American Business Culture Workshop

1. American Business Culture Workshop Renee Gifford Kirstin Mercer Jill Phillips

2. American Business Culture Workshop Agenda: • Introductions • American Business Culture • Resume Writing and Interviewing • Individual Consultations

3. Overview of American Business Culture How would you describe the typical American worker? -Goal and achievement oriented -Highly organized -Freedom-loving and self-sufficient -Work oriented and efficient -Friendly and informal

4. Overview of American Business Culture • National Culture • Corporate Culture • Professional Culture

5. Group Interactions in the Workplace Universalist verses Particularist Your country: Americans:

6. Group Interactions in the Workplace Individualism vs. Communitarianism Your culture: Americans:

7. Group Interactions in the Workplace Neutral vs. Emotional Your culture: Americans:

8. Group Interactions in the Workplace Specific vs. Diffuse Your culture: Americans:

9. Group Interactions in the Workplace Achievement vs. Ascription Your culture: Americans:

10. Group Interactions in the Workplace Traditional Culture: -Directing -Competing -Relying on rules -Lecturing -Secrecy -Passive -Isolated Decisions

11. Group Interactions in the Workplace Team Culture: -Guiding -Collaborating/Coaching -Team Activities -Diversity/Flexibility -Openness/Sharing -Active -Involvement of others

12. American Business Negotiation Strategies • American negotiators are selected based on their record of success • Gender, age, and social class are not criteria for selection • Individual characteristics are criteria for selection

13. American Business Negotiation Strategies How do Americans negotiate? -”Get the job done quick” -Assess the situation and get results quickly -Don’t spend too much time building relationships -Message is conveyed through speech, not through gestures

14. American Business Negotiation Strategies How do Americans negotiate? -Time is money -Set a schedule and prioritize -Move through the process and control the time allotted -Take a risk -Let the senior executive make the final decision -Detailed contract will formalize negotiation

15. Etiquette for Business Lunches, Dinners – Place Setting

16. Etiquette Tips for Business Lunches, Dinners and Receptions • Napkins • Ordering • Silverware • Passing • Eating • Paying

17. Additional Resources • http://www.cuisinenet.com/glossary/tableman.html • http://www.fredonia.edu/business/etiquette/links.htm • http://www.etiquettesurvival.com/ • http://www.modernetiquette.com/ • http://career.utk.edu/students/skills_etiquette.asp • http://www.career.fsu.edu/ccis/guides/etiquette.html • http://business.missouri.edu/340/default.aspx • http://business.missouri.edu/342/default.aspx

18. Effective Customer Service in American Culture • Listen • Accept and strive for change • Constant improvement is necessary • Remember the target customer and ask what they want • Empower, support, and reward frontline or interface people • Provide infrastructure to support goals • Provide training and information to achieve goals

19. Dealing with Problems in the American Workplace • Hierarchy

20. Resume Writing Skills • What is a Resume? • What is the Purpose of a Resume? • -Helps get you an Interview • -A summary of your education, skills, accomplishments, and experience • -Your first chance to communicate with a potential employer • -One of a kind marketing-you are selling yourself with a resume • -Establishes you as a professional person • -Clarifies your direction, qualifications and strengths

21. Preparing an Effective Resume • Self Assessment • Content • Basic information- Name, address, contact information • Objective • Education • Experience • Other information- Relevant awards, publications, skills • References

22. Resume Tips • Be Concise - Limit the length of the resume to three pages. • Be Neat • Be Honest – Integrity is very important. Your skills and work experience should be accurately represented on your resume. Background investigations are common in the United States. • Use action words and phrases when describing your experience. • Proofread, proofread, and proofread! • Ask for a colleague to read the finished document.

23. U.S. Resume Characteristics Concise, attractive marketing tool - summarizes jobs, skills, accomplishments, and academic background relevant to employment objective One to two pages maximum Does not include age, marital status, race, or religion. May or may not include completion of military service depending upon whether it is relevant or makes the person a stronger candidate International Resume Characteristics Chronologically details academic and formal work experience Sometimes two or more pages Sometimes includes age, marital status, race, and/or religion Sometimes includes completion of military service Differences between U.S. and International Resumes

24. Cover Letter Writing Tips • Its purpose is to interpret the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression. • Keep it brief and to the point. It should not duplicate your resume. • The employer is interested in the facts. It should demonstrate that you meet or exceed the requirements listed in the job description. • It should demonstrate that you are interested in the position and that you are available to accept the position if offered. Additional information beyond this can be counterproductive as it dilutes the core purpose of the cover letter.

25. Avoid negatives • Try to avoid a salary history in the cover letter. • Avoid using clichés in your cover letter-ex. “excellent written and verbal communication skills”, "think outside the box" and "juggle multiple tasks”- This is your opportunity to highlight your communication skills. • Spend time thinking about the layout of your letter • It should be easy to scan the letter, and have a logical progression • Personalize it if possible; address it to a specific person. • Remember- the reviewer of your cover letter and resume has many cover letters and resumes looking at, so making it easy for him/her to find the information you want to highlight.

26. Interview Tips for International Students • Be punctual. Arrive 5 to 15 minutes prior to appointment. • Eye contact is expected and shows confidence. • Interviewer styles vary. May begin with direct questions or minimal small talk. • Interviewer may do most of the talking or may expect the candidate to do most of the talking. • Questions regarding age, race, sex, and marital status are illegal. • Direct questions regarding competency, experience are common. • Open discussion of accomplishments and skills shows confidence. • Show clear self knowledge, career goals and long-term plans. • Interviewer may expect immediate competency and look at each new employee for a 2 to 5 year commitment. • Self-disclosure of strengths, weaknesses, personality, leadership style, problem-solving abilities, etc. may be appropriate. • Researching the organization and demonstrating that knowledge during the interview is expected, because it shows initiative and interest. • It is acceptable to ask an employer at the close of the interview where they are in the interview process and when the candidate can expect to hear back from them. Inquiring about the status of an application after the interview is acceptable and demonstrates interest in the position.

27. Finding an Internship that is right for You • Determine Your Priorities.Do you want career-related experience? The opportunity to travel? Funds to support tuition fees? • Identify Prospective Employers.Organizational directories, the Internet, and local newspapers can be used to pinpoint organizations of interest. The Career Center at your school should also maintain both electronic and paper listings for internships and summer jobs. • Develop a Resume to Emphasize Your Skills.A resume can effectively present your background and distinguish you from other job seekers. • Start Contacting Employers Early.If you seek a career-related position, it is appropriate to contact the manager of an organization in your area of interest, as well as the Human Resources department. Call or write to request information regarding internships and job opportunities. • Complete Application and Be Prepared for Interviews.If you are seeking a general, non-career-related position, you may be asked to complete and return a formal application. Be sure to complete these forms neatly and thoroughly, typing them when possible. If there are currently no positions available, request referrals to other employers in the field. Should you be granted an interview, be prepared to answer questions about your background. • Follow-up All Interviews.Always send a thank-you letter to the interviewer expressing your appreciation. If you were not granted an interview, follow up your application with a phone call, a letter, or even a visit. Your interest and enthusiasm will distinguish you from other job seekers.

28. Popular Websites for Student Internships • TrueCareers(http://www.truecareers.com/) • TrueCareers is a national career site bringing professional, degreed candidates and the companies that value them together. • MonsterTRAK(http://www.monstertrak.monster.com/) • MonsterTRAK is a website for students and alumni looking for full-time and part-time positions, internships and on-campus employment. • JobWeb(http://www.jobweb.com/) • JobWeb® is a web site of career development and job-search information for college students and new college graduates. It is owned and sponsored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).