinizden bahseder misiniz?

MeaningCould you tell us a bit about yourself?

In a sentence

Sama üç dakika sessiz kaldıktan sonra 'bize biraz kendinizden bahseder misiniz?' sorusuna sadece 'evet' dedi.

After staying silent for three minutes, Sama answered the question 'could you tell us a bit about yourself?' with just 'yes.'

Bu işi neden istiyorsunuz?

MeaningWhy do you want this job?

In a sentence

Nujoom, 'bu işi neden istiyorsunuz?' sorusuna heyecanla 'çünkü ofiste sonsuz kahve var' dedi.

When asked 'why do you want this job?', Nujoom answered excitedly, 'because there's endless coffee at the office.'

Beş yıl sonra kendinizi nerede görüyorsunuz?

MeaningWhere do you see yourself in five years?

In a sentence

Zeeza, 'beş yıl sonra kendinizi nerede görüyorsunuz?' sorusuna 'aynı sandalyede, aynı kahveyle' diye cevap verdi.

Zeeza answered 'where do you see yourself in five years?' with 'in the same chair, with the same coffee.'

Bize sormak istediğiniz bir şey var mı?

MeaningDo you have anything you'd like to ask us?

In a sentence

Sohbetin sonunda müdür 'bize sormak istediğiniz bir şey var mı?' deyince, Hilal aniden içeri girip 'kahve nerede?' diye sordu ve gitti.

At the end of the conversation, when the manager asked 'do you have anything you'd like to ask us?', Hilal suddenly walked in, asked 'where's the coffee?', and left.

The scene — The questions they always ask

Zeeza is coaching Nujoom through a mock interview before the real one. Sama sits behind a folder, one enormous eye unblinking, playing the interviewer. Nujoom has already tried to answer a question with a question.

Bize biraz kendinizden bahseder misiniz?Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Ben mi? Benim üç gözüm var, çok enerjiğim ve bugün buradayım!Me? I have three eyes, I'm very energetic, and I'm here today!
Nujoom, güzel başlangıç ama devam et. Sama sana ikinci soruyu soracak.Nujoom, nice start, but keep going. Sama's about to ask you the second question.
Bu işi neden istiyorsunuz?Why do you want this job?
Beş yıl sonra kendinizi nerede görüyorsunuz?Where do you see yourself in five years?
Bize sormak istediğiniz bir şey var mı?Is there anything you'd like to ask us?
Evet! Üç gözlü biri için özel bir gözlük indirimi var mı?Yes! Is there a special glasses discount for someone with three eyes?

The idea — The questions they always ask

closing statement

Bize biraz kendinizden bahseder misiniz? is the opener every interviewer uses. It means 'could you tell us a bit about yourself?'. The formal 'you' runs through all four questions: -siniz or -sunuz at the end of the verb, and -iniz in istediğiniz.

Next time someone opens with that question in an interview, you won't just recognise it — you'll know exactly which formal ending is coming for the other three too.