You have the training. You have the skills. You’ve created your H-2A profile and finally got the call for an interview. What next?
The interview is critical. It’s your opportunity to finally land that H-2A job you’ve been trying to get for years. You need to prove your skills and experience, and articulate why you’re the best choice for the job. To help you do that, today’s blog offers some practical tips and tricks you can use to prepare for an H-2A job interview.
1. Understand the H-2A job you’re applying for
The job you’re applying for isn’t a generic H-2A role; it’s a defined role working for a farm or ag business in America. It’s important to understand the job you’re applying for and what will be required of you. While you might not have all of the details you need to fully understand the job prior to interviewing, you should do the following:
Understand what type of job you’re interviewing for, such as:
Ag equipment operator
Truck driver
General farm laborer
Research the employer, farm, or company beforehand
Talk to your recruiter to get all the details possible
If your profile is created with our H-2A agency partner, USA Farm Labor, you’ll get notified when an H-2A employer requests an interview with you. Once you get an interview request through the USA Farm Labor database, you’ll be able to see things like the employer’s approved Job Order, which contains the full job description and wage rate among other info, and use this information to prepare for your interview.
The candidates who have the most success in interviews take the time to understand the job and the job duties.
Read more about different types of farm jobs in America
2. Be prepared to discuss your agricultural experience
One of the main things a potential H-2A employer will want to know about is your agricultural experience. Whether you have experience in South Africa or H-2A job experience in America, be ready to discuss that experience.
One of the main things you should do is tie that experience into the current job you’re interviewing for. For example, if you worked with crops in South Africa and you’re interviewing for an equipment operator’s opening in America, formulate how that experience will help you succeed in the new H-2A job, even if there are clear differences in the types of crops or equipment being used.
Here are some things you can do to help explain your agricultural experience:
Make notes of the types of crops or livestock you’ve worked with
List three or four main responsibilities in previous farm jobs
Research the current job you’re interviewing for and tie in previous experience
3. Practice answering common H-2A employer questions
Practicing for an interview might sound a little crazy, but it’s an important best practice if you’re going to land those opportunities. Practice answering common H-2A employer questions surrounding things like:
Driving and equipment skills:
How did you learn to drive trucks?
What types of trucks do you know how to operate?
Do you have experience with manual transmissions?
What types of tractors, combines, etc. do you know how to operate?
What types of daily checks do you perform on equipment? On trucks?
Farm work experience:
How many years of experience do you have working on farms?
What were your main responsibilities?
What types of crops have you worked with?
What types of livestock have you worked with?
Safety awareness:
What do you do before operating unfamiliar equipment?
How do you approach farm safety?
What would you do if you noticed a mechanical problem?
What would you do if you did not understand an instruction?
These are just a few of the common types of questions you might have to answer during your H-2A job interview. Practice answering these, refine your statements, and always be sure to think about your answers in a way that relates to the job you’re applying for.
4. Practice explaining your skills
Answering questions about your skills and explaining your skills are two different things. You’ll want to practice explaining your skills to potential employers by thinking about things like:
Specific types of equipment you can operate:
Types of tractors, combines, attachments
Maintenance types and schedules
Safety checks
Specific types of trucks you can drive:
Types of trucks (dump trucks, bakkies/pickups, semis)
Make, model, year
Types of transmissions (manual, automatic)
Specific types of farmwork:
Crops and livestock
Planting tasks
Harvesting tasks
Irrigation, spraying, plowing, etc.
Also be prepared to discuss your safety skills related to these. Be sure to tie in and explain how you follow safety procedures, care for equipment, and communicate problems. Likewise, if you have completed practical training or skills verification, be ready to explain what you learned and what skills were assessed.
Learn about the 10 American farm terms every H-2A worker should know
5. Prepare documents and employment information
It’s also vital to have your documents and employment information on hand before your interview. Documents include things like:
Your passport (be sure you have this ready, no need to share)
Any certifications or licenses relevant to the position
An up-to-date CV or resume
References and employment history
Ensure all of the information you provide is consistent with your application and CV. You’ll also want to make sure you have accurate timelines when discussing your prior experience. You might have to refresh your memory from your CV to ensure your timelines are accurate, such as dates of employment. Your employer might request other types of documents as well, but don’t share anything that isn’t relevant to the job, or lie about having documents that you don’t actually have.
6. Demonstrate professionalism during your H-2A job interview
It’s important to remember the type of opportunity that an H-2A job offers, and approach your interview with a professional mindset. Demonstrating professionalism means:
Speaking with your clearest voice using your best English
Having an appropriate background/setting for Zoom or face calls
Being prepared with documents, experience, and references
Dressing well, combing your hair, and having a professional appearance
Everything about your interview should demonstrate how you’re the best fit for the job. Appearance, speech, setting, and documentation are all critical factors to demonstrating your professionalism.
Read about the importance of building a professional reputation as an H-2A worker
7. Show you’re safety-oriented, prepared, and willing to learn
One of the biggest things that American farm employers are going to look for is safety awareness and a willingness to learn. Show a potential employer you’re safety-oriented by:
Understanding the job duties and how safety plays a role
Discussing common safety procedures including pre- and post-trip equipment or truck inspections
Talking about your experience with machinery and also how you care for or maintain those machines
Likewise, be ready to discuss that you’re willing to learn by:
Being honest about your skills
Being honest about areas that you need to learn
Remaining humble about your skills and experience (don’t be a know-it-all)
We have come across H-2A employers who prefer candidates without prior experience so they can learn their farming operation from scratch and not come to the job with “bad habits” from previous positions. Be honest and open about your experience. Not having any experience is okay, too.
8. Prepare a list of questions to ask the H-2A employer
Preparing for an H-2A interview also involves putting together a list of questions to ask the employer. This shows you’re invested in the job opportunity and want to have as much information as possible before moving forward with a commitment. Some of the questions you might ask include:
What types of training will I receive?
What safety procedures and expectations should I understand?
What does a typical workday look like for this position?
Who should I contact if I have questions about my contract or arrival?
What machinery or equipment will I be expected to operate?
All of these questions show you’re invested, but also aware of how an American farm typically operates.
Avoid these common H-2A job interview mistakes
Sometimes, it’s better to know what not to do in a job interview to be successful. Avoid these common H-2A job interview mistakes:
Claiming skills or experience you do not have
Giving vague answers without practical examples
Failing to research the position
Arriving late or being unprepared for a phone or video interview
Speaking negatively about previous employers
Ignoring safety questions or suggesting you would operate equipment without proper instruction
Failing to ask for clarification when you do not understand something
Assuming that an interview guarantees a job offer or visa approval
The interview itself doesn’t guarantee a job, and a job offer doesn’t guarantee visa approval. You still need to have a job offer in hand and schedule an appointment with the consulate before being issued a work visa.
Prepare for an H-2A job interview by growing your skills with USA Truck Labor
Agricultural experience is only one small piece of the H-2A job interview. You also need to have the skills employers are looking for and understand how to communicate those skills during an interview. At USA Truck Labor, we understand the types of skills H-2A jobs require, and we prepare you accordingly. Our training programs are designed to teach you the practical driving skills you need to get hired.
Ace your next H-2A job interview with USA Truck Labor’s proven training program. Ready to get started?
