What
are
Overseas Job Interviews Like?
Can you give me some
tips?
What about telephone interviews?
See also the
Expatriate Resumes
and CVs page on this website for some similar
issues.
This really
depends on the type of job you are looking for - and the
specific company. The type of interviews can range
from as formal - or even more so - as in your home
country, to laughably easy and informal conducted over a
few beers.
In addition
to the usual issues of skills, experience and
qualifications, a big issue on the mind of overseas
employers is: Will you last? Many expatriate
employees do not. Some don't show up at all.
Some go to lunch the first day and never return.
Don't forget that turnover is often a VERY expensive
issue for overseas employers. To find the right
person, hire them, wait for them to arrive, get all
their visa and working papers organized is time
consuming and often very expensive. They want to
know you will last the full term of the contract.
If you are looking for a teaching position overseas, the employer is
often trying to get a feel if
you are a friendly and pleasant person to work with - in
additional to the qualification and experience issues.
The
Usual Interview
A
typical interview almost doesn't exist. So really, you
probably can't do much to prepare, except to put
yourself in a good mood, smile a lot, dress
appropriately, prepare good responses to any obvious
flaws in your resume - and go for it.
Odd
Questions
Most expatriates, at one time or another, have been asked
such oddities as, "Do you like kimchee?" or "How do you
feel about hitting your students?" (if a
teaching position). Answer honestly -
you might as well hit the issues before you get there!
Some interviewers may lead you into conversations about
illegal or morally/socially unacceptable behavior to
determine if you are of the caliber they hope.
Telephone Interviews
These type interviews are not uncommon, for obvious
reasons. Try to speak clearly - some connections won't
be good. Be polite if you can't understand what is
being asked (which will sometimes be the case!).
Try
to avoid this:
