An Italian job interview (colloquio di lavoro) commonly follows a recognisable shape: a short self-introduction, questions about your education and past experience, your motivation — "Perché vuole lavorare con noi?" (Why do you want to work with us?) — and, especially if you are new to Italy, questions about your permesso di soggiorno and whether you are authorised to work. Personal rapport tends to matter more than in some Northern European hiring cultures: a warm, well-mannered start and genuine interest in the company count, and the interviewer may ask more about you as a person. But professionalism and hierarchy still hold — use Lei throughout unless the interviewer clearly switches to tu, and use titles where the company does (Dottore, Dottoressa, Ingegnere). Asagno's job-interview roleplay puts you through exactly this with an AI interviewer, at your level, in text or voice, then gives you a full report — objectives met, language mistakes with corrections, and phrases that would have landed better — so you rehearse before it counts.
What you'll learn
- A short, structured self-introduction: name, background, relevant experience, why this role
- Talking about past jobs and achievements with the passato prossimo — and ongoing roles with the imperfetto
- Answering "Perché vuole lavorare con noi?" specifically, with something you actually know about the company
- Staying in Lei, and the professional titles (Dottore, Dottoressa, Ingegnere) commonly used in Italian workplaces
- Questions it is normal — even expected — for you to ask the interviewer at the end
- AI interview roleplay at your level, with a full report of mistakes and better phrasing
Stronger answers to common moments
Weak: "Sono molto motivato e imparo in fretta." (I am very motivated and learn quickly.) Stronger: "Nel mio ultimo lavoro coordinavo un gruppo di tre persone e ho introdotto un nuovo sistema per gli ordini che ha ridotto gli errori." (In my last job I coordinated a team of three, and I introduced a new ordering system that reduced errors.) Specific, in the past, and it uses both past tenses correctly: the ongoing role (coordinavo) and the single achievement (ho introdotto).
"Posso chiederLe com'è organizzato il team in cui lavorerei?" — "May I ask how the team I would be working in is organised?" A good closing question: polite (chiederLe, in the Lei form), specific, and it shows you are already picturing yourself in the role.
Frequently asked questions
What level of Italian do I need for a job interview?
It depends entirely on the role and employer — some international or technical companies interview partly in English, while most customer-facing roles or jobs with Italian employers expect at least B1–B2. Check the job listing or ask before assuming.
Will I be asked about my residence status?
Often, yes — employers in Italy need to know you are authorised to work, so a question about your permesso di soggiorno is normal and expected, not a red flag. Which permit allows which kind of work is a legal question that can change; confirm your own situation with the Questura or the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione.
How formal should I be?
Start formal: "Buongiorno", a handshake, Lei. Italian interviews can feel warmer and more conversational than you expect, but let the interviewer set that tone rather than switching to tu yourself.