2. Program Outline
4 Event Program
I. Know yourself
II. Know how to Network
III. Know the U.S culture
IV. Mock Interviews
3. Understanding the US Culture
Agenda
Resume tips - Jennifer
US Business Culture - Khadeja
Cover letter writing - Emily
4. Resumes Do’s
• Focus on your education and
work/internship/volunteer experience
• Key words
• Quantify where you can
• Try to keep it to one page
5. Resume Don’ts
• No Nationality/Race, Sex, Date of Birth,
Passport Information or Visa Status,
Marital Status
• No photo
• No references
6. PAR statements
• P=Project—an issue or need that you
addressed
• A=Action– activities undertaken to resolve
the issue (action verbs)
• R=Results-the outcome/result/impact
7. Jennifer’s resume needs help!
Program Manager, MIT spouses&partners at
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
August 1997 - Present (15 years 5 months)
MIT spouses&partners is a support and resource network
for the wives, husbands, significant others, and children of
MIT students, postdocs, staff, and faculty. We organize
activities that help our members make friends, learn
English, and get information about living in Boston. This
group helps newcomers from all over the world meet each
other and create a fulfilling life here.
8. Questions to help you get started
• What are you most proud of?
• Were you requested to work on any special projects?
• Did you improve any internal processes or procedures?
• Did you design, create or implement any new programs?
• Did you save the company money?
• Did you win any awards or recognition?
• Were you relied upon as an expert in any area of
expertise?
• Did you exceed expectations?
•
10. American behavioral norms
• While networking
• During a job interview
• During an informational interview
How does one present themselves in these
situations?
12. Which one is “American?”
Side 1 Side 2
• Showing only strengths • Complete disclosure
• Eagerness and interest • The interviewer/job holder
• Outgoing and friendly knows best
• Talking about career • Reserved
• Brief and to the point • Talking about personal life
• Explains thoroughly in detail
13. Showing strengths
• Showing strengths means being positive
• “Selling yourself”
• Showing strengths means knowing
yourself
• Mentioning your faults/weaknesses
– Negative
– Low self-esteem
15. EXAMPLE
• Khadeja is great at working with
computers. However, her weak point is
Microsoft Excel.
• If she is asked “Are you confident in using
the Microsoft Office Suite?” she answers
with…
• “I am great at Word and Powerpoint since I used
them a lot as a student. I learn software quickly
and I am refreshing my Excel skills in my spare
time.”
16. Eagerness and Interest
• You are genuinely interested in THAT job
• Shows focus
• Shows flexibility and open-mindedness
…but there is such a thing as too much! So…
– Keep your questions brief
– Do as much research beforehand as you can
17. Having a “Personality”
• Showing energy means showing
strength
• Showing warmth means you are easier
to work with
• Friendly without rudeness: few
interruptions, letting them lead, etc.
• Body language and presentation
matter!
19. 1 2 3 4 5
Different styles for different jobs!
Cable Car Couture, http://www.cablecarcouture.com/infusing-personal-
style-to-professional-attire-in-2011/
21. Talking “to the point”
• SELF-DISCLOSURE ALERT!
– What is self-disclosure?
– Why is it a bad thing?
• Remember: Unless your life experience
has something to do with the job - stop!
22. Talking “brief”
• The more you talk…
…the less they think you know!
• “Time is valuable!”
• “Tell me about yourself!”
– How would you answer?
– Key points, not your life story
– Relevance with originality
25. Next Session: Mock Interviews
Monday December 10 at 1 p.m. in the
Eastgate Penthouse
• Please register by December 4
• Send us your resume and a description of
a job that interests you
Editor's Notes
US Culture and job search etiquette –Khadeja 30 min (focus on time, self-promotion, how personal should I be? task orientation)Resume Basics – Jennifer 30 minCover Letter overview – have Emily do a session on writing cover letters? 45-60 min
Americans tend not to include personal information on a resume. If the job description requires a particular skill or software that you have, make sure it is in your resume. Your resume should contain keywords that match the job descriptionTell a story
After an interview, if you are a final candidate, employers will want to talk to your references: previous supervisors, colleagues, clients. Letters are not often used in place of a phone call or email correspondence with a reference. Your references must be able to communicate in English. Always inform your references that you are giving their names to prospective employers. Speak with the MIT spouses&partners Program Manager about using her as a local reference.· It is acceptable to follow up with the hiring manager by email or phone one time after you submit your resume and cover letter. Additional contact may be perceived negatively.
Details your experience on your resume, also helps you prepare for interviewing
