Business Builder: Good British English Job Interview Behaviour
So, you have a job interview. Congratulations! You know what clothes to wear, you know the language to use, and you know what questions to ask. But how should you behave when your new boss could be British English?
We all know working languages are different in different countries, but so are working behaviours (what you do with your body). Even working behaviour between British English and American English workplaces is different. Let me help you have a brilliant interview with these simple steps to job interview behaviour in Britain:
· Arrive at the interview location 30 minutes early. Enter the interview location 15 minutes early.
· British people have a large personal space. Put your arms out in front of you with your fingers pointing to the sky. This is the closest you should ever be to a British English person. If the person you are talking to steps back, do not move closer.
· Shake hands once when you are introduced to each person. Shake hands firmly but not too hard. Do not touch anyone at any other time.
· Try to have a confident and calm energy. Think of your interviewer as someone you know well, have great respect for, and you want to be very happy and healthy.
· If your interviewer is very loud and energetic, match that energy a little. If they make a joke and you do not find it funny, smile broadly.
· Say something nice about the working environment but do not lie.
· If your interviewer talks about something personal that you know about, show you are similar (If they support the same football club, or like the same restaurant).
· Never lie. If you do not know the answer to something, say you will find out for them and email them the answer.
· Ask about the business to show interest.
· Be kind: hold doors, offer sugar, share, give your interviewer space, be forgiving if they are late, thank them for their time, and say it has been a pleasure to meet them when you leave.
· Be respectful and polite to everyone you meet in the workplace; people talk.
· When you leave put your chair back neatly and throw away any rubbish you made. If you had a drink, offer to take the cups back to the kitchen.
The best way to prepare for an interview is to work with a native English-speaking language professional to make sure your business English and your behaviour show your best side.
