Job Search Tools for International Students

1. Job Search Tools for International Students

2. Résumé/Cover Letter Rights/Responsibilities for Employers Education Job knowledge/skills Rights/Responsibilities for Yourself Your Job and Internship Search!

3. What are your concerns?

4. (Edited from Source: “International Students and the Job Search.” Goodman, A.P., J.A. Hartt, M.K. Pennington and K.P. Terrell Journal of Career Planning & Employment, Summer 1988).  

6. GoinGlobal • Access via Panther Career Net • Log in to Panther Career Net with your Campus ID and password • Under the Online Tools & Assessments menu, select GoinGlobal • View list of companies that have submitted H1B visa applications for the most recent 3 months for which records are available • Search by city, state or across the United States • Work with a career counselor to research companies and find opportunities

7. H-1B Employer Database

8. City Guide - Atlanta • Job Search Resources • Industry and Employment Trends • Top Companies • H-1B Visa Companies • Professional and Social Networking Groups • Chambers of Commerce • Telephone Directories • Work Permits and Visas • Résumé/CV Guidelines • Interviewing Advice • Cultural Advice

9. Name & Contact Info • Name in large font (14-20pt) • Current/Permanent Address • Professional Email • LinkedIn or other online professional site

10. Education • Make sure headers stand out and help organize information • Spell out degree • Expected graduation date • Awards, Honors • Relevant Coursework

11. Skills • Make sure all skills are relevant to job • Specialized programs, tools, knowledge, etc. • Spell out acronyms

12. Experience • List in reverse chronological order • Include Employer, Location, Role, Dates • Lead with action verb in correct tense and give detailed description highlighting skills and responsibilities • Quantify information when possible (use $ and #)

13. Other Relevant Skills & • Activities • Relevant skills that are important, but not highly specialized • Include organization, roles, and dates • Brief description (optional)

14. This is a formal document; include header, date sending, recipient contact info, and address recipient as Ms. or Mr. 1st ¶: Briefly introduce yourself and state what you are applying to. Add a short “thesis statement” at the end of this paragraph.

15. 2nd ¶: This is your sales pitch. Highlight your experience as it relates to items that are listed in the job description. DO NOT restate your résumé here, but state why your experience and skills would be an asset for the company. Consider mentioning mission and values to address company fit. 3rd ¶: Restate your interest in the job and lay out plans for following up. Will you contact the employer or will you let the employer contact you?

16. Interview Etiquette • Before • Research organization and practice answering questions • Dress appropriately (suit for men and women) • Wait to be called in to interview • When meeting someone… • Rise if you are seated • Smile and extend your hand • Repeat the other person’s name in your greeting • Have a good, strong handshake Let’s Practice!

17. Interview Attire: What am I supposed to wear?

18. Interview Etiquette • During • Be confident in marketing your abilities! • Give examples of your experience and qualifications • Ask questions about employer to demonstrate interest • Sample questions: • Why are you interested in this position? • Why did you apply for this position? • Can you tell me about yourself? • Show me what’s important on your résumé. • What are your goals for the next 3, 5 or 10 years? • What are your greatest strengths? • What accomplishment are you most proud of?

19. Time to Practice! Select a partner and take 1-2 minutes to ask each other: “Tell me about yourself”

20. Types of Interview Questions • Basic • Information, experiences, background • Behavior based • Telling a story, using past behavior to predict future • Critical thinking • Seeing how you think, i.e. “How many golf balls could fit into an Olympic sized swimming pool?” • Stress • Used to assess composure, how you handle stressful situations

21. Legal Questions • An interviewer may legally ask: • Are you authorized to work in the U.S.? • Do you now or will you in the future require sponsorship to work in the U.S.? • Do you have a work permit for the U.S.? • Are you a U.S. citizen? (but only if position requires citizenship) • “Are you authorized to work in the U.S.?” • Usually it is not necessary to list your visa status on your résumé • If the employer doesn’t discuss your work eligibility during the first round interview, consider mentioning it during the second round. Don’t wait until a job offer has been made.

22. Illegal Questions

23. After the Interview • Offer a firm handshake • Ask for business card • Follow up with thank you note within 24 hours • Take notes on how you performed

24. Questions & Discussion

25. Contact Us • How We Can Help! • Job/Internship search • Specific international considerations in your search • Résumé/CV/Cover letter review • Interview etiquette and employer contact (Mock Interview) • University Career Services Student Center West, Room 270Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. 404-413-1820 • Résumania Walk-in résumé assistance Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.