Cultural Differences
Gender Differences
Interview Tips: Before, During, and
After
Cultural Differences
U.S. INTERVIEW
INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW
 Be punctual. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes
 Personal relationships may be more
prior to appointment.
 Eye contact is expected and shows
confidence.
 Interviewer styles vary. May begin
with direct questions or minimal
small talk.
.
important than time. Being late may
not be a problem.
 Eye contact, especially with persons
of higher status, may be
disrespectful.
 Interviewers commonly start with
small talk and look for information
regarding character or personality.
Cultural Differences
U.S. INTERVIEWS
 Interviewer may do most of the
talking or may expect the
candidate to do most of the
talking.
INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEWS
 Interviewer may talk for the
majority of the interview.
 Indirect questions regarding
competency, experience
 Direct questions regarding
competency, experience
 Questions regarding age, race,
sex, and marital status are
illegal.
 Age, race, sex, 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.
Cultural Differences
U.S. INTERVIEWS
INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEWS
 Open discussion of accomplishment
and skills shows confidence.
 Citing accomplishments and skills
might be considered boastful, selfserving, 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
 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
what is available.
Why the Gap?
 Individualistic vs. Collectivistic
 Competition vs. Cooperation
 Face Negotiation
Overcoming the Gap
 Practice framing your strengths in the cultural value,
i.e. moving from individualistic to collectivistic
 It is similar to learning a new language so you need
practice.
 Uncertainty Reduction
8 interview mistakes women need
to avoid
 Being Too Chatty
 Dressing Inappropriately
 Appearing Too Stiff
 Not Negotiating the Offer
 Talking About What You Don't Know
 Failing to Market Yourself
 Issuing Disclaimers
 Worrying too much
Why the difference?
 Gender Dialectics
 Rapport vs. Report
 Content vs. Context
 Double Bind Theory
 Femininity vs. Confidence
 Breaking the Bind
Overcoming the Difference
 Direct concise language
 Maintaining Assertiveness
 Practice Cross-Talk
Strengthen Interview Presence
 Practice is even more important.
 Don't assume the interviewer knows about
your university or the education system in
your country.
 Become familiar with some of the field
specific terminology.
 Be more direct and succinct.
Strengthen Interview Presence
 Provide positive rather than negative
answers .
 If you don't understand, ask for clarification.
 Don't be apologetic for your accent.
 Make the fact that you are international a
selling point.
Selling a Product: You
 Most employers are looking for diversity of thought,
languages and experience and, as such, want to hear
about your relevant international experience. Make an
effort to find the right spin for yours story and then
practice delivering your message with confidence.
Don't be seen as shy or unsure of yourself - particularly
as it relates to being an international student, your
diversity remains a strength - just find the right story.
How to Sell the Product
 Be the Solution
 Be Specific
 Prepare Sound Bites
 Prepare to Talk About Your Resume
 Be Aware of Nonverbal Communication
 Be Positive
Interview Preparation
 Learn about the organization.
 Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
 Review your qualifications for the job.
 Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing
how it relates it the job.
 Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why
should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What
are your strengths and weaknesses?"
 Mock Interview
During the Interview
 Relax! Think of the interview as a conversation, not an
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interrogation.
Be enthusiastic, confident, courteous, and honest.
Listen to the questions carefully and give clear, concise, and
thoughtful answers.
Convey interest in the organization and knowledge of the
position.
Ask relevant questions about the job or department.
Present a list of your references and any letters of
recommendation or reference that you may have to offer.
End the interview with a firm handshake and thank the
interview panel for their time and consideration.
Post Interview
 Send a concise 1 – 3 paragraph thank-you letter within
24 to 48 hours of the interview. Reiterate your interest
in the position, mention anything you know reinforces
you as a good fit for the job, and your contact
information.
 If you are not selected for the job, it is OK to politely
ask an interviewer which area(s) you could improve on
in the future! This allows you to better prepare for the
next interview.
Cultural Differences
Gender Differences
Interview Tips: Before, During, and
After