Interviewing Tips for International Students
- Enhance communication skills by:
- talking and speaking up in class
- making presentations
- making friends and talking with Americans
- taking communication courses for credit
- attending workshops at the Career Center
- joining and participating in multinational clubs
- watching television
- reading newspapers and academic publications
- Study commonly asked interview questions, write answers to those questions, and practice those responses in front of a mirror as well as with friends.
- Schedule a practice interview with Career Services to receive feedback on interview skills.
U.S. Interview |
International Interview |
Be punctual. Arrive 5 to 15 minutes prior to appointment. |
Personal relationships may be more important than time. Being late may not be a problem. |
Eye contact is expected and shows confidence. |
Eye contact, especially with persons of higher status, may be disrespectful. |
Interviewer styles vary. May begin with direct questions or minimal small talk. |
Interviewers commonly start with small talk and look for information regarding character or personality. |
Interviewer may do most of the talking or may expect the candidate to do most of the talking. |
Interviewer may talk for the majority of the interview. |
Questions regarding age, race, gender, and marital status are illegal. |
Age, race, gender, or marital status may be issues in the interview. Males may be expected to dominate interactions with females. Younger people may be expected to show deference to older people. |
Expect direct questions regarding competency, experience |
Indirect questions regarding competency, experience |
Open discussion of accomplishments and skills shows confidence. |
Citing accomplishments and skills might be considered boastful, self-serving, or too individualistic. |
Show clear self knowledge, career goals and long-term plans NOTE: It may be important to be flexible, however, to initially obtain employment. |
Jobs may be assigned by government or family. Questioning one's role in a company may be seen as disloyal. Companies sometimes assign work and expect individuals to accept what is available. |
Interviewer may expect immediate competency and look at each new employee for a 2 to 5 year commitment. |
Interviewer may not expect immediate competence and instead be looking for a long-term employee. |
Self-disclosure of strengths, weaknesses, personality, leadership style, problem-solving abilities, etc. may be appropriate. |
Personal questions regarding such issues might be considered an invasion of privacy. |
Researching the organization and demonstrating that knowledge during the interview is expected. It shows initiative and interest. |
Researching an organization in advance may show too much initiative and independence. |
Acceptable to ask an employer at the close of the interview where they are in the interview process and when the candidate can expect to hear back from them. |
Asking an employer during an interview where they are in the interview process and when you can expect to hear back from them may be seen as too forward. |
Inquiring about the status of an application after the interview is acceptable and demonstrates interest in the position. |
Inquiring about the status of an application after the interview may be seen as rude. |
