There is a lot you can do when preparing for your international job interviews. This preparation will help you feel more professional and secure when the time actually comes to interview for that international position. Since recruiters are meeting with many qualified candidates, it is vital to put your best foot forward.
Appearance Is Key
This may sound cliché, but your appearance is vital for your first impression with recruiters. Recruiters have traveled a long way to find good quality talent, so you want to convey to them that you are just that. Regardless of gender, if you don’t own a suit, you should go out and buy one or clothing that will communicate your professionalism.
Dress modestly. Many countries that hire internationally have more modest views of how women should dress, so this is even more important for an international interview than for a regular interview. Stay away from low-cut shirts, short skirts, and anything too tight or revealing. Remember that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, and always make sure that your clothing is spotless.
What to Bring
You should take a hard copy of your application package, minus the cover letter, with you to the interview. Even though your recruiter will likely have one with them, it is better to be prepared. They may also ask you for one of the documents in your application package if they have misplaced one or if they want to see if you’ve come prepared for the interview.
You should also bring your original certificates and references with you in a folder. Many recruiters will want to see your original documents in person as these can be forged or tampered with on a computer. If you have a professional business portfolio, remember to bring this to the interview as well.
Do a Mock Interview
It is also a great idea to go through a mock interview as practice. Brainstorm and then make a list of all the questions you have ever been asked in a job interview. Once you’ve made your list, prepare answers to them so you’ll be ready to answer these types of questions at the interview. Go over these questions and your prepared answers as practice for your interview to be more confident, prepared, and less nervous.
Once you have your mock interview completed, sit down with someone and practice answering your questions. Practicing an interview with someone else is a great way to determine how you perform in an interview. Ask the person for feedback regarding your body language, likeability, and tone, volume, and pace of speech. They can also tell you if you have any nervous behaviors such as fidgeting that you will have to pay special attention to.
Have an effective way to address anything that could be seen as negative by the interview based upon the experience or qualifications you listed in your resume
You might be asked questions about what you’ve included in your resume, so be prepared with solid answers. The better prepared you are going into the interview, the less nervous you will be and the better you will do.
What other tips can you offer fellow job seekers? Comment and share below! If you need help finding an international job or preparing for an interview, contact Candace for assistance today!