7 Job Interview Tips for US International Students
Let’s face it. Job interviews are nerve wrecking especially for international students studying in the US. Here are job interview tips to prepare you to interview effectively. Hopefully, this will help alleviate the stress and hopefully make you more comfortable during the interview.
1. Research the company. You should know a little about the company that is interviewing you. Visit the company website to get a summary of who they are – mission statement, company history, products, services, etc. Also check out their LinkedIn company profiles for additional information like jobs posted, new hires or related company news.
2. Practice. This sounds weird but practicing in front of a mirror or with friends and family will help immensely. If you are doing this with someone, ask them to give you feedback on body language, tone and approach.
3. Dress to impress. First impressions go a long way so make sure you dress appropriately. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire. For men, solid color suits like navy or black works. A long sleeve shirt with a tie and dark socks with conservative leather shoes are appropriate. For women, suits are good as well. If you are wearing a suit skirt, make sure it is long enough so you can sit down comfortably. Use minimal jewelry, light make-up and perfume. Make sure you have a professional hairstyle as well.
4. Plan. Have everything you need for your job interview so you can get there smoothly. Print out enough copies of your resume, lay out your clothes, map your travel route and check traffic reports. Always give yourself plenty of time to do these details. Although they seem minor, they will help you prepare more comfortably.
5. Arrive early. Try to arrive at your interview site at least 15 minutes before you are scheduled to speak with the hiring manager. This gives you time to relax, breathe and center yourself.
6. Be yourself. Don’t suppress your personality, or pretend to be something that you aren’t because it’s important that you end up in a job and culture that’s a good fit for you, rather than one where you’re miserable or don’t do well. So don’t hide your personality or put on a very stiff and formal interview persona.
7. Think positive. Although you may think this is the perfect job, you need to know that there are other job opportunities out there. If you keep this in mind, you take some pressure off you. Remember, if you don’t get the job it’s ok. Use it as practice for your next interview.
Think you need to prepare a little more? Enroll in the Institute for Global Student (IGSS) program. You will meet and establish long-lasting relationships with successful individuals from the US and other countries. You get better access to opportunities for internships and jobs and are prepared to excel during the recruiting process and beyond.
See what other students are saying about IGSS.
