Effective Interview Strategies for Case Management Across Cultures

Effective Interview Strategies for Case Management across Cultures

Case Management in Human Services

Unit Five Assignment

By Justin Lindley

        Interviews can be very stressful when they occur.  When the interview occurs in your own country or culture, it is easier to understand what is expected and how to establish worthiness.  However, interviewing in a country other than your own can be a very challenging experience.

        The Arab world stretches across twenty-two countries and consists of over two-hundred million people. (Weston, M.A., Dunsky, M. (2002)).  The term Arab is used to describe people whose native tongue is Arabic.  Arab is a cultural term, not a racial term.  Arabic people come from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.  Arabs are united by language, culture and history.  The majority of Arabs are Muslim, however, not all of them are.  There are also Christian and Jewish Arabs.  

        The Arab culture contains three main parts, the urban culture, the rural culture and the nomad culture.  So not all Arabs use camels as a source of transportation or live in tents in the desert. (Weston, M.A., Dunsky, M. (2002)).

        Arabs also dress differently than we do here in America.  The Arab dress for men ranges from the traditional robes, western business suites and casual clothes, depending on which part of the country they are from.  The same is true for Arab women, depending on what part of the country they are from, depends on their dress.  Some examples of women dress are the burqa, niqab or the hijab.  Modesty is the reason for this type of dress in women.  One misconception, that most people have, is that all Arab women have to be completely covered and veiled, however, this is not always true.  Rural women, who work in the fields, will wear less restrictive clothing, lighter in weight and color.  

        When it comes to food, Muslim Arabs cannot eat pork or drink alcohol.  So, you can see how someone could mistakenly offer them a glass of wine, thinking they are being kind, however it would offend the Arab person.  Another offensive task is looking at the clock.  Doing so, suggests to the guest that you consider them unworthy of your time.

        Body language is also extremely important in the Arab culture.  For instance, men shake hands with their right hands for a long time, however, less firm then Americans.  Close friends or colleagues of the same sex hug and kiss on both cheeks upon greeting one another.    

        Before attempting to engage in business, it is crucial to establish trust and respect first, for Arabs.  The first meeting is used to establish this relationship and see if further negotiations are possible.  Spending time to greet, salute, respect and get acquainted with the other person is very important in the Arab culture. (Weston, M.A., Dunsky, M. (2002)).

        One thing that I have learned, as a case manager, relationships are powerful.  Our one-on-one connections with each other are the foundation that makes or breaks a relationship.  Building a relationship with people from different cultures is no different, it is equally as important to build these relationships and achieve our goals.