Interviewing for an international job can be even more nerve-wracking in that there are several more variables to account for.
However, with some preparation, expert advice, and these best practice tips, you will be able to ace your next international interview.
How to ace an international interview:
1. Research the Country
The first thing you should know before heading into your international interview is about the country you are hoping to work in.
Thoroughly research the country as if you plan on moving there.
Look up what the cost of living is, if you’ll need to drive or if you can take public transportation, and if they are welcoming and accepting of people from your country.
These types of things should be taken into consideration before deciding if you should take the position and salary offered.
Next, research the customs of the country. Is it customary for you to dress a certain way?
Should you greet people a certain way? Is it common to use formal language with someone of authority?
Are people from this country direct when speaking about topics such as money, religion, etc.?
Researching what common customs are from the country you will be hoping to work in lessens the likelihood that you will be caught off guard or surprised in the interview.
Also, it gives you a better chance of not turning the interviewer off to you simply because of the cultural differences between the two of you.
You also should come prepared for the interview with knowledge of the visa/residency requirements between your country and the country you are interviewing to work in.
If it doesn’t explicitly state on the company’s website that they help with the visa/residency process, it’s important to know details about how difficult it would be for you to obtain the visa, how long the process would take, and how long you could stay in that country.
It’s important to be able to explain in your interview how you plan on obtaining legal working documents and reassure the interviewer that you understand the process.
2. Research the Company
Like in any normal job interview, you want to do extensive research on the company.
Since you won’t be able to go in person to the office to be interviewed to get the feel for the place, it’s extra important you take the time to understand everything you can about the company from afar.
Type in the address of the office into Google Maps or Google Earth. Check out the area and see what is around it.
Next, dive deep into the company’s webpage to see what they’re all about. Go to their mission statement/about us page to see what is important to them as a company.
You want to ensure these types of things aligns with your values so that you don’t show up to a new country to work in a place that ultimately doesn’t suit you.
Look around at their organizational chart either on their website or LinkedIn to get a good idea of who will be on your team and who your manager will be.
Look at the skills listed on each of their LinkedIn profiles and how they describe their position at the company.
This will give you a better idea of what skills you need to possess to get the position and what duties you can expect to perform on the job.
Take a look at their Glassdoor profile, or any other reviews on the company you can find by employees/ex-employees on the web.
Their review profile can provide you with a lot of insight into the company that you might not otherwise be aware of.
Check to see that the company has overall positive reviews from employees. Also, look to see if you can find a salary average for your position.
This will help you determine how much you can expect to be paid and can help you better negotiate your starting pay.
Researching a company’s review profile can help you know what to expect before heading into the interview and can help you formulate questions with a better knowledge of the company.
3. Interview Confidently
After doing the proper research on both the company and country you will be interviewing in you should feel fairly confident going into the interview.
Begin the interview by introducing yourself and maintaining a friendly and upbeat tone.
When answering questions, especially if there is a language barrier, speak slowly and clearly so that it is easy for you to be understood.
Additionally, answer questions thoroughly. Don’t assume the interviewer has read over your resume and knows everything about your work history.
Sometimes, interviewers are very busy and have only had time to glance over your application.
Use the interview to not only answer questions about your previous work history but to also portray your top skills.
As 73% of hiring managers are looking for a candidate with good work ethic, highlighting a time you’ve previously met or exceeded a goal could be a good example of how to highlight this important, sought-after skill.
Other important skills to showcase include being a team player, motivated, and detail-oriented. Pick a few that you excel in and make sure to touch on those multiple times throughout the interview.
At the end of the interview, make sure you come prepared with some questions.
First, to show that you’re interested in the company, be prepared to ask a few questions about how the company structure works, the company culture, and traits that its workers share.
This is important not only to show your interest but also to find out a bit more information firsthand before deciding to make a big move.
Then, you should come prepared to be able to ask some very essential end-of-interview questions.
If the culture allows it, be as direct as possible when asking end-of-interview questions.
Likely there will be a language and/or cultural barrier, therefore being direct can help alleviate some of those miscommunications.
Ask if there are any relocation reimbursements, when they’d like someone to start, and when you can expect to hear back from them.
Make sure you leave the interview with an answer to everything you’d like to know.
After researching both the country and the company you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect when going into your international interview.
Interviewing confidently can make or break your chance of landing your international gig. Following these three easy steps will ensure you ace your next international interview.
Author's Bio: Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is the HR editor for 365BusinessTips.com. She has lived in South America, Europe, and North America and has seen 3 world wonders. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on business industry trends, and traveling.
