If you are about to land your first job interview in China, might as well bring with you some tips that could come in handy. By now you should be aware that knowing the Chinese language is essential and that you must take note of the corporate culture in the country. Below are few tips that may be of help:

Tip 1: It is important that you know enough about the company you are applying for. Your employer expects that you know the basic information about their company and may even double-check that by including it in your interview. It is advised that you do thorough research about the company, its core values, the nature of its operations, and even the names of high-ranking officers in the company.

Tip 2: Punctuality for the Chinese people is a form of respect. Always arrive a few minutes early and do your bathroom breaks before your interview. Allot some time for you to calm down and be ready by bringing with you your documents. Although you may have already submitted your resume by then, make sure to bring copies of both your English and Chinese resumes should a panel of interviewers be present.

Tip 3: Chinese employers are visual people. They will take note of how you dress and may even judge you by how you dress up. Take note that Chinese employers are conservative and would expect men to be in their dark-colored suits and females in dresses that are not too revealing. Do not wear too much jewelry and strong perfume. Be modest and answer in a manner that would not appear as if you are bragging.

Tip 4: If you are genuinely eyeing a position in China, you should be able to completely express yourself in Chinese, not unless a multinational company told you otherwise. Since part of the Chinese culture is their indirectness, always be mindful about body language cues and facial expressions. You should know if your answers are becoming irrelevant by observing the facial reactions of your interviewer; always be mindful of non-verbal communication.

Should you be shortlisted for the position, you will receive an email regarding a second interview. However, if you have not received any communication from HR for a week, don’t forget to send them a follow-up email. In your email, thank them for the interview invitation, and express your earnest interest in the position you are applying for.