CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
QUICK QUIZ
OISS Career Workshop Part 2
1. Career Services Intro
2.Quick Quiz
1. Resumes
1. Cover Letters
1. General Job Search
1. Explaining your employment availability/authorization
Office of International Students and
Scholars
CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
QUICK QUIZ
Exercise: RAISE YOUR HAND
•In your own country: Resume/Cover Letter?
•Photo?
•Age/personal information?
•Resume vs. C.V.?
•Always include a Cover Letter?
•Is it ok to copy from other resumes/cover letters?
Office of International Students and
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CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
QUICK QUIZ
Lessons Learned from Experience:
•Know the rules.
•Make your resume/cover letter stand out
•Avoid the “Circular File”
•The more eyes, the better
•Many right ways, many wrong ways
Office of International Students and
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CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
QUICK QUIZ
The Circular File
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PRACTICAL TIPS FOR RESUME-WRITING
CONTENT
•State a clear and reasonable objective (see examples)
•Entry-level resumes usually highlight educational background (this may
include seminars/training programs attended)
•Descriptions of work experience must be brief but specific (key: use
“power” terms)
•Examples of POWER terms: manage, collaborate, comprehensive, team,
monitor, regulate, advise, organize, organization, projects, deadlines,
timelines, accountable, responsible/responsibility, goals, objectives,
supervise, train
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More PRACTICAL TIPS FOR RESUME-WRITING
CONTENT
•Tweak your resume a bit every time you apply for a different job
•Keep it to 2 pages max (unless a c.v. is required)
•Consistent Style – (see “Rica” packet)
•Add a footer to your resume with page numbers + your name – in case
the pages of your resume gets mixed up with those of other applicants
•Highlight Your Strengths –key to picking format
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TYPES OF RESUME FORMATS:
1. Chronological
• Most traditional; experience is the focus
• Each job is described in some detail
• Primarily used if you are staying in the same profession, law and
academia
Advantages #1: may appeal to older, more traditional readers and be
best in very conservative fields
Advantage #2: makes it easier to understand what you did in what job
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TYPES OF RESUME FORMATS:
2. Functional
• Highlights your major skills and accomplishments
• Helps the reader see clearly what you can do for them, rather than
having to read through the job descriptions to find out
• Ideal when going into a new direction or field -- focus is placed on
transferable skills
• Advantage: most helpful format in reaching for a new goal or direction
• Slight disadvantage: may not appeal to conservative interviewers
Office of International Students and
Scholars
CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
TYPES OF RESUME FORMATS:
3. Combined
• Includes elements of both the chronological and functional formats
• Shorter chronology of employment history preceded by a “Skills and
Accomplishments” section
• Ideal for for job-seekers in the mid-term of their careers, wanting to
highlight most of their experience but wanting to showcase their
acquired skills as well
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CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
“Objective” “Profile” or neither?
Objectives – What’s the Point?
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Objective formula:
________ seeks (meaningful) _____ entry level position in the
______industry/field.
Sample:
Recent business administration graduate seeks entry level marketing
position in the natural products industry
Profile:
More advanced form of an objective that summarizes experience and
background at the beginning of a resume; see Anthony Jones example.
Office of International Students and
Scholars
CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR Cover Letter Writing
Don’t restate your resume!
•Show your personality- take calculated risks
Mention names, how you found out about the job
•Make the employer feel special
Prove you can write well
•A well –written cover letter sends a message; the reverse is also true
Answer this question: How do you fill the employer’s need?
•How do you’re your skills/experience transfer
Office of International Students and
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CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
Exercise: Cover letter/resume analysis
Small Groups
• Elenita
• Greg
• “Name”
• Rica
Office of International Students and
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CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
JOB SEARCH TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
•Start your search early!
•“Sell” your unique assets: bilingual abilities, adaptability, your cultural
background, professional experience
•Networking is key: systematically make personal, written, or telephone
contacts with relatives, friends, and alumni in the United States who may be
able to help you in the search
•Concentrate on employers that have ties to your country of origin
Office of International Students and
Scholars
CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
JOB SEARCH TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
•Be prepared for the reluctance of some employers to hire international
students because of their visa restrictions.
•Your embassy would likely maintain lists of contacts for employment. Call
them to find out!
•Honesty about your visa status in all employer contacts is the best policy.
Please make your “permission to work” status clear in every letter, resume,
or direct contact with a company representative.
Office of International Students and
Scholars
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RESOURCES ON CAMPUS:
• USD Career Services
- Torero Link for Students and Alumni
http://www.sandiego.edu/careers/forms/torerostudentlogin.php
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Law School Career Services
MBA Career Services
USD Faculty and Staff
Goinglobal.com
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Scholars
CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
Use a cover letter introduction as a marketing tool – pinpoint needs of
company, explain why you’re perfect, guarantee results
http://www.careerealism.com/cover-letter-introduction-marketing-tool/
What your resume says about you
http://www.careerealism.com/resume/
3 tips for maximizing your out of state resume (adapt to international vs
out of state): show that relocating isn’t a problem, prove you can adapt
to the area as necessary, make your international perspective intriguing
(new environment and bring new ideas to table)
http://www.careerealism.com/resume-tips-out-state/
Office of International Students and
Scholars