Preparing for a job interview? What to do?

Once you are called for an interview, you should consider a time to prepare for it. But what to do? You are not a fortune teller, so you don´t know what you are going to be asked for. Especially, if you have never been to an interview here in Chile.

Here we go with the tips:

– 1) Company information: this is something pretty obvious, but a lot of people don´t do it. Read about the company: website, public figures, google it. Try to discover the company culture and philosophy. Focus in the area that you are applying for. For example, if you are searching for an opportunity in Finance, you should understand figures and all the available finance numbers. Study the business if you come from other industry. The level of knowledge that you are expected to manage will depend on the seniority of the position that you are applying for. In some positions, it is expected that you do a very depth research, especially if the interview is with the Line Manager.

– 2) Try to think how this position will contribute to your career plan and why you are interested in it and in the company.

– 3) Nowadays, most of the interviews are based in competence questions. That means that you should think about examples where you put them in action. Read the required competences for the position (if not available, try to think which can be the main one). For instance, if the job requires project management, think about the most complex project that you lead. Or for customer service, think about how you manage a difficult situation with a client. Or a situation that you have to say no to a client.

– 4) Your strengths and “development areas” (or the so called weakness) will be asked in different ways. So think about it and search for examples in your previous jobs. For the development areas, don´t be afraid to mention something not positive about yourself, but try to consider how do you deal to mitigate this weakness. Think out of the box and don´t mention the typical things: “I am to responsible” “Very detailed” “Proactive”. A good interviewer could challenged and ask for a different example.

– 5)Think about your main challenges that you deal with, major projects, most complex situations. This could be asked. Think about your major failures and how you deal with.

– 6) For each position, have in mind your main responsibilities and your major achievements. The ones that you achieve and not other people. Sometimes the “we” is not so good, interviewers want to know your contribution and not that someone else did it.

– 7) What are your main skills? Your main talents?

–  8) What kind your working style you prefer? In what environments do you feel more confortable? What kind of bosses do you prefer?

– 9) If you are going to lead a team, think about your leadership style.

Spend some time reflecting about yourself. It is useful if you prepare a file with this information and you read it before the interview.

If you have just arrived to Chile, you could be asked why you are here, are you alone? do you have a family? do you plan to stay here all your life…  and a lot of uncomfortable questions. It is good that you are prepared to answer this personal questions. If you are changing jobs, be prepared to answer why do you want to change.

For next time, we will continue with the interview itself…

 

 

How to write a CV for Chilean Market?

This is a topic that we are frequently asked. Nowadays, international assignments have changed and in a lot of cases, both partners of a couple are workers. So, for the success of the expatriation, it is important that both of them find a job and continue their career development.

To write a CV seems something easy, but a lot of people lose the opportunity to get an interview because they are not accurate in their CVs. Here you will find some tips:

– Extension: This is a very important point, please don´t write a bible! Think that recruiters receive hundreds of CV per job search. Ideally one or two pages. It needs to have the most relevant information according to the job search that you are applying for.

– Format: We recommend to use a simple format that facilitates the reading. No grammar errors, no colours, simple font.

– Contact data: Please put in a handy place your contact data, especially email address and telephone. In the telephone, please put the complete number including the code area. If the recruiter is in another country, they could not know how to dial. Civil status is something optional. The age in European and Americans CVs are not included. In Latin America, to be honest, is something that sometimes is asked in the CV. Up to you. Regarding the RUT, a lot of recruiters recommend not to put the RUT number, but being a foreigners if you have a RUT, I recommend to put the number or what visa you have. If the recruiter is to close and don´t find this information, maybe he/she will discharge you because thinks that it is too complicate to hire you.

– Brief summary: We recommend to include  a paragraph with a summary. Maybe you can copy what you have in Linkedin. It is very helpful for recruiters to find at the beginning of the CV the most relevant information. Think about key words of your profile. 3 or 4 lines.

– Experience: Start with the most recent experience. Be very accurate. Put company name, job title, dates (start and end date) and a summary of the main responsibilities and achievements. Your story has to be understood with a fast look.

– Education: we see that in Chilean market, the education is very important. Check if your career is available in Chile or if there is any equivalency. Maybe between brackets, you can but the chilean correlation. Or clarify the years of study (maybe you study an university career and Chile that name refers to a technician career).

– Language: if you speak English, this is a very good point for Chilean Market. Put this information in a visible place. If the job ad is in English, send the English version. It is also important that you have an Spanish version.

– Salary: don´t put the salary in the CV. Unless it is requested.

– References: Think about 3 persons that can refer you is requested. If you have someone in Chilean market, it is very appreciated.

If you need tips on how to look for a job, you can read our previous post.

Global Mobility Services, our main sponsor, can advise you how to look for a job in Chile in the most effective way: CV preparation, interviews and job search strategy:info@gmobilityservices.com.

 

 

 

Books for a summer afternoon in the pool

 

We are enjoying a warm weather in this south location of the globe and nothing more relaxing that reading a good novel while you sunbathe.

In case you are a non-native Spanish speaker, this recommendation will help you to practice your Spanish. If you don´t speak Spanish, maybe you can buy an English version of these books online.

 

Caballo de Fuego Trilogy- Author;Florencia Bonelli 

 

It is a trilogy from an Argentinean author. Great love story with a great context behind. First you need to read Caballo de Fuego Paris, then Caballo de Fuego Congo and finally Caballo de Fuego Gaza.  It is not necessary but it is good if you first read “Lo que dicen tus ojos”, where the story of some characters is explained here. (We are not sure if the paper version can be found in Santiago´s bookstores.)

 

 

Dispara yo ya estoy muerto- Author;Julia Navarro

 

 

“Dispara yo ya estoy muerto” from Julia Navarro, author of other successful novels of Spanish narrative such as “La sangre de los inocentes” and “Dime quien soy”, is the passionate story of two families. The characters live in key moments of the history. Varsovia, San Petersburgo, Jerusalem, Paris… are some of the interesting locations where this novel takes place.

 

En el país de la nube blanca- Author:Sarak Lark

 

 

Sarah Lark  is a German author that worked a lot of years as a touristic guide. She got fascinated about New Zealand and its fascinated landscapes. This novel is part of  a new literary phenomenon, which is called “Landscape novels”. “En el país la nube blanca” is the first novel of a saga. In the London of 1852, two girls begin a journey to New Zealand. For them, it means the beginning of a new life as future wives of men who do not know.

 

You can find these books in different bookstores such as Feria Chilena del Libro and also in some supermarkets like Jumbo.

 

I need a massage

 

Probably you all agree that at this time of the year, we are so tired. Full of events, all the year behind.. Batteries are going down.. I don´t not know you, but I definitely need a massage!

Our prefer spot for massages in the city is Spa One& Only. It has two stores, both in Vitacura. As soon as you enter the place, you feel the relax mood. You have different treatments, between 30 and 60 minutes. You can also buy a gift certificates.

After the massage, to continue with the zen mood, you can go to Quinoa Restaurant, one of the best veggie restaurant in the city. I really recommend the mezze dish which has  Falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki and salad.
Or maybe, you can go to Metro Cuadrado Cafe, a small place where you can enjoy nice sweet things. Both are located in Luis Pasteur Avenue.

Relax and enjoy!

Online groceries! what a pleasure!

We are all running with the groceries for holidays celebration. It is so tiring and supermarkets are all full. That´s why we decided to share this list of online supermarkets. Be careful, make your order with time, in some pages you should do it one or two days before the day you need it. Especially, if you don´t have a lot of availability and you want your order the delivery at special time range. Normally, you can select morning, afternoon or all day.

1) Jumbo

2) Lider

3) Telermercados: This is online an online supermarket

4) La Vega Virtual: only for fruits and vegetables

 

Another tip! If you live close to a supermarket, you can tip (around CLP 2.000) the packer and they can walk you home with the shopping cart. This is useful if you don´t have a car.

 

 

Cheers! Our wines recommendation

To be honest I did not know much about wines.. but don´t get disappointed please continue reading! Living in Chile, I learnt to enjoy wines and I was able to get good advice for this post.

You should know that here it is typical when you are invited to a dinner to bring a bottle of wine. In supermarkets, you have plenty of options so if you are not an expert it is difficult to know which wine to buy.

Chile is known for its Carménères, a wine grape variety originally planted in the Médoc region of Bordeux, France and rediscovered in Chile in 1994, very interesting story. You can also find perfect Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noit and Sauvignon Blanc.

Below you can find a list of wines brand that we totally recommend, you can find it in supermarkets or special wines shop:

1) Casa Silva, Los Ligues, Gran Reserva

2) Santa Ema, Reserva

3) Montes Alpha

4) Gran Tarapacá

5) Concha y Toro, Serie Riberas

6) Vino Catalina, Viña Santa Ema

7) Casas del Bosque: It has a delicious Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for this time of the year. The Pinot noir is our favourite.

Cheers!

Haaaaave you met Ted?

 

How I met your mother´s fans will understand this introductory line.. In real life it is not so easy to meet people like Barney and Ted do it in How I met using that simple introductory technique.

One of the main challenges when you moved to other country is to develop your social network. Making friends abroad can be an intimidating experience and sometimes is difficult to know how to start. The sooner you start knowing people, the better and quicker you will start adapting to your new reality. Creating a solid network will help you to understand better the new culture, share experiences (both good and bad), have an emotional support and, of course, have a good time.

Below you can find some tips to meet people:

• Before moving, read information about Santiago in expats web pages or blogs (like Inside Santiago!).
• Check among friends if they know someone living in Santiago that can introduce you: Review facebook and Linkedin.
•  Register in Expat forums. Internations is one of the biggest expat network, there is a Santiago community, which has events almost every month. It is one of the best way to meet people.
• If you are not a native Spanish speaker, start taking Spanish lessons in an Institute with a group of people. Apart from meeting  people, it is critical to start settling in Chile.
• Enrol yourself in a social club. You can find social clubs in our Where to live section.
• Register in a sport activity: gym, runners club, golf, tennis, football, etc… Don´t miss our getting fit: outdoor and indoor mood post!
• If you have kids, invite kids their age over to play – you’ll get to know their parents.
• Become a member of business or professional associations.
• If you met neighbors, invite them for a drink or small party.
• Hang out in pub and bars. For example, California Cantina.
• Voluntary work: Completing voluntary work for charities is a further ideal method of making friends abroad while simultaneously contributing to a good cause. Before, check if your visa allows you to do charity work.
• If you have a baby, you can register into a mommy playgroup (we are planning to dedicate a post to this subject).
• Every two Wednesdays, check our What to do in Santiago section, you will find different activities and also could be a good way to meet people.

What worked for you? Share your experience with us!

Tasty and Healthy: Low Calories Snacks

 

When I just moved to Santiago, I used to carry my low calories snacks from my country and stocked it carefully till next trip. Now I discovered good options that can be found in Santiago´s supermarket. Especially for this time of the year where is full of celebrations, it is good to eat something light when you have the chance. Here is our selection of snacks:

Bodyvida: this is clearly my favourite and I am thinking in contacting this brand to let them know that I became an ambassador. I contributed to increase the sales, I am sure. It is a rice cookie frosted chocolate stuffed with different flavours.

Nutrabien: It has a complete line of products: brownies, cookies and other things. It is perfect when you really want something sweet but you feel guilty to eat a chocolate.

Dole: It has a line of dried fruits that it is a really good option for a snack: apple, coconut, banana and pineapple.

Little France in Santiago: Boulangeries

We know that for some communities having good bread on the table is almost religious. Although, we really encourage trying the Chilean Marraqueta, we will recommend you some of the best bakeries in the city. In these boulangeries, you will find a variety of delicious products that you won´t see in a lot of places in town. Among others, Baguettes, croissants, eclairs, macarons, viennoiseries, madelaines.. Great pleasures!

Mettisage Boulangerie: Some friends who know about bread say that it is the best bakery in town. It is located in Vitacura Avenue. The baker learnt the techniques from a French baker. The bread is 100% artisanal. In the store, you have some tables and you can order something to enjoy there. Av. Vitacura 3187, Vitacura.

 

Erik Kayser: it is a french bakery, which has stores around the world. You can find it in El Golf area and in the new mall Vivo of Los Trapenses in Lo Barnechea. You also have tables in the stores.

Le Fournil: people said that a couple of years ago the quality was better, but in any case we like the bread of Le Fournil. You can find it in different locations and also has a restaurant menu. The one that is located in Plaza Mañio in Vitacura has outside tables, very nice to enjoy the warm weather.

Paul: it is also an original French bakery which has stores around the world. Just opened in Santiago! The first store is in Parque Arauco but in the future there will be more locations. Next location seems to be in the Golf area, great choice outside the mall. It also has a restaurant where you can taste gourmet dishes. The store is beautiful, you can feel in Paris! Nothing to envy to big cosmopolitan cities.

Au revoir!

 

 

How to look for a job in Chile?

 

We know that looking for a job can be a very uncertain and unpleasant experience, especially if you are adapting to a new country.

First of all, you must know where and how to look. Try to make new contacts that can get you closer to the right places. Remember that one of the fastest and most effective way to find a job is through recommendations, particularly in Chile. Do not miss the opportunity to announce that you are seeking employment in any social meeting; you will notice that there is always someone willing to help.

In many cases, Internet can be a great tool.

Latin America represents one of the regions with the highest annual growth rate in Linkedin at global level, and Chile is no exception. It is becoming more frequent the use of this social network as a personal profile and as a company page, which means that a lot of people are interesting in professional connecting and a many companies want to be in touch with more people.

Through the following video, Laetitia Saint Maur, international director of accounts and marketing solutions of LinkedIn gives you some tips for success in the job search through this social network: http://bit.ly/1eqZyp5.

In Linkedin, you can find job advs in the job section and also in the company page of different companies and consultant. There also some people that post jobs in their personal home page. Another good option is to request membership to different groups that can interesting for your career.

But Linkedin is not the only tool. You can also register yourself in the mail job portals:

• bumeran.cl
• laborum.cl
• trabajando.cl
• computrabajo.cl
• Opcionempleo.cl
• http://www.startupchile.org/

Offering for volunteering during an event or with a foundation can be a good way to meet people that can help you with the job search.

We recommend you to have an excel-sheet with all your contacts and jobs that you have applied to keep your record. Looking for a job is a job!

 

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  Global Mobility Services can advise you to look for a job in Chile in the most effective way. We help you with the preparation of the CV, interviews and the job search strategy in accordance with Chilean labour market practices. info@gmobilityservices.com.