Job Strategies: Marketing and Interviewing Skills

1
Job Strategies Marketing and Interviewing Skills

• University of Missouri-Columbia International
  Student Career Services

2
A Few H1-B Visa Statistics

• In FY2003, out of 231,030 H1-B petitions, 217,340
  were approved
• The current cap (limit) on H1-B visas
• Exceptions
• The top 5 industries receiving visas in FY2003
• It is important to know that there are a lot of
  internationals working in the US!!

3
The American philosophy of the job hunt

• Setting yourself apart from all the other
  qualified applicants
• Appear unique or different
• The 2 Cs
• Confidence
• Competence
• As an international student you have an advantage
  over American

4
The Basics of Interviewing

• 3 stages of interviewing
• Stage 1 Preparation
• Stage 2 Interview
• Stage 3 Follow up

5
Stage 1Preparation

• Learn more about the company
• What to look for when researching
• Where to find information on companies
• Prepare to talk about yourself
• Topics to think about
• Goals, Values, Weakness, Strength

6
Stage 2 The interview

• Phases of the interview
• First impressions
• Actual interview
• Your questions
• Closing

7
First impressions Dress

• Dress appropriately
• This depends much on your work environment!
• The general rule of thumb

8
The Interview First impressions

• Starts the minute you leave your front door
• Promptness
• Be nice to everyone you meet in the office
• Give a firm handshake

9
The Interview General Tips

• Be enthusiastic
• Non-verbal communication
• The positives
• Dont exaggerate or lie
• Avoid debate
• Understand the question
• Follow the lead
• Dont interrupt
• Timing of answers
• What not to expect
• Talking about salary
• Past employers, colleagues, teacher or
  institution.

10
The Interview Top 10 questions Adapted from St.
Norberts college and MU Career Center

• Tell me about yourself
• What is your most significant accomplishment?
• Why do you believe you are qualified for the
  position?
• Have you ever accomplished something you did not
  think you could?
• Describe a time where your performance went above
  and beyond expectations.
• What do you like/dislike most about your current
  position?
• What are your career goals? Where do you see
  yourself 5 years from now?
• What are your most significant strengths?
• What are your most significant weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work here?

11
Most common questions for international students.

• How long do you think you will stay in the U.S.?
• How are your communication skills?
• How are you more qualified than an American
  candidate?
• Where are you from?

12
Discriminatory questions

• Have you had any medical problems lately?
• What country are you or your parents from?
• Do you prefer Ms., Miss., or Mrs.?
• Do you have children?
• What church do you go to?
• How old are you?

13
Stage 3 The Follow up

• Shake hands again
• Thank the interviewer
• Immediately send everyone you talk to a thank you
  letter.

14
MU Career Center Mock Interview

• What Practice like a real interview!
• Time 50 minutes
• Practice Interview
• Expert feedback from the mock interviewer
• Can be videotaped so you can see what you look
  like when you are interviewed
• Cost FREE!!!
• Where MU Career Center at the Student Success
  Center.

15
Want more information?

• For a more detailed information about
  interviewing, please visit us at ISCS. We have
  staff members who do individual consultations as
  well as an in depth workshop on interviewing
  skills.
• International Students Career Serivces
• Student Success Center Room 3
• E-mail iscareer_at_missouri.edu
• Telephone [phone]
• Hours Monday Friday 10 AM 4 PM