Career workshops can be incredibly helpful to learn the conventions of the job search, resume and interviewing. However, for international job seekers, there are nuances to the American job experience which workshops may not cover in depth given a lack of cultural competency. In a typical career workshop, you might learn what questions to expect or how to structure your answers, but what about the subtle behaviors that shape how you are perceived?
Let’s talk about the real etiquette—what you are not hearing in most workshops, but need to know to succeed.
- Be Confident, But Not Arrogant
In many cultures, humility is a virtue—but in the U.S., interviews are one of the few times you are expected to talk about yourself positively and directly. If you downplay your accomplishments or speak too modestly, it may come across as lacking confidence. There are also cases where the interviewer may not have read your resume, so you need to tout your own accomplishments and skills.
Try phrases like:
- “I’m proud of how I taught myself how to….”
- “One strength I bring is…”
- Personality Is Just as Important
Many applicants believe all that matters is the skills they bring and forget about ‘chemistry’. American employers often ask themselves: “Would I want to work with this person every day?” That’s why small talk and warmth matter. Smile, make eye contact, and show a bit of your personality—it signals you’ll be a team player, not just a task finisher. This is not a skill that can develop overnight, which is why we have repeatedly stressed the value of finding mentors and networking.
- Speaking Directly Is Key
In the U.S., you need to be direct — talking about something indirectly in the hopes that your listener will understand what you mean will not be effective; the communication pattern in the US is direct. Furthermore, if your answers are too long or overly detailed, the interviewer may lose focus. Practice concise storytelling: set the scene, explain your action, and finish with the result. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is helpful—but keep each part tight.
- It is not JUST the Interview Itself
How you reply to emails, show up for a virtual call, manage your social media (e.g., LinkedIn) or ask follow-up questions all matter. For example:
- Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
- Log in a few minutes early to virtual interviews
- Especially as some platforms have last minute updates which can cause delays in your log on
- Use professional language in all written communication—this is NOT a text message!
Many candidates forget this part, but it’s expected that you will ask questions too. It shows curiosity, preparation, and that you’re evaluating them as much as they are evaluating you.
TLDR: American interviews are so much more than just answering questions—it’s about understanding the culture behind them. The more you understand what is unsaid, the more prepared you will be to answer the questions in the right “way” (along with correctly). Take advantage of any opportunity to participate in mock interviews. Don’t forget: download the FrogHire.ai extension and increase your efficiency by searching for relevant positions across all five major job boards at once; if you are a nondomestic job seeker, FrogHire.ai will also help you filter for employment opportunities that come with a history of work visa sponsorship.