Resources for International Students

MBA/MS Global Job Search for International Student

Your international background is a huge advantage in today’s global economy. If your professional and academic backgrounds are from outside of the United States you may be intimidated by the differences in the American job search process. The Rockwell Career Center is here to help you understand the differences in global job search, the recruitment process, and marketing yourself. We offer workshops, webinars, 1:1 advising, round-table discussions focused on the development and techniques for the global job search process.

Available Resources

Gateway

1:1 Career Advising/Job Postings/On Campus Recruiting (OCR)/Interviews (Interview Stream)
Events/Career Fairs/Information Sessions/Workshops.

Career Research

Companies, industries, functions

Job Search Tips

It is important to utilize all job search strategies to find employment in the U.S.

  • Network with peers and recent alumni from your academic and professional organizations who were also international students, but are now employed in the U.S
  • Keep informed of the current laws regarding your immigration status, and be prepared to discuss with prospective employers
  • Practice your English language skills by practicing through classroom discussions, presentations, case competitions, student or professional organization involvement
  • Begin your job search process from day one, and organize multiple career plans
  • Join the International Student Roundtable (ISR) at Bauer in the Rockwell Career Center to assist in the development of your career opportunities
  • Job Search Strategies for International Students

Résumés in the U.S. are used as marketing tools. They are a high-level presentation of relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Résumés

  • Include a brief summary, professional and academic experience as it relates to the position, education, and any additional, relevant, marketable information; only relevant experience is needed
  • Introduce employers to foreign companies and schools by providing a frame of reference (ex: One of the top three universities in India or $30M technology company)
  • Can be presented in reverse chronological order or by function/skillset
  • Exclude any personal information – it is illegal for an employer to ask
  • Keep résumé to one page for under 10 years of professional experience and two pages for 10+ years of professional experience

Things to Remember

  • Include spoken languages and emphasize English language skills
  • Put action words into the correct tense and confirm writing skills are up to American standards
  • Be consistent in font and font size; use bold, italics, underlining and outlining sparingly
  • Review for mistakes, misspellings, and grammatical errors
  • Do not put home address outside of the U.S. when possible or your current visa status
  • Do not write in the third person and do not use pronouns or articles (ex: an, a, I, me) or a résumé template
  • Maintain relevant and current copies of résumé in format and language of the home country to serve as dual search and to pass onto contacts

Resources for Writing Résumés

Interview Tips

An interview is an opportunity to market skills and experiences.

Interviews:

  • Employers want to know why you want to work for their organization, and if you will fit within their corporate culture and to be able to show alignment between previous experience and career goals
  • Be assertive in discussing knowledge, skills, and abilities and give examples of experiences relating to questions asked including leadership, teamwork, communication, strengths, and weaknesses
  • The way you say something is key during the interview. Behavior, manners, attitude, etiquette, hygiene, and personality matter
  • Mock interview with a career advisor, business professional or online (Interview Stream) and practice communication skills by classroom participation, presentations, and interaction with peers
  • Check out The Eight Most Difficult Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Things to remember:

  • Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to appointment; eye contact is expected and shows confidence
  • Ask questions of the interviewer, sit after being invited to sit, and show respect to all employees
  • Personal questions are illegal to ask by the interviewer (ex: age, race, disabilities, national origin, marital status, visa status, native language, citizenship, etc.); however, they can ask if you are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and if you need sponsorship now or in the future
  • Handshakes are a form of greeting and are used to communicate hello, and good-bye
  • Refrain from folding your arms as it implies closed to the conversation
  • Speak in a controlled voice and keep a positive facial expression
  • Do not bring backpacks or any extra items into an interview
  • Do not drink caffeinated drinks prior to interview because it can make you fidgety, and use breath mints
  • Do not wear heavy amounts of perfume or cologne; however, do wear deodorant

Resources for Interviewing

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews help build relationships with hiring managers, gain access to the hidden job market, and provide insights about a career, industry, or company.

Typical informational interview topics:

  • Strategic initiatives, challenges, projects, growth opportunities, career paths, demands of the profession
  • Entering the market, knowledge and skills, Resources available, suggestions, and recommendations

Things to remember:

  • Do not ask for a job and do not present a résumé unless asked
  • Prepare questions, and research industry and company prior to the meeting
  • Send a thank-you note and follow up after the conclusion of the interview

Resources for Informational Interviews

Self-Marketing Tips

A highly effective channel for self-marketing is networking. The goal of networking is to build relationships, and it is an important part for any profession at any level.

Strengths from International Experience:

  • Multi-language abilities, and cultural and diversity awareness
  • Adaptability/flexibility in challenging situations
  • Willingness to relocate anywhere in the U.S. or the world and multiple work permits/authorization)

Things to remember:

  • Consider your audience
  • Volunteering and getting involved leads to additional opportunities to meet people
  • Having coffee or meeting with peers, alumni or professionals allows for an informal conversation
  • Always follow up with people you meet, and do not burn bridges

Resources for Self Marketing

Etiquette and American Culture Tips

Learning to live in a new culture is never easy. Often times it may feel like riding a roller coaster; however, in time you will settle in. Observing others is one method of learning how to assimilate.

Etiquette and American Culture:

  • Turn off cell phones when in a meeting, at an event, or dining with peers and professionals
  • When dining out wait for everyone to be served before beginning to eat
  • Tip appropriately – 15% for average service and 20% for great service. Tables with over 6 people will generally have the tip included on the bill
  • Dress appropriately for the industry in which you are applying and do not wear revealing clothing, short-sleeved shirts; clothes should always be neat and clean
  • If giving a presentation or attending a meeting wear business professional and when in doubt of proper attire choose business professional
  • Change is embedded into American corporate culture and work hours tend to belong with fewer vacation days actually taken
  • Titles fluctuate within different organizations and cannot be assumed of the same stature across all industries

Things to remember:

  • Have proper posture, do not apply make-up or fix hair at the table, do not chew gum, and wear deodorant
  • Business casual does not mean sloppy; slacks and dress shirts are generally acceptable
  • Keep your sense of humor and when speaking get to the point, Do not arrive late for meetings

Resources for Etiquette and American Culture