2. TODAY’s TASK
•What employers want
•What you’ve got
•How to show ‘em
the resume
the cover letter
the interview
3. Who am I?
• Graduate Intern@ OIE
• PhD Candidate in Sociology at UW-Madison
• Maryland native
• Japanese speaker
• Liberal Arts College graduate: Sociology and Psychology
International Education Experience
• JET Program, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa-ken
• Corporate English Instructor, Tokyo, Japan
• Embassy of Japan, Washington D.C.
• Consultant, Youth for Understanding U.S.A.
• National Cherry Blossom Festival Goodwill Ambassador,
Washington, DC
4. Who are you?
• Major
• Where are you from?
• What do you hope to get out of this session?
• What is your international experience?
• What kind of jobs/educational opportunities are
you considering?
• Name one (1) thing you’ve learned through your
international experience.
5. WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT
• Graduates who:
possess both broad and in-depth skills and
knowledge
can apply college learning in real-world settings
(think Liberal Arts in Practice)
have developed a measure of ability to conduct
research and develop evidence-based analysis.
Hart Research Associates, Raising the Bar: Employers’Views on College Learning in the Wake of the Economic Downturn.
January 20, 2010
6. Employer Expectations
Asking employees to:
take on more responsibilities and to use a broader range of skills
work harder to coordinate with other departments than in the
past
face more complex challenges than in the past
possess higher levels of learning and knowledge today than in
the past
Employers see a positive benefit in education innovations
that foster active learning and research skills… like
study abroad!
7. WHAT JOBS CAN I DO?
Public Sector Private Sector
- U.S Government - Law
- State Government - Media
- Foreign Government - Banking & Finance
- International Groups - Consulting
Nonprofit Sector Continuing Education
- Education - Business School
- Research Organizations - Law School
- Public Interest - Medical School
- Private Volunteer Groups - Graduate School
8. Where do I begin?
• Brainstorm:
What is your international experience?
International Student
Study Abroad
International Travel
International Internship
What skills have you gained from the experience?
Transferrable skills
Figure out how you might want to break out the sections
• Organize a Resume
• Write a Cover letter
• **STAND OUT** in the Interview
9. Skills Development
• Did you become proficient in a language?
• Did you complete projects within a
multicultural student environment?
• Did you meet professionals in your field
while abroad?
• Did you work or volunteer in your field?
• Did you gain research experience through
conducting an independent study project?
10. SKILLS LIST
• Communication skills (including
listening and overcoming
language barriers)
• Foreign language skills
• Global point of view,
appreciation of diversity,
tolerance, cultural awareness,
and sensitivity to customs and
cultural differences
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Motivation and initiative
• Organizational and time-
management skills
• Ability to identify, set, and
achieve goals
• General travel and navigational
skills
• Problem-solving and crisis-
management skills
• Patience
• Independence, self-reliance, and
responsibility
• Perseverance
• Inquisitiveness
• Assertiveness
• Commitment
• Drive
• Appreciation for Diversity &
Culture
• Flexibility
• Problem Solving
Adapted from
http://www.willamette.edu/dept/oie/abroad/alumni/marketing/index.html
11. What info is relevant?
•What information is relevant to include
in the resume. Why?
Location
Program information – may include a short
description
Research/Field study/Internship
Length of time
Current language skill level
Courses taken and grades* (optional)
12. Resume Examples (cont’d)
Education
BELOIT COLLEGE, Beloit, WI
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, May 2012
Minor: Sociology
GPA 3.4/4.0; GPA in Major 3.3/4.0
AKITA UNIVERSITY, AKITA CITY, JAPAN
Studied Japanese language and Global Studies courses, focusing on the challenges to
economic development facilitated by the aging population in Japan.
Gained conversational and semi-professional proficiency in Japanese
BELOIT COLLEGE, Beloit, WI
Studied economics with a focus in international business and trade. Developed
analytical, project development and presentation skills through coursework and
independent research projects. Examined the Korean consumer market as an
independent research project
13. Resume Examples (cont’d)
Relevant Experience
January 2011 THE WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT COALITION, Freeman’s
Township, South Africa
Independent Research Project
Completed and analyzed ten (10) in-depth interviews with
coalition activists about post-apartheid gender inequality. This
resulted in a presentation at the Beloit College International
Symposium (Fall 2011).
Summer 2012 The Wisconsin Union Outreach Association
Intern
Analyzed surveys completed by local unions to improve
communication and organization among state union members.
Used Spanish language skills to develop verbal and written
protocols for reaching out to Spanish speaking union
constituencies.
14. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2009 ENGLISH TEACHING INTERNSHIP AT
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COLLÈGE MALIFEU,
Rennes, France
English Teaching Assistant
Taught three classes per week (Social Studies and Literature
for students who live in Anglo-French speaking homes
and General English for students of an intermediate level).
Planned and developed activities and worksheets, experience
leading class under observation.
Communicated with the teachers and discuss how to
organize classroom activities, lesson plans, and
worksheets.
Attended class weekly at the University of Haute Bretagne
about English teaching pedagogy (in conjunction with the
field work)
15. LANGUAGES
ENGLISH: NATIVE
RUSSIAN: FLUENT
Reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension: professional/academic
fluency.
FRENCH: FLUENT
Reading, writing, and aural comprehension: professional/academic fluency.
Speaking: near professional fluency.
-----------
Japanese – Intermediate Level Proficiency in writing and speaking; English –
Native
-----------
Levels: Intermediate/near-fluent/fluent/native + language.
Example: Near-fluent Spanish
16. Cover Letter
• Build a connection between your background
and the company’s needs.
• Emphasize your strongest attributes
• Include any directly-related experience
17. Cover Letter
• “My experience living in Ecuador has enhance my ability
to communicate and interact effectively with the local
Latino population this position has the opportunity to
work closely with.”
• “Working in cross-cultural teams in the international city
of London has given me insight into the communication
styles and adaptability necessary in this type of position.”
• “I am writing to inquire about the summer environmental
education internship that was advertised on the Eagle
Bluff website. Having spent the last three summers
enjoying similar work in the U.S. and abroad, I am very
interested in learning more about the position.”
18. Typical Interview Questions
• Tell me about yourself.
• Describe a time when you took a leadership role.
• What are some challenges you encountered during your
international experience?
• Why do you want this position?
• Describe a time when you had to work in a group and the
members of the group had different priorities and work
ethic. How did you solve these issues?
19. The Interview
• Prepare answers to potential questions
S = Situation Describe the situation
A = Action Describe the action you
took and why
R = Result Describe the results of
your actions
•Develop a Stock of Career Stories
• Write an Elevator Pitch
20. Continue Building Global
Competence
• Join an international student organization.
• Find a meaningful way to use and strengthen languages.
• Attend cultural events on campus and in the community.
• Choose academic programs and elective courses that will
increase global awareness.
• Volunteer or intern at culturally-based organizations.
