Article Review: Job Interviewing Tips for International Students

5 Tips for Job Interviewing as an International Student by Vanderbilt University, TN

As graduation approaches, like others, international students are actively searching for job opportunities to establish their first steps into the professional world.

Unlike domestic graduates, international students face significant pressure to make sure they find jobs that meet the USCIS requirements within a deadline. Therefore, international students want to be well-prepared and confident to ace as many job interviews as possible.

1. Speak slowly

As an international student myself, I often find myself trying to catch up with the speaking pace of native English speakers. This oftentimes leads to me not translating words fast enough in my head and stuttering during conversations. I remember feeling embarrassed and incompetent.

The article made a great point about allowing yourself to speak at your own pace. During an interview, you can also ask your interviewers if it's okay to speak slowly. The key to success is to "be really clear and persuasive."

2. Small talk and be engaged with the interviewers

In Vietnam, and many other countries, it is uncommon for interviewees to make small talk with their interviewers. Before coming to the U.S., I used to think of an interview as a Q&A session about YOU! However, my previous supervisors as well as many of my coworkers have encouraged me to practice making small talk as it can help me relate with the interviewers during job interviews, thus, leaving them long-lasting impression of me.

Comparing with the tips 2 and 3 of the article, I'm reminded of the importance of small talk. Small talk makes the interview more personable, and it's also a great chance for the interviewers to know you as a person and remember you well when making the final decision. Just don't overshare! Remember, it's still a job interview after all.

3. The critical question of sponsorship

Many international students, including me, believe that needing a sponsorship makes us less attractive applicants to interviewers. Therefore, we tend to be hesitant to bring up the question: Will you be able to sponsor me a work visa?

The article encourages applicants to reach out to companies regarding their sponsorship protocols which can change from year to year. It's good to be upfront about this matter as it can save both your and the interviewer's time during the application process. From personal experience, I also think it's good to do extensive research on this matter before applying.

Ending Notes

Thank you for reading my take on "5 Tips for Job Interviewing as an International Student" by Vanderbilt University. I hope my blog post can help you in your journey here in the U.S.

If you are interested in reading more posts about tips for success or life as an international student, please bookmark my blog!