Tackling your job hunt as a non-native English speaker

Greetings, fellow non-native English speakers on the hunt for that dream job! We know it’s not easy finding a new job when English is your second language. But fear not! We’re here today with some tips that will help you overcome your language barriers. You can shine with or without perfect English.

6 job hunting tips for non-native English speakers

Make spell checkers your new best friend

Everyone should use spell checkers. Even native speakers. They take away a lot of the hard work so you don’t have to worry about spelling errors. But you can also use sites like Hemingway to give you feedback on your sentence structure. 

Call on your native-speaking friends

Always get a native-speaking set of eyes to check your resume. Spell checkers are good. But they don’t always pick up on everything. Your native-speaking friends will help your resume to sound more English. This is an essential step for boosting your applications!

Prepare an introduction

Take some pressure off your interview by preparing an introduction about yourself. Interviewers will ask about your background. So save yourself some stress, and plan your answer. Just be sure to make it sound natural. You don’t want to sound robotic!

Study the job advert

The job advert will give you clues about the type of language the interviewer will use. So study the job advert and make sure you understand all the key words. If there’s anything you don’t understand, look it up before your interview so you don’t get caught out!

Practise your interview answers

It’s always a good idea to prepare answers to the most common interview questions. So as a foreign speaker, it’s twice as important! You don’t need to write and memorise full answers. But make sure you’ve prepared examples for the most common questions. That way, when the interviewers fire those questions, you won’t be surprised. You’ll already have a good idea about what you want to say!

Remember, energy speaks louder than words

Having perfect English isn’t the be all and end all. And actually, having an accent and making language mistakes can also be very endearing. Although you want to make sure the interviewer understands you, you don’t need to change who you are. Embrace your accent. Embrace your mistakes. Speak with confidence and remember to smile. Energy speaks louder than words!

Embrace your uniqueness

Your level of English is just one aspect of your personality. Chances are you’re noticing the language barrier way more than the employer is. The real value you bring is in your work ethic and the results you produce. So don’t let language hold you back. Promote your personal brand. Let your energy and passion speak for itself!

Non-native speakers are finding work with SonicJobs everyday. Apply with 1 tap today!

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