25 Spanish Phrases Every Teen Should Know Before Their First Job Interview

So you landed your first job interview, amazing!

Whether it’s for a part-time summer job, an internship, or a volunteer opportunity, speaking a little Spanish during the interview can set you apart. The good news? You don’t need to be fluent to make a great impression. You just need to know what to say, when to say it, and how to sound confident doing it.

This blog is your beginner-friendly guide to Spanish phrases that will help you navigate your first interview like a pro. We’ll break everything down in a simple, step-by-step way so you can feel more prepared and way less nervous. You’ll also learn how to avoid common mistakes and get a chance to test what you learned.

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Why Spanish Can Help You Stand Out

Bilingual applicants are in high demand. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S., and many employers value candidates who can communicate with Spanish-speaking clients or coworkers. Even at an entry-level job, showing that you can greet customers or answer a question in Spanish gives you an edge. Plus, it builds confidence for bigger opportunities down the road.

If you’re a teen learning Spanish in a paired class, this is a great chance to practice what you know and advance your skills.

Formal Spanish: What Makes It “Professional”?

Let’s talk tone. Just like in English, you speak a little differently in a job interview than you do with your friends. Spanish has something similar: the difference between tú (informal “you”) and usted (formal “you”). For interviews, always use usted. It shows respect and maturity, which is exactly what an employer wants to see.

Examples:

• ¿Cómo está usted? (How are you?)
• Gracias por su tiempo. (Thank you for your time.)

Using polite forms like me gustaría (I would like) or quisiera (I would like to) also sounds more professional than just quiero (I want).

25 Must-Know Spanish Phrases for Job Interviews

We’ve grouped these into five categories so you can learn what to say for each part of the interview.

A. Greetings and Introductions

1. Mucho gusto. – Nice to meet you.
2. Me llamo __. – My name is __.
3. Soy estudiante de secundaria. – I’m a high school student.
4. Gracias por esta oportunidad. – Thank you for this opportunity.

B. Talking About Your Strengths

5. Soy responsable y puntual. – I’m responsible and punctual.
6. Me gusta trabajar en equipo. – I like working in a team.
7. Aprendo rápido. – I’m a quick learner.
8. Soy organizado/a. – I’m organized.
9. Tengo muchas ganas de aprender. – I’m eager to learn.

C. Describing Experience and Interests

10. Tengo experiencia cuidando niños. – I have experience babysitting.
11. He trabajado como voluntario/a. – I’ve worked as a volunteer.
12. Me interesa el servicio al cliente. – I’m interested in customer service.
13. Me gusta ayudar a las personas. – I like helping people.
14. Hablé español en mi último trabajo. – I spoke Spanish at my last job.

D. Asking and Answering Common Questions

15. ¿Cuáles son mis responsabilidades? – What are my responsibilities?
16. ¿Cuál es el horario de trabajo? – What’s the work schedule?
17. ¿Hay oportunidades para aprender más? – Are there opportunities to learn more?
18. Estoy disponible después de la escuela. – I’m available after school.
19. Estoy dispuesto/a a trabajar los fines de semana. – I’m willing to work weekends.

E. Closing the Interview

20. Muchas gracias por su tiempo. – Thank you very much for your time.
21. Espero su respuesta. – I look forward to your response.
22. Me encantaría formar parte de su equipo. – I’d love to be part of your team.
23. ¿Cuándo sabré si fui seleccionado/a? – When will I know if I was selected?
24. ¿Le puedo dejar mi currículum? – Can I leave you my résumé?
25. Que tenga un buen día. – Have a nice day.

5 Examples in Real Context

1. Entrevistador: ¿Cómo está usted?
   Jordan: Muy bien, gracias. Me llamo Jordan. Mucho gusto.
2. Entrevistador: Cuéntame sobre ti.
   Jordan: Soy estudiante de secundaria. Soy responsable y me gusta trabajar en equipo.
3. Entrevistador: ¿Tienes experiencia?
   Jordan: He trabajado como voluntario y tengo experiencia cuidando niños.
4. Entrevistador: ¿Estás disponible los fines de semana?
   Jordan: Sí, estoy dispuesto a trabajar los fines de semana.
5. Entrevistador: Gracias por venir.
   Jordan: Muchas gracias por su tiempo. Espero su respuesta.

Watch Out: Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing tú and usted in the same conversation
• Overusing slang or casual language
• Translating directly from English (“asistir” does not mean “to assist”)
• Forgetting gender agreement, like saying organizado instead of organizada if you’re female

Need help with gendered nouns and adjectives? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Gender in Spanish.

Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the list above.

1. _______ por esta oportunidad.
2. Soy estudiante de secundaria y ______ trabajar en equipo.
3. Tengo experiencia ______ niños.
4. Estoy ______ a trabajar los fines de semana.
5. Me encantaría ______ parte de su equipo.

Answer Key:

1. Gracias
2. me gusta
3. cuidando
4. dispuesto
5. formar

Wrap-Up: You’ve Got This

You don’t need to memorize a thousand words to sound professional. By learning these 25 phrases, you’re already showing that you’re motivated, prepared, and respectful. The more you practice, the easier it will feel, and before you know it, you’ll be using Spanish in a real job.

Want to get even more comfortable speaking Spanish? Practice these phrases with a native-speaking teacher in a supportive, live class. At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we offer 100% online, flexible, and affordable paired or 1-on-1 lessons designed just for teens.

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