Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Search Strategies for International Students

Transcription

Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Search Strategies
for International Students
SEARCH FOR WORK. DO WHAT YOU LOVE.
© Stanford University 2012
Workshop Outline
 Career Planning Overview
 Questions?
 Resumes & Cover Letters
 Content and Organization
 Language and Phrasing
 Job Search Strategies
 Additional Resources
 Questions & Final Thoughts
Career Planning Stages
— Reflect —
— Explore —
Focus
— Resume —
- Cover Ltr Prep interview
—— Find & pursue opportunities —— - - - - Request OPT
EAD
start
- - - - -—— Offers ——
Start
work
Reflect: You and Your Goals
 Interests, values, skills
 Signature strengths
Skills & accomplishments
 Experience

Academic
 Extracurricular


Volunteer
Work
Personality
 Preferences


Work environment
Location
 Goals

Factors and influences
Explore Career Possibilities
 First Steps
 Vault/Career Insider Industry and Career Guides

Online subscription, CDC Library
 Informational Interviewing
 Non-Profit & Corporate Directories
 Search by industry, product, location, size, . . . .
 Rich’s – 150,000 tech and biotech companies
 Book of Lists for major U.S. cities (in CDC Library)
 Employers who submit H1B petitions: www.myvisajobs.com
 Business magazines and trade journals
 www.tradevibes.com, www.idealist.org
 Google (Maps, News, Finance, etc.)
Where Should I Focus?
Self-Assess
Interests,
skills, values,
wants
P
l
a
n
A
P
l
a
n
Discover,
explore
& research
possibilities
B
Visa Requirements
Marketing Yourself: Putting It All Together
 Connect your experiences and personal qualities to your
research about the industry and organization.
 Show the organization . . .




You know who they are and what they do
 Products/services, mission statement, their core values
You have skills that match their needs
You are a good personality fit
A genuine interest in their organization
 . . . through:
 Networking
 Well-targeted and customized cover letters and resumes
 Focused responses to interview questions
Qualities and Qualifications
 Resume & Cover Letter
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Specialized knowledge
Specialized skills
Academic achievement
Technical know-how
Communication skills
Analytical skills
Teamwork & leadership
Motivation and initiative
Focus
International Status
Potential Disadvantages
 Miscommunication

Potential Advantages
 Speak multiple languages
Language and/or cultural
 Hiring restrictions
based on visa status
Won’t sponsor H-1B visa or
green card
 Multicultural outlook
Explicit
 Lack of network in U.S.
Work
harder. Start now!
?
 Global perspective
 Network in home country
 Adapt to new situations
?
Curriculum Vitae (CV or vita)
Customarily used for:
 Academic positions (teaching or administrative)
 Fellowships or grants
 Customary in some countries
“Going Global” in CDC Library or website
 Consult career counselor at the CDC

 CDC’s “Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letters”
handout
 CDC’s Academic Job Search workshop
Guiping (Gwen) Zhou
563 Salvatierra Walk, Stanford, CA 94305 • (650) 723-2300 • [email protected]
OBJECTIVE Summer internship as a Mechanical Engineer
EDUCATION
BS Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
Coursework: Statics, Dynamic Analysis, Product Development
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Mechanical Designer, ME 203 Course Project
Collaboratively designed and prototyped a versatile webcam mount
expected Jun 201x
GPA 3.4
4/1x – 6/1x
Engineering Intern, Hewlett Packard, Shanghai, China
6/10 – 9/10
Used AutoCAD to document variations in parts used in ink-jet printers
Carefully verified that part numbers, drawings and physical parts matched
Developed knowledge of production protocols and manufacturing environment
OTHER EXPERIENCE
President, Engineering Students Association
SKILLS AutoCAD, SketchUp; Microsoft Word, Excel
ACTIVITIES Operate and repair radio-controlled aircraft
5/1x – 8/1x
Guiping (Gwen) Zhou
563 Salvatierra Walk, Stanford, CA 94305 • (650) 723-2300 •
[email protected]
EDUCATION
BS Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University expected Jun 201x
Helpful but optional
Coursework: Statics, Dynamic Analysis, Product Development
GPA 3.4
Quickly EXPERIENCE
indicates the type of position sought
RELEVANT
4/1x – 6/1x
Collaboratively
designed
and prototyped a versatile webcam mount
May
include:
Engineering Intern,
Hewlett
Packard,
Shanghai,
China
6/10 – 9/10
specific
position
you
are seeking
you
wish to
use onand
thephysical
job parts matched
Carefully verifiedskills
that part
numbers,
drawings
industry,
field or
type ofand
organization
Developed knowledge
of production
protocols
manufacturing environment
a combination of all of the
OTHER EXPERIENCE
President, Engineering Students Association
above
SKILLS AutoCAD, SketchUp; Microsoft Word, Excel
5/1x – 8/1x
Clear, concise, meaningful
ACTIVITIES Operate and repair radio-controlled aircraft
Summary or Professional Qualifications
 Overview that highlights your greatest relevant strengths
 Clear, concise, meaningful
 It may include
Big-picture view of your most relevant qualifications
 Personal traits and/or work style
 A combination of the above

 Optional; may complement or replace the objective
 Can be more powerful than an objective
Sample Summary Statements
Summary of Qualifications:
Excellent team management and communication skills
Outstanding analytical and problem solving abilities
Proven leadership and decision making skills
History of solving challenging problems under tight
deadlines
 Strong financial analysis and intuitive business sense




Guiping (Gwen) Zhou
[email protected]
EDUCATION
MS Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University expected Jun 201x
Coursework: Dynamic Analysis, Smart Product Development
GPA 3.4
BS (Diplom) Mechanical Engineering
201x
Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
GPA 97/100
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
4/1x – 6/1x
6/10 – 9/10
Guiping (Gwen) Zhou
[email protected]
EDUCATION
MS Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University expected Jun 201x
Coursework: Dynamic Analysis, Smart Product Development
GPA 3.4
BS (Diplom) Mechanical Engineering
201x
Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
GPA 97/100
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
4/1x – 6/1x
6/10 – 9/10
Experience
 Emphasize most relevant experience by listing it first






paid jobs (in field)
internships
special academic projects/research
volunteer experiences
leadership/teamwork in student organizations
paid jobs (other)
 List most recent information first within each section
 Minimize jargon or acronyms only known within your field
 Use common action verbs
Chronological Resume
EXPERIENCE
9/10 –
Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
Investigated wireless network technologies . . .
9/07 – 9/10 Course Assistant, Dept of Engineering, Tsinghua University
Led the Accelerated Calculus for Engineers Program . . .
6/09 – 9/09 Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University
Designed wireless sensors that . . .
6/05 – 9/07 Software Engineer Intern, IBM Corporation, Shanghai
Tested machine software . . .
Combination Resume
PROJECT EXPERIENCE:
9/10 –
Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
Investigated wireless network technologies . . .
6/09 – 9/09 Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University
Designed wireless sensors that . . .
WORK EXPERIENCE:
9/07 – 9/10 Course Assistant, Dept of Engineering, Tsinghua University
Led the Accelerated Calculus for Engineers Program . . .
6/05 – 9/07 Software Engineer Intern, IBM Corporation, Shanghai
Tested machine software . . .
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
5/06 – 6/07 President, Society of Scientists & Engineers
Led 60 members in the successful launch of . . .
References
 On a separate sheet of paper
 List at least 3 references
 Name
 Title/Relationship
 Address
 Phone Number
 Email
 Ask your references
ahead of time!
References
 Provided upon request
 In industry, most employers prefer to communicate
directly with the person providing the
recommendation by phone or email, rather than a
written letter.
 Other than academic and research positions,
written letters of reference or recommendation are
not needed for most positions. Provide letters only
when requested or if reference is unreachable,
otherwise provide contact information.
Additional Information
Unless specifically asked, employers do NOT need:
 Copies of diplomas
 Photos
 Information put in folders or other protective covers
 Transcripts
 List of References
Cover Letter: Purpose & Structure
 First paragraph: Who
are you? Why are you writing?
Middle paragraph(s): Why are you a good candidate?



How do you meet or exceed the job requirements?
Why are you applying for this position at this organization?
 Last paragraph: What’s
the next step?
Good: “I look forward to hearing from you.”
 Better: “I will contact you next week to follow up about
scheduling an interview.”
 Signature and closing
 Keep it simple: “Sincerely” or “Best Regards”
 Sign in black ink above your typed name (if printed)
 Type your name directly below the closing (if email)

Cover Letter Tips
 “Ask not what your employer can do for you . . . ”
 Focus on how you can contribute, not what you hope to gain
 Customize each letter
 Why are you applying for this position at this organization?
 Offer tangible, relevant skills with concrete examples.
 Avoid clichés (e.g. “I am a people person” or “Teamwork is my
middle name”)
 Use direct and easily understood language.
 Avoid abbreviations and slang
 Spelling, punctuation & grammar must be perfect!
Email Cover Letters
 Briefer but still include your top 2 or 3 selling points.
 Subject line conveys why you are writing.
 Avoid
a blank or generic “resume/cover letter”
subject.
 Follow up:
 Can
email again in a week or two
 Consider calling to establish “live” communication.
“Cover Letter Magic” by Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark
How Students Find Jobs
The Hidden Job Market
 Most (75 - 80%) job openings are not advertised
 Employers prefer to fill positions by referral
People they already know
 People recommended by trusted colleagues

 Build a network of contacts in target companies
 Informational interviews

Network AND gather information simultaneously
Establishing and Expanding Your Network
Meetup
Facebook
LinkedIn
Yahoo! Groups Twitter
Career Fairs
Employer Info
Sessions
Professors
Student
Organizations
Family
Friends
Stanford Alumni Assoc.
Stanford Career Network
Off-Campus
Networking Events
Professional Assocs.
Ideal Job Search for March Graduate
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
Feb Mar
— Reflect —
— Explore —
— Resume —
- Cover Ltr Prep interview
—— Find & pursue opportunities —— - - - - Request OPT
Apr
EAD
start
- - - - -—— Offers ——
Start
work
Gather Information
 Research Industry or Field  Research the Organization
 Economic trends
 Products & services
 Future growth areas
 Organizational structure
 Potential for new markets
 Reputation
 Problems & areas of concern
 Financially sound?
 Competition & main players
 Career paths within company
 Professional development
 Resources
 Vault/Career Insider
 Resources
 Employer website
 Industry blogs
 Employer info session
 Trade magazines
 CDC Library
 Google News, Finance
 CDC Library
Job Search Timeline – For Profit
Large Consulting, Finance & Engineering firms
hire through career fairs and on-campus
recruiting
Fall: Register & activate Cardinal Careers
account. Monitor & apply by deadlines.
Attend career fairs and info sessions.
Winter: Identify and apply to smaller firms.
Explore other industries.
Attend career fairs and info sessions.
Spring: Attend career fairs and info sessions.
Pursue job listings. Network & follow
up! CDC counselors can help!
Job Search Timeline – Public Service
Fall: Research and network with organizations
Winter
Apply to posted jobs.
& Spring: Check for opportunities with
contacts made in the Fall
Nonprofits post when ready to hire (ie. jobs posted in March start in April)
Exceptions: Large national nonprofits and fellowships
If job starts too soon for you, introduce yourself & network for the future.
On-Campus Recruiting Tips
 Attend Cardinal Recruiting Overview workshop
 Unlike the “real world,” OCR is condensed and structured

Job posting, resume deadlines, notifications, interview sign-ups
and interviews span about 30-40 days.
 Review, understand and follow all recruiting policies.
 Do

not misrepresent yourself!
DO NOT change your bio & education info to be eligible for jobs.
 Upload cover letter + resume and unofficial transcript
Copy transcript from Axess into Word doc, and then upload.
 Don’t tamper with your transcript!

Upcoming Events and Programs
 Super Saturday – Sat Sept. 29
 Fall Career Fair – Tues Oct. 2 @ White Plaza
 CDC Workshops
 Interviewing for International Students – 3pm Fri Oct 5
 For PhD’s: PhD Pathways; Academic Job Search
Highlighted Resources
 CDC
http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/cdc/international-students
 Short 15-minute drop-ins for a resume or cover letter review
 Make a 45-minute appointment with a career counselor
online via your Cardinal Careers account
 Publications: pick up at CDC or download from web site
 Binder: Sample Stanford Student Resumes & Cover Letters
 Workshops at Bechtel International Center
 F-1 Practical Training (CPT/OPT)
 H-1B Visas

Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Search Strategies for International Students

Transcription

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