This is a workshop I did to support international graduate students in preparing for their U.S. job search, and understanding some key differences.

1. The International Student’s
Career Search in the U.S.
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

2. 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

3. 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

4. Introduction
□ Things to do this year while on campus
□ Word of caution about extracurricular
activities
□ Checklist
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

5. 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

6. Effective Job Search
1. Discussion on US Companies
2. Preparation
3. Performing the Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

7. Effective Job Search
□ U.S. Companies
□ Why they may not hire (read through
book)
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

8. Effective Job Search
□ 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?
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

9. Effective Job Search
□ U.S. Companies
□ Career Path Opportunities
□ Employer size
□ Stability
□ Knowledge of sponsorship practices
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

10. Effective Job Search
□ 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
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

11. Effective Job Search Part II: Your
Preparation
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Effective Job Search – Part III
Performing the Search
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

18. Effective Job Search – Part III
□ Most effective ways in finding jobs
1. Networking/Personal Contacts
2. Referrals from employees
3. Headhunters
4. Internet Job Postings
5. 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

19. Effective Job Search – Part III
□ Most effective ways in finding
employees
1. Networking/Personal Contacts
2. Employee Referrals
3. Internet Job Postings
4. Headhunters
5. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Effective Job Search – Part III
□ 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.
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

23. 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

24. 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

25. Resumes
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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 English
how many years you have studied English, or
how 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

29. Interviewing
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

30. 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

31. Review of Information booklet
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

32. 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
Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series