Career Services

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Information for International Students

Resumes, interviews and job search methods for both career full-time positions and internships/co-ops are different in the U.S. from those in your home country. If you are planning on obtaining practical training in the U.S., prepare for the differences by using ASU Career Services events, on-campus recruiting, workshops, Career Education Center (CEC) resources in the Student Services Building, Room 329 (SSV 329) and by meeting with a career advisor.

Requirements:

  • Know the U.S. federal regulations and procedures for being hired; review the OPT and CPT requirements and procedures on the International Student web site: http://asu.edu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/iso
  • You are not eligible for government positions and those which require security clearance due to contract work for the U.S. federal government
  • You are eligible for positions that relate to your field of study and require a Bachelor's degree or higher for which you are paid the prevailing wage

Ethics:

  • Never misrepresent your status for employment; you are most likely on an F-1, which makes you eligible for practical training; you do NOT have work authorization
  • You are responsible for knowing U.S. expectations and appropriate behaviors for conducting a job search
  • Once you have accepted an offer of employment you are committed to the organization so withdraw from interviewing

What Do Employers Want?

  • Motivated workers who are prepared to work in a professional environment
  • Highly developed English communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking and interpersonal
  • Honesty, integrity, punctuality and mentally present as well as good business etiquette behaviors according to U.S. expectations
  • Self-initiative; being able to see what needs to be done and willing to go beyond the job description

Who Will Hire Me in the U.S.?

  • Generally, majors in the technical/engineering and some business areas offer more potential for practical training in the U.S.; however, your marketability depends more on you and your accomplishments, including academic, participation in organizations, work/project experience and other related factors
  • More than one-third of all companies hire international students
  • Small, medium and large companies with special needs for highly developed skills often do not have enough U.S. citizens to fill positions
  • American firms operating in foreign countries and foreign firms operating in the U.S.; see resources in CEC
  • Review ASU employment offer data as reported by ASU graduates and NACE Salary Survey located on the ASU Career Services web site

How Do I Prepare?

  • Concentrate on developing English communication skills including writing, interpersonal and oral; for assistance contact the ASU Writing Center (480.965.4272; http://www.student success.asu.edu/writing ) and/or the American English and Culture Program (http://www.asu.edu/xed/aecp/index.html; 480.965.4272)
  • Attend ASU Career Services workshops and check out handouts on job search preparation topics; review student information on the Career Services web site
  • Attend career events and employer information sessions
  • Watch networking, international student job search, and interviewing videos in the CEC
  • Attend a resume writing workshop, write your resume and bring it to a career advisor to be critiqued
  • Practice answering behavioral interview questions
  • Start your job search two semesters before graduating

How Do I Market Myself?

  • Do not be the first to discuss your work status with an employer, but do be prepared to address questions of work status by knowing what you and the employer must do; review web sites listed under additional information as well as the ISO web site on practical training
  • Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organization and demonstrate interest in working for the organization
  • More than 70% of the jobs in the U.S. are found through networking, which is about relationships; networking is not about having a friend who has a job opening in his/her company; watch the video Tapping the Hidden Job Market in Career Services
  • Register with Sun Devil CareerLink and know how to effectively use the recruiting system
  • Not all of you will be hired to work in the U.S. so have alternative plans

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