INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW ADVICE FOR YOU. The interview is the turning point in any job search. No amount of groundwork done for the interview is too much. During an interview, the task is not just to convince the organization of your skills and abilities, but to show them that these skills and abilities are a perfect fit for their requirement. You have to demonstrate that you understand and value what they are doing and are interested enough to be willing to live and work in a new, unfamiliar setting. Be honest about your capabilities; it will actually go a long way in helping you find a job that keeps you happy. Most large organisations abroad have a standard format for conducting interviews. You will likely face a panel comprising an HR manager, a global/ international manager and a manager from the particular team or department you are applying to. To prepare better, you could ask in advance for details of the panel that would conduct your interview. In the digital age, candidates are assessed right from the moment their name first pops into the recruiter’s inbox. Many companies may check your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other profiles, and some will even pay an external agency to verify your credentials. This means that you should be prepared to field questions about anything and everything in your bio-data, whether or not you explicitly mentioned it on your resume. For some positions, interviews can last for hours. Second interviews conducted by a new panel, too, are common. In addition to your professional background, most companies will try to get information about your health and family life as well. Candidates who demonstrate a balanced, realistic perspective on living and working overseas and who showcase soft skills such as an ability to work with people from different cultures/ nationalities, are likely to be preferred. As in domestic recruitment, the ability to work well as part of a team is valued highly. We’ve listed below a few quick tips to prepare you for your international job interview, whether it is conducted online, on the phone, or in person. Go face-to-face, confidently Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview and turn off your cell phone If no one is available to introduce you, shake each person’s hand and introduce yourself Maintain eye contact while addressing anyone Promote your qualifications effectively, particularly as you answer questions about why you want the job and what you can contribute to the company Always ask questions about the job, the lines of authority and your future responsibilities, because this demonstrates your research and interest in the job Follow up the interview with a ‘Thank you’ letter. Employers regard this as an indication of your strong interest in the position. Get a job, on the phone: For telephonic interviews: Fix the place where you will attend the phone call. Make sure the place is quiet and has good network coverage Have your resume and a glass of water with you Keep a pen and notepad in place Avoid keeping the phone engaged a few minutes prior to the interview. The interviewer may call a bit early Note your interviewer’s name and address them with it Make sure the interviewer has followed what you have said. Else, repeat yourself slowly and clearly. Crack the Video/ Skype interview: Equipment: Make sure someone shows you how to use the equipment beforehand and test everything out in advance Camera: Set up the camera so it focuses on you. If you can get a tight head/ shoulders/ desk shot, this is the best. Dress professionally Microphone: Make sure the mic is near you. Even little noises can be very loud and distracting on the other end, so be careful about shuffling papers and tapping the table near the microphone Watch yourself: Some systems allow you to keep a ‘picture-in-picture’ of yourself on the screen, so you’ll be able to see what the other person sees Multiple interviewers: You cannot make direct eye contact to signal whom you are speaking with. It is therefore important to get the names of the interviewers in advance, and use the names to indicate who you are focusing on, during the interview. So there! Ready to get cracking? Take the first step with our free trial of the Personal Job Hunt Manager where a real person helps you at every stage of your job search process, finds jobs that fit your profile and tailors your CV and applications to the selected jobs. Now, go get that job that awaits you! *Source: The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development(CIPD) UK
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:04:42 +0000
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