ft 1:15:00 10 17 d out of question COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES Successfully Interviewing Across Borders Interviewing for a job in another country can be one of the most exciting steps in your career. To succeed, you need to pay especially close attention to personal appearance. an awareness of what interviewers are really trying to learn about you, and what you should learn about the organization you're hoping to join. Some countries and cultures place a much higher importance on dress and personal grooming than many employees in the United States are accustomed to; moreover, expectations of personal appearance can vary dramatically from country to country. Ask people who've been to the country and observe local businesspeople when you arrive. Many people interpret inappropriate dress as more than a simple fashion mistake; they view it as an inability or unwillingness to understand another culture. Whether or not these things should matter isn't the issue; they do matter, and successful job candidates learn how to respond to different expectations. For instance, business image consultant Ashley Rothschild points out that you could get away with wearing a boldly colored suit in Italy but probably not in Japan. Business professionals do tend to dress formally in Italy, but as a worldwide fashion leader, the country has a broad definition of what is appropriate business attire. Smart recruiters always analyze both nonverbal signals and verbal messages to judge whether an applicant truly has the qualities necessary for a job. In international employment situations, you'll probably be under even closer scrutiny. Recruiters abroad will want to know if you really have what it takes to succeed in unfamiliar social settings, how your family will handle the transition, and whether you can adapt your personal work style and habits enough to blend in with the hiring organization. Remember to ask plenty of questions and do your research, both before and after the interview. Some employees view overseas postings as grand adventures, only to collide head first with the reality of what it's like to live and work in a completely different culture. For instance, if you've grown accustomed to the independent work style you enjoy in your current job or in school, could you handle a more structured work environment with a hierarchical chain of command? Make sure to get a sense of the culture both within the company and within its social community before you commit to a job in another country. Finis 30 PREDATOR a job in another country. Questions: 1. Explain how you could find out what is appropriate dress for a job interview in South Africa. (5 Marks) 2. Would it be appropriate to ask an interviewer to describe the culture in his or her country? Explain your answer. (5 Marks) 7 i BIF T: !!! 8 K