International Job Interview Tips
The world over employers looks for the same qualities in their applicants regardless of whether the job is in the USA, Poland or Hong Kong. Overseas employers want to know a lot more about you than just your characteristics, contained in your CV or resume, that may or may not qualify you for both the job and the international living situation, before uprooting you (and possibly your family) and transporting you thousands of kilometres to their foreign operation.
Manage your online presence on LinkedIn or Facebook. Hiring managers use them more frequently to consult your profile and supplement or check against the CV/resume you send along. Eliminate any photos and statements that could reflect poorly on you. From an employer’s point of view, someone who emphasizes partying on a social networking site is not focused on jobs and those who post complaints about work or colleagues are less desirable candidates. Online CVs/resumes should not include sensitive information as they could show a lack of respect for confidentiality and discretion.
Candidates should be aware that there might be subtle conventions associated with the international job interview and application process within different countries.
Argentina | Denmark | Italy | Pakistan | South Korea |
Australia | Dominican Rep | Japan | Panama | Spain |
Austria | Ecuador | Kenya | Paraguay | Sweden |
Bahrain | Egypt | Kuwait | Peru | Switzerland |
Bangladesh | Finland | Liechtenstein | Philippines | Taiwan |
Belgium | France | Luxembourg | Poland | Thailand |
Bolivia | Germany | Malaysia | Portugal | Turkey |
Brazil | Greece | Malta | Puerto Rico | UAE |
Canada | Guatemala | Mexico | Qatar | UK |
Chile | Hong Kong | Morocco | Romania | Ukraine |
China | Hungary | Netherlands | Russia | Uruguay |
Colombia | India | New Zealand | Saudi Arabia | USA |
Costa Rica | Indonesia | Nigeria | Singapore | Venezuela |
Cyprus | Ireland | Norway | Slovakia | Vietnam |
Czechia | Israel | Oman | South Africa | Virgin Islands |
A brilliant resume or CV and cover letter, sent to job recruiters and executive recruiters, create interview opportunities but they will not secure you a job.
The job interview is your chance to back up in person everything that the employer has read about you in your CV, resume, cover letter or job applications.
These same keywords you used in your resume or CV will be the foundation for your job interview. Not only do you need to be able to write about your keywords, but also during an interview, you must be able to talk about them as well, in strong and powerful statements that highlight your successes, contributions and achievements.
This will probably be your first direct contact with the company and will give you an insight into its workings and the chance to meet with its personnel to see if it is a place that you would like to work.
Whilst interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, you should remember that the interviewer is only human and it is possible that s/he is nervous also.
The primary part of the job interview is interviewer questions.
If you are prepared for the job interview, dress and behave as in dress codes, you will be able to promote your qualifications effectively as you respond to questions, particularly about yourself, why you want the job and what you can contribute to the company
Always ask questions because this demonstrates your prior research and interest in the job.
Do not volunteer information that the interviewer doesn’t ask for.
Maintain eye contact while talking with someone.
Other International Job Interview Info
Hopefully, you received an invitation to a job interview. So, now you need:
- Look at job interview tips and other job interview skills,
- Dress appropriately as suggested in the international dress code,
- Check the job interview tips dos and don’ts,
- Find out why people are not being hired.
Follow up your job interview with a thank you letter. Employers regard this as an indication of your strong interest in the position.
We strongly believe that if you followed all steps in finding jobs to this step, you will pass the job interview and get the job you wanted. Now you need to know How to Keep Your Job!
In addition, on job search, cover letter, CV & resume, job interviews and dress codes pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.
Good luck with your international job interview!