Embassy Interview Preparation Secrets For J-1 Visa Marketing, Law Internship & Trainee Candidate
Al Lostocco
April 20, 2009
www.internship4america.com
If you are at this stage in the process of recruiting an international intern then you have picked your candidate(s), and you have screened and interviewed them. You have developed your training plan and have picked a sponsoring agency to work with and issue a DS-2019. I would like to also think that you have had on-going verbal dialogue with the candidate(s) as you gathered the required documents, which will provide you with additional confirmation on the candidates English speaking and comprehension skills. In the event you have not read my articles on the above subjects you can find them listed on my website
The embassy appointment is the most important part of this whole process because after all the preparation work that you have done if not handled correctly your candidate will be rejected. Keep in mind even if everything is in order you still can be turned down. What is critical is that your candidate goes to his or her interview totally prepared. We will discuss it later but your candidate may have to go for a second or even a third interview. Here is a list of the items your candidate should have in hand when s/he arrives at the consulīs desk:
1. Resume: Make sure it is well done and neat and orderly
2. Diplomas, certificates, etc: These documents should support what is on the resume
3. DS2019 and related Documents: These are documents that you will receive from the sponsoring agency. Make sure the DS2019 has not expired prior to the interview date.
4. Passport and Birth Certificate
5. Visa Photos: These should be passport size photos
6. Documents to be completed prior to the Candidates Interview: The following forms can be found at the US Embassy website for the candidateīs home country. There may be other required documents besides the ones listed so make sure the candidate or you checks this out on the website.
a. DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Your candidate must go online and complete and submit this document. All answers must be in English and must use English characters
b. DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Your candidate can complete this on-line, which is advisable and print it out and have with him or her.
c. DS-158 Contact information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant: Here again your candidate can complete it on-line, print it out and have it in his or her possession.
7. Bank Statements and other documents: The reason for the personal bank statements is to show financial support capability. If the candidate uses his parentīs bank statements then s/he will require an accompanying letter from the parents (In English) giving permission to participate in the internship program. The candidates should also have property deeds, personal or family, that demonstrate community and country ties. The objective is to show that the individual has compelling reasons to return home upon completion of the program.
8. Other Documents to Consider:
a. Another helpful documents for the candidate to have in his or her possession is a letter from a current employer or a potential future employer guaranteeing employment upon returning home. Also a letter from the current employer indicating approval of the training and how it will benefit his business.
b. Proof of School Status that the candidate will be returning to complete his or her program.
c. Proof of family ties. A letter from parents or a family member
This list may not be all-inclusive I recommend you check with the embassyīs website to make sure your candidate has not missed a requirement. Every embassy is different with slightly different requirements.
Now here are some tips, which might help your candidate in proving eligibility (key words) for a visa during the interview. We suggest you review these with the candidate just prior to the embassy appointment.
Your candidate should resist the temptation to tell his or her whole life story and family history to the Consul in response to every question he asks. (Remember loose lips sink ships)
The candidate needs to stick to the subject and get straight to the bottom line in his or her answers. If a "yes or no" question is asked, then the answer only needs to be yes or no. If additional information is required be brief and stick to the point.
The candidate needs to listen to the Consulīs question before starting to answer the question.
The candidate needs to make sure s/he understands the question being asked. If s/he does not understand then ask for it to be repeated or for clarification. The candidate should not guess at the answer to a question, if s/he cannot remember or does not know acknowledge it. Be honest, they are trained to know when someone is faking it.
Present only documents which are true, genuine and authentic.
Finally the candidate needs to relax during the interview and be himself or herself.
If after all this your candidate is rejected here is what you will have to do. First you will need to discuss with the candidate what was said to him or her in the interview as to why s/he was rejected. Did it have to do with family ties, or the training program or some other reason? If it is about family ties then the candidate will have to produce additional documentation to strengthen his or her position. If the concern is about the training you will need to issue a letter on your company letterhead addressing the issues and supporting the benefits the candidate will receive. It is important to make sure you understand the reason for the rejection and address it. The candidate can go for a total of three interviews. Each time it will be a different consul who will look at the case and make a judgment. You can also attempt to call the Embassy some will talk to you others will not. In all cases they will not address a specific case only generalities.
If you follow all the above rules and suggestions you will have done all you can do. There are no guaranteeīs that the embassy will grant your request. Hopefully you will have additional candidates in the queue ready to go should your first candidate be rejected.
If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me directly at lostocco1@internship4america.com. Experiences you may have had are also welcome.
www.internship4america.com
Alexander H. Lostocco
If you are at this stage in the process of recruiting an international intern then you have picked your candidate(s), and you have screened and interviewed them. You have developed your training plan and have picked a sponsoring agency to work with and issue a DS-2019. I would like to also think that you have had on-going verbal dialogue with the candidate(s) as you gathered the required documents, which will provide you with additional confirmation on the candidates English speaking and comprehension skills. In the event you have not read my articles on the above subjects you can find them listed on my website
The embassy appointment is the most important part of this whole process because after all the preparation work that you have done if not handled correctly your candidate will be rejected. Keep in mind even if everything is in order you still can be turned down. What is critical is that your candidate goes to his or her interview totally prepared. We will discuss it later but your candidate may have to go for a second or even a third interview. Here is a list of the items your candidate should have in hand when s/he arrives at the consulīs desk:
1. Resume: Make sure it is well done and neat and orderly
2. Diplomas, certificates, etc: These documents should support what is on the resume
3. DS2019 and related Documents: These are documents that you will receive from the sponsoring agency. Make sure the DS2019 has not expired prior to the interview date.
4. Passport and Birth Certificate
5. Visa Photos: These should be passport size photos
6. Documents to be completed prior to the Candidates Interview: The following forms can be found at the US Embassy website for the candidateīs home country. There may be other required documents besides the ones listed so make sure the candidate or you checks this out on the website.
a. DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Your candidate must go online and complete and submit this document. All answers must be in English and must use English characters
b. DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Your candidate can complete this on-line, which is advisable and print it out and have with him or her.
c. DS-158 Contact information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant: Here again your candidate can complete it on-line, print it out and have it in his or her possession.
7. Bank Statements and other documents: The reason for the personal bank statements is to show financial support capability. If the candidate uses his parentīs bank statements then s/he will require an accompanying letter from the parents (In English) giving permission to participate in the internship program. The candidates should also have property deeds, personal or family, that demonstrate community and country ties. The objective is to show that the individual has compelling reasons to return home upon completion of the program.
8. Other Documents to Consider:
a. Another helpful documents for the candidate to have in his or her possession is a letter from a current employer or a potential future employer guaranteeing employment upon returning home. Also a letter from the current employer indicating approval of the training and how it will benefit his business.
b. Proof of School Status that the candidate will be returning to complete his or her program.
c. Proof of family ties. A letter from parents or a family member
This list may not be all-inclusive I recommend you check with the embassyīs website to make sure your candidate has not missed a requirement. Every embassy is different with slightly different requirements.
Now here are some tips, which might help your candidate in proving eligibility (key words) for a visa during the interview. We suggest you review these with the candidate just prior to the embassy appointment.
Your candidate should resist the temptation to tell his or her whole life story and family history to the Consul in response to every question he asks. (Remember loose lips sink ships)
The candidate needs to stick to the subject and get straight to the bottom line in his or her answers. If a "yes or no" question is asked, then the answer only needs to be yes or no. If additional information is required be brief and stick to the point.
The candidate needs to listen to the Consulīs question before starting to answer the question.
The candidate needs to make sure s/he understands the question being asked. If s/he does not understand then ask for it to be repeated or for clarification. The candidate should not guess at the answer to a question, if s/he cannot remember or does not know acknowledge it. Be honest, they are trained to know when someone is faking it.
Present only documents which are true, genuine and authentic.
Finally the candidate needs to relax during the interview and be himself or herself.
If after all this your candidate is rejected here is what you will have to do. First you will need to discuss with the candidate what was said to him or her in the interview as to why s/he was rejected. Did it have to do with family ties, or the training program or some other reason? If it is about family ties then the candidate will have to produce additional documentation to strengthen his or her position. If the concern is about the training you will need to issue a letter on your company letterhead addressing the issues and supporting the benefits the candidate will receive. It is important to make sure you understand the reason for the rejection and address it. The candidate can go for a total of three interviews. Each time it will be a different consul who will look at the case and make a judgment. You can also attempt to call the Embassy some will talk to you others will not. In all cases they will not address a specific case only generalities.
If you follow all the above rules and suggestions you will have done all you can do. There are no guaranteeīs that the embassy will grant your request. Hopefully you will have additional candidates in the queue ready to go should your first candidate be rejected.
If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me directly at lostocco1@internship4america.com. Experiences you may have had are also welcome.
www.internship4america.com
Alexander H. Lostocco
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