Latihan Soal Bahasa Inggris untuk Kerja: Persiapan Interview dan Tes Lengkap!

1. The manager asked the new employee ____ to complete the report by Friday.

• for
• at
• to
• on

Answer: to

Explanation: The verb ‘ask’ when followed by an object and an infinitive uses ‘to’ before the infinitive verb.

2. If I _____ more experience, I _____ for that senior position.

• had, will apply
• have, would apply
• had, would apply
• have, will apply

Answer: had, would apply

Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence, used for hypothetical situations in the present or future. The structure is ‘If + past simple, would + base verb’.

3. Due to the unexpected technical issue, we had to _____ the meeting until next week.

• call off
• put off
• take off
• set up

Answer: put off

Explanation: ‘Put off’ is a phrasal verb meaning to postpone. ‘Call off’ means to cancel, ‘take off’ means to depart or remove, ‘set up’ means to arrange or establish.

4. The company is looking for candidates with excellent communication skills and a strong _____ ethic.

• professional
• work
• business
• job

Answer: work

Explanation: ‘Work ethic’ is a common collocation referring to the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward. ‘Professional’, ‘business’, and ‘job’ do not form a standard collocation with ‘ethic’ in this context.

5. Which of the following is the most appropriate closing for a formal business letter?

• Cheers
• Best regards
• Sincerely
• See you soon

Answer: Sincerely

Explanation: ‘Sincerely’ is a standard formal closing for a business letter. ‘Best regards’ is slightly less formal but still acceptable, while ‘Cheers’ and ‘See you soon’ are informal.

6. The report _____ by the marketing team last month.

• submitted
• was submitted
• is submitted
• has submitted

Answer: was submitted

Explanation: The sentence is in the passive voice because the report is the object of the action, and the action happened in the past. Therefore, ‘was submitted’ is the correct past passive form.

7. We need to _____ the pros and cons before making a final decision.

• measure
• count
• weigh
• think

Answer: weigh

Explanation: ‘Weigh the pros and cons’ is an idiom meaning to consider the advantages and disadvantages carefully. ‘Measure’, ‘count’, and ‘think’ are not idiomatic in this context.

8. She has been working for this company _____ five years.

• since
• from
• during
• for

Answer: for

Explanation: ‘For’ is used with a period of time (e.g., ‘five years’) to indicate duration, while ‘since’ is used with a specific point in time (e.g., ‘since 2018’).

9. The CEO emphasized the importance _____ innovation in today’s market.

• in
• on
• of
• to

Answer: of

Explanation: The noun ‘importance’ is typically followed by the preposition ‘of’ when indicating what is important.

10. Could you please _____ me on the progress of the project?

• inform
• update
• notify
• brief

Answer: update

Explanation: ‘Update’ means to give someone the latest information. ‘Inform’, ‘notify’, and ‘brief’ are similar but ‘update on’ is the most common and natural collocation in this context.

11. If the company _____ its sales targets, bonuses _____ paid out.

• will meet, are
• meets, will be
• met, would be
• is meeting, are being

Answer: meets, will be

Explanation: This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence, used for real or likely situations in the future. The structure is ‘If + present simple, will + base verb’. The second clause is in passive voice.

12. The new policy will be _____ next month.

• initiated
• implemented
• applied
• proposed

Answer: implemented

Explanation: ‘Implemented’ means put into effect, which is appropriate for a policy. ‘Initiated’ means started, ‘applied’ means put into practice (often to a specific case), and ‘proposed’ means suggested.

13. He succeeded _____ getting the promotion after years of hard work.

• on
• at
• for
• in

Answer: in

Explanation: The verb ‘succeed’ is typically followed by the preposition ‘in’ when indicating achievement.

14. Please find _____ the attached report for more details.

• inclosed
• enclosed
• attached
• put

Answer: attached

Explanation: The phrase ‘Please find attached’ is a standard business idiom for referring to an accompanying document. ‘Enclosed’ is used for physical documents.

15. The project deadline is approaching, so we need to _____ up our efforts.

• speed
• make
• step
• pick

Answer: step

Explanation: ‘Step up’ means to increase or intensify one’s efforts. ‘Speed up’ means to increase pace, ‘make up’ means to compensate or invent, and ‘pick up’ means to collect or improve.

16. Neither the manager _____ the employees were happy with the new regulations.

• or
• and
• nor
• but

Answer: nor

Explanation: ‘Neither… nor’ is a correlative conjunction used to connect two negative alternatives. ‘Either… or’ is used for positive alternatives.

17. It’s crucial to _____ accurate records of all transactions.

• hold
• keep
• maintain
• preserve

Answer: maintain

Explanation: ‘Maintain records’ is a common collocation meaning to keep records updated and accurate. ‘Hold’, ‘keep’, and ‘preserve’ can be used, but ‘maintain’ is the most formal and appropriate in a business context.

18. If you had informed us earlier, we _____ the necessary arrangements.

• would make
• had made
• would have made
• will make

Answer: would have made

Explanation: This is a Type 3 Conditional sentence, used for past hypothetical situations that did not happen. The structure is ‘If + past perfect, would have + past participle’.

19. The company’s _____ profits decreased significantly last quarter.

• gross
• total
• net
• overall

Answer: net

Explanation: ‘Net profits’ refers to the profit remaining after all expenses, including taxes, have been deducted. ‘Gross’ refers to profit before deductions. ‘Total’ and ‘overall’ are more general.

20. We are seeking a candidate who is highly _____ and can work independently.

• motivation
• motivate
• motivated
• motivating

Answer: motivated

Explanation: ‘Motivated’ describes someone who is eager and enthusiastic to do something. ‘Motivation’ is the noun, ‘motivate’ is the verb, and ‘motivating’ is the present participle often used to describe something that causes motivation.

1. What does ‘ROI’ stand for in a business context?

Answer: Return on Investment

Explanation: ROI is a common financial metric used to evaluate the efficiency or profitability of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments.

2. Explain the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’.

Answer: ‘Affect’ is typically used as a verb meaning to influence or produce a change in something. ‘Effect’ is most commonly used as a noun meaning a result or consequence.

Explanation: Understanding the distinction between these two commonly confused words is important for clear and precise business communication. ‘Affect’ is almost always a verb (e.g., ‘The decision will affect our sales’), while ‘effect’ is almost always a noun (e.g., ‘The effect of the decision was positive’).

3. Write a short professional email subject line for an email asking for a meeting to discuss a new project proposal.

Answer: Meeting Request: New Project Proposal Discussion

Explanation: A good subject line should be clear, concise, and immediately convey the purpose of the email. Including keywords like ‘Meeting Request’ and ‘New Project Proposal’ helps the recipient quickly understand the email’s content.

4. In a job interview, why is it important to ask questions to the interviewer?

Answer: Asking questions demonstrates your engagement, interest in the role and company, and analytical thinking. It also helps you gather information to determine if the job is a good fit for you.

Explanation: Asking thoughtful questions shows that you’ve done your research, are genuinely interested, and are actively considering your future with the company. It can also reveal information about the company culture, team dynamics, and future opportunities.

5. Define ‘proactive’ in the workplace.

Answer: Being ‘proactive’ in the workplace means anticipating future problems, needs, or changes and taking action to prepare for or address them before they become an issue, rather than just reacting to them.

Explanation: Proactivity is a highly valued trait in professional environments, as it indicates initiative, foresight, and a commitment to problem-solving and efficiency.

1. Describe a challenging situation you faced at work and how you handled it. What did you learn from that experience?

Answer: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I encountered a significant challenge when a key team member unexpectedly resigned in the middle of a critical project. This left a void in expertise and threatened to derail our timeline. To address this, I first quickly assessed the immediate impact on tasks and dependencies. Then, I proactively communicated the situation to our project manager, outlining the potential risks and proposing immediate solutions, which included redistributing some tasks among the existing team members based on their strengths and temporarily outsourcing a specific technical component. Simultaneously, I initiated an expedited internal knowledge transfer session with the departing team member to capture as much critical information as possible. I also volunteered to take on some of the less specialized tasks myself to alleviate the burden on others. While the initial weeks were demanding, through clear communication, teamwork, and quick problem-solving, we managed to stay on track and deliver the project successfully, albeit with minor adjustments to the original scope. From this experience, I learned the crucial importance of contingency planning, effective crisis communication, and leveraging team strengths during unexpected challenges. It also reinforced my belief in the power of adaptability and proactive leadership.

Explanation: This question assesses problem-solving skills, critical thinking, communication, and self-reflection. A good answer includes a clear description of the situation, the actions taken, the outcome, and a valuable lesson learned, demonstrating growth and resilience.

2. Imagine you are applying for a job that requires strong teamwork skills. How would you demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team, both in your application and in an interview?

Answer: To demonstrate strong teamwork skills in my application, I would highlight specific examples in my resume and cover letter where I collaborated successfully on projects, mentioning my role, the team’s objective, and the positive outcome achieved. I would use action verbs like ‘collaborated,’ ‘contributed,’ ‘facilitated,’ and ‘supported.’ I would also list any leadership roles within team settings or participation in cross-functional projects. In an interview, I would elaborate on these experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide detailed narratives. For example, I might describe a time I mediated a disagreement among team members, actively listened to diverse perspectives, or supported a struggling colleague to ensure project success. I would emphasize my communication style – being open to feedback, constructive in criticism, and proactive in offering help. Additionally, I would discuss my understanding of different team roles and my ability to adapt my approach to best support the team’s overall goals, showcasing my flexibility and commitment to collective success. I would also ask questions about the company’s team culture to show my interest in a collaborative environment.

Explanation: This question tests a candidate’s understanding of teamwork, self-awareness, and ability to articulate their skills effectively in both written and verbal formats. A strong answer uses concrete examples and demonstrates a reflective approach to collaboration.

3. Write a short, professional email to your supervisor requesting a one-day leave for a personal appointment next week. Include all necessary details.

Answer: Subject: Leave Request – [Your Name] – [Date of Leave] Dear [Supervisor’s Name], I am writing to respectfully request one day of leave on [Day of the week], [Date], for a personal appointment. I understand the importance of my responsibilities and will ensure all urgent tasks are completed before my leave, and I will also prepare a handover for [colleague’s name, if applicable] for any critical ongoing matters. I will be reachable by phone/email for urgent matters if absolutely necessary. I will confirm my availability for that day once the appointment is finalized. Thank you for considering my request. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Position]

Explanation: This question assesses professional email etiquette, clarity, conciseness, and foresight in managing responsibilities. A good answer includes a clear subject line, polite tone, specific date, reason (briefly, if personal), and assurance of task completion/handover.

4. Discuss the importance of continuous learning and professional development in today’s rapidly changing job market.

Answer: In today’s dynamic job market, characterized by rapid technological advancements, evolving industry standards, and global competition, continuous learning and professional development are not merely beneficial but essential for career longevity and success. The half-life of skills is shrinking, meaning that what was relevant yesterday may be obsolete tomorrow. Employees who commit to lifelong learning remain adaptable, acquire new competencies, and stay current with industry trends, making them more valuable assets to their organizations. This commitment fosters innovation, improves problem-solving abilities, and can lead to increased productivity and efficiency. From an individual perspective, continuous development opens doors to new opportunities, promotions, and greater job satisfaction. It also builds resilience, allowing individuals to pivot their careers or adapt to new roles more effectively. For organizations, investing in employee development cultivates a highly skilled workforce, enhances employee retention, and strengthens their competitive advantage. Ultimately, embracing continuous learning creates a culture of growth and ensures that both individuals and companies can thrive amidst constant change.

Explanation: This question evaluates a candidate’s understanding of career growth, industry trends, and their perspective on personal and professional improvement. A strong answer connects continuous learning to adaptability, innovation, career advancement, and organizational benefits.

5. Explain how you manage your time and prioritize tasks when faced with multiple deadlines.

Answer: When faced with multiple deadlines, my approach to time management and prioritization involves a structured process to ensure efficiency and reduce stress. First, I begin by listing all tasks and their respective deadlines. Then, I assess the urgency and importance of each task using a method similar to the Eisenhower Matrix, categorizing them into ‘urgent and important,’ ‘important but not urgent,’ ‘urgent but not important,’ and ‘neither urgent nor important.’ This helps me visually prioritize. For ‘urgent and important’ tasks, they receive immediate attention. I break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make them less daunting and track progress more effectively. I also consider the dependencies between tasks; if one task cannot start until another is complete, I prioritize the precursor. I use digital tools like calendar reminders and project management software to keep track of deadlines and milestones. Throughout the process, I regularly review my priorities and adjust as new tasks arise or circumstances change. If workload becomes genuinely unmanageable, I proactively communicate with my supervisor to discuss potential re-prioritization or delegation, ensuring transparency and realistic expectations. This systematic approach allows me to remain organized, focused, and effective in meeting all my commitments.

Explanation: This question assesses organizational skills, strategic thinking, and resilience under pressure. A strong answer details a specific method or strategy (e.g., Eisenhower Matrix, breaking down tasks, using tools), shows adaptability, and includes communication as a key element of management.

1. Match the business term with its correct definition.

Answer: {“A”: “C”, “B”: “E”, “C”: “B”, “D”: “A”, “E”: “D”}

Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common business vocabulary.

2. Match the phrasal verb with its meaning.

Answer: {“A”: “C”, “B”: “A”, “C”: “D”, “D”: “E”, “E”: “B”}

Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common English phrasal verbs used in a professional context.