20 EF Education First Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. But what if the company you’re interviewing with is EF Education First? This international education company is known for its unique approach to language learning, and its interview process reflects that.

In this article, we’ll give you a taste of the types of EF Education First interview questions you might be asked, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

EF Education First Interview Process

The interview process at EF Education First can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. The length of the hiring process also varies, but it generally takes a few weeks to complete.

Overall, the interview process is relatively straightforward and not overly difficult. However, some questions may be challenging, and you will need to be able to speak confidently about your skills and experience. The interviewers are typically friendly and helpful, and they want to see that you are passionate about working with EF Education First.

Overall, the interview process is a positive experience. It is an opportunity to learn more about the company and to see if EF Education First is the right fit for you.

1. What do you know about EF Education First?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its mission. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the organization before your interview. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two things about EF Education First that stand out to you.

Example: “I know that EF Education First was founded in 1965 by Bertil Hult. The organization’s goal is to provide quality education to students around the world. I am passionate about helping others learn, so I think working for an organization like this would be very rewarding.”

2. Why do you want to work at EF Education First?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. It also helps them determine if your goals align with EF Education First’s mission statement. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job listing that appeal to you.

Example: “I am passionate about helping students learn new skills and gain confidence in themselves. I believe EF Education First is an excellent place to do this because of its focus on creating lifelong learners who are prepared for the future. I have always wanted to work at a school where I could make a difference in students’ lives, and I think EF Education First would be a great opportunity to do so.”

3. What is your experience in customer service?

Customer service is an important part of working in a cycling team. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience interacting with customers and how you handle challenging situations. Use examples from previous jobs or include information about what you would do if you’ve never worked in customer service before.

Example: “I have plenty of experience interacting with customers, as I was the lead sales associate at my local bike shop for three years. In that role, I interacted with many different types of people who came into the store looking for bikes. Some were experienced cyclists while others had no idea what they were doing. My job was to help them find the right bike for their needs and answer any questions they had.”

4. Tell me a time when you had an upset client, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you can handle a challenging situation and turn it into a positive experience for the client. In your answer, try to focus on what steps you took to resolve the issue and make sure the client was happy with the outcome.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager, I had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their package in time for Christmas. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered them a refund or free shipping on their next order. The client chose the free shipping option, and I made sure that they received their package before Christmas.”

5. How would you respond to someone who is criticizing the company?

This question is a test of your loyalty to the company and how you would respond to someone who was being critical. Your answer should show that you are willing to defend the company, even if it means disagreeing with another person.

Example: “I believe in the mission of EF Education First and I know that there are many people who have had positive experiences with the company. If someone were criticizing the company, I would first try to understand their concerns and then explain why I think they’re wrong. Even if they don’t change their mind, I would hope that they at least respect my opinion.”

6. Do you have any experience with sales? Describe some of your strategies for closing deals.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with sales and how you approach closing deals. Use examples from previous jobs or internships where you successfully closed a sale, increased revenue or helped clients make decisions.

Example: “In my last job as an account manager for a software company, I worked with small businesses who were looking for ways to increase their productivity. My strategy was to first understand the challenges they faced and then offer solutions that would help them achieve their goals. This helped me close many deals because I could show them exactly how our products could benefit them.”

7. Have you ever taught ESL before?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience teaching students who speak other languages. If you do, the interviewer will likely want to know how you adapted your lessons and materials for these students. If you haven’t taught ESL before, you can talk about any experience you’ve had with non-native English speakers in the past.

Example: “I haven’t specifically taught ESL before, but I did teach a student from China last year. She was new to our school district and didn’t speak much English. I used visual aids and gestures as much as possible during my lessons so she could understand what we were learning. I also made sure that all of my instructions were written out clearly on the board so she could follow along.”

8. If hired as an ESL teacher, what kind of teaching style would you use?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with EF Education First’s values. To answer this question, you can describe a specific time when you used an effective teaching method or share the kind of teacher you are.

Example: “I would use a communicative approach to teach ESL students because I find that it helps them develop their language skills while also learning new concepts. For example, in my last position as an ESL teacher, I had a student who was having trouble understanding prepositions. So, I asked her questions about what she knew about prepositions and helped her understand the difference between ‘in’ and ‘on.’ She understood the concept after that explanation.”

9. What are some of the most important qualities that make a good ESL teacher?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy and how you would apply it in the classroom. Use examples from your experience that show you have these qualities yourself, or explain what you think makes a good teacher.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities for an ESL teacher is patience. It can be challenging to teach students who are learning English as a second language, so I always try to remain patient with them when they’re having trouble understanding something. Another quality I look for in other teachers is creativity. I love finding new ways to make lessons engaging for my students, which helps keep their attention and makes learning easier.”

10. What languages do you speak fluently and why should we hire you over other candidates?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your language skills and how they can benefit the company. If you speak multiple languages fluently, explain which ones and why they’re beneficial for working in an international setting.

Example: “I speak fluent English and Spanish because I grew up speaking both at home with my family. In college, I took a few courses that helped me improve my Spanish-speaking skills. Now, I use it daily when communicating with our Latin American riders. I also understand some Italian from taking classes in high school.”

11. What’s your approach to working on a team with people from different cultural backgrounds?

Teamwork is an essential skill for any employee at EF Education First. The company’s goal is to create a global community of lifelong learners, and teamwork is necessary to achieve this objective. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of working with people from different backgrounds and how you can contribute to the team.

Example: “I believe it’s important to be open-minded when interacting with others who have different cultural backgrounds than me. I try to learn about their background and respect their values and beliefs. In my previous role as a teacher, I had students from many different countries. I made sure to learn about each student’s culture so I could better relate to them and help them feel comfortable in class.”

12. Explain the process behind planning a trip abroad.

This question is a great way to test your organizational skills and ability to plan ahead. It also allows the interviewer to see how you would apply those same skills to planning their company’s trips abroad.

Example: “I start by researching the country I’m visiting, including its culture, language and currency. Then, I look into transportation options, accommodations and any other activities that may be available while on my trip. After this, I create a budget for myself based on what I can afford and begin looking at different travel agencies or tour companies that offer similar experiences. Once I find one that fits my needs, I book it and make sure to keep track of all receipts so I can submit them later.”

13. Would you be comfortable traveling alone?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with traveling alone. They want to know if you have experience doing so and how you feel about it. If you don’t have much experience, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I am comfortable traveling alone. I’ve done it many times in my life, including when I was younger and more recently as an adult. I think it’s important to be able to travel on your own because it shows independence and responsibility. However, I would also be open to having someone accompany me if needed.”

14. Can you describe a time where you were responsible for handling large groups of people?

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills. As an EF Education First employee, you may be responsible for leading large groups of people on tours or during other events. Your answer should highlight your ability to lead others and manage time effectively.

Example: “In my previous role as a tour guide, I was in charge of leading groups of up to 30 people at once. During these tours, I had to make sure everyone was following along with the information I was providing and that no one got lost. I also had to ensure that we were all staying safe while exploring the area. To do this, I would often break up larger groups into smaller ones so that I could better monitor their progress.”

15. What motivates you to wake up every morning and go to work?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and what they find important in their life. It can also help you understand how passionate they are about their work, which can be an indicator of how well they’ll perform on the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what motivates you personally and how that relates to your career goals.

Example: “I wake up every morning motivated to do my best at work because I want to make sure I’m helping others as much as possible. I’ve always been someone who cares deeply about other people, so working in education was a natural fit for me. I love being able to teach students new things and watch them grow throughout the year.”

16. Do you have experience using CRM software?

CRM software is a database that helps salespeople keep track of their clients and leads. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using similar technology in your current or previous job. If you do, share what CRM system you used and how it helped you with your job duties. If you don’t have experience with CRM systems, explain why you’re interested in learning more about them.

Example: “I’ve worked as a salesperson for the past five years, so I’m familiar with CRM software. In my last position, we used Salesforce, which was helpful because it allowed me to create reports on my performance and compare my numbers to other salespeople. I would love to learn more about EF Education First’s CRM system.”

17. When was the last time you traveled internationally?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s travel experience. It can also help you determine if they have any international travel experience, which may be helpful for this position. If you are interviewing someone who has never traveled internationally, it’s important to ask them why and what their plans are for doing so in the future.

Example: “I’ve actually never been outside of the United States. I’m hoping that my first international trip will be with EF Education First because I think it would be an amazing opportunity to see new places while working. I am open to traveling anywhere as long as I get to work with such a wonderful company.”

18. How often are you willing to travel?

This question is a great way to determine how much you enjoy traveling. If you’re applying for a position that requires extensive travel, it’s important to be honest about your feelings toward this aspect of the job.

Example: “I’m willing to travel as often as necessary. I know that in order to get the most out of my career, I need to be willing to go wherever I’m needed. However, I do prefer to have at least one week home between trips so I can spend time with my family and recharge.”

19. In which countries have you lived or visited?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s background and experience. It can also help you determine if they have any unique or interesting experiences that could be beneficial for your team.

Example: “I’ve lived in the United States my entire life, but I traveled to Europe with my family when I was younger. We visited France, Italy, Germany and Spain, which were all amazing places to visit. My favorite place was probably Paris because of how beautiful it was. I would love to go back there one day.”

20. Are you willing to relocate?

If you’re interviewing for a position with EF Education First, it’s likely that the company will ask this question. The organization has offices in more than 50 countries and is constantly hiring new teachers to fill positions at these locations. If you are asked this question, be honest about your willingness to relocate.

Example: “I am willing to relocate if I’m offered a job with EF Education First. I understand that the company hires people from all over the world to teach abroad. I have always wanted to travel and experience different cultures, so teaching abroad would be an amazing opportunity for me.”