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Guatemala: Interviewing Advice
2012-02-01
by goinglobal.com
Traditionally, interviews in Guatemala are conducted face-to-face and by appointment. However, technology is increasingly being used to conduct interviews by phone, Skype, MSN or videoconferencing. Despite a general lack of punctuality in the country, it is important to be on time or early.
Commonly, interviews are granted in Guatemala only after good personal marketing through resumes, networking or a combination of both. Interviews provide a good opportunity to reinforce resume data and expand on it as required to persuade the company as to the candidate’s competitive advantage and the value he or she would add to the company.
As in the rest of Latin America, traditional interview (face to face and by appointment) are the most common in Guatemala. The usual setting is a desk with the interviewer on one side and the interviewee on the other. However, exceptions to this practice are becoming increasingly common and technology is now being used to interview candidates. For example, candidates are being interviewed by phone, Skype, MSN and videoconference in places such as restaurants, cocktail lounges, job and product fairs, and facilities tours with different procedures including two, three and even more interviewers (panel style) and problem solving simulation through written or live case studies.
Employers are interested in using interviews to confirm candidate features (regardless of experience held or required) such as value added to the organization, competitive advantage, motivation and potential, ability to communicate and to behave as a team player, tolerance and the ability to take advantage of cultural diversity, ability to fit into the company culture, creativity and intelligence. In addition, it is increasingly important to be outstanding (or at least acceptable) in terms of language skills (a second language is a definite advantage), dress and the ability to express oneself. The candidate should also have the ability to work in organizational cultures with multinational influence.
Guatemala shares with Latin America a lack of punctuality. For activities beginning10 a.m., a 15-minute or even longer wait can be expected. For personal marketing purposes and specifically for interview purposes, being late is highly disqualifying. It is better to arrive early and wait.
http://www.goinglobal.com/
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