Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
The International Student’s Career Search in the U.S.
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Agenda•Introduction
•Employment Options
•Three Part Job Search
•Discussion on U.S. Companies
•The Preparation
•Performing the Job Search
•Resumes
•Interviews
•Discussion on the booklet
•Questions and moving forward
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Introduction
□The benefits of hiring an international student□Cultural Dimensions□Language Skills□Unique Skill sets□Skills developed can be an asset in the
job search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Introduction
□Things to do this year while on campus
□Word of caution about extracurricular activities
□Checklist
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Employment Options
□Practical Training on an F-1□CPT and OPT□Application procedures
□H1-B Visa
Meet with Tess Casler in the International Student and Scholars office for application and
procedures of applying for any practical training or visa related issues.
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search1. Discussion on US Companies
2. Preparation
3. Performing the Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
□U.S. Companies□Why they may not hire (read through
book)
Effective Job Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
□U.S. Companies□What to watch out for
□Financial Strength and stability□Employers retention history (layoffs)□Companies with legal issues□Can you work for these companies?□What is the workplace culture like?□Company’s integrity□Do current employees like it there?
Effective Job Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
□U.S. Companies□Career Path Opportunities□Employer size
□Stability□Knowledge of sponsorship practices
Effective Job Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
□U.S. Companies□Companies likely to sponsor a visa
□Large companies that do business in your home country as well as the U.S.
□Expanding companies□Possession of a unique or specialized skill□Those that have in the past
□Companies not likely to sponsor a visa
Effective Job Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search Part II: Your Preparation
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part II
□An effective job search in the U.S. includes:□Identifying the skills that you possess□Understanding what you want for
yourself (employer qualities, positions, work environment)
□Researching the qualifications that employers want in a new employee
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part II
□An effective job search in the U.S. includes:□Connecting skills you possess with
qualifications employers seek□Evaluating what legal options are
available□Using a variety of methods to obtain
employment (discussed in part III)
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part II
□Make some decisions before you begin your job search□Are you going to look in the U.S., your
home country and/or internationally?□What kind of work are you interested in?□Do you plan to live in the U.S.
temporarily, permanently or indefinitely?□Is your main intention to make money?
Gain experience? Make contacts?
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part II
□Factors in securing employment:□Start your job search early□Learn American professional etiquette
and job search processes□Demonstrate excellent English skills
(written and verbal)□Promote yourself effectively (see
workbook on “Creating an Individual Marketing Plan”
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part II
□Factors in securing employment:□Obtain relevant experiences□Participate in professional organizations,
campus organizations and activities□Maintain a commitment to the job
search process (stay motivated and positive)
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part IIIPerforming the Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part III
□ Most effective ways in finding jobs1. Networking/Personal Contacts2. Referrals from employees3. Headhunters4. Internet Job Postings5. Temp-to-hire positions (especially
internships)
Source: surveys conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Wall St. Journal
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search – Part III
□ Most effective ways in finding employees
1. Networking/Personal Contacts2. Employee Referrals3. Internet Job Postings4. Headhunters5. Newspaper/generic advertising
Source: surveys conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Wall St. Journal
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Networking
Networking – Both applicants and employers can and do rely on this method.
About 85% of jobs are obtained this way, so don’t be shy about asking for information and referrals!
•Family
•Friends
•Friends of Friends
•Former Employers
•Your Professors
•Alumni
•Professional Networking
•Etc.
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Create your own opportunity
□Cold calling (careful of being pushy)□Ask for an informational interview
□Considering part-time work, internships, temporary jobs, or volunteering
□Proposing the development of a new position you can fill
Move away from the name of your major to what skills you’ve attained and can offer
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
□Good options for international students□Consider small and large companies for
potential employment – do not limit your job opportunities
□Call your nearest country’s consulate or embassy to inquire about a list of your home country’s firms which do business in the U.S. and vice versa.
Effective Job Search – Part III
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search
□In a job search…□How do I find companies that are willing
to hire international students?□What do I do when I know a company
has hired international students in the past, but now indicates they no longer do so?
□If a company says they won’t hire international students, should I still apply?
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Effective Job Search
□In a job search…□Should I list my visa status on my
resume or cover letter?
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Resumes
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Resumes
□Introduce employers to foreign companies and schools by providing a frame of reference. For example:□A ten million dollar marketing firm□One of the top five universities in China□Second largest technology
manufacturer in Europe□Nigerian version of McDonalds
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Resumes
□ Emphasize strong English skills on the resume (i.e. responsible for translating English and another language)
□ Ensure writing skills are up to American standards – take courses that include writing
□ Make sure resumes are free from grammatical and spelling errors as well as awkward use of language
□ Do no include personal information such as age, marital status, race, or religion
□ Avoid listing international contact information□ Visit the campus writing center, career center□ Continuously critique your resume!
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Resumes□ The Education Section of Your Resume
□ List the degree you were awarded along with the location of the school and the date the program was completed.
□ Do not include Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Instead, list:
□ how many years you have studied in Englishhow many years you have studied English, orhow many years you have spoken English
□ Do not try to "translate" your educational experiences for employers. Simply list those experiences and include your most recent experience; for example, acceptance at Purdue. Being accepted by an American university such as Clarkson will signal to employers that you have qualifying educational experience.
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Interviewing
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Interviewing
□Interviewing tips□Study commonly asked interview questions□Speak confidently about yourself and your
success. Be assertive, not aggressive□Have examples of strengths, accomplishments
and skills handy□Thank you notes are a nice follow up method□Make sure you have a sense for appropriate
dress□Schedule two or more Mock Interviews first
before first “real” one□Refer to handouts from interviewing workshop
as well as the packet for this workshop
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
Review of Information booklet
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series
In closing…
□Job Searching takes time, patience and perseverance
□Stay committed to your goals□Ask questions□Meet with Josh, Career Center staff,
and others for critiques and advice□Meet with Tess Casler in the ISSO
office regarding your Practical trainings in the spring
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