Prepare all the documents a week or 2
before your interview.
Important: Basing on
the time that I spent in front of the interview officers (yes I was seated in
front while waiting for my interview) I’ve noticed that 90% of the time, they
only ask questions and do not require the interviewee to show any of their
documents. Just to be on the safe side, have your documents ready.
2. EAT!
Whether
your interview is in the morning or at noon, eat. This whole process takes
about half a day. You will have to fall in line 5 times. There is however a
snack bar inside the embassy, so don’t worry.
1st line
Getting
inside the embassy itself
2nd line
Getting
your interview number
3rd line
Getting
inside the building where you will be interviewed (SEATED)
4th line
Photo
screening (make sure that you’re not smiling in the 2×2 photo you brought)
5th line
Hand Print
6th line
Interview
(SEATED)
3. BE AN
HOUR EARLY.
An hour
is okay. Don’t do more than that. The lines are long but as long as you arrive
at least 30minutes earlier the given interview time, you can enter. Bring a
fan. Cold drinks can help too if you hate the heat but you will need to leave
it upon entering. And if it’s raining, bring an umbrella.
BUT,
4. DO NOT BRING FOOD/DRINKS INSIDE
5. DON’T
BRING YOUR CELLPHONE OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
This is important! Pick
an outfit that makes you look like what’s indicated in your documents. Just
make sure it’s simple and decent. DO NOT OVERDRESS.
Remember
this:
If your
documents state that you’re a student, then you shouldn’t be in a business
attire, you should look like a student. Jeans
and polo or a blouse would be good!
If your documents state you’re a businessman, then you should
wear a business attire. No need to wear a coat and tie, please.
If your
documents state you’re an employee, then wear something corporate.In a
nutshell, wear something that projects who you are and what you do, just
imagine wanting to impress your boss, clients, schoolmates, etc.
Trust me
on this. The line was long enough for me to observe other interviewees. There
were many people in coats and ties and formal dresses who got denied. Officers
can smell desperation. (I mean, who wears that to an interview?) Just keep it
decent, neat and simple.
7.
Be CONFIDENT during the interview.
The
moment they have received your application, they already made a background
check for sure. So, what does this mean? You can never lie. How you make a
living is very important but having high income will not guarantee your
approval. All you need is your confidence when answering. The questions are
easy, it’s not like they are going to ask you to explain the immutable laws of
physics. Being able to speak English properly is a major plus.
One more
tip: NEVER GIVE OUT INFORMATION or DOCUMENTS WHEN IT’S NOT ASKED. Keep
your answers straight and to the point.
Ex.
Officer: What
is the purpose of your travel?
Answer: Vacation.
Officer: What
do you do?
Answer: I’m
an employee.
Officer: Where
do you work?
Answer: I
work in Ayala.
Officer: What
is your position there?
Answer: I
am a property consultant.
So as you can see, you only answer the questions,
specifically. No more, no less. If
the officer asks you to show some documents show only what he/she asked for specifically. You
do not want to look nervous and especially desperate.
Just be confident and honest and hello U. S. of A!