Preparing for a phone or video interview

Most trade hiring starts with a short call. Here are the questions to expect and how to answer them.

A first call from an employer is usually short — five to ten minutes — and exists to confirm three things: that you really can do the work, that you are serious about travelling, and that you understand the terms. Preparing for it doubles your chances.

Before the call

Find a quiet place and check your signal.
Have your CV open in front of you.
Keep paper and a pen to note the details: pay, housing, company name.
Charge your phone. A call that drops halfway may not be repeated.

Questions you will probably be asked

How many years in this specific trade?
Where did you last work and why did you leave?
Have you worked with this equipment or these systems?
When can you travel, and is your passport valid?
Have you worked in the Gulf before?

Answer clearly and briefly. If you do not know something, say so. Claims are found out at the practical test, and you lose more.

Questions you should ask

The call is not one-directional. Ask, politely and plainly, about the things that will define the next two years of your life:

Exactly how much is the pay, and is it basic or all-inclusive?
Is accommodation provided, and how many to a room?
What are the daily hours and the rest day?
Who pays for the flight and the processing fees?
What is the full company name and where is the site?

A warning sign

If they dodge your questions, refuse to name the company, or ask for money at the end of the call, end it calmly and transfer nothing. A serious employer answers these without irritation, because they are asking you the same kind of question.

After the call

Write down what was agreed immediately, and ask for the offer in writing. What is not written cannot be returned to later.

Rules and fees change and differ by country and employer. Always check with the official authorities before paying or signing anything.