International Job Interviews in Belgium:
Why Your Language Skills Matter
Job Interviews
Designed by Magnific – www.magnific.com
In my previous article, I talked about surprising experiences I had with ESNs (French IT consulting companies) during job interviews in France.
It also reminded me of my very first job interview abroad, in 2010.
In this article, I share my experience of a job interview in Belgium as an expat, and how language skills became a key advantage.
The Context: Why I Applied for a Job in Belgium
After the subprime mortgage crisis in 2008, French IT companies were quite reluctant to hire.
I had just ended my permanent contract with my previous employer, and I took this opportunity to attend a very technical 4-month Java-J2EE course.
As it was difficult to find a job in France at that time, I felt like it was the right moment to follow my dream of living and working abroad.
I found one pre-sales engineer job offer in Belgium and, against all odds, they invited me for a job interview in Belgium.
Preparing for a Job Interview Abroad
In 2010, videoconferencing was not very common and Zoom would be created one year later. So the job interview would take place onsite.
The company was located in the Flemish part of Belgium, and I was invited to go there for my first job interview… in which language?
English or French?
Get your Free Professional French Assessment
- Are you an expat? Do you speak French?
- Do you struggle in real work situations? (job interviews, presentations, meetings with customers…)
I will assess your Professional French through a short practical exercise.
As the email exchanges with the pre-sales team manager were in English, I assumed that I should speak English during the job interview.
As I had never attended a job interview abroad before:
- I practiced presenting my resume in English
- I studied the software on the website and practiced how to talk about it
When I arrived in Brussels, I chose a quiet coffee shop to read my notes in English, but to be honest, I was stressed!
But I had nothing to lose, and I was well prepared, so I stayed focused.
Why French Language Skills Became a Surprise Advantage
I arrived at the company and began the job interview with the pre-sales manager.
As I had guessed, the interview was in English and went very well.
My preparation was worth it, as the manager appreciated that I knew a little about the products.
My English skills were relevant to the job, as the company was international and composed not only of French-speaking and Flemish-speaking employees, but also employees from around the world(mainly from Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and France).
But what surprised me most was that she seemed even more interested in another skill that I didn’t think about, that I had completely overlooked:
- My native French language and culture.
I was so stressed about speaking English and proving that I could work in an English-speaking environment that I forgot the real purpose of this job :
- Delivering French pre-sales presentations to French prospects in France.
My native-level language skills were as important as my other skills (English language, programming, technical knowledge), and this helped me get the job and work for the first time abroad. I eventually became a new expat in Europe.
What Expats Should Learn from This Experience
When preparing for your French job interview abroad, it’s important to practice your professional French, but:
- Don’t forget that your own language and culture can be a real asset for your future job.
Conclusion: Final Advice for French Job Interviews Abroad
In a difficult economic context, like it was the period following the subprime mortgage crisis in 2008, it’s a good opportunity to apply for a job in other countries less affected by the crisis. Choosing a French-speaking country could be a good option for you.
That’s why it’s always important to take time to learn new languages and cultures, while also valuing your own language and culture for your future job.
If you apply for a French-speaking company, practice your French before each job interview, and don’t forget to mention your native language, especially if those skills are relevant to the position.
Let's Work In French
Do you have an upcoming French job interview in France or another French-speaking country?
Do you need to practice presenting your resume, explaining your technical skills, or answering recruiters confidently in French?
Book your 30-minute free call to prepare your job interview in a French-speaking country, I will assess your professional French and together we will define clear objectives for your job interview.