It's important to appear confident during your interview. The following tips will help.
Be Prepared
1.
A couple days before your interview, if you have time, review discussions you've had with your search consultant. That way, if you have questions, you have time to get them answered.
2.
Know the names of those who will be interviewing you. Know how to pronounce them correctly. Your search consultant can help with this.
3.
Review the job description and make sure you understand it.
4.
And, as on any interview, make sure you're on time and take along a couple extra copies of your resume, just in case somebody needs one.
Don't get caught off guard!
5.
If your interviewers begin speaking among themselves in Japanese, don't be offended. It's natural to assume that when others start speaking in another language in your presence they are saying something they don't want you to understand. However, it's much more likely in this case, that they're just getting the interview logistics in place or clarifying what questions to ask.
6.
If you're asked about salary or fringes, try to postpone that discussion for later or a next interview. Make it clear that you intend to be qualified for the position before salary discussions. A statement such as "I intend to be qualified for the position before such discussions," is acceptable.
7.
Keep your cool, don't get rattled and start speaking rapidly. Your Japanese interviewers will have trouble keeping up and may not understand. Your continued ability to speak slowly will send a message of comfort and confidence. Keep reminding yourself to keep your speech slow.
8.
Don't let the presence of an interpreter or facilitator throw you. Just make sure you direct your answers to the person who actually asks the question, not the facilitator.
9.
If your interviewer won't meet your eye or quickly meets your eye and looks away, it doesn't mean he is not trustworthy. Japanese are taught that it is impolite to make and maintain long eye contact. Your interviewer may simply be uncomfortable with American culture.
If all else fails, fake it!
10.
You've got the answers to all your questions, you know your resume backwards and forwards, you've taken several dozen deep breaths and you're still not as confident as you think you should be? It's time to fake it. It's important to appear confident. If you pretend you're confident, you will start to believe it.
You've got the answers to all your questions, you know your resume backwards and forwards, you've taken several dozen deep breaths and you're still not as confident as you think you should be? It's time to fake it. It's important to appear confident. If you pretend you're confident, you will start to believe it.
