15 Intercultural Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, the interviewer will ask you questions about your qualifications and experience. But they will also ask you intercultural interview questions.

Intercultural interview questions are designed to assess your ability to work with people from different cultures. They may ask you about your experiences working with people from other cultures, or they may ask you hypothetical questions about how you would handle certain situations.

Answering these questions well is essential if you want to get the job. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to answer intercultural interview questions.

1. What is intercultural communication?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of intercultural communication and how it can be used in the workplace. When answering this question, you should define what intercultural communication is and explain why it’s important for businesses.

Example: “Intercultural communication is when two people from different cultures communicate with each other. It involves understanding cultural differences and using them to improve communication between individuals. Intercultural communication is an essential skill because it allows me to understand my coworkers better and learn about their backgrounds. This helps me build stronger relationships with my colleagues and makes me more effective at work.”

2. Can you explain what the iceberg model of culture is in context with intercultural communication?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the iceberg model, which is an important concept in intercultural communication. The interviewer may ask you this question if they want to know more about how you apply the iceberg model to your work and what it means for your career development.

Example: “The iceberg model of culture was developed by Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner as a framework for understanding cultural differences. It’s based on the idea that people from different cultures have different values, beliefs and assumptions that influence their behavior. In my last role, I used the iceberg model to help my team understand why some members were having trouble communicating with each other. We realized that we needed to learn more about each other’s backgrounds so we could better communicate.”

3. Why is it important to understand intercultural communication in business?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of intercultural communication and how it can benefit a business. You can answer this question by explaining the importance of understanding different cultures, including your own, and how it can help you communicate with others more effectively.

Example: “Intercultural communication is important because it allows us to understand other people’s values, beliefs and behaviors. This helps us communicate with them in ways that are most effective. For example, if I’m communicating with someone from another culture who speaks a different language than me, I need to be able to understand their body language so I can respond appropriately. Understanding intercultural communication also helps us avoid making mistakes when we interact with others.”

4. What are some examples of cultural differences that can cause a misunderstanding in an international business setting?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to navigate cultural differences in a professional setting. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your awareness of how different cultures may interpret information differently and how you used this knowledge to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with an international client who was based in Europe. They were very direct when communicating their needs, which is common for many European businesspeople. However, I noticed that they would often become frustrated when we didn’t respond to their emails or calls as quickly as they expected. After speaking with them about our communication style, they understood why it took us longer to respond to their requests.”

5. How can these misunderstandings be avoided?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of avoiding misunderstandings and how to do so. You can answer this question by giving examples of how you’ve avoided misunderstandings in the past, or you can explain what steps you would take to avoid them in the future.

Example: “I think it’s important to be aware of cultural differences when working with people from different backgrounds. I always make sure to ask questions if something seems unclear or confusing. If someone tells me they don’t understand something, I try my best to explain it more clearly. I also encourage others to do the same for me if I say something that doesn’t seem clear.”

6. Do you think intercultural communication skills are more important for managers or executives?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with managers or executives and how your skills helped them. Use examples from your past to show that you understand the importance of intercultural communication skills for all levels in an organization.

Example: “I think it’s important for everyone in a company to have strong intercultural communication skills because they can help employees work together more effectively. In my last role, I worked with both managers and entry-level employees who were new to the company. I used my communication skills to teach others about different cultures and how to interact with people from those backgrounds. This helped me build relationships with other employees and create a positive work environment.”

7. What do you understand about ethnocentrism and how does it affect intercultural communication?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of intercultural communication and how it affects the workplace. Ethnocentrism is when someone has an ethnocentric attitude, which means they believe their culture is superior to others. Your answer should show that you understand what this concept is and how it can affect your work as a global citizen.

Example: “Ethnocentrism is when someone believes their culture is better than others. I think it’s important to be aware of this because it can lead to misunderstandings in intercultural communication. For example, if someone from one country assumes that everyone else thinks like them, they may not realize that other cultures have different values and beliefs.”

8. Can you give me some examples of ways we communicate non-verbally?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of nonverbal communication. It’s also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and experience with intercultural skills.

Example: “Nonverbal communication can be as important as verbal communication, especially when working in an intercultural environment. For example, I was once working with a client who spoke very little English. When he asked me a question, I responded by nodding my head up and down. He thought I understood him, but I didn’t. To avoid this situation again, I learned some basic phrases in his native language so we could communicate more effectively.”

9. Is there any difference between verbal and written communication when interacting within different cultures? If yes, then what?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the differences between verbal and written communication in different cultures. It also helps you determine if the candidate has experience with this type of interaction.

Example: “Yes, there are many differences between verbal and written communication when interacting within different cultures. Verbal communication is much more effective for building relationships because it allows you to build trust and rapport with others. Written communication can be helpful for sending important information or instructions, but it’s not as effective at conveying emotion or tone. I’ve found that combining both types of communication into one strategy works best.”

10. Can you describe the phases of acculturation?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the acculturation process. Acculturation is a term that refers to the process by which individuals adapt to new cultures and customs. It can be helpful for an intercultural specialist to understand how people adjust to new environments, so you should describe the phases of acculturation in detail if possible.

Example: “There are four main phases of acculturation. The first phase is contact, where two groups meet each other for the first time. In the second phase, assimilation, one group begins to adopt the cultural norms of the other. In the third phase, resistance, members of both groups resist adopting the culture of the other. Finally, in the fourth phase, accommodation, both groups learn to compromise and accept each other’s differences.”

11. What is culture shock? How does it affect people who interact across cultures?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the challenges that come with working across cultures. You can define culture shock and explain how it affects people who interact with others from different backgrounds.

Example: “Culture shock is a term used to describe the feelings of confusion, anxiety or depression someone may experience when they’re in a new environment. Culture shock happens when you’re interacting with people from other cultures because you have to adjust to their customs and norms. For example, if I were visiting another country, I would need to get used to the local language, food and currency. These changes could make me feel overwhelmed at first, but I know that adjusting to these things will help me succeed.”

12. What is reverse culture shock? How does it differ from regular culture shock?

Reverse culture shock is a phenomenon that occurs when someone returns to their home country after spending time in another. It can be difficult for people who have spent extended periods of time abroad, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand how reverse culture shock affects those returning from foreign countries. In your answer, define what reverse culture shock is and explain how it differs from regular culture shock.

Example: “Reverse culture shock is similar to regular culture shock, but instead of experiencing culture shock upon arriving in a new country, you experience it when you return home. You might feel overwhelmed by things like technology or advertisements because you haven’t seen them in a while. I’ve experienced both types of culture shock, and I know that with preparation, I can avoid feeling too overwhelmed.”

13. What do you understand about cross-cultural teams?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the importance of cross-cultural teams and how they can benefit organizations. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what you know about the benefits of cross-cultural teams and how they can help an organization achieve its goals.

Example: “I understand that cross-cultural teams are essential for businesses because they allow employees from different backgrounds to work together on projects. I also know that these teams can be beneficial because they encourage communication between team members who may have different perspectives. In my last role, I was part of a cross-cultural team where we worked on a project with another department. We were able to communicate effectively and learn new things from each other.”

14. How would you apply your understanding of intercultural communication as part of a job role?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to apply intercultural communication skills in a professional setting. Use examples from past experiences where you used these skills to improve your work performance or achieve results for your organization.

Example: “In my last job, I was responsible for managing a team of customer service representatives who spoke different languages and had varying cultural backgrounds. My understanding of intercultural communication helped me communicate with them effectively so they could understand my expectations and how to meet them. This led to improved productivity among my team members and better relationships between us.”

15. What is the most challenging aspect of communicating with people from another culture?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations. Your answer should show that you are willing to learn from your mistakes and develop strategies for overcoming challenges in intercultural communication.

Example: “The most challenging aspect of communicating with people from another culture is when I assume something about them based on my own cultural norms. For example, once I was working with a client who had a strong accent. When he said something, I automatically assumed it was because he didn’t understand what I was saying. However, after asking him to repeat himself several times, I realized that his accent wasn’t as bad as I thought and that he understood me perfectly well. After this experience, I learned to ask questions more clearly so that I don’t make assumptions.”