Post on 17-Dec-2015
WHAT NOT TO DO: WHAT NOT TO DO: TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CVs AND TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CVs AND
INTERVIEWSINTERVIEWS
Cori Filson, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York – Cori Filson, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York – ChairChair
Margaret Wiedenhoeft, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Margaret Wiedenhoeft, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MichiganMichigan
Martin Hogan, CIEE, Portland, MaineMartin Hogan, CIEE, Portland, Maine
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Annual Conference
Kansas City, Missouri - June 2010
Mistakes, I’ve seen a Mistakes, I’ve seen a few…few…
CV development – It’s not creative CV development – It’s not creative writing, it’s your resume.writing, it’s your resume.
Interview do’s and don’ts – You have Interview do’s and don’ts – You have voicemail for a reason and other voicemail for a reason and other important reminders.important reminders.
References – We know your neighbor References – We know your neighbor loves you, what else do you have?loves you, what else do you have?
Professional development – Conferences, Professional development – Conferences, networking and mentors, oh my!networking and mentors, oh my!
CV and Cover Letter CV and Cover Letter DevelopmentDevelopment
Cori Filson, Skidmore CollegeCori Filson, Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, New YorkSaratoga Springs, New York
Cover letter scanning Cover letter scanning “quiz”“quiz”
What mistakes can you find in What mistakes can you find in this cover letter?this cover letter?
Cover Letter MistakesCover Letter Mistakes
Unprofessional formatting and Unprofessional formatting and layoutlayout
Incorrect position titleIncorrect position title Informal style (“top-notch dynamic Informal style (“top-notch dynamic
force in education”)force in education”)
Cover Letter MistakesCover Letter Mistakes
Dear “Sir”Dear “Sir” ““love of life” is not a professional love of life” is not a professional
qualificationqualification Typos in own name and email Typos in own name and email
addressaddress Used university addressUsed university address Position requires 3-5 years of Position requires 3-5 years of
experience as international experience as international education administratoreducation administrator
Cover Letter SuccessesCover Letter Successes
Appropriate length, format and Appropriate length, format and salutationsalutation
Outline of pertinent qualifications Outline of pertinent qualifications and experienceand experience
Professional presentationProfessional presentation Concise but thoroughConcise but thorough
CV scanning “quiz”CV scanning “quiz”
What mistakes can you find in What mistakes can you find in this CV?this CV?
Joseph Smith
Department of Sociology
University of XXX
Some City, Some State
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: jsmith@soc.stateuni.edu
Objective To obtain a Staff Accountant at Equal Exchange at Equal Exchange
Education University of XXX, Some City, Some State
PhD in Sociology, August 200X-present time. Credits completed; working on dissertation.
Concentrations: Fair Trade, Globalization, Social Inequalities, Marketing, Representations, Gender, Race, Culture.
Overall GPA: 3.82
Joseph Smith
Department of Sociology
University of XXX
Some City, Some State
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: jsmith@soc.stateuni.edu
May 05-June 07 Accounting Assistant, SUNY Albany’s Study Abroad Program in BrazilAimed at providing college students with hands-on learning experience on issues
of race, poverty, and community organization including fair trade initiatives.
• * Assisted in preparation of the course
* Made travel arrangements
* Lectured and translated lectures
* Mentored students
CV MistakesCV Mistakes
Use of work email and phoneUse of work email and phone Objective not specific to positionObjective not specific to position GPA often irrelevantGPA often irrelevant Experience – title of position does Experience – title of position does
not match job dutiesnot match job duties Know your audienceKnow your audience
CV Common MistakesCV Common Mistakes
Poor layout/marginsPoor layout/margins Inappropriate lengthInappropriate length Font that isn’t easily readableFont that isn’t easily readable Gaps in job historyGaps in job history No highlighting of No highlighting of appropriateappropriate
international experienceinternational experience ““Other” sectionOther” section International, campus and provider International, campus and provider
positions might have different positions might have different expectationsexpectations
CV SuccessesCV Successes
Professional presentationProfessional presentation Concise but thoroughConcise but thorough ““Career Profile” vs. “Objective”Career Profile” vs. “Objective” Pertinent experience and Pertinent experience and
qualifications highlighted – qualifications highlighted – language proficiency, professional language proficiency, professional development, travel/study abroaddevelopment, travel/study abroad
Career trajectory clearCareer trajectory clear
ReferencesReferences
Choose wisely – is your reference eager or Choose wisely – is your reference eager or reluctant? reluctant?
Ask for permission – don’t assumeAsk for permission – don’t assume Professional, not personal/character Professional, not personal/character
references – a volunteer position supervisor references – a volunteer position supervisor may be an option if you have limited may be an option if you have limited professional experienceprofessional experience
Send job description and resume to your Send job description and resume to your referencereference
Remind the reference nearer the time of Remind the reference nearer the time of the callthe call
Thank your referenceThank your reference
Interview Dos and Don’tsInterview Dos and Don’ts
Margaret Wiedenhoeft, Kalamazoo College, Margaret Wiedenhoeft, Kalamazoo College,
Kalamazoo, MichiganKalamazoo, Michigan
Telephone InterviewTelephone Interview
Find a quiet place to conduct Find a quiet place to conduct interviewinterview
Have prepared answers/notes + your Have prepared answers/notes + your resume available and in front of you resume available and in front of you
Immediately after, try to remember all Immediately after, try to remember all they asked you and who participated they asked you and who participated (in the event of on-campus interview)(in the event of on-campus interview)
On-Site Interview – On-Site Interview – Before You Even ArriveBefore You Even Arrive
Interview attireInterview attire Professional etiquetteProfessional etiquette Preparation – researching Preparation – researching
institution and officeinstitution and office Prepare for answers to difficult Prepare for answers to difficult
questionsquestions Practice interviewPractice interview
Typical Interview Typical Interview ActivitiesActivities
Meet with studentsMeet with students Meet with staff/potential Meet with staff/potential
colleaguescolleagues Meet immediate supervisorMeet immediate supervisor Campus or office presentationCampus or office presentation Other important constituent Other important constituent
groupsgroups
The Day of the The Day of the InterviewInterview
Bring copies of your CV and references. Bring copies of your CV and references.
Turn off your cell phone! Turn off your cell phone!
NO FIDGETING!NO FIDGETING!
Remember – this is a two way street. Remember – this is a two way street. You should be a good fit for the office, You should be a good fit for the office, but they also need to be a good fit for but they also need to be a good fit for you.you.
Interview QuestionsInterview Questions
What NOT to talk aboutWhat NOT to talk about your own personal scheduling needsyour own personal scheduling needs
anything that is very personalanything that is very personal
your anticipated schedule of your anticipated schedule of promotionspromotions
your problems with your current your problems with your current office/bossoffice/boss
Interview Questions: Interview Questions: What to talk aboutWhat to talk about
previous accomplishments in current previous accomplishments in current positionposition
why you are leaving/looking for a why you are leaving/looking for a new positionnew position
follow up questions are importantfollow up questions are important
give specific examples of successes give specific examples of successes and challengesand challenges
Describe an experience that required an Describe an experience that required an enormous amount of flexibility on your part. enormous amount of flexibility on your part. How did you handle it?How did you handle it?
Give Specific detail: Give Specific detail: ““I worked with a faculty member in designing a short-I worked with a faculty member in designing a short-term international seminar. She insisted students should term international seminar. She insisted students should be able to take motorcycles to the top of a holy mountain be able to take motorcycles to the top of a holy mountain that was going to be the highlight of the class….” that was going to be the highlight of the class….”
““I have experience working with non-traditional students I have experience working with non-traditional students who may not always be able to meet 9-5. These are who may not always be able to meet 9-5. These are some of the ways I developed to communicate with some of the ways I developed to communicate with them…them…
Interview QuestionsInterview Questions
I received an angry phone call from a parent of a I received an angry phone call from a parent of a student in Spain. Dad was very upset by the amount student in Spain. Dad was very upset by the amount of food his student received in the home stay. He of food his student received in the home stay. He demanded reimbursement for the additional food his demanded reimbursement for the additional food his student had to purchase. I thanked him for his call, student had to purchase. I thanked him for his call, explained my next steps, and told him when I would explained my next steps, and told him when I would be contacting him next. After I contacted our local on-be contacting him next. After I contacted our local on-site director, I learned that the student had never site director, I learned that the student had never talked to the host mom about the amount of food he talked to the host mom about the amount of food he received and that on most days he didn’t come home received and that on most days he didn’t come home for lunch. I asked both the student and director to for lunch. I asked both the student and director to meet to discuss the situation…meet to discuss the situation…
Give us an example of a difficult situation or conflict that your resolved successfully. What was the problem and how did you resolve it?
We had a deadline for our new website launch. It was my We had a deadline for our new website launch. It was my responsibility to collect and edit the content and to deliver responsibility to collect and edit the content and to deliver it to the webmaster. Some of my colleagues had already it to the webmaster. Some of my colleagues had already told me they would be delivering their piece to me a day or told me they would be delivering their piece to me a day or two later than planned. I didn’t think it would be a big deal two later than planned. I didn’t think it would be a big deal because we built in some “wiggle room,” but I didn’t check because we built in some “wiggle room,” but I didn’t check with the webmaster. After I sent the content to the WM, I with the webmaster. After I sent the content to the WM, I received an angry phone call from her asking why I hadn’t received an angry phone call from her asking why I hadn’t sent it in by the original deadline. She had other projects sent it in by the original deadline. She had other projects on the table and had given our office this specific deadline on the table and had given our office this specific deadline for a reason. I immediately took responsibility, apologized, for a reason. I immediately took responsibility, apologized, and asked her how this would affect the launch date. I then and asked her how this would affect the launch date. I then went to my supervisor, explained what happened, and went to my supervisor, explained what happened, and took responsibility for the mistake. In the end, we were took responsibility for the mistake. In the end, we were only 1 day later than originally scheduled. I learned the only 1 day later than originally scheduled. I learned the importance of communication with all collaborators and importance of communication with all collaborators and that I should never make assumptions about other that I should never make assumptions about other colleagues’ workloads. colleagues’ workloads.
Give us an example of a time-sensitive Give us an example of a time-sensitive project that you just couldn’t get done on project that you just couldn’t get done on time. How did you handle it?time. How did you handle it?
Post InterviewPost Interview
Thank you notes - making Thank you notes - making reference to specific topics reference to specific topics discussed during conversationsdiscussed during conversations
Follow up as appropriate (Email Follow up as appropriate (Email search committee chair when search committee chair when appropriate time has lapsed– appropriate time has lapsed– What is the status of the search? What is the status of the search? Do not stalk!)Do not stalk!)
Professional Development:Professional Development:Knowledge, Understanding, Knowledge, Understanding,
SkillsSkills
Martin Hogan, CIEE, Portland, MaineMartin Hogan, CIEE, Portland, Maine
Development of Development of ExpertiseExpertise
Understanding your own campus/organizationUnderstanding your own campus/organization What is rewarded?What is rewarded? Matching professional interest with personal interest Matching professional interest with personal interest
(they are different!) (they are different!) Within International Education fieldWithin International Education field
Developing niche knowledge (Financial {budgets or Developing niche knowledge (Financial {budgets or financial aid}, Programmatic {service-learning or financial aid}, Programmatic {service-learning or short-term programs}, Regional {geographic area}, short-term programs}, Regional {geographic area}, etc.)etc.)
Greater Education CommunityGreater Education Community Career Services, Student Development, Parent Career Services, Student Development, Parent
Relations, Community organizingRelations, Community organizing What to Avoid What to Avoid
type casting, too narrow knowledge and interesttype casting, too narrow knowledge and interest
Building a ReputationBuilding a Reputation
Presentations – within the field, Presentations – within the field, within the greater communitywithin the greater community
Committee work – on campus and Committee work – on campus and in the fieldin the field
Online communities – LinkedIn, Online communities – LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.Facebook, etc.
What to Avoid – impatience, What to Avoid – impatience, overextending, missing deadlines, overextending, missing deadlines, etc.etc.
MentorsMentors
Why is this important?Why is this important? ““Small” Community, 3 degrees of separation, Small” Community, 3 degrees of separation,
etiquette and diplomacy, culture and normsetiquette and diplomacy, culture and norms
Professional OrganizationsProfessional Organizations Forum on Education AbroadForum on Education Abroad NAFSANAFSA Greater CommunityGreater Community
Staff Exchanges Staff Exchanges Short-term, around a project, extending your interest Short-term, around a project, extending your interest
and reach and reach Within your institution or with partner organizationsWithin your institution or with partner organizations
Skills DevelopmentSkills Development
WritingWriting Public SpeakingPublic Speaking Business TechnologyBusiness Technology Certificate programsCertificate programs Pursuing advanced degrees Pursuing advanced degrees Specialist vs. GeneralistSpecialist vs. Generalist
Skills Development - Skills Development - ResourcesResources
Chronicle of Higher Education Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/section/Home/5)(http://chronicle.com/section/Home/5)
Inside Higher Education Inside Higher Education (http://www.insidehighered.com/)(http://www.insidehighered.com/)
OSAC: Overseas Security Advisory OSAC: Overseas Security Advisory Council Council (http://www.osac.gov/)(http://www.osac.gov/)
SECUSS-L (SECUSS-L (http://www.usouthal.edu/acip/secussl/)http://www.usouthal.edu/acip/secussl/)
Google Alerts (Study Abroad, etc.)Google Alerts (Study Abroad, etc.) On-line International NewsOn-line International News
Skills Development - Skills Development - ResourcesResources
NAFSA NAFSA (http://www.nafsa.org/)(http://www.nafsa.org/)
IIE: Institute of International IIE: Institute of International Education Education (http://www.iie.org/)(http://www.iie.org/)
EAIE: European Association for EAIE: European Association for International Education International Education (http://www.eaie.org/)(http://www.eaie.org/)
ACE: American Council on Education ACE: American Council on Education (http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home)(http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home)
Skills Development - Skills Development - ResourcesResources
Frontiers Frontiers (http://www.frontiersjournal.com/)(http://www.frontiersjournal.com/)
Journal of Studies in International Journal of Studies in International Education Education (http://jsi.sagepub.com/)(http://jsi.sagepub.com/)
Higher Education Association News Higher Education Association News (NACADA, etc.)(NACADA, etc.)
Harvard Business Review Harvard Business Review (http://hbr.org/)(http://hbr.org/)
New Yorker Magazine New Yorker Magazine TED: Ideas Worth Spreading TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
(http://www.ted.com/)(http://www.ted.com/)
Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources Balderrama, A. (2008) 8 worst things to Say in an Balderrama, A. (2008) 8 worst things to Say in an
interview available at interview available at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/23/cb.intehttp://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/23/cb.interview.tips/index.htmlrview.tips/index.html
Delgizzo,K. & Malisheski, L., Preparing for Campus Delgizzo,K. & Malisheski, L., Preparing for Campus Interviews. Chronicle Careers. January 17, 2003 Interviews. Chronicle Careers. January 17, 2003 http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2003/01/2003011701c.hhttp://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2003/01/2003011701c.htmtm
http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/Mastering-the-http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/Mastering-the-Interview/Ten-Tough-Interview-Questions-and-Ten-Interview/Ten-Tough-Interview-Questions-and-Ten-Great-Answers/Great-Answers/
Networking and Interviewing Guide (2008). Center for Networking and Interviewing Guide (2008). Center for Career Development. Kalamazoo College. Career Development. Kalamazoo College.
Career Advice, Inside Higher Ed: Career Advice, Inside Higher Ed: http://www.insidehighered.com/advicehttp://www.insidehighered.com/advice
Manage Your Career, The Chronicle of Higher Manage Your Career, The Chronicle of Higher Education: http://chronicle.com/section/Manage-Your-Education: http://chronicle.com/section/Manage-Your-Career/67/Career/67/