Making the Career Fair Work
for International Students
Anne V. Scammon, Managing Director
go.gwu.edu/career services
Today
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What would you like to learn?
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?
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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
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Learn about companies
Make connections/network
Interact with employer representatives
Gather information and research companies
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Dates, Times, Location
• Wednesday, September 14
• 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)
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At the Career Fair
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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
– Smile, Handshake, Eye Contact
– Professional pitch
• How to follow up after the Fair
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What Employers Expect
• Companies want to share information
• Organization in a centralized format (Career Fair)
• Highlight roles/opportunities available
• Full-time, internship (CPT/OPT)
• Provide information
beyond their website
• Identify those who make
an impression!
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Employer Hiring Traditions
Four types of employers
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Don’t and Won’t
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Do and Will
3. Never and May Consider
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Consider Based on Position (STEM)
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Your Expectations
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Career Fair Preparation
– 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
Prepare
• Identify types of positions
• Research employers
– Know what the employer does
– Identify primary products/services, and
industry
– Determine why organization interests you
– Identify your skills that meet
organization/position
– Identify #1, #2, #3 employers
– Go to GWORK to research
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Prepare
• International Student Career Ambassadors
Resume and Cover Letter Critiques
– Monday-Thursday*, 10am-7pm, Friday, 10am-4pm
• (*Except Tuesday 1pm -2pm)
– 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
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Present Yourself
• What do I have to offer?
– Handshake
– Professional pitch
– Respond to employer
questions
– Appropriate professional
attire and hygiene
– Excellent resume
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What you have to offer
• Identify your skills, experience
and accomplishments
– What are your skills?
– What experience do you have?
– What was accomplished as a
result of you work?
– What are your goals?
• What specifically do you want
accomplish?
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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?
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Professional Pitch
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Practice
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My name is _____; I am a (class) in ___________ (major).
_________ (company) interests me because___________.
My experience/skills ) are in _______________________ .
I’m interested in ______ (position) at ______(company)
because __________.
I am interested in your company because ________(link
research to professional interests).
I saw that you do not have a position posted. Will
opportunities be available in the future?
Find a way to make yourself memorable if possible! My
last employer said “________________” about me.
Ask a question from company research about the firm>
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Ask Employers Questions
• 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?
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Do Not Ask Employers
• Do you sponsor?
• Do you sponsor H1-B visa students?
• Do you hire international students?
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Professional Attire
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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
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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
Your Visa Status
• US work eligibility, www.gwu.edu/iso
• Consider Options
– On campus employment
– CPT: Curricular Practical Training/
Internship
– OPT: Optional Practical Training
– H-1B: Sponsorship for employment
authorization
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Your Visa Status
• Reveal visa status to employer
• Respond honestly about immigration
status/work authorization eligibility
when asked.
• Ensure topic is discussed prior to end of
interview process so employer is
informed prior to hiring decision.
go.gwu.edu/career services
Day of the Fair
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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
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More Day of Fair
• Career Fair Prep Room
– Employer research
– Practice pitch with professionals
• “Rock My Profile” (for seniors only,
please) at LinkedIn Photo Booth
• Free head shots at LinkedIn Photo
Booth
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Career Fair Tips
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Arrive early. Do not wait.
Relax/take breaks.
Visit Prep Room.
Do not travel in packs
Engage employers in conversation
Request action
Ask for business cards and follow up
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Career Fair Tips
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After
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Review employer materials
Send thank you emails within 24 hours
Apply online, per employer conversation
Maintain connections via social media
– Follow organization on Twitter
– Follow individual on LinkedIn
go.gwu.edu/career services
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
GW's International Student Career Ambassador (ISCA) Program provides
peer-to-peer career advising for all international students, including
graduate/professional students across all degree programs.
Drop-in hours:
Monday - Thursday:* 10:00 am -7:00 pm (*Except Tuesday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm),
Friday:10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Science and Engineering Hall (22nd & H Streets Entrance) Resource Rooms
#1230 and #1240
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Good Luck at the Fair
Visit the Career Prep Room at the Career
Fair & Meet with Center for Career
Services staff to practice your professional
pitch!
Fair tips & info:
http://go.gwu.edu/fallcareerfair
go.gwu.edu/career services
Questions?
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Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505
Careerservices.gwu.edu
[email protected]
202.994.6495
Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career
Services
go.gwu.edu/career services
Brief Introduction
• Connect with employer
– Smile, Shake, Eye, Greet
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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
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