Career Services for
Exchange Students
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Tell me about yourself
• What would you like to learn today?
• Are you interested in an internship? Do you
expect a wage? Academic credit?
• When you return to your home, what would
you have liked to have accomplished in the
U.S., related to your career?
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Today
• How the Center Serves You
• And, how you help yourself
• US Culture/Job Market
• Review Career Services at GW
• What would be helpful to you?
• Introduce GWork
• Online job and intern listings for GW students
• Questions
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
US Culture/Job Market
• US Culture
– Shoot for the stars!, Anything is possible!, Go for
your dreams!, You can do anything!, Work hard to
achieve goals!, You’ll be fine – just make contacts!!
• Job Market
– Unpaid internships
– Employers slow for offers
– Explain how your visa status impacts your hiring
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Center for Career Services
CCS Assists You
• Share resources
• Enhance resume/cover
letter/search materials
• Refine your career goals
• Facilitate networking
• Produce career workshops
• Offers 1:1 career coaching
But, CCS Does Not . . . .
• Provide an internship/job
• Re-write resumes/letters’
English language/grammar
• Direct you to a career
• Make personal referrals
• Customize individual events
• Meet weekly
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Benefits of Internships
• Focus on or eliminate certain
career paths
• Enhance resume, learn and
develop new skills
• Meet new career contacts
• Learn how to work in an
office/professional
environment
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Center Services
• Career Coaching: Discuss resumes, cover letters,
interviewing, job/internship search, career
options, resources
• Career Workshops: Skill-building programs,
industry panels, employer Information sessions
• Self-Assessment: Workshops
• Career Fairs: Site Visits, Employer-in-Residence
• Special Programming: International students
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Expectations
CCS Serves You
• Share resources
• Enhance resume/cover
letter/search materials
• Refine your career goals
• Facilitate networking
• Produce career workshops
• Offers 1:1 career coaching
CCS Does Not . . . .
• Provide an internship/job
• Re-write resumes/letters’
English language/grammar
• Direct you to a career
• Make personal referrals
• Customize individual events
• Meet weekly
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Top 10 Skills Sought by U.S.
Employers*
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Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside/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 the job
Proficiency with computer software programs
Ability to create and/or edit written reports
Ability to sell or influence others
* National Association of College and Employers, Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Resume (not CVs) in the U.S.*
• No personal information (age, marital status, weight,
heights), no photos, no SS#
• Tailor your resume to each employer/position
• Research and target employers and analyze position
description for skills, education, and experience
• ONE PAGE and write your own/no templates
• Objective facts only in resume:
– Identification, Education, Experience, Skills
• Subjectivity, with examples, in cover letters
– “I believe I am an excellent candidate for the position . . .
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Cover Letter*
• Written communication: highlights
accomplishments and experiences that demonstrates
match of your abilities to employers’ needs
• Business letter with no errors, typos, poor grammar;
well written, 3 to 4 paragraphs; may be subjective
• Four paragraphs, one page at most
– 1st paragraph: Why are you writing?
– 2nd (and 3rd paragraph): Why should they hire you?
– 4th paragraph: Action to take/how to contact you?
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Learn and Network: Employers
• Networking
- Alumni Dinners, International Student Alumni Networking
Night, LinkedIn, GW CCS Blog
• Employers
• Employer Information Sessions (Employers visit campus)
- Employers-in-Residence
- Employer Site Visits (Students
• Career Fairs and Industry Expos and Weeks
- Panel presentations from industry pros
- Industry connections via alumni employers
- Connect with employers by field
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Online
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GWork
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GWorkSB for GWSB Students
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Online intern and job listing service for GW students
Make Career Coach Appointments
RSVP for Events and Workshops
Online Resources
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GoinGlobal
USA Career Guides
InterviewStream
Brad Traverse
Book of Lists
Optimal Resume
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Questions?
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Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 5th Floor
careerservices.gwu.edu
gwcareercenter@gwu.edu
202.994.6495
Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career Services
go.gwu.edu/careerservices