Job Search Tips for International Students

Leslie Rand-Pickett

University Career Center2100 Pullen Hall515-2396www.ncsu.edu/career

Communicating with Employers

• Different Resume format• Professional use of email• When & how often to follow up• Forums to connect with Employers

– Job Fairs– Information Sessions– Organization meetings– Virtual meetings– Phone calls

The Job/Internship Search Process

• Timeline– Intern & Full-time– Variability

• Online applications• ePack• On-campus recruiting• Internships – work with the co-op

office

American Resume Format• Brief, well-organized, focused• 30-60 seconds to communicate• Most important information (to your

reader) at top & left• Omit personal pronouns• Leave off less relevant items if you

don’t have room• May leave off undergrad GPA if its

not on a 4.0 scale

More Resume Hints

• Watch abbreviations & spellings… be sure to use American spelling of word– I.e., “organize” not “organise”

• Do not include demographic info like birthdate, marital status, gender or race

• Use a simpler format for on-line applications

• Consider dropping some of your undergraduate involvement

Sample Resume

Email Communication

• Should always be professional• Watch spelling & grammar• Watch the tone of the message

– You want to be clear, but not pushy• Use professional titles when

addressing individuals– Don’t assume the person is male– Use Ms. instead of Mrs. for women

Interviews

• Opportunity for you & the employer to decide if there is a fit

• Types of Interviews– Phone– On-campus– On-site– Technical– Behavioral – Traditional

Interview Preparation

• Research the company• Determine your fit with the

organization• Develop a list of questions to ask

them• Review potential questions• Recall examples to use• Gather professional attire

Overall Interview Tips1. Focus on the Positive... what you HAVE

done instead of what you HAVEN'T done2. Give complete examples, but remember

they aren't asking for every little detail. Give the broad overview & focus on YOUR actions.

3. Remember that connecting with the group interpersonally is as important asyour technical competence.

4. Pace yourself. Keep most of your answers 1-2 minutes in length.

5. Don't get discouraged. Some rejection is inevitable in job searching

Behavioral Interview Questions

• “Give me an example of…”• Use the STAR method to answer

– Briefly outline the Situation/Task– Describe the Action you took– Explain the Results you achieved

• Employer is looking for how you handled the situation

• They can clarify technical details if they are interested

Traditional Interview Questions

• “Tell me about yourself”– Start w/the professional; why you are

interested in their company or your engineering background. Finish with something unique about you… not TOO personal!

• What are your strengths & weaknesses? – You MUST know the answer to this one– Focus on the positive, show how you

are working on the weakness

Sponsorship

• Resources for finding employers who sponsor available on Leslie’s website

• www4.ncsu.edu/~lcrandpi/index.htm

Leslie’s walk-ins

• Centennial Campus, 2112 EB2– Mondays from 1-5– Thursdays from 9-1

• Check Leslie’s website for any changes– www4.ncsu.edu/~lcrandpi/index.htm

• Main campus, 2100 Pullen– Tuesdays from 11-2– Counselors available M-F from 11-2