| Candidates new to the North American job market | | | | practice to take a sip before answering a difficult |
| face a great challenge. They must compete in a new | | | | interview question, since you will gain a few precious |
| country where they may not be so familiar with the | | | | seconds to gather your thoughts before answering. |
| local culture and work environment. Where English is | | | | Eye contact |
| not their first language, these candidates new to North | | | | In some Eastern cultures direct eye contact with one's |
| America face an even greater challenge. We have | | | | superiors or elders is avoided, since it is a sign of |
| interviewed many foreign workers who are technically | | | | disrespect. In an interview in North America, the exact |
| brilliant, but don't interview well. While our job interview | | | | opposite is true. Direct eye contact, signals to the |
| courses provided a more comprehensive training, | | | | interviewer that you are honest, trustworthy and |
| below are a few common mistakes that we have | | | | dependable. While we are on this topic of body |
| seen that can be prevented. | | | | language, don't forget that a smile communicates to |
| Understanding the question. | | | | your interviewer your warmth and friendliness. So |
| Understanding the interview question is critical to | | | | remember eye contact and a smile goes a long way |
| answering it correctly. Make sure you understand the | | | | in developing report with your interviewer. |
| question completely before you attempt to answer it. I | | | | Cultural awareness |
| have seen many candidates, who did not answer an | | | | Understanding the work culture that you are interested |
| interview question correctly because they | | | | in becoming a part of what help you interview better. |
| misunderstood what they were being asked. If English | | | | We have interviewed many candidates whose |
| is not your first language, here are some tips you can | | | | answers could be significantly improved with this |
| use to help you during an interview. | | | | understanding. For example, in our job interview |
| If you did not understand the interview question asked, | | | | coaching sessions with a foreign candidate I ask a |
| don't be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat or | | | | standard interview question to assess conflict |
| clarify the question. Here it is your responsibility to | | | | resolution: |
| request clarification, until you understand the question. | | | | "Describe a time when you had a conflict at work and |
| Asking the interviewer to clarify the question is much | | | | how you handled it?" |
| better than attempting to answer a question that you | | | | Not knowing how to respond, not knowing that |
| misunderstood. | | | | workplace conflict is accepted and acknowledged as |
| Writing notes during an interview can help you | | | | part of work, many times these candidates would |
| understand the interview question and prepare your | | | | respond by saying simply that "I have never had or I |
| answer. If you could write faster or if you feel more | | | | do not have conflicts with others or I get along with |
| comfortable writing in your native language than do so. | | | | everyone". In our debrief, these candidates would |
| Take note of the key items in the question that you | | | | explain that in their cultures having a conflict at work is |
| need to address and jot down key answer points. This | | | | considered extremely negative. Unfortunately, this type |
| will help you ensure that you do not forget important | | | | of answer does not provide an interviewer the |
| points in your answer. This technique is especially | | | | information needed to assess your conflict resolution |
| useful with complex more difficult questions. When | | | | skills. The result is not getting any score or credit for |
| taking notes, do not transcribe the entire question and | | | | that question which puts you at a disadvantage when |
| answer, rather write down a few key words that you | | | | compared against other candidates. |
| will address. I can recall an attendee from one of our | | | | Understanding the differences identifying potential |
| interview workshops who was a very qualified | | | | conflicts is as important as knowing the positives you |
| Telecom Engineer but whose English was not as | | | | bring to the table. Celebrate the differences that you |
| strong. I had no doubt that he was a strong candidate | | | | bring that compliment a workplace. Since progressive |
| but sometimes he misunderstood the question and | | | | employers and employers who want progress |
| provided an incomplete answer since he rushed when | | | | understand different viewpoints and backgrounds are |
| responding. Through our interview workshop, we | | | | the building blocks of innovation. |
| provided this candidate some personalized answering | | | | So if you are new to North America and the Western |
| strategies that included taking notes. He improved his | | | | work culture, take some time to learn about the work |
| interview skills dramatically. | | | | culture that you are entering into. Learn about the local |
| If the interviewer offers you a drink, take it. It is not | | | | work culture of the company, the city, and the country |
| impolite to accept the offer of a drink in an interview. | | | | that you are interested in becoming a part of. Look for |
| Believe me after 20 minutes or more of talking you will | | | | similarities, differences, complements and conflicts. By |
| be glad you had a glass of water especially if you are | | | | understanding the local culture, you will improve your |
| nervous and your mouth becomes dry. You will | | | | interview responses significantly. |
| perform better when you are well-hydrated. It is good | | | | |