Making the Career Fair Work for
International Students
http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/fairs
go.gwu.edu/career services
What would you like to learn
today*
?
*The only silly question is the one you don’t ask.
go.gwu.edu/career services
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?
go.gwu.edu/career 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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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)
go.gwu.edu/career services
At the Career Fair
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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!
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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)
go.gwu.edu/career services
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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?
go.gwu.edu/career services
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?
go.gwu.edu/career services
Professional Pitch
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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?
go.gwu.edu/career services
What do I not ask an employer?
• Do you sponsor?
• Do you sponsor H1-B visa students?
• Do you hire international students?
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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.
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
Center Services
• 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
go.gwu.edu/career 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
go.gwu.edu/career services
International Student Career Programs:
Fall 2015 (9/8 to 10/20/15)
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
17
18
19
24
25
26
2
3
3p Resume Writing
HOLIDAY
13 14
Resume Madness ES
15
20 21
22
23
3pm Job Search
Strategy
27 28
11a Curricular
Practical Training
(CPT)
29
30
GWSB Fair
4
Oct
2015
5
6
11 12
13
1
11a Occupational
Practical Training
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
22
23
24
6pm International
Student Alumni
Networking Night
3pm Networking
18 19
5:30 Dress for Success
Career Fair 1-5pm
3p Make Most of the
Career Fair
Sep
2015
16
20
3p Interview
21
go.gwu.edu/career services
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 30second pitch!
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career 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
go.gwu.edu/career services
Resume Experience
EXPERIENCE
The World Bank, Policy and Development Intern, Washington,
DC, January 2012 - Present
Middle 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 midand senior-level subject-matter experts during day-long
seminars
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
go.gwu.edu/career services
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