In Module IV. you will discover how to meet the challenges of job searching with the creation and execution of S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Specific-Create a High Potential Target List of Employers Measurable-Start Early – Make Each Step Count! Attainable-Alternative Strategies and Resources Realistic-Take Charge of Your Job Search Timely-Job Search Planogram – Tips from Retail Experts

2. International Students Job Search
Seminar
By: Julia Montier-Ball, MEd, CI/IDT, MGR. International Student Services, Adjunct Instructor 2017-2018
C o n d u c t A
J o b S e a r c h

3. AGENDA In Module IV. you will discover how to meet the challenges of job
searching with the creation and execution of S.M.A.R.T. Goals.
Create a High Potential Target List of Employers
Start Early – Make Each Step Count!
Alternative Strategies and Resources
Take Charge of Your Job Search
Job Search Planogram – Tips from Retail Experts

4. COOPERATIVE
EDUCATION
Q. How can International
students create SPECIFIC
job search goals?
A. By researching a variety
of employment options
while using alternate
strategies specific to a
company’s hiring history.

5. Goals:
Identify specific high potential employers
(Tip: Don’t waste time applying to companies with low international candidate
hiring histories.)
Practice finding high potential companies:
• Select 5 companies from the career fair list
• Look for hiring histories on www.glassdoor.com,
www.immihelp.com or www.myvisajobs.com
• High potential companies = high % of H1b hires
(or high % of applications submitted and approved)
Intelligrated ®
named as 2008
Co-op Employer
of the Year by
the University of
Cincinnati…

6. Goals:
Confirm open jobs at high potential employers
(Tip: Don’t overlook small companies that may have more flexible hiring policies,
more motivated recruiters and shorter hiring timeframes.)
Look for jobs at local companies with an “open mind”
• Top Workplaces: The best 55 small companies in the
Cincinnati region
• Top Workplaces: The 40 best midsize companies in the
Cincinnati region
Engineering is
one of the rare
professions where
you really
can
work
anywhere,
in many
different
industries.

7. Goals:
Confirm required skills/experience with yours
(Tip: Don’t miss open positions because you are unfamiliar with the job titles. READ
the job description and ‘connect the dots’.)
Practice reading job descriptions and notice words in job
titles that indicate “entry level” such as “support”.
• Controls Support Engineer - Conveyor job
• Microsoft Support Engineer
• Customer Support Engineer
• See hiring “international” noted on www.hireowl.com

8. COOPERATIVE
EDUCATION
Q. How can International
students MEASURE the
success of their job
search process?
A. By following through
on each step of the job
search process, seeking
feedback and tracking
results.

9. Goals
Make each step count!
(Tip: Attend all IS Prep-TALK Job Search Seminars, review Modules and access
the related International student resources in the Blackboard organization.)
Use 6 P’s of Job Search Success - to track your progress:
 PARTICIPATE: Take part in seminar related activities.
 PREPARE: Research industry trends and network.
 PRACTICE: Record your self-introduction
 PERSEVERE: Attend career fairs on and off campus.
 PURSUE: Seek target employer contacts on LinkedIn.
 PREVIEW: Read as lots of job descriptions and compare them.
 PLAN: Put dates for actions in your job search plan.

10. Goals: Start with the end date
Create a Coop Job Search Plan early. (Tip: Prioritize your US job search, it can take much longer
than the typical 3-6 months – begin at least 6 months prior to required reporting deadlines for coop.)
Your Class Major Semester to Begin Coop
Job Search
Coop Job Reporting
Deadlines
Freshman CECH IT Fall thru Spring of Freshman year
Freshman Engineering Summer after Freshman year
Sophomore Engineering Spring of Freshman year
Pre-Junior Engineering Spring of Sophomore year
Junior Engineering Spring of Pre-Junior year
Timeline table: Fill in required job reporting deadlines for your major and coop section.

11. Goals: Start with the end date
Plan to Search for Internships and Full-time Jobs early. (Tip: Prioritize your US job
search, as it can take 6 months to a year! Keep in mind CPT or OPT deadlines.)
Your Class Major Semester to Begin
Internship or Full-time
Job Search
Intern/CPT Full-time /OPT or
OPT Extension
M-ENG Engineering Fall of 1st grad school year
Grad Masters All majors Spring before last year
Post-Grad All majors Summer before last year
Graduate timetable: Fill in required job reporting deadlines for your internship,
graduation or OPT dates.
Job Reporting Deadlines:

12. Goals: Job Search Checklist

Date
Due
Getting Started:
“I am going to…”
Job Search Action Plan Items:
“I can achieve this by…”
Priority #
Become familiar with CURRENT immigration regulations and
confirm your visa status – Know the Complexities and
misunderstandings concerning visas
Learning to explain to employers their options,
answer concerns about me staying on, ZERO 3yr.
hiring costs and employer responsibilities
Improve English writing and speaking proficiency, participate
in student groups, visit the Writing Center
Join CABO, UC ESL Conversation group, be a SOL
or Peer Leader, work at a front desk on campus
Get resume critiqued, make revisions, upload to PAL;
Improve cover letters and follow-up emails
Upload to multiple sites, customizing it with key
words, adding examples to my cover letters
Improve LinkedIn profile: Your title, summary, skills, photo,
connection requests, outreach, video resume?
Uploading work samples, asking for
recommendations, and feedback
Start networking: add dates of events on your job search
timeline, make business cards, clean-up Facebook,
Talking to start-up co’s., doing informational
interviews, get active in the community
Search jobs on non-engineering websites, in your home
country, US & abroad – international internships & coops?
Looking at Retail, Healthcare, Education, Social
Agencies, Hospitality, Food Industry

13. COOPERATIVE
EDUCATION
Q. How can International
students reach job
search goals that are
ATTAINABLE?
A. By utilizing the many
alternative strategies
and resources that are
available throughout
the Prep-TALK Seminar
Modules.

14. Out and Connect Get engaged,
update your
profile and stay
connected.
90% of people
at events have
LinkedIn, use the
mobile app to add
them ASAP!
LinkedIn connections are Attainable. Don’t wait for a career fair!

15. Job Search Strategies
(Tip: Being a competitive job seeker makes you stand out.)
Those that fail
to plan, plan
to fail.
Think:
If Plan A
doesn’t work
out, what’s
your Plan B
or Plan C?
Some resources for you to network & grow in your industry...
A. American Council of Engineering Companies
The ACEC Young Professional of the Year award program
B. American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Student Design Competition at ASME’s global E-Fests
C. 6 Fresh Engineering Design Competitions for College Students
D. IEEEXtreme 24-Hour Student Programming Competition
E. Current Opportunities for Students -- Competitions | NASA
F. BDPA Annual Technology Conference/Career Fair ITDiversityCareers

16. COOPERATIVE
EDUCATION
Q. REALISTICALLY, what should
International students be
doing to take charge of their
US job search?
A. By starting early to
take responsibility for
improving skills, networking
and actively participating in
experiential opportunities.

17. Take a Approach to your job search
Read their Diversity Statement:
• At Google, we …are committed to equal
employment opportunity regardless of race, color,
ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual
orientation, age, citizenship, marital status,
disability, gender identity…
Be Confident
• Know what you bring to the table
• Be marketable – in person and online
• Make your case
Let’s say you dream of working for Google…
• Network with influential industry people
• Used Search Tools in LinkedIn to find
UC Alumni who cooped there or work
there now or work for a Google supplier
Be willing to go where the job is

18. Make a Effort to research companies
Watch out for misleading job ads! Stick with trusted resources
Select from
coop & student
resources

19. COOPERATIVE
EDUCATION
Q. What organizational
tool can help
International students
think about executing a
TIMELY job search?
A. By designing a simple
planogram, students
can visually organize
and execute their job
search.

20. Make a Job Search Planogram – then launch your job search
Compare skills to jobs
Write cover letters
Identify your skills
List target companies
Apply for positions
Research companies
Customize your resume
Follow-up
Search for positions
2-6 weeks, Meet w/a Career Coach 2-3 months, Research & Compare 6-12 months, Select & Apply

21. Cover Letter Critiques 4-6pm on Sept. 19 & 20
For information email: Julia Montier-Ball montiej@ucmail.uc.edu
Do Module V. Seminar Pre-work and review the Resources.
To receive your Certificate of Attendance:
• Attend at least 6 Seminars + 1 activity*
• Or combine completed Modules on Bb + attending Seminars + 2 activities*
• *Activities include: a resume critique, networking event, self-intro video,
mock interview, job search lab, or a follow-up appointment.