go.gwu.edu/career services making the career fair work for international students

go.gwu.edu/career services

Making the Career Fair Work for International Students

http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/fairs


What would you like to learn today*

?*The only silly question is the one you don’t ask.


Today • What is a career fair? • When and where is the Fair? • How do I prepare? • How do I research employers?• How should I dress? • What do I say to the employer? • Will I find a job? • What do I say about my visa?


What do you think?Evaluate Today’s Program

• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation • Have you learned from the program today?– I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers.– I have learned more about how to be a professional.

• Comments & Ideas


Purpose • Opportunity for employers– Promote their organization– Meet with prospective employees– Maintain organization brand (Not all employers hire)– Many will not hire international students

• Opportunity for students– Learn about companies – Make connections/network – Interact with employer representatives – Gather information and research companies


Dates, Times, Location

• Wednesday, September 16• 1:00pm to 5:00pm • Charles E. Smith Center – 22nd & G Streets

• 100+ employers• 2000+ students/alumni• RSVP to the Career Fair by logging into GWork

(or your school-based GWork portal)


At the Career Fair


Overview • What employers expect

– Interactive conversation about your interest in the company

• What you can expect– Set realistic goals

• How to prepare– Research employers

• How to present yourself – Handshake– Professional pitch

• How to follow up after the Fair


What employers expect • Companies want to share information – About the organization– Centralized format (Career Fair)

• Highlight roles and opportunities available– Full-time, internship (CPT/OPT)

• Provide information beyond their website • Identify those who make an impression!


How to Prepare…• Clarify your goals for the Fair – Build a network of contacts– Interact with potential employer– Gather information about companies – Identify employers hiring international students– Make a contact for follow up– Learn about U.S. job search practices


How to prepare • Identify what type of position • Research and learn about employers– Know what the employer does – Identify primary products or services, and industry– Determine why the organization interests you– Identify your skills that meet organization’s goals– Identify #1, #2, #3 employers – GO to GWORK to research


Employer hiring traditions • For International Students – Four types of

employers – Don’t and won’t hire international students– Do and will; they’ve done it before and will do it

again – Never done before and may consider– May consider based on position (STEM)


More Career Fair Prep!

• International Student Career Ambassadors Resume and Cover Letter Critiques– Monday-Thursday, 10am-8pm, Friday, 10am - 4pm– Science and Engineering Hall, 22nd and H Streets

• Career Fair Prep Room @ the Fair: Meet with a Center career coach for advice and to practice your 30-Second Professional Pitch


How to present yourself • #1 What do I have to offer?• Handshake• Professional pitch• Respond to Employer Questions• Appropriate professional attire and hygiene• Excellent resume


What you have to offer

• Identify your skills, experience and accomplishments– Write. Research. Data Analysis. Language. Solve

Problems. Educate. Manage. Supervise. Lead. Create.

• What experience do you have?– What did do? What skills do you have to contribute

to the employer? What are your strengths? • What was accomplished as a result of you work? • What are your goals?

– What specifically do you want accomplish?


Introduce yourself• First Impressions (practice) – Eye contact !!– Start with a firm handshake – Warm smile/confident introduction

• Professional Pitch– Draft and practice

• Respond to Employer Questions – Tell me about yourself– Why do you want to work at XX or why did you select

XX?


Professional Pitch


Practice • My name is _____; I am a (senior, Masters student) in _____(field/major) • _________ (company) interests me because________(what is interest?) • I am interested in ___ (position) at ______company) because . . . . • My experience (or skills) are in ________ . (Information about relevant

experience or skills related to position, and example. ) • I am interested in your company because (reflect on your research and

links to your professional interests or goals) • OR) I noticed that you don’t currently have a position posted, but I’m

wondering if there may be any opportunities in the future that would suit my skill set.

• Find a way to make yourself memorable if you can! My last employer said “________________” about me.

• Ask a question from your researching the company or conversation with the employer or knowledge of the position


What do I ask employers? • What skills are seeking for the position? • What are the day-to-day responsibilities?• What are you looking for in a new employee?• What are the organization’s plans for the

future, or expansion, or new services?


What do I not ask an employer?

• Do you sponsor?• Do you sponsor H1-B visa students? • Do you hire international students?


Professional Attire • DOs: Dark, clean pressed suit and

shoes, hair of face, trimmed nails, portfolio for resumes – Women: 1” heels, option: skirt 3”

above knee, tucked blouse, simple jewelry

– Men: Ties, belts, colored socks, consider clean shave, tucked button down shirt

• DON’TS: Distracting jewelry, heavy perfume or after shave, poor hygiene or grooming – Women: 3” heels, short skirts,

excessive make up, – Men: White socks, hiking boots or

sports shoes, silly ties


Know your visa status • Understand your US work eligibility

– GW International Services Office www.gwu.edu/iso – Center for Career Services & International Services Office

• CPT for International Students– Thursday, 9/24/15 - 11am to 12:30pm, MC 407

• OPT for International Students– Thursday 10/1/15 - 11am to 12:30pm, MC 405

• Consider Your Options– On Campus employment – CPT: Curricular Practical Training/Internship– OPT: Optional Practical Training – H-1B: Sponsorship for employment authorization

http://www.gwu.edu/iso


What to say about my visa status

• No perfect time to reveal visa status to employer• Each students is different – Reveal status at start interaction– Others wait until interview phase

• International students must:– Respond honestly about immigration status and work

authorization eligibility when asked. – Ensure topic is discussed prior to end of interview

process so employer is informed per hiring decision.


Day of the Fair

• Check In: 22nd Street entrance• Receive nametag and map• Observe/Listen to Fair (Noise, Big, 2000+)• Employer tables and signs • One table for each employer (100+ employers) – Target your top employers


More Day of Fair

• Career Fair Prep Room sponsored by Macy’s– Employer research– Practice pitch with professionals

• “Rock My Profile” (for seniors only, please) at LinkedIn Photo Booth

• Free head shots at LinkedIn Photo Booth


Career Fair Tips• Arrive early. Do not wait to later. • Try to relax and take breaks. Visit Prep Room. • Do not travel in packs of students• Engage employers in conversation• Request action • Ask for business cards and follow up


After• Review employer materials• Send thank you emails within 24 hours • Apply online, per employer conversation• Maintain your connections via social media– Follow organization on Twitter– Follow individual on LinkedIn


• Career Coaching: Discuss resumes, cover letters, interviewing, job/internship search, career options, resources (TOP TEN)

• Career Workshops: Skill-building programs, industry panels, employer Information sessions*

• Self-Assessment: Workshops• *Career Fairs: Site Visits, Employer-in-Residence• Special Programming: International students

Center Services


What do you think?Evaluate Today’s Program

• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation • Have you learned from the program today?– I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers.– I have learned more about how to be a professional.

• Comments & Ideas


International Student Career Programs: Fall 2015 (9/8 to 10/20/15)

Sep2015

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3p Resume Writing

HOLIDAY Resume Madness ES 5:30 Dress for Success

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 3p Make Most of the

Career Fair Career Fair 1-5pm

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 3pm Job Search

Strategy 11a Curricular

Practical Training (CPT)

27 28 29 30 1 2 3 GWSB Fair 11a Occupational

Practical Training

Oct2015

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

3pm Networking 6pm International

Student Alumni Networking Night

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3p Interview


Good Luck at the Fair Visit the Career Prep Room at the Career Fair and meet with

Center for Career Services staff and practice your 30-

second pitch!


Learning Outcomes• Purpose of career fair• Discussed unique employment status• Described the fair experience by reviewing fair

format/logistics• Identified career fair preparation strategies

– Career skills, strengths, and goals– Review resumes, practice introductions, discussed questions,

attire, strategies to make the most of the fair • Learn about alternative search strategies and resources for

international students in the Center• More career fair preparation services


What about visa/ work authorization?

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Internship– After two consecutive semesters of full-time academic

study, F1 students are eligible to accept employment (= academic field) during the academic year (<20 hours weekly or full-time in summer). Work strictly corresponds to semester/academic schedule and requires re-authorization.

– Effort: Student responsible; GW prompts employer minimal by emloyer

• Optional Practical Training• H-1B Visa


Resume ExperienceEXPERIENCEThe World Bank, Policy and Development Intern, Washington, DC, January 2012 - PresentMiddle East Project• Research the impact of social media on grassroots

organizations’ and authoritarian governments’ economic policies in the Middle East and presented 35-page research report and two page abstract to chief of division

• Coordinate four meetings attended by more than 350 mid- and senior-level subject-matter experts during day-long seminars


What do employers looks for in new hires? Top 10 Skills U.S. Employers Seek

in New Hires

• Ability to communicate verbally with persons in/outside organization• Ability to work in a team structure• Ability to make decisions and solve problems• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work• Ability to obtain and process information• Ability to analyze quantitative data• Technical knowledge related to job• Proficiency with computer software programs• Ability to create and/or edit written reports• Ability to sell or influence others

*National Association of College & Employers Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013


Resume • Sections: Identification, Education,

Experience, Skills• Language: Perfect English • Experience Descriptions: Focus on your

transferable skills, results, and accomplishments – Add qualifiers and quantifiers– Description worksheet


Brief Introduction • Connect with employer– Smile, Shake, Eye, Greet

• Smile• Extend hand. Firm grip. Shake.• Make eye contact• Hello, my name is Barack Obama. I am the

President of the United States. I am pleased to meet you


Target/Research Employers• Understand your visa

– CPT – OPT – H1B

• Determine what opportunities are available to you by contacting the GW International Services Office or via their website

• Are you targeting internships prior to graduation (CPT), temporary full-time post graduation employment (OPT), or other? – Consider employers carefully. – Who will hire international students?

•

go.gwu.edu/career services making the career fair work for international students

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