Tips for ESL Students

Posted Dec 17 2008 9:52 AM by the JobsBloggers

dear jobsblogDear Jobsblog: I know communication skills are evaluated during technical interviews, but I am an ESL [English as a Second Language] student and am not always comfortable with English interviews. Any tips for students like me?

-Tongue Tied

 



GinnyDear Tongue Tied: Interviews are nerve-wrecking to begin with but I'm sure for ESL students, it may be even more frightening! Here are some things to keep in mind:

In a global economy, you should go in knowing that your diverse language and cultural experience is an advantage in itself!

For those studying in US colleges, you’ve had the chance to practicing communicating and working on projects in an English environment already. For those abroad, you’ve probably had English as part of your school curriculum as well. Those experiences have already helped you prepare for your interviews.

Technical interviews focus a lot on programming, problem solving and math skills and those are skills you can demonstrate in your interviews without needing to command the English language completely! It’s also ok to ask clarifying questions if you want to double check what the interviewer is really asking.

So what else can you do to ease your anxiety? Participate in mock interviews at your school’s career center, with alums working in the technology sector or just practice some interview questions with yourself!

One last thing to remember: passion for technology is universal and can be demonstrated regardless what your native language happened to be!

- Ginny

4 Comments

  • Michael Brown said:

    A great for ESL students is AIDtoCHILDREN.com

    AIDtoCHILDREN.com is a dual-purpose site for building an English vocabulary and raising money for under privileged children in the most impoverished places around the world.

    Check it out at <a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.aidtochildren.com">http://www.aidtochildren.com</a>

  • BB said:

    This post is interesting, but not very helpful sometimes. Some iterviewers like to ask puzzle questions besides technical questions. Those puzzle questions cover some difficult Vocabulary.  

    At that time when  ESL students ask them to clarify questions, those engineers may not know how to describe them in detail. I believe the interview will fail.

  • Ginny said:

    Dear BB,

    Thanks for your comment.  Microsoft is moving away from puzzle type questions although some problem solving ones are still game.

    Generally, if a candidate still can demonstrate coding, design or test aptitudes,  I find interviewers' feedback may mention while the candidate can improve their "communications" skills, they don’t get penalized solely for this reason and not get an offer.  

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