L1, L2 Visa

My L1B application (along with wife's L2) got approved today in Chennai without much hassles. I work for a product-based American company (no clients) and I have a total experience of 3 years 7 months. Both I and my wife already possess valid B1/B2 visas and we have been to the US for a month last year. With this background, let me share my experience:

We arrived at the embassy at 09.15 for a 1000 interview and we were immediately allowed inside. By 09.45 we were ten-printed and we were waiting for the interview with the consul. At around 11, our slot came up and we went to the window. The questions asked by the Consul (C) and our responses (R) were,

C: How are you doing?
R: Good, thanks. And you?
C: Good

C: So where do you work?
R: *Company name*
C: Oh there? ok.

C: Have you used your B1 visa before?
R: Yes
C: How many times?
R: Once
C: How long did you stay for?
R: 26 days
C: Was that a business trip?
R: Yes

(To wife) C: Did you accompany him on this trip?
R: Yes

C: Where in the US will you be going?
R: *Place name*

C: How long do you intend to stay for?
R: 3 years, if you give the visa (wry smile)

C: How long have you been with the company?
R: 3 year, 7 months (I was a little worried that this was insufficient experience)

C: So what do you do?
R: I work on *so and so* with *so and so* protocol being my specialization

C: What is *so and so* protocol based on?
R: Not based on any industry-standard, it is all home-grown *blah-blah* (At this point, the consul does not any technical stuff, he's prodding you to see if you know your work and how confident you are in your responses)

C: What is your salary in Lakhs?
R: *00000

(To wife) C: When did you get married?
R: *date*
C: Can I see some wedding photos?
R: No wedding photos but we have marriage certificate
C: Let me see it
(Shown to him)
C: Ok

At this point he starts typing frenetically into the computer for a couple of minutes. He then starts signing the forms and puts a seal on them.

C: Ok, so I have approved your visas today. You will get them by courier in a week. Have a good trip guys.
R: Thanks

Observations:

1. Like someone said earlier, working for a product-based American company (especially a well-known one) is a definite plus.
2. Good communication skills (and decent grammar) definitely help convey every little detail better. BUT this is not an absolute necessity so dont worry if you tend to fumble with words sometimes (We all do it).
3. Being direct and concise is of utmost importance. DO NOT speak more than what is necessary, DO NOT narrate stories and DO NOT beat around the bush. ONLY provide specific answers to the question asked.
4. Your attire, standing posture and whatever else to do with physical appearance do not matter, from my experience. That does not mean one goes for the interview in a haphazard manner, but if you're dressed professionally, that is sufficient.
5. Confidence is vital in your responses and do not try to bluff your way through if you are not sure what he's asking for. If need be, ask him to rephrase his question and if you feel the interview is not going the way it should be, start from the beginning explaining the salient points of your case. All they need to see if that you are a genuine person who knows his work very well.

Hope this helps you like a lot of posts from others helped me. All the best!