“I Am Doing Studying”: Small English Mistakes That Recruiters Notice in Interviews

“I Am Doing Studying”: Small English Mistakes That Recruiters Notice and That Can Cost You a Job

If you have ever been asked in an interview or by a senior:

“What are you doing currently?” …and you replied: “I am doing studying.”

Let me tell you: you are not alone. This is one of the most common answers fresh graduates give, I screen hundreds of candidates daily especially students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 colleges. And while the intention behind this sentence is absolutely correct, the English is not.

This blog is written to guide, not judge. Its purpose is to help students understand:

why this sentence is wrong? and what to say instead, and how small grammar mistakes can quietly affect job opportunities.

What Students Actually Mean?

When a student says “I am doing studying”, they usually mean:

I am studying now

I am pursuing my degree

I am in college

I am preparing for exams or placements

The thought is clear. The problem lies in sentence structure.

Why “I Am Doing Studying” Is Wrong 

Let me give you a Simple Explanation:

In English, we cannot use two main action words together.

Doing = action

Studying = action

Using both together makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

✖ I am doing studying
✔ I am studying

Mother Tongue Influence: The Real Reason

In Hindi and many Indian languages, we naturally say:

"Main padhai kar raha hoon"

When this is translated directly into English, students end up saying: "I am doing studying"

But English cannot be translated word by word. English works on structure, not literal translation.

This is why many intelligent and capable students struggle in interviews,  not because they lack knowledge, but because no one taught them how to convert thoughts into correct English.

Correct & Professional Alternatives 

You Should Use Simple and Safe Answers

✔ I am studying.

✔ I am a college student. Better and More Professional

✔ I am pursuing my bachelor’s degree.

✔ I am in my final year of graduation.

So, by now, you must have understood the error, let's move on to some;

Interview-Ready Answers

✔ I am currently pursuing my final year of B.Com and preparing for placements.

✔ I have completed my graduation and I am looking for entry-level opportunities.


These answers sound clear, confident, and professional. You can answer confidently without using complicated English.

What Recruiters Actually Think when they hear such answers:

Campus Interview

Student: I am doing studying now.
Recruiter’s Thought: Good candidate, but weak communication basics. If a candidate cannot explain what they are doing, how will they explain work to clients?

Example: Customer Support Role

Student: I am from B.Tech and doing job search.

Recruiter’s Thought: “We don’t expect perfect English. We expect correct English.”
Correct Way: I have completed B.Tech and I am looking for a job.


Two Similar Candidates

Candidate A: Strong technical skills, poor sentence formation

Candidate B: Average skills, clear communication

Selected: Candidate B


Skills can be trained but Communication gaps take longer to fix but not Impossible, if you practice the sentences with correct syntax you can make a habit of speaking good English. There's a lot available on the internet and Free....

Common English Mistakes Fresh Graduates Make

✖ Wrong Sentence            ✔ Correct Sentence

I am doing studying                    I am studying
I am having a degree                  I have a degree
I did my graduation                    I completed my graduation
I am from B.Com                       I have completed B.Com
I am working as a fresher           I am a fresher looking for opportunities


See, how simple it is, avoiding these small mistakes can instantly improve how professional you sound.

Why Poor Grammar Can Cost You a Job

Recruiters may ignore one small mistake. But repeated grammar errors signal lack of confidence, poor communication skills, difficulty in professional conversations.

In most interviews, the first impression is formed in the first two minutes. Your English plays a major role there.

Important Truth Every Student Should Know

✖ English is not about accent
✖ English is not about big vocabulary

✔ English is about clarity and correctness

Simple English spoken correctly is always better than complicated English spoken wrongly. The more natural you speak, the impressive it becomes. It is not necessary to copy the accent of someone, or some particular accent, it kills your natural tendency to express yourself. I have always ben praised for my natural conversational English that automatically takes Hindu or Urdu words into it and people find it impressive to hear. 

How Students Can Improve English Without Fear

You don’t need expensive courses. As I told you a lot of genuine, good and comprehensive material is available on the internet.  

Start small:

• Prepare fixed answers for common interview questions
• Speak slowly; speed increases mistakes
• Stop translating from your mother tongue
• Listen to simple English interviews and conversations
• Accept correction; it helps you grow

Consistency matters more than perfection.

My Final Message to Students: 

If you have said “I am doing studying”, don’t feel embarrassed. It only means no one corrected you earlier.

English is a skill, not a talent.

Your degree helps you get shortlisted. Your communication helps you get selected.

Start correcting small sentences today and you will rock.....

Do write your feedback/Comments and Queries

The author can be reached at hr@suficonsulting.com