INTERVIEWING SKILLS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS__________________________

Medill Career ServicesJerry Donahue, Assistant Director

Be Prepared!

Do at least three things: Assess your strengths and

weaknesses Research the employer Review/analyze interview

techniques and expectations

Be prepared, pt. 2!

Two additional things to do:• Ask yourself what skills the employer is

seeking; review the job description carefully

• Think of stories about things you have done that demonstrate those skills – use the S.T.A.R. method, i.e. Situation/Task, Action, Result since many employers use behavior based interviewing.

Why stories?

The best predictor of future behavior or performance is past behavior or performance in a similar situation.

The interviewer may ask you to describe past situations, your actions, any obstacles you encountered, and the results of your action

Behavior-Based Interviews To prepare ...

• Look back at previous jobs or other experience and analyze what

skills you used in various projects• Think about what went well and

what you could have done better• Prepare some examples using the

S.T.A.R. technique to answer these types of questions

Behavior-Based Interviews Examples

• Tell me about a time when you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree. What happened and what did you do?

• Tell me about a problem with a guest that came as a surprise to you. What did you do to resolve it? What was the outcome?

What Are Employers Looking For?

Hiring managers typically look for evidence of:

• Positive attitude

• Strong work ethic

• Excellent verbal & written communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Self-motivation

• Collaborative skills

• Business acumen• Passion• Local & global perspective• Intellectually curious, continuous learner

Know Yourself

Be able to clearly communicate ...• Your skills• Your accomplishments• Your career goals• Your interests

What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness? Can you frame the weakness in a

positive way?

What to Bring

For the employment interview:• Additional resumes• Reference list• Application (if received prior to the

interview)___________________________________________

• Name & title of the interviewer• Company literature to review while

waiting• A black or blue pen • "Emergency Kit"

What to Wear

For both men and women:•Go conservative

• Present a polished, professional image

What to Wear

Men: Stay with classic fashions, no fads• Ties: conservative, small print,

stripes, or paisley• Shoes: Oxfords, tassel loafers, or

wing-tips• Belt: Same color as shoes• Jewelry: Minimal--no earrings• Socks: Solid, same color as pants,

mid-calf length

What to Wear

• Women: Stay with classic fashions, no fads

• Shoes: classic pumps with closed toes, heel height of 11/2 to 2 inches

• Hose: neutral colored • Jewelry: minimal, no dangle

earrings; nothing showy or distracting

What to Wear

• Women (cont'd.) • Hair: short and neat, or pulled

back/ pinned up • Nail polish: clear or light color • Nails: no more than medium

length • Perfume: none (careful of scented

lotion or body spray as well)

What To Wear

Interview Tips

• Be on time! • Check out location of the building,

parking and elevators ahead of time • Allow time for mishaps (traffic,

getting lost, a flat tire) • Add an hour to the time you think

it will take to get there

More Tips

• Greet the interviewer by name• Make eye contact• Offer a firm but gentle handshake• Take a seat after the interviewer does or

when invited• Don't exaggerate responses• Ask questions of the employer *** But do not ask about whether they

hire lnt'l. Students, sponsorship or salary/compensation

• Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question

More Tips

• It's okay to take notes after the interview ends to keep an accurate record of the conversation for possible future reference

• End the interview with a smile, a firm handshake and a 'thank you'

• Send a thank you note within 24 - 48 hours after the interview; it can be either hand written, emailed or both

Good Ways to Prepare

• Role play with a friend who is a fluent English speaker

• Practice your answers to commonly asked interview questions (check out the MCS list of IMC potential interview questions)

• Sign up for a Mock Interview with a professional(check MEDILLINK

for dates and times and to register) to conduct a “live” videotaped interview

Research

Learn about potential employers Use WetFeet, Career Search, Vault – all are found

on the UCS University Career Services website Use your LinkedIn connections whenever

possible GoinGlobal.com – may list employers who hire

international students/graduates. Also myvisajobs.com can be a good resource.

Talk with faculty and staff members Consult employer’s web site Contact alumni who work for the employer Use the NU Alumni Association database

Know the Employer

• Address & Phone Number• Human Resource Director's Name, if possible• Job Description• Geographic locations• History/age• Growth pattern • Reputation• Number of employees• Sales for the past five years• Assets/Earnings• New products or projects

Know the Employer

Still more ... • Newspaper/magazine articles• Lexis-Nexis Articles - use the

NU library website to access this resource

• Northwestern University Library - Company Overviews

• Foreign operations, consider using UNIWORLD found on the UCS

Resources pages• Competitors

Your Personal Brand

• Price Waterhouse Coopers – Great tips on developing your personal brand in all its facets.

Interview Review Information:• Maintain appropriate eye contact• Arrive on time• Be friendly and courteous to everyone• Dress appropriately• Have a firm handshake• Practice the difficult questions – use the S.T.A.R.

technique often

Job Search & Interviewing Etiquette in the U.S.

First impressions are very important in all personal interactions!

Be friendly and courteous to everyone Tone of voice – should connote confidence Appropriate and Illegal Questions – it’s not

appropriate and can be illegal to discuss the topics of age, race, politics, sexual orientation, religion, marital status in the U.S.

Practice “Selling Yourself” – this means marketing your strengths to the employer and explaining them with good specific examples

Know your Immigration Status – be able to educate the employer about your status if OPT or H1-B comes up

OPT – What Employers Should Know!

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Allows international student in F-1 status a period of employment authorization for 12-months after completion of an academic program. Getting permission for international students to work in the U.S. is not as difficult as you may think. Most international students are in the U.S. on non-immigrant student visas (F-1 and J-1), and these international students are eligible to accept employment under certain conditions

• OPT must be authorized by the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) based on a recommendation from the designated school official (DSO) at the admission to that institution. The term "optional" means that students can opt to use all or part of their total practical training allotment of a maximum of 12 months

• OPT can be authorized by the CIS: (1) during vacation when school is not in session, full-time employment is allowed; (2) for part-time work, a maximum of 20 hours a week, when school is in session; (3) after completing all course requirements for the degree; or (4) full-time after completion of the course of study

OPT – Employer Knowledge – Cont. Students who have received OPT permission will be issued an

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by the CIS. Their name, photo and valid dates of employment are printed on the EAD. Employers should note that the average processing time for CIS to issue the EAD is 2-3 months, and students may begin employment only after they receive the EAD which will indicate the starting and ending dates of employment.

Minimal paperwork for the employerThere is actually very little paperwork for an employer who hires F-1 or J-1 students. All paperwork is handled by the students, the school, and USCIS. For curricular practical training, the school will make a notation on the students' copy of the I-20 form indicating that curricular practical training has been authorized, and specifying the duration and place of employment. Students authorized for optional practical training are required to apply to CIS (through the school) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

OPT – Employer Knowledge – Cont. Continuing employment after the practical/academic

training periodFederal regulations require that employment terminate at the conclusion of the authorized practical or academic training. However, students on an F-1 visa, or students on a J-1 visa who are not subject to a 2-year home residency requirement, may continue to be employed, if they receive approval for a change in visa category - usually to H-1B.

What about taxes?Unless exempted by a tax treaty, F-1 and J-1 students earning income under practical training are subject to applicable federal, state, and local income taxes. Information on tax treaties may be found on the Internal Revenue Service website. Generally, F-1 and J-1 students are exempted from social security and Medicare tax requirements.

H1-B work status

Summary of details for employers on H1-b visas

Information for employers (Sponsors)

After All This....

• Relax and be yourself!