Job interview - indian culture?

Hello, my DH has an interview for a position at the local Indian Consulate. I know from past experience Consulates have both local and expat resources working in their offices. So this could be a difficult interview to predict. The variables include interview style, cultural behaviours and language.

For anyone with experience working for an Indian company or government, what should an interviewee know going into the meeting?

I can prep him for USA-style interviewing, but I don't know if there will be any differences in interview style, customs, etc, if it is done by an Indian resource. He speaks fluent English and it was a prerequisite, so that won't be a problem.

I'm more looking for advice on cultural differences, if the interview may be behaviour based questions, what to expect, types of questions frequently asked, etc.

I am probably over-thinking this, but I just want him to go in prepared and come across confident and capable.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

11 years ago

ramya

Veteran

Indian here

Things such as manners confidence and etiquette matter

But saying that I have always worked for private sector which is different than working for the government
If you have any specific questions I can ask a friend who works as a government employee

abc

Hey Ramya, thanks for replying. Can you offer any insight on what to expect if the interview is run by one of the Indian employees? He has no issue speaking English, but doesn't really know what to expect otherwise.

I have always been in technical field abc
So I may not be accurate here
But Indian interview have lot of what would you do in this situation stuff
I have read that government jobs also have what is your opinion on this
policy
It does vary from person to person but in software companies stress interview are pretty popular
They do like digging deep into the field to find out exactly how much do you know
Cultural wise it's a mix of British and US hierarchy isn't essentially flat every where
Oh yes English is pretty important ☺️

Hi Ramya, I think I saw your reply before it was fully done It just said "indian here" but now I see the rest.

Thanks for offering your insight. I come from private sector as well, and from corporate and IT areas, so what I know and can predict for an interview might be way different than what he experiences. I feel like an overprotective momma right now...but I want to be able to offer help if I can. I like your first point about manners, confidence and etiquette.

Anyway, thank you for the info. It will be interesting to hear how it ends up.

rachylou

Where is the consulate? Where is your husband from? And what is the job?

I'd say be deferential and remember to use titles, most esp. with older persons... PhDs are "Doctor So-and-So" always.

Consulate is in mexico city
husband is from mexico city
it is for a service job

The job req said English was a requirement, he is fine with that.

The person that called to setup the interview was a local spanish-speaking person, we think a secretary of some sort. We know Consulates hire a mix of locals and expats (in this case, Indians). He isn't sure what to expect in terms of who will conduct the interview and in what language it may be. The language thing is secondary, as he is comfortable speaking in either Spanish or English. It is more my preoccupation that he go in at least knowing what to expect if it is conducted by an Indian person. He is very culturally aware and good at building relationships and making others feel comfortable around him, so I guess I should stop worrying so much

I think ramya and RL are right in stressing the conductual things like manners, respect, titles, confidence, etc. I just wish I could tell him, be ready for X, Y or Z. Like is it a cultural norm to talk about family, deeper subjects (common in Mexico for example) or would the idle chit chat be more like we do in America and talk about the weather, avoiding heavy subjects. Will they ask behavioral questions (what would you do in X situation?) or will they be more pointed at direct experience related to the job? That sort of thing.

I am over thinking, I'm sure. I will shut up now

Talking about family is fine . We are passionate people☺️ Deeper subjects are not a taboo .guess that makes our cultures similar if that's the case abc you have nothing to worry☺️
But I guess it would be better if the interviewer initiates it . Guess again it's the respect to the position thingy

Thanks again, Ramya!

catgirl

There are many ways in which Indian and Mexican cultures are similar - family-oriented, kids welcome everywhere, food is a central theme of life... I think he should behave like he would at any interview but make it clear that he is culturally open minded to all, as should be the case at an embassy.

One thing I always notice when I go back to India is how little people enjoy saying "no" when a request is made of them. They will hedge or bargain or defer, in order to be polite. For instance, asking directions - no one will ever say they don' tknow how to direct you. They will give you their opinion, or call over a group of people to consult, or hail a taxi and bring you where you want to go. It can be confusing if you come from a more direct culture, but also heartwarming.

Una, you described the EXACT situation that I confronted time after time here in Mexico. No one will tell you no, and especialy in the situation of asking for directions, they will ALWAYS try to help...even if they are more clueless than you After figuring out these small cultural differences, I now find them heartwarming, but at first, it was difficult since I do come from such a direct culture.

Thank you for weighing in. The interview went well. He left feeling positive and told me if he doesn't get a call back, he is fine with it. He put it on the table and left it there, so to speak. In case anyone is curious, it was a panel of four interviewers and all of the candidates were asked to arrive at the same time, so they were aware of each other (talk about uncomfortable, or at least it would be for me). He said there were some personal questions as well as some job-related inquiries. Now we are just waiting to see if he gets a call back. Thanks to all for your input.

Joyce B

I agree with AG.
Since your husband is from Mexico City and he speaks English he will not have any trouble getting along with people from India. The formalities and courtesy are very similar in both cultures. Dress nicely, be respectful and polite and know your stuff. I think he can feel confident that he will know how to interact during his interview and beyond.
ETA: sorry, ABC, I did not read all the replies before posting mine. I hope you will hear good news very soon.

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