The difference in landing the job or not can be down to preparation. How prepared are you? Here we look at some key pointers that will help you be prepared.
Research
Research is absolutely essential. The recruiter wants someone who understands what he or she is getting into and applying for. You will score over other candidates simply by having a clear idea and knowledge of the company, the job position, and what they are looking for over and above the brief in the job description.
Spend time researching the company you’re applying to. Look at their industry, products, services and the marketplace as well as their competitors. Also research the team or individuals you would be working with and the interviewer.
Prepare for the Questions and the Answers
An ideal way to prepare is to write out your responses to the most typical interview questions. Whilst there’s no need to memorize the answers, you have to be ready to answer. For every typical question, try to incorporate an example from your experience, for example work, education and interests so that the answers are relatable to the job.
Tell Me About Yourself
With this question the interviewer is checking your level of confidence. Remember when answering this question, the role you are interviewing for and the company culture. Ideally give a short overview of your education qualifications, previous work experience and a little of your family background, but not too much personal details. Highlight your professional skills and aspects of your personality demonstrates to the interviewer why you are the ideal candidate for the job. The answer should be a brief summary of your skills, interests, and experiences and why those make you ideal for the job.
Why Do You Want A Job With This Company?
It’s important to emphasise that you understand and respect the company objectives and ethos, and that you identify with them. Emphasise how you believe the job would enable you to apply your skills whilst developing new ones.
What Makes You A Good Candidate?
Emphasize your qualifications for the job itself and demonstrate your potential value to the company. Prepare a statement about why you are applying to this company, this job and this country and why you are the ideal candidate. Mention also your personality traits or soft skills that will benefit the company environment. For example, adaptability, determination and being a quick learner are important assets for international roles.
What Are Your Strengths & Weaknesses?
This question helps the recruiter assess whether you have the right qualities needed for the job. It also helps them assess how well you understand yourself. Whilst it’s not and easy question to answer, it gives you an opportunity to make a pitch for yourself. Take account of the job you are applying for. Describe your strengths that are most relevant to the job profile and the qualities best suited. When talking about your weaknesses share only those that won’t affect you doing the job. Choose a weakness that is not relevant to the job and also, try to make a positive point by stating your weaknesses and explain how you’ve overcome them.
Where Do You See Yourself In X Years?
With this question the recruiter wants to know how goal-oriented and motivated you are about your career. In answering, demonstrate your awareness of industry trends, and how adaptable you are in your approach to working in the future. This is good opportunity for you to show how the job fits in with your career goals, and expressing your motivation and desire to move forward with your career. Explain that you’re motivated to develop your career by expanding your skills and professional experience. Mention also that you are interested in learning more about the company and its career paths.
Tell Us About Your Last Job Or Current Job
The recruiter wants to assess your attitude, maturity and professionalism. Be careful not to be negative or complain about your previous or current employers. Focus on what you have learnt and gained during your previous employment rather than speak negatively.
Why Do You want To Work Abroad?
Your answer should describe how this international job will help you learn new skills, improve your professional growth as well as expose you to a new working environment and work culture. Emphasize that it’s not just about working and living overseas, but the job itself that important.
What Skills Do You Have That Make You Ideal To Work Abroad?
Here the recruiter wants to find out your comfort level in working with people of different nationalities and cultures. Let the interviewer know that you are well aware about the culture of the new country. This gives you a chance to describe how your cultural awareness will help you adapt to an international working environment. Even if you haven’t worked with people from different cultures, you may have studied or be friends with people from diverse backgrounds. Reference your personal life and emphasise your curiosity and openness towards other cultures. Describe any soft skills you have that are relevant to the role as this is another chance for you to describe your main strengths. It’s very important to demonstrate that you are independent, culturally sensitive, able to communicate well, and adaptable as these are typical characteristics recruiters are looking for when hiring for an international jobs. If you have language skills describe them here, but be honest about your level and fluency.
Interview Practicalities and Tips
You have to prepare more than just the answers to likely questions, there are some additional considerations to prepare for.
Your Questions
You will be asked if you have any questions. Prepare relevant questions to engage them and show them you’ve considered thoroughly about the job and the company. For example:
- What are their needs for the role you’re interviewing and what specifically are they looking for in the ideal candidate
- Will you be responsible for a specific project or role
- What’s the scope of the job
- Who will you be working with
- Who will you be working for
- How will you be evaluated
- What is the career progression
Positive Mental Attitude
Be confident and enthusiastic. Demonstrate that you want this job and you want to work in this company.
Interview Practicalities
Many international interviews are now done by video and you have to prepare and make sure the tech is working. Check time zone differences, and then be online at least 15 minutes before your interview to check the internet connection, the audio, see if your interview outfit looks good on screen, and to make sure that the interview setting is appropriate. If you are interviewing in another language, make sure you are proficient in key phrases if you are out of practice, or run through a trial interview with an associate. Remember to relax, be yourself, smile, speak slowly, carefully and with enthusiasm.
Follow Up
After the interview follow up with a brief email to the interviewer. Thank them for their time and the opportunity. Reiterate the key points that would make you successful in the role and make your interest in the job clear.
Good Luck
