Abroad Jobs Interview Questions & Answers

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Every country requires different documentation for the visa/work permit application. Some items/documents to have on hand include:
☛ A valid passport
☛ 2 or more passport size photos
☛ Documentation from your employer
☛ A statewide criminal history record check
☛ A medical certificate

The Schengen Visa:
Allows you to move freely within the Schengen Area, comprised of 15 European countries.
European Economic Area:
The EEA agreement includes a provision for the "free movement of persons." This allows nationals to live, work, study, and establish businesses in any other member countries with little to no obstacles.

Here is some basic, general information on what you will need to work overseas. However, information varies on a case by case, country by country basis. It depends on what country you are coming from, what country you are going to, your job description and your length of stay. Information also changes quite often, especially as security issues are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, it is always best to contact your local consulate or embassy, which you will need to do anyway when applying for your visa.

Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? Are examples.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can not wait to get to work.

Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I would like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I am doing a good job.

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That is the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

This process can be very time consuming, so allow yourself plenty of time to complete the visa/work permit process. Processing time can take anywhere from 2 days in some countries to 6 months in others. Your employer will have to arrange for certain documents (and their approval) as well before you can even begin applying for your visa. If you rush through the procedures you could miss an important step and have to start from scratch.