The greatest leaders are often the quietest. They don’t look for recognition. We often do not know how much they have accomplished. Their acts of kindness sometimes go unnoticed. And they feel perfectly fine with that. Such a person is Rich Bradley, a compassionate business leader. (This blog was originally published on January 25, 2025, and was updated on April 2, 2025.)

Rich passed away a few years ago. As soon as his former employees (from 2 decades ago) heard the news, they all wanted to attend the reception that celebrates his life. There are good reasons why he is so dear to them. In the following paragraphs, I want to share what I respect and admire most in Rich.

When Rich was president of Microcomputer Electronics, he knew that if he put together the best team, the company would BE its best. So he recruited Carol Olsby from the East Coast to lead the HR department.

With Carol’s natural ability to create a welcoming atmosphere, Rich was able to run a company that feels like home to the employees. Productivity was high because of this warm environment. There was always some celebration in the lunch room. Someone’s birthday, baby showers, or just because it’s a sunny day in Seattle. People felt they are important and valued here.

When one employee lost her father, and did not realize how expensive funerals and burials are in the U.S., another employee took up a collection. Within a week, this co-worker raised enough money to take care of all the expenses. Now THAT’s a family.

When one employee returned from maternity leave, she misinterpreted the salary compensation because of her English skills. Instead of insisting on the company’s policy, Rich asked Carol to give that employee what she was expecting to receive. His reason was that entry level assemblers do not make that much money. He didn’t want her misunderstanding to become a financial hardship on her. What a generous, compassionate man!

Both Rich and Carol felt that employees who speak limited English could reach their potential faster if there were ESL support on site. So they brought me in to create a customized program that meets the company’s specific needs while helping these employees expand their English skills.

We used the conference room for our class, which is located directly across from Rich’s office. We laughed a lot in class. One woman in particular has the belly laugh of Buddha. You can hear Rorb’s laughter half a mile away. Since Rich’s door was always open, I worried that our noise level would disturb him. When I stopped by after class to check on this, Rich said, “So YOU are the in-house comedienne!”

He was happy to hear the laughter. He loved hearing happy sounds coming from the conference room. Absolutely no thought given to whether it disturbed his work or not. So, we kept right on laughing loudly.

The company grew rapidly. In just a few years, it tripled in size. Carol called me and said that she and Rich would like me to help the ESL employees again. There were more non-native English speakers, and they could benefit from English support.

While I was teaching the ESL classes there, the new owner of the company (renamed Universal Avionics) decided to move the majority of the manufacturing to Arizona. Employees were given the option to relocate with an attractive package. Even so, many decided to stay in the area.

Rich, still the president of the company, felt that with many of the employees looking for work in the near future, they would need help getting ready for the transition. He wanted to make sure they have the skills, both English and otherwise, to get good jobs. So, he and Carol asked me to prepare the ESL employees with skills that would ensure their future job search success.

I don’t know how many business leaders think about preparing their employees for future success after they leave the company. Rich felt it had to be done. The future job security of his employees was a priority to him. He made sure they got the education. This man puts his money where his mouth is.

Rich was a quiet man. I can count the number of conversations we had on one hand. But his impact was great. He lived his values. He walked his talk. He made sure that his employees were well taken care of.

I have a feeling that Rich did not identify himself as his job title. He was not the kind of president that went around shaking everyone’s hands in order to build rapport. But he was someone who’s RIGHT THERE when you need him.

Rich was not a person who needed public recognition. He knew what he needed to do, found the right people to do it, and left them alone to do what they do best. In today’s terminology, he is everyone’s dream employer.

While I was teaching at Universal Avionics, my mother passed away in another state. Rich and Carol asked my students if they know an address to send flowers to my family. Since no one knew the address of the funeral home, Carol and Rich sent a lovely plant to me in Seattle instead.

Even though I was an independent contractor, Carol invited me to take as much time as I needed before returning to work. But I didn’t need to. The family that Rich and Carol created also became part of my family. They were right there to comfort me, to care for me in difficult times.

So, here’s to you, Rich, for creating a place where people love to go to work, feel good being there, feel cared about. A place that feels welcoming everyday, honoring the value of each person. A work place that every company wishes it could create.

And I got to experience the magic you created. Thank YOU!

Here are some of the ways that Carol and Rich used to create a welcoming work place. How to create a culturally diverse workplace.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post Rich Bradley – Compassionate Business Leader appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

The post Public Speaking Tips For Immigrants appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

How to make friends with your neighbors in Seattle is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from clients who have just moved to Seattle from other countries. For example, “I want to meet more neighbors, but it seems people just wave and say hi, then go inside their house. There’s no chance to say more than just hello. It would be nice to visit with them and get to know them better.” In this article, I’ll share some tips on how to make friends with your neighbors. (This blog was updated on January 4, 2024.)

How to make friends with neighbors and people you see regularly

First, I would like to suggest the idea that neighbors go beyond the people who live next door. They include the people who work in places you go to frequently. Like the grocery store, the bank, where you shop. Extend your definition of neighbors to include those you see regularly, and you’ll find more opportunities to make connections. After all, that’s why you want to make friends with your neighbors, right? To feel connected?

Make friends with employees of stores you go to

I go to the same grocery stores every week. Over time, I know the name of everyone who works there. I know who is planning a vacation to Europe, who wants to build his own business, whose father is visiting Seattle, and who is going on a hike that weekend. One of the things I discovered about a cashier was that he helped to build the Franklin Falls hiking trail as a volunteer. In one of our chats, he even told me how to build a shelter out of snow.

The people who work at the bank knows me by name. I know which university they want to attend, who is planning a party for her daughter, who has created a charity to help people in her hometown. One of the tellers used to be a model in her country, and she has a different hairstyle every time I see her. She appreciates that I notice her sense of style.

A few women at the department store I go to would tell me about upcoming sales. One of them is Nicole. I was impressed with her superb customer service and wrote the company’s president about it. We became friends over time. She introduced me to her co-workers in other departments, and they treat me like friends. Sometimes, they even offer their fashion advice to make sure I look my best.

How I make friends with my neighbors

Perhaps a good way to share how to make friends with your neighbors is by sharing some stories of how my neighbors met me. Some start with a smile and hello, and some because I received their help.

Heidi and Hector–my next door neighbors

Heidi and Hector were my next door neighbors. On the day I moved in, they helped me carry boxes from the truck to my home. That’s how they met me. Afterwards, Heidi made sure I had soap and toothbrush for the evening, in case I couldn’t find the box with the toiletries. And she brought some dessert over in case I got hungry.

The next day, when I came home from work, Heidi came over with dinner. She thought I would not have unpacked yet, and had nothing to cook with. She didn’t know how organized I am. I never told her. I just want them to know how thankful I am to have them as my neighbors.

One cold winter day, Hector knocked on my door and said, “In case the power goes out tonight, I want you to know we bought a bunch of wood for the fireplace. Just knock on our door anytime if you need some logs for your fireplace.” I feel so cared for by these neighbors who think of me. I am in their thoughts. When they moved to their new home, I made them dinner so they can spend time packing and getting ready for the movers.

Lynn–another neighbor

One evening, when I was taking a bottle out of my car, it slipped out of my hand. Broken pieces of glass flew everywhere. Lynn heard the noise. She came out with a broom and swept up the shattered pieces of glass for me. And that was how Lynn met me. That’s how I found out she fosters dogs while they are waiting for adoption, and that she is a master gardener.

A few months later, she told me she was getting a back surgery, and how she had made arrangements for the neighbors to help her with daily chores. Getting the mail, walking her dogs, etc. I offered to prepare some meals for her so she can freeze them for after her surgery. She brought over some chicken, and I made quite a few dinners, making sure she has a variety of flavor in those meals.

Vladimir–a 10-year-old neighbor

One afternoon, a young neighbor saw me getting things out of my trunk after I parked my car. He was riding his bicycle, and smiled at me. I waved and said hello. And then he came over and asked if I would like some help with my grocery. That was how Vladimir met me.

We chat for a bit and learned more about each other. A week later, I saw him hanging out with his friends. He waved and introduced his friends to me. And that’s how I met Crystal, Steve, Joe, Kristen, and Laurie.

These are no big gestures. It’s just asking one more question after saying hello, sharing a snack, lingering to chit chat about nothing and everything, listening, allowing others to help me, offer to help when needed.

Whether these neighbors make it into your home for tea, lunch, or dinner, depends entirely on how much you want to include them in your life. It doesn’t have to be a formal invitation. If they can’t come for tea for whatever reason, you can bake some cookies and take it to them. We all appreciate thoughtful gestures. Over time, these “little” actions can turn into a friendship.

I found an article that has some good ideas on how to meet more people, not only your neighbors.

If you find this article helpful, here is one on Tips for a smooth cultural adjustment.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post How To Make Friends With Your Neighbors In Seattle appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

You have recently moved to the U.S. with your family. Your children have not made new friends yet. They are still struggling with English. They miss their old friends back home. As a parent who is also new to the culture, how can you help your children? And if you are a teacher with international students, what can you do to help them build their social network? This article offers some ideas on how you can help immigrant children make new friends.

On my first day in an American school, the only English I could speak was “How are you?” and “Fine, thank you.” I had studied English in school. The focus was on grammar and spelling. There was no one to speak English with, so that skill remained undeveloped.

What immigrant children may experience

Imagine spending hours in school, not understanding what the teacher was saying. I still completed my homework as best I could, but taking hours longer than other students. Using the dictionary was not that helpful because the translation is sometimes out of cultural context. So, homework that would have taken an American student 20 minutes to complete would take me 2 hours.

Add to that several subjects, and there really was no time to play. Being a conscientious student, as many international students are, down time would have been a luxury. Looking back, having more playtime with other children really could have helped me increase my English speaking skills.

So, how can we help our immigrant children make friends more easily at school?

How teachers can help ESL students make friends

I was fortunate to have the best 6th grade teacher, Evelyn Wilde. She had traveled extensively, and was aware of my needs. She must have spoken to two of my classmates because I noticed Deborah Nissenbaum and Isabelle Reyes started spending more time with me at lunch and at recess. No longer was I eating lunch by myself. I had friends now.

Mrs. Wilde also had the school hire an ESL tutor to work with me several times a week. Understanding what I read became easier. It took less time to do my homework, which meant I actually had time to play.

How immigrant parents can help their children make friends

When I work with immigrant clients with children, they often ask how they can help their children make friends more quickly. Here are my suggestions for them:

1. Enroll your children in a sports team they like. When your children are having fun, it is easier for them to connect with another. They are focusing on the fun, not on the language. They are not monitoring the correctness of their speech, but on communicating with their teammates.
2. If you live near the school and can walk your children to school, you have an opportunity to meet other parents who also live nearby. Start chatting with them. You might even invite them to your home for tea and get to know them better. After you build a rapport, it’s easier to talk about setting up play dates for your children.
3. If there are particular classmates your child likes, invite them over to play video games. Or have a pizza party so the children can just hang out and chat.

These are just a few ideas to help you start brainstorming. You know your child’s personality and interests. It’ll be easy for you to spot potential friends who could enrich your child’s social life. And improving their spoken English at the same time!

If you find this article helpful, here is one on How to make friends with your neighbors.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post How To Help Immigrant Children Make Friends At School appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

Have you ever facilitated a meeting with colleagues from different countries? And when you want to generate discussions, did you notice some do not participate much? If so, the tips in this article might help you get more results. Here are some ideas on how to facilitate meetings with international colleagues.

Tips on facilitating discussions with international colleagues

#1.  Invite input from each person to make sure everyone is heard

Let me explain why this is effective with a story from a client. This brilliant engineer from Japan is very accomplished in his country. In fact, he received the presidential award in his country for his achievement. When he moved to the Seattle office of his company, he felt discouraged.

Although he has wonderful ideas, he could not get a word in during meetings. His colleagues who were born here are used to jumping in. They are used to speaking up whenever they want. My client is accustomed to meetings that are orderly. Each person takes turn speaking. No one interrupts another.

If the facilitator of the Seattle meetings were aware of this, he would have gotten more good ideas. By making sure that each person has a turn to speak, my client could share more easily. And it doesn’t mean the whole meeting needs to be like that. Just make sure that before you move on to the next point, to invite input from those who have not spoken.

For example, you can say something like this. “Before we move on to the next point, I want to go around the room to make sure everyone has a chance to share. Masato, would you like to start?”

Don’t worry about slowing down the meeting by taking this extra step. You are there to find solutions. If one format does not give you input from everyone, try a different way. Do you really care spending the extra minutes if it means you could gain one more brilliant idea?

#2.  Send a meeting agenda in advance so colleagues can prepare

When you work with international colleagues, be mindful that your speaking pace may be faster than what they are accustomed to. Remember, they don’t use your language in their daily life. And you may use idioms that they don’t know. This could contribute to less participation in discussions.

However, if you send a meeting agenda in advance, your international colleagues will have an opportunity to prepare what they want to say. Depending on how fluent they are in English, this extra preparation can be helpful.

#3.  Personally invite input before the meeting

And here is one more tip to get more participation in discussions from your international colleagues. The day before the meeting, go to each colleague who is usually quiet during discussions. Ask them for their ideas on 1 or 2 items on the agenda. For some, it is easier sharing ideas with one person than with an entire group. Then, during the meeting, you can say, “I was talking with Masato about this, and he has a wonderful idea to share.” Then give the floor to him.

So, these are 3 tips you can start practicing. See if you get more participation from the quieter colleagues from other countries. If so, keep doing it.

Just go around the room to make sure each person has a chance to speak. Send the meeting agenda in advance. And ask the quiet individuals personally for their ideas before the meeting.

If you find this article helpful, here is one on How to learn discussion skills.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com.

The post How To Facilitate Meetings With International Colleagues appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

If you are new to the U.S. and getting ready for a job interview in Seattle, you may feel a bit nervous, especially if you are a non-native English speaker. Interviews may be similar in your culture; or not. In some countries, other ways are used to select candidates, not interviews. So if you are relatively new to this process, especially in the Seattle area, here are some interview tips for ESL learners that will help you feel more confident about the experience.
(This blog was originally published January 31, 2022, and has been updated on December 21, 2024.)

Interview tips for ESL learners

Attitude as an interviewee

This first tip has to do with attitude. Even though you feel you “need” this job, remember that the company also “needs” someone for the position. It is a 2-way street. If you were the company, wouldn’t you want the right person to fill it? If you feel you will do well in this position, you are doing the company a favor by letting them know how they will benefit from having you on their team.

Interview is really a time to find out if you are the right fit for each other. That’s all it is. Get information from each other to help you make that decision. You also want to know if this position, this company, is right for your work style, your personality, your job satisfaction. Although the people who interview you may not be the ones you work with, observing interactions of the people who work there will give you an idea of the company atmosphere.

You are an equal in the interview. It’s not about the interviewers evaluating you. It’s about you evaluating the company too. How will the company benefit from having you on its team? What will you gain from working with this company? Learning opportunities? A happy place to work?

Now that you know an interview is a time to find out if you are a good match for each other, let’s move on to another tip.

Have an enjoyable conversation

Is it possible to enjoy yourself at an interview? Definitely! Intend to have a good time at your interview. How often do you get to talk about your accomplishment and abilities in front of people who WANT to know? Who NEED to know? This is one place where you can do it AND expected to do so. Imagine how good it feels to think over your past accomplishment and tell others how past employers have benefitted from your work.

And a side effect of enjoying your conversation is that you will naturally relax, which will take care of your nervousness. Have you noticed that when you are relaxed, you can deal with a situation much better than when you feel stressed? This relaxed state will help you have a more productive dialogue with the interviewers. It also allows you to observe the environment better, and pick up signals if this is the right workplace for you.

Talking about your accomplishment

This can be an uncomfortable area for some cultures. It may be perceived as bragging in your culture if you talk about your accomplishment. Think of it this way. You are sharing relevant information to help the interviewers select the most suitable team member. If you have done such and such, and it matches what they are looking for, let them know. And if you helped to save the department money, tell them how much. Yes, an actual dollar amount. Or you developed a program that saved co-workers time, let them know how many hours a week you saved the company.

Information like this is VERY relevant in this kind of meeting.

Socially, you probably would not talk like this, but this is not a social get-together. This is a time designated to find out if working in this company is a good match for both you and the employer.

If you really feel uncomfortable talking about your accomplishment, practice with someone you feel comfortable with before the interview. Repeat until you can talk about your good work WITHOUT lowering your voice (which may be a common way to convey humility in some cultures.)

So, these are a few tips that will help you feel more confident before you go to the interview. Keep in mind that this is not a test. Both you and the interviewer want to find out if the job and you are a match. That’s all it is.

And enjoy your conversation. These could be your future co-workers.

Some have found it helpful to work with a coach so they can get feedback on the way they present themselves, and to fine-tune their answers. If you would like to have these sessions with me, you can email me at estrellachan@gmail.com.

If you find this article helpful, here is one on learning discussion skills, which is a skill that can help you advance in your career.

If you think of aspects about an interview that you would like me to address, please send me an email at estrellachan@gmail.com

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post 3 Job Interview Tips For Non-Native English Speakers appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

A week ago, I presented at the BizDiversity 2020 Conference on the topic of creating a welcoming workplace for all cultures. The audience appreciated the tips, for they were either Human Resources managers who are in the process of nurturing this kind of environment, or individuals who want to contribute what they can in fostering this atmosphere at work. Since many are working online now, my tips include the virtual aspects. I hope you are able to use some of the ideas in this article on how to create a welcoming workplace for all cultures online.

Some of our international colleagues come from cultures that are more group oriented. Have you ever watched one of Rick Steves’ travel shows to Europe? Especially along the Mediterranean, it’s common to spend time chatting with neighbors and friends in the evening.

People get together for parties for no special occasions. Many of my clients from group oriented cultures tell me there are parties almost every weekend. And sometimes it doesn’t even have to be a weekend!

Imagine coming from such a group oriented culture to one such as Seattle. Relative to those cultures, Seattle seems more individual oriented. And if you are new here, not knowing anyone, where can you go to have these social interactions that you are so used to?

Now that many are working online, how can you create a workplace that helps your international colleagues feel welcomed?

Creating a welcoming workplace online

Brown Bag Lunch is a concept used by some organizations to bring together those with common interests. Let’s use this idea to form an online Brown Bag group.

Take travels. If you have an international colleague who just moved from Paris, ask if she would be willing to put together a slide show to share highlights of places to see, restaurants where locals go. In the least, it provides a virtual vacation for co-workers. And for those planning a trip to Paris, who better than to get travel tips from a local?

Food is another easy way to create a sense of community. So how do you do it online?

Ask an international colleague who is fond of cooking and feels comfortable inviting co-workers virtually into his kitchen. If you love Spanish food, wouldn’t you want to learn how to cook paella from a native? And if the group plans ahead, each person who wants to follow along can get the ingredients ahead of time and follow the chef in real time. You probably want to choose a dish that takes a short time to finish cooking.

These 2 activities can easily be transitioned to face-to-face events. You can invite one or two international colleagues to share travel tips each week. That is an easy way for more co-workers to connect with the newcomers in a social way. The speaker can invite colleagues to events that highlight their culture. Seattle Center has many festivals in past years.

For the food group, you can provide a budget and ask someone to either prepare dishes from their country or buy take-out from a restaurant that features popular food from that culture. Have round tables set up for the food group so colleagues can enjoy nice conversations while dining.

These are just some ideas to get you started. Once people feel connected, they’ll find ways to get together in other areas that they are interested in.

I wish you success in creating these groups online. In the next article, I will talk about finding natural leaders to help you promote events in the company.

If you have success stories of how you or your company created a welcoming workplace for all cultures, please share them with me. Email support@englisharoundtheworld.com.

An article that may augment this topic is How to create a culturally diverse workplace.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email support@englisharoundtheworld.com

The post How To Create A Welcoming Workplace For All Cultures Online appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

Have you ever thought of an idea that would help your employer? An idea that could improve the lives of employees or help the company prosper? Maybe in the culture you come from, making suggestions to your company is considered inappropriate. Even perceived as disrespectful or arrogant. But what if you really believe you have a solution that benefits your company? If you are working in an organization that wants your input, there may be cultural habits that hold you back from sharing your brilliant thoughts. If so, here are some ideas on how to make suggestions to your company.

Effective Ways To Offer Suggestions

Present your idea in a form that is easily used by the decision-maker. This takes effort on your part because naturally you think of the problem and solution from your point of view instead of the perspective of the decision-maker.

Bring a solution

Your employer probably appreciates your input. Because they have other jobs to tend to, the more work you save them, the higher the chance your idea would be used. So come up with numbers, logistics. Solve specific problems you foresee and figure out the logistics of how you would solve them. With such a detailed suggestion, wouldn’t you give it more serious consideration if you were the boss?

Volunteer to participate in the solution

And if you have the time, offer to head up the project. This saves your boss a lot of time, which is much appreciated. Let’s say the company likes your idea. If they have already budgeted for potential solutions, and the numbers you come up with fit their budget, it will add to the probability that your idea would be used, if it makes sense to the company.

Most importantly, because you thought of the idea, you have a vested interest in seeing it through. Nobody will have as much passion about it as you do. So surely, you will see to its success.

Now, you have the satisfaction of solving a problem for the company. And you have also given your boss the opportunity to observe your leadership in action. Guess who your supervisor will think of when a promotion opens up?

Although your pure interest is in helping the company or helping to improve a condition for the employees, volunteering your ideas and service gives you visibility. Often, this visibility leads to more opportunities within the company. Which is another topic worthy of exploring.

So, if you see a way to help your company, and you have an idea how to solve a problem, think about offering the suggestion in a form that can be easily used by the decision-maker, so they don’t need to spend time figuring out the logistics. If you decide to experiment with this, please email me at support@englisharoundtheworld.com and let me know how it turns out.

If you enjoy this article, here is one on How to create a culturally diverse workplace.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email support@englisharoundtheworld.com

The post How To Make Suggestions To Your Company appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

If you are recruiting international employees for your company, sometimes you may run into cultural behavior that is unfamiliar to you. For example, why is their handshake not firm? Why don’t they smile? And why don’t they get to the point when they answer your questions? If you have ever come across situations like these, here are some tips for interviewing international candidates.

Interviewing international candidates

If the international candidates you are interviewing are already exposed to Western cultures for some time, then they might already be familiar with the interpretation of certain non-verbal behavior here. But if they haven’t, it is possible that they might miss the basics that we take for granted–firm handshake, smile, eye contact, etc.

A firm handshake may not be universal

Recently, I was demonstrating to some international clients the etiquette in American interviews. The first thing I checked was their handshake. I had to reassure almost every person that they won’t hurt my hand if they were firmer. One client shared that in her culture, men shake hands with women holding just the tip of their hands, even in a business situation. A few others simply feel that it was polite not to squeeze my hand too tightly.

What if these clients did not have the opportunity to practice their handshake with me before interviewing with an American company? How would their prospective interviewer perceive them with their gentle handshake? Would they have lost their opportunity even before the conversation?

Eye contact and cultural interpretations

Another area was eye contact. Not just during the handshake, but during the mock interview as well.

When we practice shaking hands, some of my clients did not make eye contact with me. I speculate that this is due to respect. Once, a grandfather from Vietnam told me a story about his grandson, who was born here.

“My young grandson looked directly at me when I talked to him. How disrespectful!”

I remember in some cultures, when teachers or elders speak to the young ones, eye contact from the young is not appropriate.

In some cultures, interviews are not even common. So, interview etiquette common to many Americans may not be practiced in other countries. One of these is smiling.

Smiling at interviews may not be common

It is also possible that the interviewer is perceived to be in a “higher” position. Smiling may come across as being too familiar, as if an equal. Again, the concept of showing respect.

You can set these interviewees at ease by smiling more yourself, and spending more time to break the ice at the beginning. This could encourage the candidate to relax and talk more. In fact, if you are able to conduct the interview more like a conversation instead of question and answer, you would more likely get the information you want. This is especially true for candidates who have not interviewed much, especially in the U.S.

One more thing. Avoid the question “Tell me about yourself.” It’s not a common interview questions in many cultures. International candidates really do not know what kind of response you are looking for.

Perhaps offering tea or coffee at the beginning of the meeting would help the candidate feel more at ease, as this connotes hospitality. And your conversation would take on a more relaxed note.

These are just a few tips if you are new to interviewing international candidates. If you have specific situations you are wondering about, feel free to email me at estrellachan@gmail.com

If you find this article helpful, here is one on How to help ESL employees understand company benefits.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.   To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post Tips For Interviewing International Candidates appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

The Pacific Northwest is such a diverse place that very likely, you have co-workers from other parts of the world. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could enhance your communication and build rapport more easily with these colleagues? To help nurture these relationships, here are some tips on how to improve communication with international colleagues.

Communicating with international co-workers

When asking a co-worker to repeat

When asking someone to repeat, say “I am sorry. Would you say that again?” or “Pardon me. Would you repeat that?” There’s a reason to begin with an apology. You are diplomatically taking the blame for not understanding. This is a polite move, so the other person does not feel bad about not speaking perfect English.

One response to avoid is saying “What?” with the tone of “I can’t understand your English.” That contributes to building barriers because the other person FEELS your attitude, which could come across as a criticism of their English ability. A few polite words, along with a diplomatic attitude would be so helpful in building communication bridges with your co-worker.

Make sure chronological order is clear

If you are discussing a topic where chronological order is critical, spell it out. English uses verb tense to indicate time. Not all languages do that. Some indicate time in other parts of the sentence. Depending on your co-worker’s mastery of English tenses, there could be misunderstanding of chronology.

A good way to be clear is to say “first…second…third…” If you are in a meeting with a group, write down the sequence in numerical order. Do not just rely on verb tenses. Make the order clear in other ways as well when you are in an international team.

Greetings and goodbyes are important in many cultures

In many cultures, the way you greet someone or say goodbye to them reveals your attitude toward them. Your respect for them, how important you consider that person to be in your life. High-context cultures put more attention in non-verbal communication than low-context cultures. Acknowledgment of someone through greetings and goodbyes are very important in some societies. And not just hello and goodbye.

I heard a woman from a high-context culture praise a young man for the way he acknowledges someone. Everytime he passes by that person, he nods, smiles, and says their name. This is considered very courteous in that culture. Knowing and practicing these nuances of interpersonal relationships are highly regarded.

Use these daily contacts as possible ways to nurture your work relationship with your international co-workers. Spend a few more seconds in your greetings. Maybe shake hands even though you just saw them the day before. In some cultures, handshake is a normal part of everyday greetings. It’s not reserved just for meeting someone new.

So, experiment with these suggestions, and see how they affect your relationship with your international colleagues. If you don’t understand someone’s English, begin with an apology, then ask for repetition. And if chronological order is important, make sure you are clear in more ways than just relying on verb tenses. Remember daily greetings are very important in some cultures. If you practice these, you would probably find your work relationships even more satisfying.

If you find this article helpful, here is another one on How to facilitate meetings with international colleagues.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email support@englisharoundtheworld.com

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