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  Home > Career Services > Job Search "Step-by-Step"

Job Search "Step-by-Step"
Timeline For International Graduate and Undergraduate Students

  1. Setting a goal if you have not yet decided on the job you want
    • Take career assessment to evaluate your interests and strengths (ask your college’s career services office)
    • Get guidance from your advisor, faculty members.
    • If needed, make an appointment with your career counselors to explore career choices. Contact your career office 
  2. Plan a timeline
    • Consider the sample career checklist for undergraduate students (handout 1)
    • Plan when you would like to have the job start
    • Plan to get work authorization, which must be approved before you start working. (see below)
    • Check job search and career events on campus
  3. Getting work authorization
    • Review ISSS online information for F and J students
    • Information about H-1B (for U of M employee only )
    • Check with ISSS about upcoming workshops on H-1B and permanent residence options which are offered every semester.
    • F-1 students: Attend ISSS workshops for CPT, OPT ( for H1B information, look for general information online at USCIS)
    • Prepare the necessary materials
    • Make an appointment with an ISSS advisor to discuss your application and questions about CPT, OPT or AT.
    • Follow up with the CPT, OPT or AT application process
  4. Networking
    • Continue to develop your personal and professional contacts
    • Watch an on-line networking presentation for international students.
    • Consider joining a mentor program or Alumni association mentor connection
    • Consider doing informational interview
    • Consider joining a professional association (especially for graduate students, ask your advisor for field specific information)
  5. Consider an internship to build your experience
    More information online
  6. Search Job information
    • Ask job information from your contacts
    • Search online in database and employer’s websites for information about employers and job openings. Contact your career office or the UM Library.
    • Attend job fair event. Check the career services website
    • Seek employment advertisements in newspapers. Check the Sunday paper classified ads in major newspapers such as Star Tribune and Pioneer Press.
    • Contact potential employers directly
    • Career Research for Companies and Industries
      (Reference librarians can help)
  7. Preparing application materials
    • Resumes and C.V.s – Visit your career center or their web site. For examples of helpful career office sites:
    • For Resumes.
    • For C.V.’sl
    • Cover letter
    • Reference List
    • Portfolios
    • Make an appointment with your career counselor for critiques (Career offices or ISSS)
  8. Follow up with your application
    • Email or call the perspective employer to make sure that they receive your application.
    • While you are waiting, do research about other employers.
  9. Preparing for interviews
    • For general interview information and how to answer common interview questions, check your career office’s web site.
    • For online interview practice
    • Make an appointment with a career counselor to do a mock (or practice) interview (career offices or ISSS)
    • Ask your advisors or faculty about field-specific interview questions you can expect.
    • Once you have an invitation for interview, confirm the interview time. Clarify the interview information (location, people to meet, format, etc) if needed.
    • Be relaxed, and arrive at the location on time
  10. Follow up
    Send a “thank you” letter
  11. Decision and negotiation about job offers
    • Learn negotiation strategies
    • Talk to a career counselor if needed (ask your career office)
  12.  Write an accepting/declining letter
  13. F-1 and J-1 Students: If you haven’t already applied for work permission, meet with an ISSS adviser as soon as possible.
    & Do not start employment before you have valid authorization!
  14. Once work permission is approved, notify ISSS to change the employer/status.

 
 
 
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