Learn How To Market yourLearn How To Market yourInternational/Abroad ExperienceInternational/Abroad Experience

OFFICE OFOFFICE OFINTERNATIONAL PROGRAMSINTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Atlantic University

Sponsored by:

Presented by:Brian Montalvo, Ed.S.Dawn Wooten, MAFarley Leiriao

Workshop Objectives

Basic resume formats & components

Incorporating your international experience

Sample formats & Resume Writing Tips

References & Cover letters samples

Now What?

The BIG Question…

What am I trying to communicate to a potentialemployer about my international experience? About

its relationship to my academic major?

About its relationship to the position they offer?

Start unpacking……

….the experience

Sample Questions Employers May AskDuring Interviews

1. What skills or proficiencies have you acquired or enhanced whileyour were abroad?

2. Tell me a little about your abroad experience?

3. How has your college experience prepared you for your chosenoccupation?

4. Describe an example where you worked as part of a team toachieve a predetermined goal. Was it successful? Why or why not?

Interesting Facts about Going Abroad

“…It is simply not enough to seek an international experience- the experience itself has littlevalue. The savvy job seeker must be able to speak about their abroad experience in terms oftransferable skills… (Matherly, 2006).”

“…Students returning from overseas educational experiences reported increases inawareness of career options… (Kauffmann, Matin, et al, 1992).”

“…The competencies employers continue to site as most important, leadership,communication, confidence, problem-solving, all are almost naturally enhanced throughexperiences abroad, sometimes in ways that students themselves may not be fully aware…(Johnson, 2006).”

“…Hiring managers are cited critical new requirement: cross-cultural competency, defined asability to work in a multicultural environment than may not be located in the U.S…. (Matherly,2006)”

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Where should I include my abroadexperience?

Education Section:

If you attended classes abroadExperience Section: If you gained practical

work experience(e.g. Internship/Volunteer, Work )

*You can also include study-and-work abroad programs in a separateCategory titled “International Experience, International Education…etc”

*Most commonly used when you’ve had multiple abroad experiences

Resume Formats

Chronological Resume Format

The chronological format describes each educational and workexperience:

Education and work experience are listed in reversechronological order

Dates, including month and year, must be included

Advantages:

Emphasizes career growth

Highlights your job title

Is the easiest resume format to read

Best used when job history shows growth

Best used when your career direction is clear and is directly in linewith your work history

Chronological Resume Format

Do Not Use a Chronological Format When:

Your work history is spotty

Changing career goals

Gaps in employment

Chronological Resume Format

The functional format is prepared to highlight the qualifications andskills of an individual:

2 to 5 main skill sets are typically highlighted

(e.g. management, leadership, programming, selling, administrative)

Functional Resume Format

Functional Resume FormatAdvantages:Advantages:

De-emphasizes specific jobs/positions not related to career goals

Decreases responsibility repetition

Best used for career changers

Used to highlight transferable skills

Effective when you want to emphasize a particular skill’s strength

Do Not Use a Functional Format When:

You have performed a limited number of functions

When you want to emphasize promotions

Functional Resume Format

A combination resume format utilizes the best components of thechronological and functional formats.

The functional aspects of your career are highlighted first and then atimeline of your work experience is provided

Combination Resume Format

Combination Resume Format

Advantages:

The functional aspect of the resume promotes your assets, keycredentials, and qualifications

The chronological aspect of the resume identifies your employment,internships, and projects that support your functional skill set

Recommended for experienced candidates

Combination Resume Format

Do Not Use a Combination Format When:

You cannot show how your credentials and qualifications apply

There are significant gaps in your employment history

You have changed jobs often

Key Resume Components

Identification

Name (BIG and bold)

Mailing address (permanent, campus, and/or both)

Phone number (with a professional voice mail)

Email address (professional)

Jane F. OwlJowl@fau.eduJowl@fau.edu

PERMANENT ADDRESS

220 Bradford Court #203

Tallahassee, FL 32303

(850) 385-1370

PRESENT ADDRESS

571 SE 12th Street

Coconut Creek, FL 33073

(954) 943-0029

Career Objective

It’s optional – sometimes the objective can be used in the cover letter

An objective is a statement indicating what kind of position you are lookingfor and what you want to do for the organization

An objective gives direction and focus to the resume

A resume without an objective has broader applicability

Career Objectives Can…

Focus on Your:

Skills

Education

Goals

Focus on Situation:

Career areas

Position title

Type of organization

Functional area

Population

*Can also be a combination of the above

Sample Career Objectives

Skills

Seeking a position which uses my program development,leadership, and organizational skills.

Education

Seeking a position where I can use my technical training andthe knowledge I acquired from the engineering program.

Sample Career Objectives (contd.)

Career Area/Type of Organization

Seeking a position in forensic accounting with an accounting firm.

Position Title

To secure a public relation specialist position within a Fortune500 company.

Sample Career Objectives (contd.)

Functional Area/Population

To obtain an administrative position with a state department officewhere I can use my communication and program managementskills.

Type Of Organization

Seeking a student affairs position with a private, liberal artsinstitution.

List institutions attended in reverse chronological order

High School is irrelevant once you possess more education

Once you have 3-5 years of work experience, educationbecomes less important and experience is typically listed beforeeducation on the resume

Education

Education

Required

Name of Degree(s)

Major/Minor(s)

Name & Location ofInstitution

Date of Degree

Optional

Overall GPA / Major GPA

Relevant Coursework

Academic Honors

Education Example

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, May 2007

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

G.P.A. 3.8 (optional)

School Name Abroad or Program, Country, Fall 2004 Studied architecture through photography, painting, and sketching

Participated in community service program

Use bullets to describe your job tasks and highlight responsibilities

Use positive action verbs (e.g. organized, assisted, communicated) whendescribing you job task

Avoid repetitive statements like “Responsibilities included…”

Check out the Action Verbs List !

(Purple Handout)

Experience

ExperienceCan include:

Work/study abroad Paid/Non-paid Part-time/Full-time Internships/Co-op Ed. Volunteer/Community Service Military

You can also use these headings: Related experience Additional experience

Experience should be listed in reverse chronological order and should

include the following information:

POSITION (or Job Title),

ORGANIZATION NAME, CITY, STATE,

EMPLOYMENT DATES

Experience

Experience Example

Intern, May 2005 - September 2005Notre, Paris, France

Researched and published study on privatizations in the European Union Organized “Reuniting Europe” seminar for European leaders in Brussels Participate in department weekly meetings and drafted meeting minutes

Telephone Crisis Counselor (Volunteer), August 2004 - April 20052-1-1 Big Bend Telephone Crisis Referral Services, Arica, Chile

Provided self-directed telephone short-term crisis counseling, as well as informationand referrals

Completed over 200 hours of service Reported twice a month for overnight (11p-8a) shifts

Professional Certifications/Licenses Skills or Abilities Abroad Experience Publications/Presentations Major Accomplishments Additional Training Membership/Affiliations Honors/Awards Volunteer Experience Language or Computer Skills Research Experience International Experience

Additional Resume Sections

Resume Tips

(See Examples Provided)

Resume Length: 1 page is preferred (but there are exceptions)

Paper Size: Use standard size paper (8 1/2 by 11)

Paper Color: Choose white, ivory, or granite colored resume paper

Font:Times New Roman preferred

12 point font = MAX 10.5 point font = LEAST

PROOFREAD, SPELL CHECK, UPDATE!

Resume Recommendations

Personal Data(Not included on a resume)

Marital status

Birth date

Health

Photo

Height/Weight

Religious Beliefs

Political Affliation

What Skills and Attributes areDeveloped through Going Abroad….?

Students learn various types of skills…..so many that wehave a handout for you titled….

“Seventy-Five Positive Long-Term Outcomes

From an International Experience”(Orange Handout)

Skills and Attributes that someemployers seek….

Communication Foreign Language Global point of view Appreciation of diversity Cultural awareness/ sensitivity

to customs Motivation and initiative Organizational and time-

management

(Yellow Handout)(Yellow Handout)

General travel and navigational Problem-solving Crisis-management Patience Independence, self-reliance Perseverance Inquisitiveness Assertiveness

Should you discuss yourabroad experience in the cover letter??

*YES!*In most cases, international experience will be attractive to

employers; you will need to determine what skills will enableyou to “sell yourself” best.

Three important tips for interviewing1.1. Interviewer remarks/asks/comments on your international experience Interviewer remarks/asks/comments on your international experience

This is your gateway to elaborate the importance of what you experienced abroad. Your answer should be relatively brief butcertainly don’t pass up the opportunity with a simple “Yes, it was great!”

2.2. Be mindful on how you discuss your experience Be mindful on how you discuss your experienceBecause you do not know the background or experiences of the interviewer(s) it is best to be careful & not “boast” on yourabroad experience. You do not want to turn off your listeners by discussing how superior one culture is over another…orstating that you feel you can better handle a situation because you studied abroad in comparison to someone who neverspent time abroad. Do not alienate your audience or potential colleagues.

3.3. Careful not to Careful not to ““ShoeboxShoebox”” your experience your experienceMental “shoe boxing” is tucking away the abroad experience in your mind and then rarely taking it out forreminiscing…thereby forgetting the values and importance of what you learned abroad. This does not imply that you shouldtalk about your experience constantly. For example, it is best when referencing your abroad experience to NOT useterminology like “it was surreal” and “Once in a lifetime experience.” This shows detachment from the experience and sendsthe wrong message about how you integrate change both physically and mentally.

Check out the handout from the Career Center, Berkley, University of California titled:

“Translating Your Study Abroad Experience to the Job/Fellowship Interview”(Pink Handout)

Recent Popular Books

Now What?

Now that I have all this information what do I donext?

Visit the Center for Career Development to create a stand outresume!

Read the “Now What” handout (green handout)

Start envisioning your career goals

Think about how you will continue to develop and enhance yourinternational perspective

What are Students Saying?[Program Evaluations]

“I learn how to engage in conversation about International experience.”

“The workshop has taught me how to use my (abroad) internationalexperience to find or target a desired job”

“Excellent merger! Study abroad and career development go hand-in-hand”

Absolutely loved the packet… it is loaded with practical information!”

The workshop help me understand how to highlight my experiences,organize my cv, and answer interview question regarding my abroadexperiences.”

References Career Center, Berkley, University of California. Translating Your Study Abroad Experience to the Job/Fellowship Interview

Citron, James and Vija Mendelson. (2005). Coming Home: Relationships, roots, and unpacking. Abroad View (Fall 2005). pp. 72-76.

Kaufmann, N.L., Martin, J.N., Weaver, H.D. & Weaver, J. (1992). Students Abroad, Strangers at Home; Education for a Global Society.Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

Johnson, M. (2006). The university of Minnesota Career Development Network. Impact of Education Abroad on Career Development(vol.1). American Institute for Foreign Studies. pp. 9-11.

Matherly, C. (2006). Effective marketing of international experiences to employers. Impact of Education Abroad on Career Development(vol.1). American Institute for Foreign Studies. pp. 9-11.

Learning Abroad Center, University of Minnesota, Resume Tips For Your International Experience.

UNC-Chapel Hill, University Career Services web site and American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), Impact of Education Abroad onCareer Development, Volume I, Collection of Essays.

School for International Studies, University of the Pacific,.hhttp://www.pacific.edu/sis/. Adapted and expanded from: The AFS StudentStudy Guide published by the AFS International/Intercultural Programs (Washington, D. D., 1979), reprinted in: Clyde N. Austin, ed., Cross-Cultural Reentry: A Book of Readings (Abilene: Abilene Christian University Press, 1986), pgs. 273-27. 

International Centre, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6. “Now what?” handout adapted from the “What should I do now” infosheet provided to Queen’s University returning students.

Questions???