US Internships

for International Students

and Young Professionals

By

Alexander H. Lostocco

Llumina Press

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Copyright © 2004 Alexander H. Lostocco

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication ....................................................................................... vii

Preface............................................................................................. vii
Introduction....................................................................................... 1
Chapter 1: Preparing for Your Internship....................................... 3
¾ What is an internship?............................................................................................................... 3
¾ Why should I do an internship? ................................................................................................. 5
¾ What are the advantages of an international internship?.......................................................... 5
¾ What are my motivations?......................................................................................................... 6
¾ What is an internship journal, and how do I develop my journal for maximum benefit? ......... 10
Chapter 2: Your Advantages and Possible Disadvantages........ 15
¾ Why is it important to understand my advantages and possible disadvantages? .................. 15
¾ What are my advantages? ...................................................................................................... 15
¾ What are my possible disadvantages? ................................................................................... 18
¾ How can I capitalize on my advantages and minimize my disadvantages? ........................... 20
Chapter 3: Preparing Your Resume .............................................. 21
¾ Is there an advantage to having a resume?............................................................................ 21
¾ Should I write my own resume, or should I have it professionally written?............................. 21
¾ What are the differences between a US resume and those from other countries? ................ 22
¾ What is the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and a resume? ................................ 22
¾ Why should I create a resume?............................................................................................... 22
¾ What are the different types of resumes, and which type of resume is right for me? ............. 23
¾ What are the characteristics of a good resume?..................................................................... 25
¾ What are some common resume mistakes?........................................................................... 27
¾ Show me how to develop a resume, step-by-step. ................................................................. 28
¾ What are the types and rules for electronic resumes (e-resumes)? ....................................... 34
Chapter 4: Your Cover Letters and Other Materials .................... 37
Cover Letters................................................................................................................. 37
¾ Why do I need a cover letter? ................................................................................................. 37
¾ What do I need to be concerned about while developing an effective cover letter?............... 37
¾ What are the key parts of a cover letter? ................................................................................ 38
¾ How about a sample cover letter?........................................................................................... 39
¾ How do I use e-mail cover letters effectively?......................................................................... 40
Portfolios ....................................................................................................................... 42
¾ What is a portfolio?.................................................................................................................. 42
¾ What should go into a portfolio?.............................................................................................. 42
References..................................................................................................................... 43
¾ Why do I need references? ..................................................................................................... 43
¾ Whom should I get my references from? ................................................................................ 43
¾ When should I get my references, and how do I get the right reference? .............................. 44
¾ Is there a format for references? ............................................................................................. 44
¾ Are there any other issues concerning references that I need to know? 44
Chapter 5: Identifying the Right Internship.................................. 47
Types of Internships ..................................................................................................... 47

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¾ What is a practicum? ...............................................................................................................47
¾ What is an externship? ............................................................................................................47
¾ What is a co-op?......................................................................................................................48
¾ What is “in-the-field experience”?............................................................................................48
¾ What is community service learning? ......................................................................................48
¾ What is an apprenticeship? .....................................................................................................48
The Criteria for Evaluating the Universe of Internships ........................................... 49
¾ Tell me about paid vs. unpaid internships. ..............................................................................49
¾ What is the difference between credit and non-credit internships?.........................................51
¾ How much attention should I pay to the internship location? ..................................................51
¾ Tell me about the cost factors I should consider. ....................................................................52
¾ How much time should I allow to find my internship?..............................................................53
Searching for the Right Internship.............................................................................. 53
¾ What are the major Internet sites for posting my resume?......................................................53
¾ Can you give me a list of books and guides that list internships?...........................................55
¾ What are other resources I can use to identify potential internships?.....................................55
Chapter 6: Internship Campaign Strategies ................................ 59
¾ What approach should I use to find an internship? .................................................................59
¾ Where do I start for an aggressive approach? ........................................................................60
¾ What tactics and strategies should I employ? .........................................................................62
¾ Okay, I have made contact. How do I follow up? ....................................................................65
¾ What is a broadcast letter, and how do I use it? .....................................................................66
¾ What are other strategies that I should consider?...................................................................66
¾ Are there any other networking tips I need to consider? .........................................................67
Chapter 7: Preparing for and Carrying Out Your Interview ........ 69
Interview Preparation ................................................................................................... 69
¾ What are the different types of interviews I might encounter? ................................................69
¾ What should I know about myself to prepare for the interview?..............................................76
¾ What should I know about the employer? ...............................................................................77
¾ What are some of the typical questions I might be asked, and how do I answer them? ........79
¾ Can you tell me some of the difficult questions I might encounter? ........................................83
¾ I have heard there are laws on what can be asked during an interview. What are they?.......87
¾ I am concerned about my English speaking ability. How do I overcome this?........................90
Doing the Interview....................................................................................................... 90
¾ I have an interview! Where do I start? .....................................................................................91
¾ How do I go about winning the interviewer over?....................................................................92
¾ I will be doing a phone interview. How do I handle it?.............................................................93
¾ After my interview, is there anything else I should do? ...........................................................95
Chapter 8: “Lock it Down” - Formalizing Your Internship.......... 99
¾ What are the topics and issues that I should consider about an internship offer?..................99
¾ I have received more than one offer. How do I evaluate my different internship offers? ......101
¾ Can you give me an example of how to analyze an offer?....................................................103
¾ What is the best way to lock down (formalize) my internship?..............................................106
Chapter 9: Obtaining a US Visa .................................................. 111
Understanding Visas .................................................................................................. 111
¾ What is a visa? ......................................................................................................................111
¾ What are the two categories of US visas?.............................................................................111
¾ What should I know about visa policy?..................................................................................112
¾ What is different now about Student and Exchange Visa policy? .........................................112
¾ What are Visitor Exchange Programs? .................................................................................112
¾ What are the Exchange Visitor Visas? ..................................................................................112
¾ How can I find out more information about visas? ................................................................113
Understanding the J-1 and Q-1 Visa Background Requirements .......................... 114
¾ What types of financial resources are required? ...................................................................114
¾ What type of scholastic preparation is required? ..................................................................114
¾ What are the special requirements for graduate medical education or training?..................114
¾ What forms and petitions are required? ................................................................................115
¾ What do I need to know about visa ineligibility and waivers? ...............................................116
¾ When and where do I need to apply for a visa? ....................................................................116
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¾ What are the required documents, and are there any associated costs?............................. 116
¾ How do I prove I have binding ties? Is that important? ......................................................... 117
¾ Is a visa denial permanent? .................................................................................................. 118
¾ What are the rules concerning employment?........................................................................ 118
¾ I understand there is a foreign residency requirement. Can you explain this? ..................... 118
¾ Can my spouse and children accompany me? ..................................................................... 119
Chapter 10: Living in the USA ..................................................... 121
Cultural Considerations ............................................................................................. 121
¾ Tell me about American culture............................................................................................. 121
¾ What do I need to know about adjusting to a new culture? .................................................. 122
¾ What are some of the common customs practiced by Americans? ...................................... 123
General Information about the USA .......................................................................... 126
¾ Can you give me some geographical information about the USA? ...................................... 126
¾ How about some statistics on the people of the USA? ......................................................... 127
¾ How does the US government work?.................................................................................... 128
¾ Can you give me an overview of the US economy? ............................................................. 129
¾ What are the US Holidays? ................................................................................................... 129
Daily Living.................................................................................................................. 132
¾ What are the first things I should do when I arrive in the US? .............................................. 132
¾ What do I need to know about banking in the US? ............................................................... 132
¾ Tell me about US ATMs (automatic teller machines)............................................................ 132
¾ What is the currency of the US and the basic units? ............................................................ 133
¾ What do I need to know about credit cards?......................................................................... 133
¾ Should I consider using traveler’s checks? ........................................................................... 133
¾ What do I do if I need money in a hurry? .............................................................................. 133
¾ Why do I have to pay a tax when I purchase an item? ......................................................... 134
¾ How is tipping handled in the US? ........................................................................................ 134
¾ What do I need to know to make a phone call? .................................................................... 134
¾ Are phone cards prevalent in the US? .................................................................................. 135
¾ How does the US mail service work?.................................................................................... 136
Traveling in the USA ................................................................................................... 136
By Car ........................................................................................................................... 136
¾ What should I expect in terms of inter-city transportation? ................................................... 136
¾ What do I need to know about owning a vehicle in the US?................................................. 137
¾ Can I use my country's driver’s license? ............................................................................... 137
¾ Can I rent a car in the US?.................................................................................................... 137
¾ I have heard of drive-away services for long trips. Can you tell me about them? ................ 138
¾ I have decided to buy or sell a vehicle. Tell me what I need to know about that. ................. 138

¾ I have purchased a vehicle. How do I register it? ................................................................. 138

¾ What are the basic driving rules I should follow? .................................................................. 139
By Air ............................................................................................................................ 140
¾ Tell me about air travel in the US, and where to get the best bargains on flights................. 140
¾ How has air travel changed since US security increased? What else should I know?......... 141
By Bus........................................................................................................................... 141
¾ Tell me about bus travel in the US, and where to find the best prices on tickets. ................ 141
Travel Restrictions and Rules ....................................................................................... 141
¾ What is the 30-day rule, and does it affect me?.................................................................... 141
¾ What do I need to know about trips outside the US once I am there?.................................. 142
¾ What do I have to do to visit Canada and/or Mexico?........................................................... 142
Emergencies, Health Insurance, and Medical Issues .............................................. 143
Emergencies & Trouble ................................................................................................ 143
¾ How do I prepare for a possible emergency or problem? ..................................................... 143
¾ Who should be on my list of contacts in the event of an emergency? .................................. 143
¾ What should I consider an emergency? ................................................................................ 143
¾ Whom should I contact in the event I lose any of my documents? ....................................... 144
Health Insurance........................................................................................................... 144
¾ Tell me about US health insurance. ...................................................................................... 144
¾ How do hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms work?....................................................... 145
¾ Can I bring my own prescription drugs and medicine with me?............................................ 145
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¾ How does dental care work in the US? .................................................................................145
Crime and Punishment in the USA ............................................................................... 145
¾ What should I know about using drugs in the US?................................................................145
¾ What is the legal age for drinking alcohol, and do I need identification? ..............................146
¾ What are the “drinking-and-driving laws” about?...................................................................146
¾ Is it true that different states have different laws? .................................................................146
¾ Can I smoke wherever I want? ..............................................................................................147
¾ Should I be concerned about crime in the US? How can I avoid being a victim of crime? ...147
¾ Do US laws apply to me? ......................................................................................................147
¾ What are my legal rights if I am arrested?.............................................................................147
¾ What should I do if I am arrested?.........................................................................................148
¾ What will happen to me if I am arrested or detained by the police?......................................148
¾ What can happen to me if I am found guilty of a crime? .......................................................148
Taxes and Social Security ......................................................................................... 149
¾ Do I have to pay taxes in the US? .........................................................................................149
¾ Tell me about the tax forms I must complete by April 15th after the end of the year............149
¾ What do I have to do to file my income taxes?......................................................................150
¾ What tax forms do I need, and how do I handle payments and refunds? .............................150
Chapter 11: Working in the USA ................................................. 151
¾ What are the perceptions and realities that I will face? .........................................................151
¾ How do Americans view themselves? ...................................................................................153
¾ I have heard it said, “Every American marches to his own beat.” What does this mean? ....154
¾ What do they mean when they say in America, “There is a level playing field for all”? ........154
¾ Is there much government intervention into US businesses? ...............................................155
¾ Tell me how all this ties to the work environment..................................................................155
¾ Is the atmosphere in US businesses formal, or informal?.....................................................156
¾ Can I use the American method of doing business to my advantage? .................................157
Chapter 12: You Can Do It ........................................................... 159
Appendix - Idioms Used in this Book ......................................... 161
Index ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
About the Author.................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

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 DEDICATION
This is dedicated to my wife Stephanie, who has supported and inspired me through the good,
the bad and difficult times.

To Craig Andersson, who taught me how to write.

To Keith Walston, who shared the internship concept with me.

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 PREFACE
In 1998, I decided to go into the business of managing internship programs for US corporations. After
reviewing the marketplace, I discovered a large gap in service between the student and young professional
seeking an internship, and the US companies willing to sponsor them. My analysis found a host of services
that each of these groups could use to simplify the process and improve the delivery of services to each. I
knew that with my extensive experience in the outsourcing field, I could develop an internship program that
would greatly simplify the process for each group. I decided to call this program, and my company,
Internship4America.
As Internship4America grew, we started to see the very definite lack of knowledge and understanding in
the international student community on how to secure a US internship, what was involved in obtaining a US
visa, what to expect upon arrival in the US, and how to start and complete the internship process
successfully. As a result, many strong international candidates were being overlooked in the hundreds and
thousands of resumes received daily by companies and organizations such as ours. One problem was that lots
of good source material existed on available internships for US students, but little existed to simplify the
procedure for the international student.
The process for the international student was different, longer and more complicated, but not spelled out
in detail anywhere. The acclimation process for international students, after they obtain an internship and
enter the United States, is different. In addition, the international student has advantages and disadvantages
in competing for US internships that many applicants are not aware of, and thus fail either to capitalize on, or
to adequately minimize (as the case may be). All these reasons made me aware of the need for this book.
To start, the decision to embark on this plan should obviously be given serious consideration. If the intent
is to pursue this laborious course of action, there are practical, sequential steps that will simplify the process
and improve your chances of achieving the goal—a meaningful US internship that provides training in your
field of study.
The following step-by-step guide on how to prepare, present, secure and have a successful US internship
is not theoretical, but is a practical approach based on what we have seen through our program, and in our
interaction with the international community. For most of you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that
will change your life. This book will help you to get the most out of the experience.

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 US Internships…

INTRODUCTION
To arrive at the internship you want is not as simple as sending your resume and waiting for people to beg
you to come to them. To get the right internship is a proactive endeavor, requiring a properly executed, well-
thought-out plan. This book provides a blueprint that you can follow to achieve your goal, and each step
provides the base for the next one.
Let me stress the importance of moving systematically from step to step. Try to never lose sight of the
main objective, which to reiterate, is to obtain a meaningful US internship that provides training for future
advancement. If you move in a haphazard manner, it will be very easy to get blindsided or off-track and end
up in a program that results in a boring job, a meaningless internship, or with no internship at all.
I ask you to view this process as similar to a balance beam scale. The difference is that, instead of weights,
you will mentally place your advantages and the positive actions you take toward obtaining an internship on
one side of the scale, and the negatives on the other side. I want you to be constantly aware of the impact,
positive or negative, that each action you take has on reaching your goal.
One final note: to help you become acclimated to American English, I have used some common idioms in
the book, which are bolded in the text. I have also included a dictionary in the Appendix to help you
understand their meanings. These are only a fraction of the ones in everyday usage in the US, but this list is a
good place to start.
It is also important to remember that the information in each chapter builds upon the next. While this book
will be a good “quick reference” for you later on, I urge you to read it from beginning to end the first time.
Having placed these cautions in front of you, if you do decide that a US internship is right for you, it is my
intention that this book will help you find a successful, fulfilling experience that will benefit you now, and in
the years to come. While the road to a US internship can be a challenging and daunting endeavor requiring
patience and good planning, it is well worth the effort. And this book is designed to show the student or young
professional how to succeed.

Alexander Lostocco

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 US Internships…

CHAPTER 1

PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP

B efore you begin what is a long and sometimes complicated process, you must first decide if an
internship is truly the best personal objective for you. However, before you can begin to evaluate
your personal objectives, you must gain a clear understanding of the meaning and dynamics of an
internship. Only then can you decide if a US internship can fulfill your personal objectives. So let’s start
exploring all the facets of an internship.
As part of this process, I strongly recommend that one of the first things you do is start a journal. This is a
common recommendation, but the beauty and importance of it is often lost because it seems tedious, trivial
and we all tend to be a little lazy. Yet, down the road, as you start to refer back to the journal, you will see the
insights that you have gained. Then, you will start to appreciate its importance.
This journal will also be a way of grounding yourself. From time to time, you will vacillate between over-
exuberance and disillusionment. When these times come, you will have something to refer back to that will
center you and remind you of your goals, aspirations, and the progress you have made.
What really drove this point home for me was a discussion I had with an intern from Poland. During
orientation, she was telling me the process she went through to find this internship, and how difficult it was.
She had many discouraging days, and much confusion. To help her keep track of her thoughts, she started
keeping notes on her computer so she could refer back and see the progress. She even kept notes on how she
felt about the process. Her words were, “At times I felt like quitting, but I knew that if I could just keep going,
I would find an internship. I felt so alone at times. But the notes I made really helped.”
Later, I will discuss the information that you should consider keeping in this journal.

¾ What is an internship?

This is a very simple question with a seemingly simple answer, but to answer it correctly, we need to look
at the big picture. The obvious way to look at an internship is to say, “It is a time to explore career options,
and/or gain more in-depth experience in my field of study.” A little less obvious approach is to view it as a
trial run to determine if you enjoy a certain aspect of the career you have chosen.
Both answers are correct, but this is looking at an internship in the narrowest of terms. In reality, the
meaning of an internship is much broader than that, especially for an international. In addition to learning
about a business or a culture, it is a time to learn about you. During this period, you will have to function on
your own. You will have to make your own decisions, budget your money, report to your internship on time,
shop and pay bills. Further, you will have to do all this in an unfamiliar environment.

3
 An internship is also a time for cultural exploration of your host country, host city and your co-
workers. Meeting new people in their natural environment is different from meeting them while on
vacation or on a short visit. Working with them adds an entirely different dimension to learning about a
new culture. The familiarization you will gain from this experience will affect your whole life. Most
importantly, it will broaden you as a person and open your mind to a greater understanding of the world
around you.
Yet another aspect of an internship is learning how the business world works. The world of business is
entirely different from the academic one. The rules, expectations, responsibilities and demands are likely
different from anything you have experienced before. Many of you have only learned about how business
operates from a textbook, through a summer job, or working in a family-owned business. No matter what your
previous experience, spending a year or eighteen months interning in a company will give you an entirely
different perspective on business.
Viewing your internship from this broader perspective, you can see there are many avenues of learning
that an internship can provide. I am making this point, and will keep re-emphasizing it, because I have seen
interns lose sight of their objective and get discouraged because they don’t like a certain aspect of their
internship. Yet if you are pursuing this internship properly, taking advantage of all aspects of your experience,
you will not be disappointed. As an example:
If the training at your host company is not going well but you are seeing the country, meeting new people
and learning about the culture, you are still gaining a valuable experience.
Even if you do not enjoy any aspect of your internship, it is still a valuable experience. So what can a bad
internship teach you? To start with, you have identified a career area that you do not have an interest in.
Second, doing something for a period of time, even if you don’t like it, is character-building. Third, you have
gained an invaluable cultural experience. Let me give you a personal example and how it served me well later
in life:

I did my MBA degree while working fulltime. When I got to the last year of my program, I
had the opportunity to move to a neighboring state and a new employer. However, to
complete the program without having to start over meant that I had to drive 128 Km (120
miles) to class, sit through two two-hour classes and drive back home, and I had to do
this twice a week. In addition, I had to drive roundtrip to the campus 480 Km (350 miles)
every third week for a period of nine months. By the end of the last class, I was
exhausted, but I had my MBA! Many times in later years and still today, I reflect back on
that time during difficult periods and tell myself that if I had the fortitude to stick it out for
that situation, I could persevere through the situation at hand.

So as you can see, even a difficult situation can result in a positive experience. The determining factor is
how you decide to view the situation. No internship is going to meet all your expectations, but you can be
assured that your internship will teach you something about yourself.

You might be asking, “What does all this have to do with my personal objectives?” The answer is that it
has a lot to do with it, and to the success you achieve or the opportunities that will pass you by. The reality of
the internship is guaranteed to be in sharp contrast to your expectations. So if you don’t reconcile and
acknowledge the differences at the beginning, they will affect every aspect of your internship—starting with
your performance, and your view of the US, your host city, and your co-workers.
If you don’t develop this fundamental understanding before things start to evolve differently than expected,
you will become more disenchanted and unhappy. This negativity will spread like a cancer, and leave you with
a bad experience. But if you have an understanding of the total concept of an internship and what to expect,
then you will know that, regardless of whichever way it all goes, you are the winner in the end.
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 US Internships…

¾ Why should I do an internship?

Regardless of what you decide to do later in life, gaining international exposure can only be a benefit. This,
coupled with learning how companies operate, will hold you in good stead. Even if your final ambitions are to
not enter the professional world, what better experience to bring to the classroom or to your associates than an
international business experience!

Interning in a company will also help prepare you to make a job decision when you graduate. It is
very difficult to make an employment decision when you have not experienced what it is like to work
within a company. Keep in mind your employment decision encompasses more than just the type of
position (accounting, marketing, programming, etc.) you seek. It is also about the type of company
you are considering (large, multi-national, small, mid-size, hands-on, start-up etc.). Each has its pros
and cons.
Finally, your eventual employment decision will also be about the people (serious minded, laid-back,
happy group etc.) you will be working with. Even though you are accustomed to working with different people
in university life, the people, environment, goals and aspirations of university life are very different from those
of the workplace. Having the opportunity to work with a company’s clients, products and services in the
business setting, especially in an international environment, will crystallize and add meaning to what you have
learned in the classroom.

Here is a personal example:

I did not have the opportunity to do an internship during my undergraduate years. However, as
I mentioned before, I did my MBA program of study while working fulltime. I found the
experience to be more meaningful because much of the coursework in the program, like
budgeting, marginal cost analysis, and managerial accounting decision-making were issues
that I was dealing with as part of my daily job responsibilities. I soon discovered that the
learning process had taken on a completely new meaning. It all became real, since I could
now relate the topics to real-life situations.

So, a US internship will give you exposure to business in what is considered the international center of the
business world. You will also be able to learn a great deal about another culture, and make contacts that will
likely be important to your future career. Now that you have an understanding of what an internship is and
why you should do an internship, let’s explore the specific motivations for embarking on one.

¾ What are the advantages of an international internship?

So far, we have generally discussed six distinct advantages for participating in an international internship.
Below, they are summarized into a list. When you are going through a tough period in your internship, this list
will remind you of all the different benefits you are receiving by participating in an internship program:

1. Total submersion into US culture is the best approach to boosting your American English language
proficiency and competency.

2. An internship can provide a vehicle for you to learn how to deal with and adapt to new situations. It
is true that culture shock can be traumatic and unsettling for some individuals. An international
internship will present you with a host of challenges to help you sharpen your adaptability and
individual flexibility to different socio-economic environments. Through this experience, you can
expect to gain self-confidence, self-reliance and independence.

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 3. An internship gives you a first-rate cultural exposure. We have all heard people say, “I like visiting
a certain place, but I wouldn’t like to live there.” As we said previously, living and working in
another country is very different from a visit or short stay. Living and working is a grass-roots
experience, and is the only way to really decide if you are attracted to the country in a real-life
setting. After a year or a year and half, you will develop very strong feelings one way or the other.

4. An internship can provide a good method to develop associates for the future. An internship can be
viewed as a tool for building a wide network of future friends and business associates that will be a
valuable asset to you in the future. It is also a good method to show others your seriousness,
initiative and dependability as a future business professional.

5. An internship will provide you with invaluable knowledge into how business is conducted in the US.

6. And of course, there is the work experience that you will gain in your area of study. This
experience will help you to refine and develop new professional skills. It will improve your oral
and written communications, and your teamwork and leadership skills. What can be more
impressive on a resume than to say that you gained work experience in your field of study in
another country?
It is a proven fact we retain 15-25% of what we hear and see and 80% of what we experience.
In addition, a student’s grades were found to improve after the individual did an internship.
Through an internship, you can expect to gain insight that you could never receive through the
academic experience alone. At our company, it is standard practice to review the foregoing six
points with every intern who enters our program. Here are some other reactions we have heard:

“I never thought of an internship in such a broad view.”

“You know, I was thinking of this only as a way to learn about hotel management. I now see this as
an opportunity to learn about American culture and to meet new people.”

“You really opened my eyes. Yes, I will learn about business, but also build a network for when I
finish.”

¾ What are my motivations?

Another simple or easily answered question? Hardly. The simple answer is, “I am here to gain experience
in my field of study.” If the truth were known, this would rank fourth or fifth of the reasons why students
decide to do an internship. In reality, there are hosts of reasons, and of the degrees of each of these reasons that
are applicable.
The following list begins with the most obvious, and gives you the benefit of my insight from having
hosted many interns through Internship4America. The list starts with the purest intention, and works its way
down the spectrum to what I consider the worst reason for a US internship. We start with the original premise,
which opened this section:

ƒ Training in your field:

This worthy reason should be at the top of your own list of reasons. In fact, you should make sure
that any internship you apply for relates to your area of study and experience.
I cannot stress this enough. To start with, the US State Department, and in turn, the sponsoring
agencies responsible for document processing and management, are clamping down to make sure there
is a direct relationship between the trainee's education and/or experience and the sponsorship being
sought or offered.

6
 US Internships…

I know this sounds obvious and oversimplified, and you are likely saying, “What dummy would
apply for an internship in a totally unrelated field?” Yet we see this happen every day. In their
exuberance to get an internship or come to the US, some students will accept anything put before them.
The problem is that after the thrill wears off and the day-to-day grind of activity starts, they become
disillusioned and disenchanted with the whole process.
We have also seen where students think, "Well, I will accept anything I am offered, even if it
doesn’t match what I really want. And when I get there, I will change the host’s mind so that I get the
training I want." Wrong! We have seen this tried time and again. The reality is that, “Well, I can
change their mind once I get there” doesn’t work, especially in today’s environment. We have seen
hosts terminate internships because an intern has made this suggestion.

ƒ To gain a cultural experience:

This motivation is acceptable also, as long as it contains the training component as part of the plan.
You can easily tie both together by making sure that the internship you are seeking is in close
proximity to where you want to visit. As examples:

• If you are interested in museums, art exhibits, and the theater, then you will want to consider this as
you are identifying different internships. The Northeast part of the US is rich in such cultural
venues. Other parts of the US have other factors that are worth considering.

• Some parts of the US, like the Southeast and the Southwest, are considerably less expensive to live
in, which makes an internship on a tight budget less stressful and still offers cultural and
educational opportunities.

• If you are interested in winter activities, the Western states will provide some of the best skiing and
snowboarding in the world.

Of course, you could choose to come to the US on a work and travel visa. This type of visa
allows you to perform any job you want for a short duration as you travel and visit the country. The
disadvantage is that this will hardly provide you any type of in-depth training or cultural exposure,
especially since you will be limited to only a four-month stay.

ƒ To get away from my country because there are no jobs available:

This may well be acceptable, if you include training as one of the motivational forces behind
your decision. The reason this becomes acceptable is because when you return to your home
country, you will be ahead of your peers professionally. In addition, you will have used your time
wisely.
But as you develop this type of motivation, it is important that you document what has brought you
to this decision. As time passes, memories fade, and the past is viewed from different perspectives
influenced by current situations. So a great idea twelve months ago is now unacceptable. As an
example:
At the time you decided to do an internship in the US, the economy in your country was stagnant
and unemployment was high in the hospitality industry. Since you left, a major international hotel
chain has bought a couple of resorts in your area, and is looking for employees. Your friends have e-
mailed you about the great jobs they have landed. Now, you ask yourself, what are you doing in the US
interning for a small stipend when you could be home landing a permanent job that you could build a
future on?

7
 Your journal will remind you of the facts and situation that brought you to your original decision. It
will allow you to refocus on your long-term objectives, and avoid an impulsive decision you will likely
later regret.

ƒ To Make Money:

What is even worse than the idea of doing an internship to make money is the idea of making
money to send back to your home country. If either of these is your motivation, even if coupled
with a desire for training experience, my advice is an emphatic, “Stay home.” Forget about saving
money, except for short-term expenses, like to buy a plane ticket to visit a different city. This is
your time to learn and experience. Soon many of you will get married, start a family or take on
other responsibilities that will not allow you to do an internship. So it is very important that you
use this time wisely.

Here is the story of an intern who decided to save money:

We had an intern in our program who was not getting out. Instead, James spent all his free
time sitting at home watching television. The reason it came to our attention was that we got
a call from the client, who said that James’s performance was dropping off, and the
excitement they saw when he first arrived was gone. So we called him in for a meeting.
During the meeting, he told us he was saving his money so he would have some extra
money when he got home. We tried to open his mind to why he was here, and that what he
was doing wasn’t in his best interest. He wouldn’t listen to reason, and over the coming
months, his performance continued to drop until he was asked to go home.

Just remember: Unless you hit the lottery, for the period you are here, you cannot make enough
money to influence your future. If you want to increase your earning power, utilize your internship
time wisely by learning through your training program, your cultural exposure and building a network
of contacts for the future. This will make you more money in the long run than you could ever earn
during the internship. To sum it up, “Forget money as your motivation.”

ƒ As a vehicle to gain illegal entry into the US:

Do students do this? Yes. Is it crazy? Yes. We have seen students go through the whole application
process, then when we go to the airport to meet them, they are gone. Or, they will start their internship,
stay until they get a handle on their surroundings, then disappear.

Let’s examine the ramifications of this decision.

• The first consequence is that you are now an illegal alien. You might get away with it for a
while, even a few years. The problem comes with the new computerized tracking system
called SEVIS. Via this system, all internationals on visas are now tracked. As soon as your
host company and/or your sponsoring agency discover that you are missing, you are
immediately reported. The first time you get a traffic ticket or attempt to leave the country,
you will be stopped, possibly jailed, fined, and/or deported. The worst part is that you might
never be allowed to enter the US again. If that becomes the case, here is an example of what
could happen to you:

8
 US Internships…

Now back in your home country, you take a position with a multi-national company. In
the process, you become a very successful employee. One day your employer says to you,
“We just got a major contract to do work in the US, and we would like you to handle the
project. If you do a good job, you will move up to a higher position when you return.”
You’re thrilled at the chance to prove yourself and advance, and you go down to your
local US consulate to apply for your visa—where you are informed that, because of your
previous illegal entry, your visa request is denied.
Now you are embarrassed, your employer is unhappy and your bright future is in
question.

• Unbelievably, there are worse ramifications to such a decision. The second one is that you
are now in a position that you will always be looking over your shoulder to see if anyone
has figured out that you are an illegal alien. This makes for a very complicated existence. If
you are working at a job, this also means that your chances for advancement are minimal,
and if you are discovered, you can count on immediate termination and/or your employers
reporting you to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services). Even if your employer
thinks you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, he will never view you in the same
light again. You have become a liability to him, and a source of worry.

• Here is a ramification that is subtle, but will be very costly for you. As an illegal alien, to
obtain a position, you have to convince your new employer that you are a citizen. In doing
so, you are now obligated to pay all the taxes a US citizen pays. The taxes you will pay as
an alleged US citizen will be three to four times higher than as an intern. Here’s an
example:

At an hourly rate of $8.00 per hour ($16,640 US per year), an intern can expect to pay
federal and state taxes amounting to $600 to $800 per year (in a 12-month internship). As a
US citizen, along with federal and state income taxes, you will have to pay Social Security
and Medicare taxes. So you can expect to pay approximately $2500 in taxes, which is an
additional $1700 that you would otherwise have avoided.

• Here is a consequence that does not affect you directly, but we have seen it occur and we
have employed it ourselves. We have seen clients make the decision that they will not
accept students from certain countries because a higher-than-average number of interns
from those countries do not honor their internship agreements. On occasion, our company
has placed a moratorium on countries for this same reason. This becomes a bad reflection
on your country, and hurts the next student who is eager and really wants an internship.

Here is one more recent example:

We had recruited and put together an internship program for a young man named
Michael from Slovakia. Within a day or two of receiving his visa, he announced that he
had been in a ski accident, and would be delayed for a month on traveling. After the
month, there was another delay waiting for his doctor to release him. Finally, he would
no longer respond to our emails or calls. When we realized that he had lied to us all
along, we immediately had his visa revoked and contacted his embassy here and the
US embassy. A couple of weeks later, we heard that he had been picked up in New
York because of a traffic violation, had been detained for a week, and was being
deported to Slovakia. A bad ending to a bright future.

9
 These are only the most common motivations for wanting an internship, but there are hundreds of other
reasons. No matter what your reasons, it is important to understand what brought you to your decision, and to
be able to reflect back on it. That is why it is so important to develop a journal right from the beginning—so
that the quintessential reason for our decision is not lost.

So now, let’s discuss how to set up a journal.

¾ What is an internship journal, and how do I develop my journal for maximum benefit?

Keeping a journal is a long-term investment of your time and energy. However, the benefits you derive
will be in direct proportion to your dedication to it. This is a prime example of the old adage that you will only
get out what you put in, or as they say in the computer world, “Garbage in, Garbage out.”
What you want to do is record the daily events that happen in the course of your internship along with your
thoughts, impressions and resulting feelings. Over time, you will start to see how you are changing, growing
and evolving.

My first recommendation is that you start your journal by establishing your motivation for undertaking an
internship. Don’t be concerned if you have multiple motivations. Don’t lie to yourself, either; be truthful with
what you write. It is important for you to know your starting point: what you were thinking at the time, and
what you were anticipating would happen. Here’s an example:

My Journal

August 4, 2004

Why do I want to do an internship?

I have been thinking of doing an internship for the last year. Now that I have
finished my coursework in mechanical engineering, I am now ready for a
change. I’ve been also contemplating on going directly to grad school to get
my MBA. But I need some time off. I am so tired of studying and taking tests
and examinations. School has become such a grind, and the last year has
been so demanding, that I have had no social life to speak of. Starting grad
school will only be more of the same. I am not sure I am ready to focus on a
master’s degree. If I take a permanent employment position then I am
committed, and I might not go down that road since I am not sure what
branch of mechanical engineering I like best—mechanical system
maintenance, or design. If I do an internship, I can visit another country, have
some fun, take a break, and learn some engineering from a practical
perspective. I can choose one of the areas and see if I like it. I have wanted to
visit the US for years, and I know they have some great snow in Utah for
snowboarding, which would be an ideal location for me to do an internship.

So let me summarize this for myself. I want to do an internship because I am

not ready to go to grad school, or work. In addition, I need some time off to
play and have some fun. Plus, I do need some practical experience for my
resume. I can accomplish this by doing an internship in the US. When I am all
done, I will have gained some practical experience, visited and gotten to know
the US, rested up—and gotten some good snowboarding in.

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 US Internships…

Does the journal entry seem somewhat formal? I intended it to be. When you return to it months from now,
you want it to be clear and concise, so there is no misinterpretation of what you were thinking.

Next, you should decide on the types of internships you are qualified for based on your a.) education
and/or work experience, and b.) how long you are willing to commit to an internship. Then, considering these
two factors, decide what type of internships you would like to pursue. Here’s an example:

My Journal

August 5, 2004

I have been giving some thought to this internship that I have decided to do.
My major is Mechanical Engineering, and I have a minor in Computer Science,
so I could elect to do an internship in computers as an alternative. Also, during
the last two summers, I worked on the computers in the engineering
department at the auto assembly plant. So let’s see what types of internships I
am qualified for.

I could do an internship in mechanical engineering, computer sciences, or do

one that combines both. I also could opt for an engineering internship in an
auto plant. But if I take the auto plant option, I might have to go to a location
other than Utah, since there is no auto plant there. Now, if I go Mechanical, I
will need to decide if I want Maintenance or Design. I believe I would prefer to
do an internship in mechanical maintenance. I like it the best. After I am done,
if I still like it, I am off and running. If not, after grad school, I can pursue the
design field with full knowledge that this is my field.

Now, how long do I want to do this internship? They say the longer the
internship, the better my chance of being selected. Since grad school
enrollment is always in September and January, if I can get this lined up in six
months, I can start grad school in 18 months. That works. So I will look for a
one-year internship.

The early phase of your journal is also a good time to lay out your short- and long-range plans and goals.
By incorporating these goals into your internship plan, you are now realizing and recognizing the important
part your internship will play in your overall future career plans. Here is an example, which builds on the
previous two journal-entry examples:

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 My Journal

August 6, 2004

My plans for the future—I have so many! Now that I have completed my
undergraduate work and I have decided to do an internship in engineering, how
is all of this going to play out? The way I see it, once I have this internship
under my belt, then I will go back to get an MBA. This will give me a well-
rounded education in engineering and business.

The fact that I did my internship in the US will also help. I could possibly get a
position with a US company or a multi-national who is based in the States, or
even one that does extensive business in the States. Having done a US
internship, I could possibly quickly qualify for an international assignment,
which would give me lots of travel. What will help also is that I am fluent in
Dutch and German. I think while I am in the US, since they have such a large
Hispanic population, I will also take a course in Spanish.

So as I see it from here, my short-term goal is to obtain and complete a one-

year mechanical engineering internship in the US. This will take me 18 months.
While I am doing that, I will take a few courses in Spanish to broaden and build
on my language skills. I will have an MBA grad school lined up so that, right
after I finish the internship, I can go directly to grad school, which will take me
two years to complete. So at the end of three and a half years (around January
2007), I will be ready and properly prepared to start my career.

Tomorrow, I will lay out my long-term goals and objectives.

Now that you have established your motivation for doing the internship, decided the types of internships
you are qualified for, and laid out your short- and long-term goals and objectives, it is time to look at the type
of entries you will want to make on a daily basis. (Daily entries will help you gain full utilization of your
journal.)
Remember one thing: None of this is written in stone. Since factors, opportunities and circumstances
change, all of your plans and goals are subject to change. However, by establishing a starting point, you have a
reference point to measure yourself against at any future time.

Initially, as you are searching-out, researching and locking down your internship, you should make weekly
entries about the progress of your search. This will be particularly helpful, since at times you won’t feel like
you’re making any progress. At those times, a review of your journal will help you see what you have
accomplished.
It is also very important to document why you’ve eliminated certain internships. When times get
difficult, the tendency will be to look back and glamorize the internship you passed up. By documenting
those you rejected and why, you remove the mythical attributes you might be tempted to give to past
situations.

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 US Internships…

The journal is just as important after you begin your internship. At that time, what should you write about
every day? Here is what I consider the basic questions you should answer each day as you document your
progress:

o What did I do today?

o What did I observe in the workplace today?

o Did I learn any new concepts relative to my area of study?

o How can I employ what I learned today in the future?

o What was my interaction like with my supervisor and co-workers?

o What progress am I making on my internship?

Let’s look at a journal-entry example that addresses these questions:

My Journal

August 7, 2004

It is hard to believe I have been here interning at Airport Engineering, Inc. for a
month. Today has been a very interesting day. I was given the opportunity to
attend a meeting with the Airport Management Group to discuss the
construction and installation of the new boilers and HVAC system. I was asked
to prepare a short presentation on the environmental impact of using oil versus
gas to fire the boilers. This gave me an opportunity to develop and give a
presentation in front of a client group.

My manager helped me prepare my presentation, and jumped in a couple of

times to clarify some points that I didn’t adequately explain or stress. After the
meeting, he was complimentary about my performance, and pointed out some
things I needed to improve on. I needed to speak louder, not read from my
notes, and to look the client members directly in the eye.

What was surprising to me—even though I am only a trainee, I was treated

with the same respect as the other engineers. I am finding that Americans are
not hung-up on titles or position. They are very open, and if you have the
answer, that is all that matters. They are totally focused on results.

Immediately after my manager reviewed my performance, he gave me another

assignment and wants it back by noon tomorrow.

I think I now understand how to prepare and give a presentation to a client

group. I learned some great lessons today.

13
 Now, there will be days when it seems that all you have to put in your journal is the exact same thing you
did yesterday. In those times, here are questions you can address as part of your journal. Remember, you will
be referring back to this for many years; your thoughts, impressions, reflections and ideas will continue to
have meaning to you even then. Some people keep a journal their whole lives as a tool for personal
development.

So here are some questions to consider:

o What do you like best about your internship and the company you are interning with?

o Summarize the criticisms you received, and the actions you took to improve your performance.

o Summarize the compliments received, and the actions you took to build on your performance.

o Have you changed and grown since beginning your internship? If so, describe the ways this has
happened.

o What are your feelings about your company? Is this the type of company you want to work with
after your internship?

o What contributions are you making?

o How are you relating to your co-workers, clients and the company management?

No matter what information you write in it, your journal provides a meaningful historical account of your
internship, and documents your passages and responses to your needs. Feel free to add a variety of other
information. You might add work samples, pictures, e-mails you have received, comments from your manager
or co-workers, or newspaper articles about your company or clients. Add whatever gives meaning to your
journal.

One last consideration is what you intend to do with the journal. If it is for your own use, you can be totally
open with your comments, observations and feelings. If you have to present it to receive credit for graduation
or as part of your program, you might have to be more judicious about what you include. Make sure you
understand the intent of the journal from the beginning, or you may be spending a day erasing or deleting what
you consider confidential!

A US internship is not for everyone. However, an internship can provide the link between the business
world and the academic world. It also lets you observe firsthand the impact that you can have on customers,
clients and those around you. This, again, is especially true for the international student. Business is more than
selling products and services. It is about problem-solving. By doing an internship, you will be exposed to a
new way of thinking and operating on a daily basis. Through an internship, you will learn the methods used by
companies to solve their clients’ problems and satisfy their needs. Even more, you will have an inestimable
opportunity to learn about another culture, experience personal growth, and meet people who will positively
affect the rest of your life.

14
 US Internships…

CHAPTER 2

YOUR ADVANTAGES AND POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES

¾ Why is it important to understand my advantages and possible disadvantages?

R ight from the beginning, you must understand what we are talking about when we say “advantages
and disadvantages.” We are not talking about the advantages and disadvantages of an internship. We
are talking about your advantages and disadvantages as an international student or young professional
versus a US domestic student. I have done much research for this book, and nowhere have I seen anyone point
this out. So if you want to level the playing field, this is the place to start. By understanding the dynamics of
these issues, you can improve your chances of obtaining an internship.
There are those who would have you believe that there are thousands of internships available that go
begging for students. That getting one is like shooting fish in a rain barrel. Actually, just the opposite is the
truth. If there are thousands of internships available, then there are tens of thousands of students hunting those
positions. Many of those supposedly “great” internships are just plain old jobs with the fancy label of
“internship.” So let’s make sure that you have prepared well for the challenge ahead.

¾ What are my advantages?

ƒ The biggest advantage is when you are willing to do a longer internship, usually up to 18 months.

This is a major selling point when you approach a host company. Let’s look at the typical
company getting ready to add interns to the staff:
In the competitive environment that exists in the world today (including the US), companies
cannot afford to add staff because they are benevolent and philanthropic. They do it because they
expect some type of return on their investment, or because it has a tangible or intangible benefit to
the company. Because an internship program is not high-cost for them, they can afford to provide
training in exchange for the talents you can offer. Since much of the company’s cost is in the
beginning of an intern’s training, obviously, the longer a trainee is willing to commit to the
internship, the better for the company.
Where your marketability advantage comes from is that US students, for the most part (99%),
will only do a three-month internship in the summer. (This excludes the colleges and universities
that use co-op programs as part of their curriculum.) So, looking at this from a strategic standpoint,
you want to make sure that your resume reflects that you are willing to devote more than three
months to your internship. We will go into this in more detail when we discuss resume preparation.
For now, just remember that companies like 12-month and 18-month internships.

15
 Here is a close-to-home example:

When we started Internship for America, our objective was to place both domestic and
international students. It soon became apparent that our clients wanted trainees willing to
stay for a year or more. To quote a client, “We get the best bang for the buck with long-
term commitments, and in return, we can provide a better and more in-depth training
program.”

Because of this requirement on the part of companies, and because most domestic
students look for short internships, our business is almost exclusively international
students.

ƒ Your second big advantage is flexibility in your start date.

If you don’t have this, I highly suggest you figure how to add flexibility into your timetable.
Here again, since most of you are willing to stay for longer than three months, you are usually
flexible in this area. Here is how this advantage can work for you.
In the period of February to May, US students are hunting their summer jobs and internships.
So first, you want to contact hosting companies during the period when they are not being flooded
with resumes from US students.
Next, you want to make sure that the company knows that you can start your internship at
varied times, and are not restricted to May, June and July. During these off-times, the competition
is much less.
Let me reiterate. You want to impress two critical facts on your target company—you are
willing to intern for more than three months (preferably 12 to 18 months), and that you are flexible
on your start date. These two facts go hand-in-hand, and put you into a small, select group of
students looking for an internship.
You know what they say about timing: “In life, timing is everything.” So use timing to your
advantage.

ƒ The third big advantage is being multi-lingual.

Time and again, I see resumes that only mention that the student speaks English. Often,
internationals don’t even mention their native tongue as their primary language. However,
many companies operate on an international basis, and having an intern that can speak more
than one or two languages is a real plus. Why? Because most American students only speak
English. So the more languages you speak, the more impressed the company might be. So you
need to spell out clearly on your resume that you speak English, but also any other languages
you speak fluently.

One intern I am familiar with accepted a position with a company that did a great
deal of international import/export work. When they discovered that he spoke
Russian, they had him handle much of their international communications. When he
was about to finish his internship, they offered to help him get a “green card,”
because they needed his language expertise. He is still here. If they had not
discovered his language skills, he would have missed a life-changing opportunity.

16
 US Internships…

Another advantage is if you have taken any of the common proficiency and equivalency tests.
Here are a few websites that can help you:

ƒ The International English Testing System

www.ielts.org
IELTS tests the complete range of English language skills that are commonly encountered
by students when studying or training in an English-speaking environment. This test is widely
accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions, and is
becoming widely accepted by American ones as well.

ƒ University of Cambridge—English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

www.cambridgeesol.org
Every year, 1.5 million people take these exams to improve their employment prospects,
to seek further education, to prepare themselves to travel or live abroad, or because they
want an internationally recognized certificate showing the level they have attained in
English.

ƒ Test of English as a Foreign Language

www.toefl.org
Since 1964, nearly 20 million students have taken the TOEFL test in more than 165
countries. Over 4,500 institutions worldwide use the scores from these tests to measure
competency and make hiring decisions. This is one of the most widely accepted testing
programs in the US.

In addition, if you go to the following website, you will find Test Score Equivalency Charts for
English and other languages.

http://soscanada2000.com/migration/newact/skill/langpro.html

At minimum, you should take the English test, and include your test scores on your resume.
The more languages you can show a high level of competence in, especially with test scores, the
better off you will be. Remember: You want to use this and the other suggestions to tip the scale to
your advantage. The more plusses you have, the better your chances.

ƒ The fourth advantage is that you will bring new and different ideas and ways of doing things to
your host company.

American companies pride themselves on being innovative and open to new ideas and concepts.
As an international student or young professional, your host company will view you as a source of
new and fresh ideas. So use this advantage to explore new ideas with your host company. During
your interview with a potential host company, take the opportunity to share your ideas with them.

ƒ The fifth advantage is the “international student mystique.”

There is a certain mystique attributed to anyone from somewhere other than your hometown. In
fact, there is a joke that goes like this:

Question: “You know what they call anyone who is from more than 50 kilometers away?”
Answer: “An expert!”

17
 All joking aside, because the US is such a big country, separated from much of the world by
oceans, Americans are enchanted with internationals. Also, since for most of us in the US, our
ancestors came from another country, we tend to welcome internationals with open arms. So even
with the disadvantages that we will discuss later, there still is a natural curiosity and willingness to
provide an opportunity for an international student to experience the American way of life. Your
goal is to maximize these advantages through the two vehicles that you have available to
communicate who you are—your resume, and your phone interview. By capitalizing on these
advantages, you are tipping the scale in your favor.

¾ What are my possible disadvantages?

ƒ Generally speaking, your first disadvantage may well be your resume.

With the growing popularity of the Internet, many Human Resource departments report
receiving 500 or more resumes each day. With thousands of resumes to read during the first
screening, a recruiter may spend only 15-30 seconds glancing at each. What this means is that your
resume must catch his eye right away, or it will be eliminated.
Visualize yourself perusing thousands of resumes sitting in front of you. As you’re rapidly
going through them, you would eliminate anything that does not conform to your notion of what a
resume should look like. Next, your eye scans the page for key data items you are searching out. If
you don’t spot these items, you will quickly eliminate the candidate. If you see other things, like
misspelled words, bad sentence structure, etc., that disturb you even slightly, you will toss the
resume into the rejection file. You have hundreds to choose from; why consider someone who
doesn’t care enough to give you a quality document?

Are you getting the picture of what it will take to promote yourself effectively? None of this is
rocket scientist stuff; these are all practical things that you can do to distinguish yourself.

Let me give you another one of those close-to-home examples:

When I was a young engineer, I worked in a large chemical plant as a

department manager. One of my responsibilities was to put together a report
of the activities and the work that was accomplished each month. For me, it
became a personal goal to find out how quickly and how accurately I could
assemble the report. I guess what spurred me on was that my predecessor’s
reports were very inaccurate and usually submitted late; I wasn’t interested
in following in his footsteps.

Initially, it took two weeks to compile the report; eventually, I got it down to
three days.

One day, the plant manager called me into his office and told me that I was
being transferred and promoted to a higher position in another company
plant.

Obviously, I was happy, but I was also curious to know what distinguished
me from the other department heads. His answer was that we were all
intelligent engineers with about equal capability, but the single determining
factor was the way I handled this report for him each month. He knew that
he could count on my report being consistently timely and accurate.

18
 US Internships…

Come to find out, my report was part of his report to his boss. Since mine
was accurate and timely each month, it made his life easier, and I was being
rewarded for my diligence with a promotion.

You just never know what is important to another person, or where his hot button is located. Therefore,
your resume must clearly communicate your relevant skills, education and unique attributes compared to other
candidates. In addition, this information should be in a compatible format that helps your resume make it
appear that you are US-savvy. This is not to imply that our way is better. It just goes back to the old saying,
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So, for the purposes of your resume, you must achieve conformity in
your layout.
What goes hand-in-hand with conformity is accuracy. It might only take one misspelled word to eliminate
you as a candidate. You might say that a single misspelled word isn’t a big deal. However, to most Human
Resource managers and company managers, your resume is a reflection of you. To some managers, a
misspelled word indicates that you aren’t very accurate or detail-oriented. Others might interpret it to mean
that you have a low self-regard, or that you are sloppy. It may sound foolish but let me tell you, you would not
be the first person eliminated because of a misspelled word.
So, since you don’t know the importance that will be placed on such items, make sure they are not an issue
of contention.
However, there are plenty of ways to positively distinguish you from other candidates by using your
resume. When we finish discussing disadvantages, we will go into detail on resume and cover letter
preparation.

• Your second disadvantage is that you more than likely won’t have a face-to-face interview.

Which means that your interview will likely consist of one, or possibly two international calls,
and if you mess those up, you are out of the game.
Here again, my staff and I have seen potential interns handle their interview poorly and be
eliminated, even in cases where their resume was above-average. It is important that you prepare
for this with the same planning and attention to detail that you have put into your resume.
How you come across on the phone; how you project yourself; the enthusiasm and exuberance
that you display during the interview and the questions that you ask—all of these are key factors.
Keep in mind you are asking a company to take a chance on you: a person who is thousands of
kilometers away, living in another country, and whom they won’t even have the opportunity to
meet. In addition, you are from a different cultural background. As business decisions go, this
would be considered a risky one. So, you are back to the same goal—to reduce the negatives and
increase the positives so that you tip the scale in your favor. When you have accomplished this,
you will be considered an acceptable risk.
So what do you have to do to make sure your phone interview goes well? In Chapter 7, we will
go in-depth on how to prepare for your interview. At this point, it is only important that you
recognize and are aware that this is something you will need to deal with. In reality, this is no
different from making a sales or marketing call. But in this case, you are the product that you need
to market and sell.

ƒ Your third disadvantage may be your host company’s lack of knowledge about the documentation
process for obtaining a J-1 visa.

If you are applying to a large company that has used interns or has a J-1 program, this might not
be a disadvantage. In other cases, where the company is smaller, or they have never considered
employing an intern, this may be a major problem.

19
 One of the ways to combat this predicament is for you to become knowledgeable on the
different visas, and the processes for obtaining them. By doing this, you can reassure the
interviewer if the subject comes up.
Realize that the internships you find in books like Peterson’s Internships are great internships,
and the companies listed there are more likely to know about the visa processes. However, these
listing are also being viewed by hundreds of thousands of students in the US and around the world.
Needless to say, the competition for these internships, and for those from major corporations, is
fierce.
On the other side of the spectrum, there are companies who have no knowledge about
internships and the benefits of an internship program. Neither do they have the time and/or
resources to pursue a program or a candidate. Once you understand the process, though, you will
have the ability to guide your host company through the process if need be. This opens up a giant
market of potential internships. The best part is, with these companies, you have no competition.
Since in many cases these are smaller companies, the opportunity exists to experience a more
diverse internship.

ƒ Your fourth disadvantage could be your English language skills and your ability to be understood
during your interview. (In other words, how strong is your accent?)

When you are interviewing on the phone, it is of the utmost importance that you are understood
clearly and with ease. If an interviewer is uncomfortable with your language ability on the phone
and finds it difficult to communicate, he or she will lack confidence in your ability to function in
the workplace.
You cannot change your accent, but there are preparations and actions you can take to mitigate
the problem.
Here again, we are talking about preparation. There is an old saying that genius is 99%
perspiration, and 1% inspiration. The same phrase can be applied to interviewing—“Interviewing is
99% preparation, and 1% delivery.”

¾ How can I capitalize on my advantages and minimize my disadvantages?

Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to show you how one prospective intern accomplished this:

About six months ago, a student from Kenya contacted us about writing his resume for
him. He said he had been sending out his CV for the last year with no luck at finding an
internship. I asked him to send his CV for us to review. The problem was evident. First, it
was too long: five and one-half pages. Second, the layout was confusing and lacked
clarity. Third, the wording was such that it did not convey his skills, even though he had
great skills and a good education. We rewrote it, cut it down to two pages, and made the
format crisp and eye-catching. Six weeks later, he sent us an email and said he had
found an internship in California.

What is important to remember is that, unless you are unwilling to recognize them, no disadvantage is
beyond your ability to overcome. You should also be aware of (and proud of) your advantages, and use them
to the fullest extent you can.
By recognizing your advantages, acknowledging your disadvantages, and preparing ahead of time, you will
tip the scale in your favor.

20
 US Internships…

CHAPTER 3

PREPARING YOUR RESUME

¾ Is there an advantage to having a resume?

I n general, the answer to this question is yes. However, remember what I said earlier: your resume as an
international student can be a disadvantage to you if not prepared properly. Some of the reasons may seem
unimportant and of little consequence, but your goal is to leave no loose ends. You want to do whatever
you can to minimize negatives, or at least mitigate their importance. Keep that balance scale in mind. On one
side are the positives, on the other are the negatives. Anything, no matter how small and unimportant, might
tip the scale in your favor. If all the negatives were converted to kilograms and they equaled 1,000
kilograms, and if the positives totaled 1,000.5 kilograms, you would win. When the positives outweigh the
negatives, you will get the internship.

¾ Should I write my own resume, or should I have it professionally written?

While there are exceptions, my professional opinion and recommendation is that the best and easiest way
to get a topnotch resume and cover letter is to have it professionally done. Over the years, our staff at
Internship4America has seen and reviewed thousands of resumes. Based on what we have seen, we have
concluded that at least 90% of those resumes are poorly written. Many times, before we can submit a candidate
to one of our clients for review, we have to rewrite their resume. This has resulted in us offering a resume
writing service for all intern candidates who visit our site, regardless of whether or not they are interested in
our program.
Now, let’s take the concept of having your resume professionally done a step further. By following the
steps I will give in this chapter, you might be able to create a resume. Yet remember—the goal is that the US
reader of your resume feels confident and comfortable that you are US-savvy. So, even if you decide to write
your resume yourself, it’s wise to consider having it reviewed and edited by one of the hundreds of websites of
US companies that write resumes professionally. (Our website, www.internship4america.com, also offers this
service.) No matter what company you choose, make sure it is a US company. That is the best way to know
that you will receive a resume that reads, looks, sounds and feels American.
It is also wise to consider having multiple resumes if you have more than one area of expertise. The same
applies to cover letters.

Whether you have your resume developed professionally or you are a do-it-yourself type of individual, it is
important that you have a full understanding of what goes into a resume. Over the next few pages, I will take
you through all the facets of a resume. With this information, you will be in a position to either write your own
resume or evaluate the work of the professional who prepares yours.
21
¾ What are the differences between a US resume and those from other countries?

Briefly, a US resume is a concise, attractive marketing tool that summarizes jobs, skills, accomplishments
and academic background relevant to the employment objectives you are responding to. The resume is one to
two pages in length. (Two pages is considered the maximum.) For US resumes, the standard paper size is 8 1/2
by 11 inches (often known as “letter sized”).
The resume doesn’t include age, marital status, race or religion, since none of these items is considered
relevant to a hiring decision by an employer. However, it may include military service that has been
completed. The decision to include or not include military service is based on whether it is relevant to a
particular situation, and whether or not it will improve the applicant’s chances for employment.
In other countries, providing photographs is considered a normal practice. However, photographs are not
usually considered appropriate for US resumes. If they are attached, US employers are required to remove and
dispose of them. My advice: since you are seeking an internship, either attach a photo, or indicate that one will
be provided upon request. That way, your potential sponsor can draw a connection between you, your resume
and the voice on the phone during an interview.
The above is what comprises a US resume. International resumes, on the other hand, are a
chronologically detailed academic and formal work experience manuscript. The international resume is often
two or more pages in length, and includes certificates of completion, transcripts and other information deemed
relevant. The document is normally printed on A-4 paper, which measures 210 x 297mm. At times, the
document includes age, marital and military status, race and/or religion. The document is often referred to as a
curriculum vitae (CV).
Various countries use different terms to describe the specific aspects of what is included as part of a CV.
As an example, “cover letters” are often referred to as “letters of interest” or “motivation letters.”
Regardless of the type of resume, since the internship you are pursuing is a US internship, you should use
American English, not British English.

¾ What is the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and a resume?

Since we are on the subject of differences, let’s delineate the further differences between these two
documents. In the US, the terms “resume” and “curriculum vitae” are sometimes used interchangeably. If you
are applying for an academic internship position in higher education or a research internship position in an
academically oriented organization, you might be required to present a curriculum vitae (CV). It is also called
a “vita” by some.
If you are asked to provide a curriculum vitae for a US internship position, be aware that it is a very
comprehensive document that includes detailed information, especially about academic achievements. It often
includes publications, assistantships, study abroad, awards, research experience, degrees earned, and
transcripts, and can include a variety of other documents. Because of the amount of information required, the
CV can be several pages in length. Unlike a resume, it does not include an objective, as a resume does. The
reason: a US resume is a marketing and selling tool; the curriculum vitae is a tool to present your historical
achievements.

¾ Why should I create a resume?

There are three important reasons for creating a resume.

1. The resume is your personal marketing tool—in other words, your first point of contact with a
potential host company or employer.

2. The resume is the universally accepted method for personal marketing.

3. The resume tells your story.

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 US Internships…

How do you want this document to represent you? What kind of story will it tell about you? Remember,
there are two stories that each resume tells—the story presented by the words on the page, and the unwritten
story the reader gets when he looks at the document. As an international student, you will be under even more
scrutiny because the evaluator wants to ensure that you can function in your new environment. A document
that is well written reinforces the written story. Yet if the presentation is bad—if there are misspelled words or
out-of-context words or phrases—then the reader will quickly lose confidence in what the written word says.

Here is an example:

A student is applying for an internship in accounting, which requires the intern to be very
detail oriented. While reading the document, the Human Resource manager finds a
number of misspelled words. What do you think will be the manager’s evaluation and
assessment of the candidate’s ability to pay attention to details?

So how can a well-written resume benefit you? To start with, it provides you with a vehicle to introduce
yourself to a prospective internship sponsor. Next, through this document, you have the ability to connect your
qualifications and skills to the internship you are applying for. And finally, as an international in search of a
US internship, the resume demonstrates your ability to present information in an organized, concise and
professional manner.

¾ What are the different types of resumes, and which type of resume is right for me?

There are three main types of resumes: chronological, functional and combination. Let’s look at each type
and review the pros and cons for each.

The Chronological Resume

This format presents your work history and other experiences year-by-year, beginning with your most
recent position and working backward. As part of this format, the dates of each position are included to give
the hosting company an idea of what you have been involved in, the length of time you have been in each
position and the years you held the position. At the beginning of each entry, you include the name of the
company. Under the position title, you include all the tasks and the duties associated with that particular
position.

Pros

• This is the most frequently used type of resume format.

• Employers can scan quickly to see your employment history. When it is being reviewed by the
company, your job titles and work dates stand out.

• This type of resume works well for those whose background is consistent with their career
objective.

• It is actually the easiest type of resume to write.

Cons

• This type of resume is often not the best for applying for an internship, because it tends to
accentuate the fact that you have limited experience.
23
 • The chronological resume can highlight a questionable work history. A few points to keep in mind
of things that employers search for when they are reviewing this type of resume. First, they are
looking for gaps in work history, which indicate periods you were not gainfully employed. They
are also looking for the length of service with each of your employers. If you show a history of
changing positions frequently, with periods of service of a year or less, a red flag will go up in the
reader’s mind to indicate a problem—a problem you will have to explain if you are given the
chance.

• Finally, this type of resume focuses more on the positions you have held rather than building on the
skills that you have developed. It is not as effective for individuals who are seeking internships,
which have a different career focus.

The Functional Resume

This style of resume organizes skills and accomplishment into functional categories regardless of when or
where they were demonstrated. The objective of the functional resume is to highlight and focus on the
transferability of your skills. What it does is minimize the importance of where the skill was learned and
developed. This is effective if you have a diverse work and educational background. If you are considering
even more diversity in your upcoming internship, this type of resume will work especially well.

Pros

• The functional resume demonstrates the skills that you have acquired from all your different
experiences. This works well for you if, during your matriculation, you developed many skills
participating in college activities, but actually had few jobs of any consequence.

• Because the functional resume doesn’t list dates, it has the advantage of downplaying an
inconsistent work history.

• As an international student, you can use it to demonstrate your command of the English language.
(If your command is weak, I highly recommend that you do not pursue this course of action.)

Cons

• This type of resume is more difficult and time-consuming to develop.

• To produce this kind of resume, you must be well organized and have good writing skills, as well
as an excellent command of the English language. Even if your English skills are good, make sure
that you have someone with native American English skills review it. The wrong usage of words
and/or phrases is very obvious in this type of resume.

• If you really don’t have a nice complement of skills, this format will make that lack obvious to the
reader.

The Combination (Chronological/Functional) Resume

This resume style combines the two formats to demonstrate both work history and skills. Your work and
volunteer history is presented in conjunction with your most recent job, followed by subsequent jobs. Each
listing describes the skills you acquired and your accomplishments in each job, rather than the tasks you
performed on a daily basis.
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 US Internships…

Pros

• This format is the most sophisticated presentation, and therefore might tend to be more impressive
to the reader.

• The combination resume ties specific skills you have acquired to each of the positions you have
held. It is especially useful to students who have done previous internships, held steady jobs while
in college, and developed an array of skills.

• This format is very appealing to hosting companies, because with only a quick glance, they get a
good picture of you and understand the transferable skills you have.

Cons

• This format requires excellent writing skills, an excellent command of American English, and good
ability to articulate your past experience.

• As part of developing this style of resume, it is important to highlight the benefits that were
received by you and the company. Because of this, there is a tendency for these types of resumes to
become lengthy when excessive information is included, and care must be taken to be concise.

• In general, this format also includes all the pros and cons of the previous two formats
(chronological and functional).

¾ What are the characteristics of a good resume?

Seven characteristics are common to all good resumes:

1. Appearance and Appeal

What this means is the look: how the text is arranged on the page, the paper used, the font, and
the highlighting you use. When the reader picks up your resume from the pile sitting in front of him
and begins reading, you want him to continue reading. To increase the chances of that, you want
plenty of white space with not a lot of clutter on the paper. This helps make the facts easy to pick
out. Use formatting strategies wisely to make sure your resume looks attractive, clean and
organized.

• Start by using a quality grade of paper. Get a paper that is 100% cotton fiber—known as a
24-pound bond paper. It should be in an ivory or white color. Don’t use any bold colors.
Make sure the paper is laser-and-inkjet-printer compatible.

• Your margins should be adequate—at least .75 inches all the way around.

• If you use bold type or italics, use them sparingly, and make sure they are applied
consistently.

• I recommend that your font be either Times New Roman or Arial. (My personal favorite is
Arial.) Stay away from unusual fonts and point sizes. The recommended point size for a
resume is either 10 or 12-point typeface.

25
 2. Resume Length

As an intern looking for an internship, you should keep your resume to one page. If you go
beyond this, it would be considered excessive.

3. Add Life to your Resume

You can accomplish this by using “action” verbs and phrases that present you as a “doer.” If
you describe your skills and achievements with action verbs, they take on momentum and life. You
don’t want your resume to have a passive feeling.

4. Balance and Variety

You want your resume to have a balanced appearance. With a one-page resume, you need to
have three or four different sections. Don’t allow your “experience” section to dominate your
document. Make sure you also focus on your academic credentials, extracurricular activities and
volunteer experience. Remember: if they like what they see, they will be back with more questions.
You are marketing yourself; you want to give the reader enough to tantalize him to come back for
more. That for “more” is your interview.

5. Skills and Achievements

When a company makes a decision on a candidate, what are they buying? They are buying
skills, and a person who has demonstrated past successes. The person evaluating your resume won’t
look at you in a different way just because you are an intern. We all want to pick winners. If a
human resource manager picks an intern that has a demonstrated history of success, he might
become a valuable company employee in the future.
This is why it is important that your resume emphasize accomplishments. Zero in on how you
created, improved, innovated, saved, built, redesigned and added to something. When you can
quantify your accomplishment, it is even better. As an example, “Reduced the Maintenance budget
by 10% my first year.”

6. Create Linkage

Every entry that you make on your resume should highlight and create linkage back to
your field of study. As an example, let’s say you have some on-the-job experience in
mechanical engineering. Now you want to apply for an internship at a mechanical design
company. Even though you have no direct experience in design, you still could qualify for the
position if your resume stresses your analytical, quantitative, problem-solving and team-
building skills.

7. What you should not include:

You should not include your date of birth, Social Security number, height, weight, marital
status or a photograph. (However, as I mentioned before, there is an exception to the photo rule as
an international student seeking an internship.)

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 US Internships…

¾ What are some common resume mistakes?

There are five common mistakes to avoid as you are writing your resume:

1. Boasting

Even if you believe your performance was exceptional, never refer to yourself as the “Greatest
Project Engineer” or the “Best Housekeeping Manger.” What you need to be able to do is to back
up any claims with actual events, awards received and/or actual goals made and/or exceeded. Here
are some examples:

o Promoted to housekeeping manager during my first year on the job.

o Awarded “Best Manager of the Month” for three consecutive months.

o Under budget by 21% during my first year as manager.

Remember your resume is a marketing tool; it is okay to promote yourself, as long as you can
back it up with facts that substantiate your performance.

2. Avoid Acronyms

If you are going to use acronyms in your resume, be sure that you use only the ones that are
widely recognized by the business community. Some examples of widely used ones include “COO”
for Chief Operating Officer, “CFO” for Chief Financial Officer, or “VP” for Vice President. That
said, some acronyms, like “EVP” (Executive Vice President) are not easily recognized. If you have
any uncertainty, write the acronym out. Or, write it out and place the acronym in parentheses.

3. Wordy Sentences

We mentioned earlier that recruiters generally review a resume for about 15 to 30 seconds on
the first review. Therefore, your objective is to catch their eye with short, crisp sentences or
bulleted lists to highlight your key points. Here are some examples of short and crisp bullets:

o Started a campus transportation business during my second year that helped students get
to weekend activities.

o As part of my program, developed system to market widgets, reducing marketing costs

by 31%.

o Managed the campus bookstore and increased sales by 12%.

4. Avoid Repetitiveness

Make sure that you don’t find yourself using the same word or phrases over and over to
describe different experiences you have had. As an example, you often see individuals start each
job experience with the same phrase “Responsible for.” Another overused term is “Developed this
or that.” Break the language up and use a variety of terms to describe your accomplishments. Make
it interesting for the reader. At the very minimum, avoid producing a litany that all starts with the
same words.
27
 5. Avoid the “$50 words”

The objective is to keep your resume simple, easy to read, and targeted. Big words will make
you look arrogant and full of yourself, especially if you use them incorrectly—two characteristics
you surely don’t want to display. As an international, using high-level vocabulary is almost
guaranteed to give the wrong impression.

¾ Show me how to develop a resume, step-by-step.

Now that you understand the importance and advantages of having an internship, and the different types of
formats that can be used to develop your resume, let’s construct a resume. That way, when you are
constructing yours, you can use this as a model.

1. Personal Details

Include your name, address (permanent and current), telephone numbers (home, work, fax, cellular)
and e-mail address. If you have a website, include the URL, especially if it has a professional look to it.
Locate this information at the top of the page.

Katarina Volvenski
23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)
Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

2. Objective

Your objective is important, since it is generally the first thing that a human resource manager
focuses on, and the theme statement that sets the tone for the rest of your resume. Also, if you decide to
do multiple resumes for different situations, some of them might only require that you change this
section. Rather than what you are seeking, your objective should be written from the perspective of
what you can contribute.

In your case, you will use your objective statement to not only zero in on your target area, but to
also highlight the amount of time you are available for an internship. (Remember, your willingness to
do a longer internship is one of your key advantages. Make sure you get the point across early in the
game.)

Katarina Volvenski
23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)
Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

Objective: An internship position in the Hospitality field to gain practical training

with an American company, with the opportunity to gain progressive,
up-to-date experience in my field.

Availability: Up to 18 months, flexible on start date.

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 US Internships…

3. Summary of Qualifications or Highlights

At times, in lieu of or in addition to an objective, you might want to add a Summary of

Qualifications section. Obviously, if you’re short on qualifications—perhaps because you’ve been in
school—you might want to bypass using this. You can also use this along with your objective. If you
use a Summary of Qualifications, be sure to summarize the type of experiences, skills and traits that
link up with your objective.

Katarina Volvenski
23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)
Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

Objective: An internship position in the Hospitality field to gain practical training

with an American company, with the opportunity to gain progressive,
up-to-date experience in my field.

Availability: Up to 18 months, flexible on start date.

Highlights: Proven self-starter who does what needs to be done without being asked.
Team player with track record for developing productive work relations.
Excellent computer skills: Word, PowerPoint, Java, and Excel.

4. Education

Start with your most recent education, and work in reverse chronological order. Include degrees,
awards (major and minor), date of graduation (or dates of attendance), and the name and location of the
school. Here is other information that would be relevant and can be included as part of your
educational experience:

ƒ Scholarships, honors and awards

ƒ Special projects

ƒ Thesis or dissertation

ƒ Other internships or study abroad programs

ƒ Coursework relevant to your internship

ƒ Your GPA (if it is good)

ƒ Societies and clubs

ƒ Certifications and training programs you have participated in

ƒ Percentage of college expenses that you have already earned and saved

ƒ Languages spoken and equivalency test scores

29
 To the extent possible, it is important that you translate your education into US equivalents, even if
you have to make a note at the end of your resume. One other point—if you have a college or
university degree, or have attended one, you don’t have to provide information about your high school
education or secondary schooling. If you attended a relevant trade school, include it.

Katarina Volvenski
23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)
Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

Objective: An internship position in the Hospitality field to gain practical training

with an American company, with the opportunity to gain progressive,
up-to-date experience in my field.

Availability: Up to 18 months, flexible on start date.

Highlights: Proven self-starter who does what needs to be done without being asked.
Team player with track record for developing productive work relations.
Excellent computer skills: Word, PowerPoint, Java, and Excel.

Education: Donetsk University, Ukraine

Bachelor of Science, Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration
(May 2002)
Area of concentration: hotel management

Languages: Russian (Native); French (Fluent); Ukrainian (Fluent); English

(Level High Score 9.2 CLB/SLC) & Spanish (Level Moderate Score
6.5 CLB/SLC)

5. Experience

In this section, you will include your full-time and part-time employment, along with any
internships or co-op positions you may have held as part of your college program Also, any of your
long-term volunteer work can be included and treated like a job.
You start by listing the company and the location (city and state) of each company you worked for.
On the next line, list the title of the position that you held. The description, which follows the position
title, should highlight your skills, accomplishments and responsibilities. (You may have a self-
explanatory title; however, I would not leave it to chance that it explains what you did to every reader.)
Use reverse chronological order to list your experiences.

Here are some tips that will help you improve your descriptions and make them more effective:

ƒ Use action words to describe your activities and accomplishments. As an example, “developed and
instituted a program that improved the performance of kitchen operation.”

ƒ Your most responsible function should always be described first.

ƒ Qualify and quantify your accomplishments. As an example, rather than just stating that you were a
customer service representative, state, “Sold 200 items during my first two months at 100% retail
and received the Outstanding Intern award.” This is what recruiters want to see—tangible evidence
of your accomplishments.

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 US Internships…

Katarina Volvenski
23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)
Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

Objective: An internship position in the Hospitality field to gain practical training

with an American company, with the opportunity to gain progressive,
up-to-date experience in my field.

Availability: Up to 18 months, flexible on start date.

Highlights: Proven self-starter who does what needs to be done without being asked.
Team player with track record for developing productive work relations.
Excellent computer skills: Word, PowerPoint, Java, and Excel.

Education: Donetsk University, Ukraine

Bachelor of Science, Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration
(May 2002)
Area of concentration hotel management

Languages: Russian (Native); French (Fluent); Ukrainian (Fluent); English

(Level High Score 9.2 CLB/SLC) & Spanish (Level Moderate Score
6.5 CLB/SLC)

Employment:

Hospitality Crystal Hotel, Moscow Russia

Intern (December 2003 - November 2004)
Received a commendation for outstanding performance from the Director of Food and
Beverage Operations specifically praising my initiative and interpersonal skills. I was
responsible for the preparation of meeting rooms and banquet areas. This included setting
up audiovisual equipment, banquet accounting and coordination of group representatives.

Artyomovsk Winery Cafe, Artyomovsk Ukraine

Assistant Managers Program (November 2001 - November 2002)
Responsibilities included daily setup of the kitchen before opening and food
preparation during the dinner hour. Received attendance award for not missing any time
during my training program.

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6. Other activities and skills, and references

In this part of the resume, include computer skills and other special skills you’ve acquired, special
training you have received, any relevant affiliations you might have, and special achievements that are
noteworthy. If you received any community-based awards or honors, you should include them here.
You should not include the names of references as part of your resume. Since international
references are more complicated than domestic ones, we will go into a separate discussion on this
subject a bit later on.

Katarina Volvenski

23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)

Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

Objective: An internship position in the Hospitality field to gain practical training

with an American company, with the opportunity to gain progressive,
up-to-date experience in my field.

Availability: Up to 18 months, flexible on start date.

Highlights: Proven self-starter who does what needs to be done without being asked.
Team player with track record for developing productive work relations.
Excellent computer skills: Word, PowerPoint, Java, and Excel.

Education: Donetsk University, Ukraine

Bachelor of Science, Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration
(May 2002)
Area of concentration hotel management

Languages: Russian (Native); French (Fluent); Ukrainian (Fluent); English (Level High
Score 9.2 CLB/SLC) & Spanish (Level Moderate Score 6.5 CLB/SLC)

Employment:
Hospitality Crystal Hotel, Moscow, Russia
Intern (December 2003- November 2004)
Received a commendation for outstanding performance from the Director of Food and Beverage
Operations specifically praising my initiative and interpersonal skills. I was responsible for the
preparation of meeting rooms and banquet areas. This included setting up audiovisual equipment, banquet
accounting and coordination of group representatives.

Artyomovsk Winery Cafe, Artyomovsk, Ukraine

Assistant Managers Program (November 2001- November 2002)
Responsibilities included daily setup of the kitchen before opening and food preparation during the dinner
hour. Received attendance award for not missing any time during my training program.

Volunteer, Ukraine Food Bank, Kiev, Ukraine .

Worked on a volunteer basis setting up the kitchen and doing food preparation
to help the homeless. Each meal fed 1,000 needy families.

Special Skills: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and
Internet research. Familiar with use of Microsoft Access.

References: Supplied upon request.

32
 US Internships…

The next step is to carefully proofread the resume, looking for even the tiniest error that might distract the
recruiter.

Now, let’s look at the final resume:

Katarina Volvenski

23j45 Moscow 011-92-045-62 43424 (home)

Yakutsk, Russia 011-82-045 6243023(cell)
KatVo@aol.com

Objective: An internship position in the Hospitality field to gain practical training

with an American company, with the opportunity to gain progressive,
up-to-date experience in my field.

Availability: Up to 18 months, flexible on start date.

Highlights: Proven self-starter who does what needs to be done without being asked.
Team player with track record for developing productive work relations.
Excellent computer skills: Word, PowerPoint, Java, and Excel.

Education: Donetsk University, Ukraine

Bachelor of Science, Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration
(May 2002)
Area of concentration hotel management

Languages: Russian (Native); French (Fluent); Ukrainian (Fluent); English (Level High
Score 9.2 CLB/SLC) & Spanish (Level Moderate Score 6.5 CLB/SLC)

Employment:

Hospitality Crystal Hotel, Moscow, Russia

Intern (December 2003 - November 2004)
Received a commendation for outstanding performance from the Director of Food and Beverage
Operations specifically praising my initiative and interpersonal skills. I was responsible for the preparation
of meeting rooms and banquet areas. This included setting up audiovisual equipment, banquet accounting
and coordination of group representatives.

Artyomovsk Winery Cafe, Artyomovsk, Ukraine

Assistant Managers Program (November 2001- November 2002)
Responsibilities included daily setup of the kitchen before opening and food preparation during the dinner
hour. Received attendance award for not missing any time during my training program.

Volunteer, Ukraine Food Bank, Kiev, Ukraine

Worked on a volunteer basis setting up the kitchen and doing food preparation to
help the homeless. Each meal fed 1,000 needy families.

Special Skills: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and
Internet research. Familiar with use of Microsoft Access.

References: Supplied upon request.

33
 As you review this final resume, you will note that it is simple, clear, uncluttered and easy to read. It
also focuses on the most marketable points. The recruiter reviewing this resume instantly knows the
individual’s objective. It also zeros in on the applicant’s biggest advantage—the length of availability. If
this were your resume, within 30 seconds or less, the recruiter would know that you are interested in the
hospitality field, that you have past management skills, are available for 18 months, have a college degree
in the field and speak multiple languages. You have given him all the salient points on a single,
easy-to-read page. From this, it will be easy for him to decide if you are a viable candidate for the
internship he is filling.

As part of this document, consider including a picture. This picture can be a simple headshot (head and
shoulders). If more than a headshot, you should be dressed in a suit and tie (for men) or proper dress (for
women, and appropriate for the internship you seek). Just remember: a US recruiter doesn’t want to see a
tattoo, purple hair, a nose ring, or anything other than a conservative look.

¾ What are the types and rules for electronic resumes (e-resumes)?

As an international student, you will more than likely transmit your resume using the Internet. In fact, this
will be your media of choice for all correspondence, so you need to ensure that the document you send looks
as great when it arrives in e-form as it would look if you were sending it by snail mail.
There are four types of e-resumes that you can use. These include Web, Scanned, Keyword, and ASCII
Text resumes. A bit of trial-and-error will tell you which option works best:

ƒ Web Resume: This is a personal website that combines HTML with webpage design strategies to
create a Web resume. If your interest is to show your excellent design skills, this will work. However,
it is important that your website have a professional look and air about it. So, unless your web design
and American English language skills are at the highest level, it is my opinion that an international
student or young professional seeking a US Internship is taking on a more-than-acceptable risk by
using this type of format.

ƒ Scanned Resume: This type of resume is designed and stored in a database in a form that can be
sorted and retrieved. This version has fewer design highlights. It is okay to include bulleted lists,
but that is about the extent of it. When preparing this type of resume, avoid photocopies, staples,
folds, acronyms, italics, underlining, borders and graphics. A key disadvantage is the fact that data
is often lost due to the quality of the text, formatting, and the condition of the paper when it is
scanned.

ƒ Keyword Resume: The objective in this type of resume is to highlight the specific skills and experience
being sought by the companies you are pursuing. They are typically identified by a keyword summary
that places emphasis on key nouns and phrases near the beginning of your resume. What this
accomplishes is to make your resume electronically retrievable in resume databases. It is simple to
include these keywords into your traditional resume.

ƒ ASCII Text Resume: This is a scanner-friendly type of document that can be submitted by e-mail, or
posted on the Internet. The resume is plain text, without any visuals like bolding or italics. In addition,
it is specifically formatted for length-of-line restrictions in e-mail. The way you distribute this resume
is by cutting and pasting the resume into the body of your e-mail rather than sending it as an
attachment. ASCII is the method of choice for this type of resume, because it is compatible with almost
every e-mail and word processing program.

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 US Internships…

Computers scan resumes in as an image, not as text, so there are some guidelines you should be
knowledgeable about and follow as part of your submission:

ƒ Chose standard 10 to 14-point typeface.

ƒ Use white or very light-colored 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper. Only print on one side of the paper.

ƒ Left-justify the entire resume.

ƒ Do not fold or staple the document.

ƒ Do not use italics, underlining, boxes, shading, graphics or hollow bullets. Computers are unable to
read them.

ƒ Things like parentheses, brackets, and horizontal or vertical lines do not scan properly, so avoid them.

ƒ Instead of italics or underlining, you can use all-caps or boldface type to indicate headings.

If you are interested in a detailed explanation on how to prepare a plain text resume, I suggest you visit
www.susanireland.com. This website includes simple instructions for formatting a plain text resume.

Here are some additional sites with information and e-resume services:

www.jobera.com

www.eresume.com

www.job-hunt.org

Sending your resume by e-mail places you in the same situation as sending your resume by snail mail.
That is, you have only about 15 to 30 seconds to catch the recruiter’s attention. Remember, he is sitting there
with his pointer on the Delete button and his finger paused on the mouse, ready to click. In this fraction of a
minute, he has to decide to open your e-mail and read it. If he opens and reads it, he must decide to keep it or
print it. So, how do we accomplish this?
The first important thing is that line called “Subject.” If you are contacting this individual for the first time,
you must clearly state your reason for contacting him. It may be something like “International student from
Poland, interested in an 18-month internship.” However, if you are replying to an internship that you found on-
line or in a newspaper, make sure your subject line includes any relevant codes or titles that might be asked
for.
The next thing you should do is to include a cover letter as part of your response. Do not use a generalized
form of salutation if a specific person can be identified. Address the cover letter to that specific person and/or
title whenever possible. The body of the cover letter should be targeted to the position as much as possible.
There is nothing worse (or more likely to get you deleted) than a “form” cover letter. (We will be discussing
cover letters in more detail.)
Today, with so many viruses, you should avoid sending your resume and cover letter as an attachment. In
addition, since opening an attachment requires added steps on the part of the recruiter, you are increasing the
chance that he will delete and move on, rather than go through the bother of downloading.
Finally, we previously discussed the importance of making certain that your document is properly
formatted. If not formatted properly, it will be unreadable, and this will guarantee you an instant delete. To
ensure that it looks like it should, send it to yourself first.
All these items are geared to tipping the scale in your favor. Each is a small piece in a grand puzzle
called your internship.

35
36
 US Internships…

CHAPTER 4

YOUR COVER LETTERS AND OTHER MATERIALS

Cover Letters

¾ Why do I need a cover letter?

A cover letter is very different from a resume. Your resume provides your vital statistics and reveals
whether you meet the minimum requirements for the opening you are applying for. It also provides
the reader with insight concerning your stability, continuity and loyalty. Yet hiring decisions are
actually made based on factors like personality, creativity, attitude, style, flair and drive, not statistics. A well
written, one-page, targeted cover letter can reveal more about you than a two-page resume ever could. So you
need to have both. I guess you could say it is like love and marriage: they go hand-in-hand (or at least they
should).

Not long ago, I received a cover letter from a prospective intern who said that she had
attached her CV and cover letter. I happened to look over at the size of the document and
thought, This must be one long CV! Well, as it turned out, the CV was five pages (as we
both know now, since we read Chapter 3, is too long), and the cover letter was seven
pages long. It went into every aspect of her life, and how much she wanted and needed a
US internship. I do have to admit I read it all, only because I had never seen a seven-
page cover letter. But no one else would, of course. By the way, we never considered her
for our program.

¾ What do I need to be concerned about while developing an effective cover letter?

Like the resume, appearance and appeal are important. Make sure your letter is professional looking, with
no misspelled words and correct English usage. Make it easy to skim, because your reader will spend no more
than a few seconds looking at it. (I cannot stress this point enough.)
Next, use your cover letter as a means of consolidating one or two important points from your resume that
connect to the position you seek. If you are responding to an advertisement, make sure that your cover letter
ties to the ad. Here is an example:

37
 The ad says, “Looking for an entry level engineer with strong analytical skills.” In the cover letter, you
might point out that as a third-year college student majoring in Mechanical Engineering, you feel highly
qualified because you have been on the dean’s list for the past five semesters.
Your cover letter is not another resume; use it to describe your qualities that distinguish you as a person. In
other words, this letter should be a reflection of you and your personality, not a stuffy business letter.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your cover letter should zero in on your prospective employer's
needs. The reason that this internship is available is because your employer has identified a need in his
organization. Tell him how your abilities will fill that need.
Finally, do not exaggerate, mislead or lie in your letter. The last thing you need is for it to be determined
that you are a fraud. It will more than ruin your day. It might even ruin your career.

¾ What are the key parts of a cover letter?

The cover letter is made up of the following parts. You start with the identification information, and then
your salutation, which is followed by an opening, middle and final or closing paragraph, followed by a
complimentary closing and signature. It’s a simple layout, but it can pack a great punch when used properly.
The cover letter’s layout should look like the following example:

Employer Name/Title Date

Company Name
Address Identification: Ad title or no.
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr.------------ (Important to have a particular individual to address)

Opening paragraph: In this paragraph, you want to accomplish two things. First, you
want to state the purpose of your letter. Second, you want to attract the recruiter’s
interest. Therefore, use enthusiastic verbs (action verbs) to make your point. If someone
has referred you or you received the lead from some credible source, this is the time to
mention it. This is also the place to consolidate a couple of key resume points.

Middle Paragraph: In one or two short paragraphs, you need to convey your skills,
abilities and knowledge, and show how these unique attributes will be a benefit to the
organization. You should avoid using this as a forum to repeat what is in your resume. As
an international student, realize that this letter will also demonstrate your English
language skills, and be an example of your professionalism.

Closing Paragraph: In this paragraph, you ask for an interview (it’s okay to ask for a
phone interview), and indicate when you will be available. This is also the place to
mention that you have enclosed your resume for review. Finally, express once more your
interest in the organization and appreciation for considering you for the position. This is
the place to be direct and assertive.

Yours truly,

Your Signature

Your Name

Enclosure (indicates your resume is included)

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 US Internships…

¾ How about a sample cover letter?

Now that we understand how a cover letter should look and what should be included in it, let’s look at an
example of a well-written cover letter. You can apply this sample cover letter format to almost any situation:

Mr. Henry J. Crystal August 19, 2004

Director of Human Resources
Hawthorn Engineering Associates RE: Internet Job Posting No. 2885
38 Mission Place Training Dept. Internship
Providence, Rhode Island 02456

Dear Mr. Crystal,

As a recent graduate of the Paris Institute of Engineering, I am responding to your

recent Internet posting. I am confident I can offer your firm an unusual mix of abilities,
talents, and enthusiasm. I posses a unique mastery of diverse, advanced computer
applications, which I am capable of developing into state-of-the-art training programs.

For example:

In a previous internship, I developed a training program which allowed the mechanical

maintenance staff to simulate a turbine failure and conduct on-line repairs.

I have created and presented training seminars on the installation and start-up of
boiler controls.

I received the “Engineering Computer Troubleshooting Award” for two consecutive

years.

I am outgoing and hardworking, and this enthusiasm supports my untiring ability to

train, inspire and motivate those I come in contact with.

With the training and enthusiasm I would bring to an internship with your organization,
I am confident we would both be richly rewarded. I would appreciate it if you would
allow me a phone interview. If you contact me at my e-mail address, I can make
myself available for an interview at your convenience.

Yours truly,

Howard Wilkinson
444-232-5555

Enclosure

39
 Here are some key cover letter tips to keep in mind as you develop yours. These suggestions will give your
cover letter a professional look, and these same rules and tips apply to any resume you develop.
Think of yourself as being in the marketing business. The cover letter is the packaging, your resume is the
item inside which is you. If the packaging strikes the recruiter’s fancy, he will open the package. If it does
not, he will move on to the next cover letter.

1. Use the same stationery for your cover letter that you use for your resume. Also, if possible, have your
stationery customized to include your name, address, and phone number at the top. You can also check
out some of the letterhead templates made available through some word processing programs, like
Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect. They may work especially well for an e-resume. Keep in
mind that if you chose a word processing program that is not widely used, transmitting your resume
might be a problem.

2. Address your letter to a specific individual within the organization. If this is not possible, your second
choice is to address it to the department title, e.g., “Director of Human Resources.”

3. If you take a second and look back at the letter we wrote, you will note that it is easy on the eyes, easy
to read or scan, and comprised of short, crisp sentences.

4. Make sure you date the letter, sign it, and close the letter with a proper closing like, “Yours truly,”
“Sincerely yours,” or just plain “Sincerely.”

5. The letter needs to be upbeat and positive; avoid negative issues and controversial topics.

6. This letter is your introduction. It should stress your value to the company.

Finally, keep in mind that the overall goal is to ignite enthusiasm, promote your skills, back them up with
verifiable accomplishments, and seek an interview.

¾ How do I use e-mail cover letters effectively?

E-mails tend to give us a false sense of casualness. Part of this is the result of the ease with which you
can now complete an on-line application and submit it. Often individuals will just write an e-mail and
attach their resume. As we discussed, you want to avoid having your informal approach being interpreted
as unprofessional, or worse—that you are just using a shotgun approach in your search, and are not
particularly targeting the recipient. As soon as this happens, the value of your resume drops in the mind of
the reader.
Even if e-mail is a more informal method of communication, it does not mean that you may address the
reader in a relaxed manner by using his/her first name, for example. Your goal is to distinguish yourself from
other candidates. Your e-mail should have the same appearance and professionalism as your written cover
letter, and you should refer to the recipient by Mr./Ms/Mrs.

By attaching your cover letter to your e-mail along with your resume, you can avoid your email being
interpreted as casual, and just use the e-mail as a simple vehicle for introducing your documents. However, I
don’t recommend this, because you are now asking the recruiter to download two documents. Let’s look at a
couple of examples where your cover letter is an attachment.

40
 US Internships…

E-mail cover letter #1:

E-mail

Hi Bob,

I was visiting your website while searching for an internship and I believe I would be
a good choice for the position. Here is my resume, give me a call so we can discuss.

Thanks

Jimmy

The above e-mail might be okay for a friend, but if you are looking for a good internship, it won’t work. It
is too informal and nonspecific, and lacks seriousness and professionalism.

E-mail cover letter #2

Dear Mr. Crystal:

Recently, while searching out engineering internships, I came across your listing on
the Mechanical Engineers website. It was listing No. 1013. I have attached my cover
letter and resume for your review.

Thank you for your consideration

Sincerely,

Howard Wilkinson
404-232-5555

An e-mail cover should look like the one above.

By comparing these two e-mails, we can see the impact that the second one has over the first one. The
second one says, “I am a young, serious professional who has identified a particular internship that you have
available and I am principally interested in.” Whereas the first one says, “I was surfing the Web and came
across your listing, if you have a chance give me a call, if not don’t worry, there are plenty more
opportunities.”
It doesn’t take any longer to write it the right way than the improper way, and you have added another
positive to that balance scale. There is an old saying that illustrates this: “We often don’t have enough time to
do something right the first time, but we have enough time to do it over again.”
41
 Now, if you plan to incorporate your cover letter into your e-mail, thus eliminating attaching it, here are
some suggestions you might want to consider:

ƒ Make certain that you use the subject line effectively to create interest for the reader. For example,
“Experienced Programmer seeking 18-month internship.”

ƒ Your opening paragraph must be dynamic. (Remember, you are only a click away from being deleted.)

ƒ Keep your cover letter short and to the point. Zero in on your key points. Keep it to about one screen
length—about 150 to 160 words.

ƒ Use keywords pertinent to the internship, or use industry buzzwords. Often these resumes are stored in a
database and searched by keyword.

ƒ Use ASCII text. (See previous discussions.)

ƒ Treat the e-mail cover letter with the same formality as a letter, using all the same headings and formats.

ƒ If the company has certain e-mail protocols, follow them. Check their website to verify if they have any.

ƒ It goes without saying, check your spelling and grammar. Have someone proofread it to make sure it
sounds like American English.

Portfolios

¾ What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is an effective method of highlighting your skills and experience by the use of personalized
documents, work samples, illustrations and other creative items that demonstrate your abilities and
capabilities. One of the areas it is particularly useful for is to demonstrate your written English-language skills.
For international students, the portfolio might be difficult to do because of the problems of sending copies
to a prospective employer. However, you could consider scanning it in and transmitting it as an attachment. In
all cases, only send it when it is specifically requested. Here is a recent example:
A client of Internship4America asked us to recruit a marketing intern, fluent in English, with excellent
American English writing skills and computer presentation skills. The requirement for the prospective intern
was to develop a PowerPoint presentation on the client’s company, and to write a marketing letter to a
prospective client. The documents were transmitted by email.

You can expect to see more of these kinds of requirements. That said, make a point of informing your
prospective employer that you have one available, and what is in it.

¾ What should go into a portfolio?

Should you decide to assemble a portfolio, it should be organized in a logical order and presented in an
attractive and professional format. Make sure it is in a binder, and includes a table of contents. Use headings
and index tabs so the information can be easily found. Make sure the headings in the table of contents agree
with the section and tab headings. Do not submit original documents.

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 US Internships…

Some of the materials you might consider including are:

ƒ Writing Samples: These should be in the form of letters or reports that you have done in
English.

ƒ Academic Documents: You can consider including transcripts, awards, class projects,
scholarships, licenses, test results and certifications, as well as records of professional
workshops, seminars and conferences you have attended.

ƒ Appraisals: Include letters of recommendation, performance reviews and manager or co-worker

feedback. (These should be in English.)

ƒ Research: This can include publications, research papers or scholarly papers, and samples of all
original creations that you participated in.

ƒ Self-Marketing Materials: This includes your resume and list of references, and any other
materials that promote your skills and abilities.

References

¾ Why do I need references?

We hear about how to prepare a resume and a cover letter and how to interview, but we hear very little
about how to gather references and how to capitalize on the use of them. Yet this is another area that you can
distinguish yourself in, and another opportunity to add another positive to that balance scale.
The goal is to turn your references into a testimonial that promotes you. If properly employed, they are an
effective marketing tool. Further, if obtained from the right sources, your references will provide the
information an employer needs to make an internship hiring decision.

¾ Whom should I get my references from?

First, forget about obtaining personal references from friends and relatives. We all know that your family
and friends think you are wonderful and the greatest, so these kinds of references are meaningless. What you
need to obtain is professional references. Since many of you are recent graduates, it is okay to obtain some
references from your professors and the university or school you attended. Your goal is to obtain five or six
excellent references from a variety of sources. Here is a mixture you might consider:

ƒ Two from past employers (preferably your immediate supervisors)

ƒ Two from professors (these should be professors from areas of study relative to the internship
you seek)

ƒ One from an employer, vendor or client that you were directly involved with

And

ƒ One from a co-worker

43
 These have been listed in descending order of importance, but each of these references will add a different
dimension to who you are. Your employer will be able to talk about your value, skills and abilities. Your
professors will be able to address your commitment to learning, and if you have been an outstanding and
diligent student. A vendor reference can be used as an endorsement that you are an individual who advocates
good service, is quality orientated, professional, has integrity and is customer-focused (a very important
endorsement in a marketing or sales-type position). Finally, a co-worker reference can demonstrate that you
are a team player and have leadership qualities.

¾ When should I get my references, and how do I get the right reference?

You need to start obtaining them now. The reason you want to do it as soon as possible is because you
want to make sure they look right, say the right thing and integrate with your resume and cover letter. It is
important that the resume, cover letter and references are singing the same song.
Once you have decided which companies, professors and others you want references from, contact them.
Ask them if they are willing to help you by providing you with a written reference. This should weed out
those who aren’t willing to help, or weren’t satisfied with your past performance. If you had a problem with a
past employer, but would still like his/her endorsement, you can try, as we say in the States, to eat some
humble pie and make amends. If you do, they just might give you the reference you need.
If they are willing to do it, offer to write it for them (very important). That way, you can slant it to tie in
with the internship you are seeking, and with your resume and cover letter. If they want to write the letter
themselves, then tell them the type of internship you are seeking and the attributes and skills you need them to
highlight in their letter.

¾ Is there a format for references?

Regardless of who writes the letter, it is important that it is typed, not handwritten, and on company or
university letterhead. It needs to be in English, of course. Here again, brevity is important. One page is
adequate for a reference. Make sure the letter has a date on it, and the more current the letter, the better it is. I
have seen individuals provide reference letters that were five or more years old. When references are old, they
have very little value. The more current they are, the better. Finally, if you are writing more than one of these,
make sure you vary the style of writing for each one. You don’t want the recruiter evaluating you to
misunderstand and think you have faked your references.

Often, when individuals have sent me references, they are usually loose and tend to get jumbled up with all
the other documents in an individual’s file. Here is a suggestion to consider: Consolidate your letters into a
bound folder or portfolio, with an index page in the front that contains each individual’s name, address and
phone number, and the type of reference supplied. Also, put each reference in descending order of relevance.
If you decide to, it can be sent with your resume. If you are sending it all by e-mail, it can be a
separate attachment that is easy for the recruiter to consolidate on his end. Here again, we are adding a
touch of professionalism. These are the types of things that separate you from all the others seeking an
internship.

¾ Are there any other issues concerning references that I need to know?

Your references are a valuable resource not only for this internship, but also for later job searches you
might conduct. Your goal is to build a network of individuals over time that will be available to help you.

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 US Internships…

To display your professionalism and respect for giving you the reference, I recommend that you send each
individual a thank you note along with a copy of your resume and the reference letter. This will also provide
you with an opportunity to remind the person that they might receive a call from a prospective internship
sponsor concerning the reference.
If a prospective sponsor indicates that they will be doing a reference check, be proactive and alert the
individuals that they will be receiving a call. It will help them to be mentally prepared rather than being
caught off guard.
Periodically stay in touch with your references, and keep them informed of your progress. When you have
landed an internship, take the time to send a note updating them on the internship you will be doing, where it is
located, the name of the country, and how to reach you.

Closely following the advice in this chapter goes far beyond getting the internship. It is about developing
yourself as a true professional.

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46
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CHAPTER 5

IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT INTERNSHIP

N ow that you have made the decision to do an internship by: completing your personal objectives
analysis; evaluating your advantages and possible disadvantages; and developing the collateral
materials necessary to effectively market yourself, we can proceed with confidence to identifying the
most suitable internships.

Start the identification process by first understanding the different types of internships you will encounter
during your search. Next, establish a set of criteria for evaluating the universe of internships you’ll come
across. Once you understand what you’re looking for and where to start your search, you are ready to identify
and pursue those internships you believe will meet your requirements.
By what means do you find these internships? Here, I’ll review the most common places, and then present
some alternative search procedures you might want to consider. Finally, I’ll tell you about a method to
aggressively pursue the internships you like.

Types of Internships

¾ What is a practicum?

A practicum gives you the opportunity to apply your university learning to a real-life situation. For all
practical purposes, this is what you will seek in your search. As an intern, you will be working individually or
in a group environment under the direct supervision of one of the company's managers. Through this type of
training, you’ll improve your chances of finding a meaningful job in your field of study. This kind of
experience gives you the best preparation for the transition to the business world. It will also give you a
distinctive advantage over your peer group when seeking employment.

¾ What is an externship?

What distinguishes an externship from other types of internships is the length of time involved. Typically,
an externship is only for a period of one to four weeks in length. During this period, you observe and do some
limited work as part of the program. An externship allows you to experience a typical day in the field, observe
the work environment and note the requirements of the position. This is a good method to explore a career
field without making a long-term commitment. In terms of enhancing your career, it has limited value.
47
¾ What is a co-op?

Co-op, an abbreviation for cooperative education, is a relationship established between your university and
different employers. Not all universities offer co-op programs. However, as job training takes on greater
importance, more universities and employers are pushing for these types of programs. In short, a co-op is a
three-way partnership between you, the employer and the university. Through this arrangement, work
experience is integrated into the educational process, and you receive credit for your work experience toward
graduation.
One of the ways we have seen this program employed is, starting the second or the third year of university,
the student works a semester or trimester, then studies a semester or trimester, until graduation. There are
many benefits to this program; most important, you can transition from the world of academia to the business
world with little or no transitional stress.

¾ What is “in-the-field experience”?

Students and young professionals pursuing careers in the science and sociology fields frequently use this
type of program. As is often the case, the experience is limited to one subject, or a narrow range of subjects.
However, it is a good method to develop your skills through observation, record keeping and data
interpretation. In-the-field experience is considered an effective method of converting classroom theory to
real-life application. The best results from this type of program come when the program combines direct
supervision and classroom training with independent research.

¾ What is community service learning?

These are programs designed to give you experience working with community-based organizations. These
can be elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities, or a community service program. The
programs are structured as a three-step process. During the first step, you outline your objective and the term
of service you will commit to. The second step involves performing the service work. The final step is the
development of a paper, which outlines the experience, analyzes it, and draws conclusions about the
experience.

¾ What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are primarily used for learning highly skilled trades. They also allow you to earn a living
while you are learning your trade. As you gain experience, your wages increase. Normally apprenticeships are
one to two years in length; the length is governed by the difficulty of the trade and your willingness to learn.
Some of the trades that offer apprenticeships include culinary arts, graphic arts, clothing design, jewelry and
many of the union trades (like carpentry). The union trades normally combine classroom training (provided by
the union) with on-the-job training.

For the purposes of this book, the only two types of internship that are applicable are the co-op and the
practicum. The externship is too short, and has limited value if you are seeking a US internship. It is highly
unlikely that you will get a US company to respond to or consider such a brief internship. Although the “in-
the-field experience” can be considered applicable, it is limited in scope to very distinct fields of study. As for
community service learning, these internships are more applicable to the country you live in unless your focus
of study is international in scope. Finally, apprenticeships are very distinct types of internships (if you want to
classify it as such). In actuality, apprenticeships are a separate and distinct category of highly specialized
training.

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 US Internships…

The Criteria for Evaluating the Universe of Internships

Before you start looking for the perfect internship, let’s decide what the perfect internship will look like.
Now that you understand the different types of internships, let’s look at some criteria for evaluating all the
internships that are out there. There is a wide universe of alternatives to investigate, so the objective is to
narrow down the field to those internships that will work best for you. As only one example, if you despise
cold weather, are on a strict budget, and need this internship for academic credit, you surely won’t want to do
an unpaid internship in Maine that your university will not approve for credit. So your goal is to get down to
those internships that make the most sense for you.
This process is a major reason why your journal is so important. Your decision will not be as easy as
“Pick either ‘A’ or ‘B’.” These important decisions should not be made lightly. As you evaluate the options,
record your thoughts about each option. When you make a decision, record it, and the reason why you made it.
By analyzing the factors, you will ensure that you are not wasting your time or that of a potential employer.
The journal will help you to tip the scale in your favor during the interview as well. If you keep these
records in your journal, when you are communicating with an employer, you will have a clear picture in your
head of what you are seeking. That confidence will come across to your potential sponsor and impress him or
her. This picture will also help you to ask the right questions to make your decision. As I heard one intern tell
one of our staff members, “My journal is my friend, my mentor, and at times the mirror I look into for the
truth.”

¾ Tell me about paid vs. unpaid internships.

There are various types of paid internships. The most straightforward is the internship that says you will
receive a set hourly rate or a set monthly salary. There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of
approach. The biggest advantage is that you know exactly how much you will receive, and can budget
accordingly. The disadvantage is that if you do not have a good understanding of local costs for living, food
and entertainment, you could have major problems facing you once the internship begins.

One intern I met had started his internship in New York, only to find out he could not
make his living expenses because of the cost of living there. He called us in a panic and
said, “I am interning at XYZ. I just started, but I cannot cover the cost of even a shared
apartment. Do you have anything in the South? I am sleeping at a friend’s house and I
have to move in a week. If you don’t find me something, I will have to go home.”

It is also important to find out if there exist opportunities for you to work overtime to earn extra money.
One caution: Even if there are, you cannot be assured that you will receive it, since it is up to the employer’s
discretion.

As I mentioned, there are many factors in making the right internship decision. Many interns do find the
opportunity on their own, but many do not. As an alternative, you could consider an internship with an
organization that manages internship programs. These organizations provide services that will simplify your
internship. Here is the range of services they provide:

ƒ Find you an internship

ƒ Locate fully furnished housing

49
 ƒ Provide a stipend or scholarship in lieu of a salary or hourly rate

ƒ Arrange transportation or a transportation allowance

ƒ Assist with documentation preparation for obtaining a visa

ƒ Give 24/7 emergency response

ƒ Provide airport pickup

ƒ Assist you with obtaining a Social Security number, bank savings and checking accounts, and driver’s
licenses

ƒ Give mentoring

ƒ Complete university reports and evaluations so you can obtain credit

The following is a list of organizations that provide these kinds of services, and brief information about them:

ƒ Internship4America, Inc.
www.internship4america.com
o Provides all the services listed above.
o Internships available in all fields.

ƒ American Hospitality Academy

www.americanhospitalityacademy.com
o Provides a full range of services.
o Internships only in the hospitality field.

ƒ Resort Intern Connections

www.resortinternconnection.com
o Provides all the services listed above.
o Internships only in the hospitality field.

ƒ International Exchange Center

www.isecworld.co.uk
o Provides some services.
o Internships in business, economics and IT (information technology).
o Not open to students, only to young professionals.

ƒ Global Hospitality Exchange

www.globalhospitalityexchange.org
o Provides a full range of services.
o Internships only in the hospitality field.

You will find the majority of the paid internships in the world of business. These include marketing,
hospitality, accounting, law, engineering, IT, web design, commercial banking and consulting. The more
alluring industries, such as entertainment and publishing, for the most part have non-paying internships,
because so many students are looking for these positions. There are a few paid internships, but they are so
highly sought-after, unless you are at the top of your class at a prestigious college or university, forget about
them.

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 US Internships…

Another factor when deciding whether you require a paid or unpaid internship relates to your visa. As part
of the visa process, you must substantiate your ability to adequately fund your stay in the US through either
wages, stipends, scholarships or personal monies. So if you are planning to do an unpaid internship, make sure
you can prove that you are in a position to support yourself during your stay. We will discuss this in more
detail in Chapter 9.

¾ What is the difference between credit and non-credit internships?

If this is a consideration, you must decide this factor in conjunction with your advisor at your institution of
learning. Have the discussion early on, in order to get the institution’s approval on the type of internship that is
acceptable for credit. Many institutions require the hosting organization to supply them a copy of the training
plan that will be used. To supply this is not a problem, since the hosting company is required to draft this
document for the sponsoring agency as part of the process of obtaining your visa. However, it is important to
arrange for this very early in the process.

¾ How much attention should I pay to the internship location?

Location is an important criterion. It can affect your whole attitude either positively or negatively. So do
some homework in this area. Don’t choose just one city that you like. Pick five or six that you find acceptable,
and rank them in order of desirability and influencing factors.
Here is a chart you can draw in your journal to help you decide which city or cities you like best:

Conditions Weather Cost Hi Tech Do I Cultural Hi-Tech

of Internships need a Venues Org.
Cities Living vehicle? Available
New York Too cold High Many NO Many Many
Atlanta Okay Okay Some Maybe Average Many
Chicago Too cold High Some NO Many Many
Denver Too cold Okay Few Yes Few Some
Dallas Acceptable Okay Some Yes Average Some
Miami Warm Okay Few Maybe Average Some

Using something like this chart will help you visualize and quickly evaluate those factors you find
important. Make sure you include it in your journal. Later, when you get down to choosing between
internships, the balance scale method will help you most. I will explain how to do this when we discuss how to
evaluate the different internship offers you receive.

We have seen a number of interns who fooled themselves into thinking that location wasn’t
important. Recently, we had an intern who wanted to go to Miami, Florida for an internship,
but accepted Atlanta. Not a month into the internship, she started finding problems with
everything, and created a situation where the client had to terminate her. The sponsoring
agency, feeling sorry for her, had an opening out west in ski country. All she could think
about was the glamour of Vail and Aspen, so she accepted it. A month into her new
internship, she started to complain that she couldn’t acclimate to the altitude, and wanted to
move again. I don’t have to tell you what the sponsoring agency told her this time . . . just
that here was a case of a great opportunity that went bad.

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 Now, here are some websites to help you with your evaluation process:

ƒ USA CityLink
www.usacitylink.com
Links to city guides across America.

ƒ CitySearch
www.citysearch.com
Arts and entertainment guides for major American and international cities.

ƒ Digital Cities
www.digitalcity.com
Delivering local entertainment, commerce, news, community resources, and personal interaction to
residents and visitors in many cities across the USA.

ƒ WxUSA
www.wxusa.com
Information on thousands of US cities.

ƒ US Gazetteer
www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer
Provides maps and census data for US cities.

¾ Tell me about the cost factors I should consider.

No matter what type of internship you seek, there are certain costs you will be expected to pay. Certainly,
you can ask if your employer will assist you with these expenses and/or deposits, or front you part of the cost
and deduct it from your wages, stipend or scholarship. In fact, this is so common, some employers may make
reference to any costs they are willing to absorb. Here are the most common ones you can expect to encounter.
(Keep in mind that these costs have nothing to do with your daily living costs. Rather, these costs are related to
getting here and getting started.):

ƒ DS-2019 sponsoring agency documentation costs $500 to $1,000. If you want it expedited, you may
have to add an additional $200 or more.

ƒ Mandated health insurance (based on length of internship) can range from $500 - $800.

ƒ Administrative fees can run from $25 to $250

ƒ Deposits (which are returned upon completion of internship) can range from $250 to $750.

ƒ Airline ticket costs vary based on many factors.

ƒ Apartment and utilities deposits are usually $200 to $500.

Some companies like ours, including some of the ones mentioned above, can help you reduce and control
your costs through the programs they offer. Other companies will tell you up front exactly what they are
willing to do.

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Let me repeat this one more time: If you need help with the expenses, ask. If you don’t ask, you will never
receive the help. There are times that an employer has a critical need, or business has been doing extremely
well, or . . . maybe you just asked on the right day, or he or she likes your accent and will decide to help you.
The important thing to remember is to ask about this if you will need help.
One last thought. I had an intern recently send me an e-mail saying that our program costs were more than
she wanted to spend, so she was going to look for an internship that had no costs associated with the program.
I e-mailed her back that the costs were primarily document costs, and although they might vary some, they
were real and unavoidable, regardless of who paid them. Be certain, as you consider all the costs, that you
understand what you will receive for any investment you make.
Regardless of the costs, you are highly invested in this learning experience. Therefore, it is important to
pick the right internship so that, as we say here in the States, “you get the best bang for the buck.”

¾ How much time should I allow to find my internship?

As I have said before, this is a long process, so give yourself plenty of time. You can expect to spend
up to six to nine months in this process. And, once you and an employer have come to an agreement, it
will take a solid eight weeks for you to complete the paperwork, get through the visa process and get to
your internship.
Therefore, don’t waste time on internships that start in 30 to 45 days. If you apply for one that has a short
fuse, make sure that your prospective host realizes that it might take longer than he expects. If he wants you,
he will wait for you.
On the other side of the coin, you have companies like our company and others like us who are always
working on tight deadlines, typically six to ten weeks.

These points are the ones I consider most crucial to finding the right internship. However, this list is by no
means exhaustive of the criteria you may want to consider. One thing to remember is that, with each criterion
you add, you are narrowing the field of potential internships. It is important to consider all of them, but the
fewer requirements you have, the greater your universe to choose from. Each factor is a trade-off—and a
decision only you can make.

Searching for the Right Internship

In this step, I will share with you what I consider the best places to search out an internship. These are
primarily Internet sites that you can go to and either fill out an application, or submit your resume. I will also
point out books that you can use to identify potential internships.
In fact, I recommend using both books and the Internet, since using just the Internet sites is a somewhat
passive approach. If you are truly an aggressive individual and want to turbo charge your search, you will
incorporate the third method I outline along with the other methods. My recommendation is that you use all
three approaches simultaneously. In the end, you will find that the best method was the one that got you the
internship.

¾ What are the major Internet sites for posting my resume?

Although I consider this first method passive, it can be effective, especially if you use at least some of
the other strategies I will present to you. The following is a list of Internet sites that you can register with.
This is not an exhaustive list, but these are the most widely used sites by students, young professionals
and employers.

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 ƒ Rising Star
www.rsinternships.com
Here, you can complete an on-line application, and make it available to employers. You can also
search out internships that companies have listed. This site also offers a number of articles on
internships. (Note: This site is the runner-up on Yahoo’s 10 Top College Sites (May 2000).)

ƒ Internships.com
www.internships.com
Like Rising Star, this site has a variety of resources available. You can post your resume, and
review companies seeking interns. Internships.com is also the exclusive distributor of the “National
Internships Guide.”

ƒ Internship Programs.com
www.internshipprograms.com
This is an extensive site with many job listings. This is also a popular site, with over 250,000
resumes posted. The site includes a chat area for discussing your job search with fellow interns.

ƒ Internship4America
www.internship4america.com
This site offers internships for domestic and international students, as well as for young
professionals in a variety of fields. You can submit your resume, which is retained in the company’s
private database. The company uses this database to fill the positions that it is contracted to fill. All the
internships include furnished housing, stipend and transportation allowance.

ƒ InternWeb.com
www.internweb.com
This company has a comprehensive database of internships in a variety of fields, a newsletter that
you can sign up for, and useful articles.

ƒ CareerBuilder.com
www.careerbuilder.com
This very large site includes not only internships, but also permanent jobs.

ƒ Monster.com
www.monster.com
As the name implies, this is a “monster” of a site with listings for internships and permanent jobs.

ƒ Vault Internship Advice

www.vault.com
At this site, you can post your resume and also review internships that have been posted by
employers. There is access to a career library, which includes guides to top companies, law firms,
consulting firms, etc. Additionally, the site has an extensive research database with information on
3000 companies.

ƒ Hospitality Jobs Online

www.hospitalityonline.com
This site has a job board, which lists other job boards where you can post and find internships in the
hospitality industry. It also has a “cost of living” section that will give you links to follow with
information on not only cost of living, but also other related issues.

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 US Internships…

ƒ 4Work.com
www.4work.com
This is a site where jobs and internships are posted by both applicants and employers.

¾ Can you give me a list of books and guides that list internships?

This is the second method that I recommend for locating internship opportunities. You can go through the
following books to find internships, company information and a host of other relevant data to help you. The
information is well-laid-out and easy to use. Again, this is another more aggressive approach.

Internships 2004 (Peterson’s Internships, 2004), by Petersons

Lists nearly 50,000 paid and unpaid opportunities located all over the world.

The Internship Bible, by Mark Oldman (author), Samer Hamadeh

This guide gives you the most current information on more than 100,000 internships.

National Internship Guide (distributed by Internships.com)

This set of guides presents internships available with corporate, governmental, non-profit, and
educational entities in many major areas. The internships lists are part/full-time positions in summer
only, year-round, or seasonal. The internships are paid/unpaid/tuition assistance/college credit/stipend
compensations.

America’ Top Internships, by the Princeton Review

This book lists between 15,000 and 20,000 internship positions that are available each year.

Yale Daily News Guide to Internships

This publication includes internship listings and tips for identifying positions on the Internet.

Both of the above methods are useful to locate available internships. However, if you use only one or the
other, you are taking a passive approach to finding an internship. In essence, you will be posting (or mailing)
your generic resume and waiting for someone to call. In a way, it is analogous to fishing; you put the bait on
the hook and you wait for the fish to bite. The problem is that the pond you are fishing in has hundreds of
thousands of other interns looking to catch the same fish you are.

So the question remains: How can you go fishing in a pond where there are many fish and only a few
fishermen?

¾ What are other resources I can use to identify potential internships?

The way you do it is go to some of the sites (which I will list) that profile thousands of US companies. You
sort these companies by the industry you are interested in, and you start sending e-mails, letters and resumes.
Most important, you make it a point to tell them that you have specifically targeted them as a company you
want to intern with. When you take this approach, your resume might be the only one they receive expressing
an internship interest, which means you have limited or no competition.

These are considered some of the best sites for this type of research:

Hoover’s Online: The Business Information Authority

www.hoovers.com
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 The cost of the service is somewhere around $400(US) per year. But if your intention is to separate
yourself from the pack, this is the way to go. They have a resource product called “Hoover’s Lite” that will
give you access to 25,000 primarily US companies, 180,000+ key people, 600 industries, and basic search
functions. You can also use this to research permanent employment later and to prepare for your interviews. It
may seem a little pricey, but it has amazing potential. Of course, you could share the cost with a friend or
friends who may also be looking for an internship. Another possibility is to check with your local public or
university library; they might have access to this resource or something similar.

BusinessWeek Online: Marketplace

www.businessweek.com
You can use this site to do research on different companies. If you are only researching one or two
companies, it is fairly inexpensive. If you do anything in-depth, it will get expensive.

Monster.com
www.Monster.com
Their website includes a database of company profiles that you can use for your research.

Career Mart
www.careermart.com
This site contains many long-term internships.

Interbiznet.com
www.interbiznet.com/hunt/
At this site you will find a wide variety of articles and news that can be used in your search.

Yahoo
http://dir.yahoo.com/Education/Career_and_Vocational/Career_Planning/internships/
Here you will find a wealth of links to all kinds of internship information, jobs, and research
material.

Job Track
www.jobtrack.com
This site is part of Monster.com and contains lots of useful information in helping you identify an
employer.

Find a Job USA

www.findajobusa.org
This is a site that lists internships available through a database of employers who host interns on a
regular basis or are first timers.

Although it seems pricey based on the research I have done, Hoover’s is your best bet. If you intend to
target many companies (you should), and put on an aggressive campaign, then you will need a service with an
extensive database.

You could also consider using American newspapers, journals and periodicals. For a great listing of
newspaper Internet sites go to:

http://ajr.newslink.org/news.html

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 US Internships…

To find the right internship can be a months-long process, with no guarantee of finding a perfect
internship. However, if you are willing to invest enough time and use a methodical, persistent approach, your
chances are high of finding an internship that will meet almost all of your expectations.
To accomplish this, probe and research the websites that are listed in this chapter. You will find that by
combining the Internet, a healthy dose of curiosity and persistence, a world of opportunities awaits you.

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 US Internships…

CHAPTER 6

INTERNSHIP CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES

¾ What approach should I use to find an internship?

W hile it can be frustrating for someone who is eager to reach his or her goal, a diligent cookbook
approach is best—where you attentively proceed, step by step, until you accomplish your mission.
If you assume that the quality of your resume and your level of experience are on a par with all the
other interns searching for an internship, you can still outperform the other interns. Actually, even if they are
more qualified than you are, by pursuing an aggressive approach, you can win the internship game. You aren’t
going to wait for employers to come looking for you; you’re going to go looking for them. “If the quality is the
same, then quantity is the game.” And the goal of the game is to get you in front of as many decision makers as
possible.
“Wait a minute,” you are saying, "I am too far away to do that."
That’s true. Of course you can’t show up in person. But you can accomplish this by getting your name,
your cover letter and your resume in front of the employer. Together, the cover letter and resume is the carrot
for an employer to contact you for a phone interview. These documents can create sufficient interest for the
employer to want to learn more about you.
This is not a perfect system. What appeals to one individual might be a turn-off for another. You are
dealing with personalities, and there are as many different ones as there are people. You may think you have
the best resume and the best qualifications, but the person who is looking at it may not be impressed. You
cannot know what will impress the recruiter doing the hiring. You might be selected because of the country
you are from, or perhaps you attended the same school, or maybe the recruiter did a similar internship when he
was younger. In the final analysis, the decision process is subjective and flawed. So if all you have is a resume
and a cover letter, how do you play the game and win?
Your goal is to tip the balance beam scale in your favor. If you do enough things right, you will outweigh
the negatives. Again, this is not an easy process, or free from frustration, but if you want results, this three-
pronged approach is most likely to yield them.
First is the Internet websites. Get on-line and register with all those I have listed. (If you find any I have
missed, register with those also.)
Another area to look for sites to post your resume is websites in your area of specialization. As an
example, if your specialty is hotel management, do a search for “Hotel Internships” and/or “Hospitality
Internships.”
Locating and listing these sites should take you a couple of days. Next, go to Amazon.com and purchase, at
a minimum, Internships 2004 and The Internship Bible. (As I said before, this will serve as your second
approach.)
The third is to go on-line and sign up for Hoover’s, or use Vault.com or Monster.com.
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 Now, you are ready to get serious.
Understand right from the beginning that finding a good internship depends on how many recruiters view
your resume. What will make a difference at the end of the day is who sent out the most resumes, contacted
the most companies, and had the most interviews. That is why you need all the resources listed above.

¾ Where do I start for an aggressive approach?

First, get prepared. I have often heard it said that getting prepared to do a job is 70% of the job. This is no
different from a doctor getting ready to do surgery; when he walks into the operating room, all the tools and
equipment are laid out, ready to go. All the attending staff know their jobs. Every step has been planned in
advance. All that remains is the execution of the procedure. You need to take the same approach.
Each time you send out a letter or e-mail, you should generate a copy and file it. You will want to go back
from time to time and be able to review every communication that you have had with a particular company.
Make this a part of your journal.
Develop a spreadsheet to track every piece of correspondence that you send out. At first it will seem like a
waste of time, because you’ll think you can keep up with it in your head. But as the correspondence starts to
increase, the spreadsheet will be an invaluable asset. Your spreadsheet should include:

• the company’s name,

• the employer’s name, address, and phone number,

• the date you sent the resume,

• which resume you sent (assuming multiple resumes),

• which cover letter (again, assuming multiple cover letters), and

• columns for follow-up and results.

The easiest way to do this is in Microsoft Excel. If you do not have Excel or another spreadsheet program,
you can create a table in Microsoft Word. Let’s look at an example:

Company Phone Date Resume Cover

Key Person Follow-up Result
Name/ # Sent Sent Letter
Date
Address

ABM Co Talking
555 E Alpha about
404- Sept. Yes Yes
Drive Mr. Harvey Call on adding a
555- 12 Resume Resume
Jackson, Beaker 10/15 finance
1221 2004 #3 #5
Florida intern in
39876 October.

Called.
Colony Hotels Told to call
32 Piedmont 568- Yes Yes again on
Mr. Robert Oct. 4th Call back
Circle 789- Resume Resume Nov. 15.
Sanders 2004 Oct 31
Dallas, Texas 2356 #2 #1 May have
30233 position
approval.

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You might want to include extra columns to improve your tracking, and add other information. Even if you
are sending these resumes by e-mail, you should still use this tracking procedure. Having this type of record
will greatly improve your tracking of the many resumes you will be sending out.

Searching for an internship can be difficult, tedious and exasperating at times. You can count on having
many discouraging moments. Therefore, work to keep a good attitude as you proceed. You will be facing lots
of rejection—likely, at least a 92% rejection rate—so work to keep your chin up. Every time you get a
rejection, just smile; that means you are that much closer to being offered an internship!
However, this is one reason why we are advocating the three-pronged approach. The more places you have
posted your resume and the more resumes and letters you have out to employers, the better your chances of
finding an internship.
Another suggestion: Give serious consideration to having multiple resumes and cover letters, where each
resume is slightly different, or has a slightly different look. Here is why:
In many companies, this is how the hiring process works. A human resources manager places an ad in a
Sunday paper, or on a major job-search website. The flow of resumes will start on Monday when a few
resumes will arrive. By Wednesday or Thursday, most of the resumes will be received. Over the next week,
the flow will subside back to a few scattered ones. At this point, the reviewer might have anywhere from 100
to 200 resumes to review. However, if they placed a notice on an Internet posting site, it could be a lot more.
As we pointed out before, with perhaps hundreds of resumes to review, each resume can expect no more
than a cursory review of 20 to 30 seconds by that manager. So how does a reviewer get through this? By
choosing criteria that will automatically reject resumes or cover letters.
What are these criteria? That depends on the reviewer. It could be as simple as the color of the paper, or
the lack of a clear objective, or the lack of some attribute that that particular reviewer deems important.
Because of the randomness of the selection process, the chances are good that the best candidate for the
position will be rejected or deleted. This probably doesn’t agree with your sensibilities or sense of fairness, but
that’s the way it is in real life. So, the person more likely to get the internship is the one who has the best job-
searching and presentation skills.

Here is a personal example from my own career that points out how you can be passed over:

Many years ago, when I was a young engineer, I applied for a position with a company that
had just been awarded a major facility management contract at what would become the
world’s largest airport. A couple of months later, I was contacted by the recruiter for this
project, and told that I had been recommended for the position by a former employee. I
interviewed and got the position.

In a subsequent conversation with the recruiter, I asked if my resume had played a part in my
obtaining the position. As it turned out, they had received hundreds of resumes for the
position, and the recruiter didn’t even remember receiving or seeing mine. So my resume
and cover letter didn’t get me the interview. If the normal course of events had occurred, I
would not have gotten the job.

The big question remains, “Did the best qualified person get the position?” We will never
know. Yet in retrospect, it was the turning point in my career. I became president of that
company, and went on to build my own facility management company.

So, you could theoretically be the best candidate for an internship and have an excellent cover letter and
resume, and still be rejected in the selection process. As we said before, the process is flawed in part because
the recruiter is trying to make an objective decision using subjective evaluation techniques.
Don’t despair yet, because we are going to review techniques to overcome these barriers.
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 Some would lead you to believe that using some of these techniques is too aggressive an approach. Let me
respond with a cliché: “All is fair in love and war.” Which means, “Are you willing to do whatever it takes to
get the internship?” Only you can answer that question.

In statistics, there is a law called the “The Law of Large Numbers,” which says that the more times you do
something, the closer the distribution of the sample will be to the distribution of the population.
Confused? Let me give you an example. The probability of rolling two fair dice and getting a seven is one
time in six tries. If you roll the dice six times, you will get one seven. Maybe (or maybe not), the same goes for
12, 18, or 24-rolls. However, if you roll the dice 600 times, you can expect to see about 100 7s. This
essentially says that, in the end, the observed distribution approaches the distribution predicted by the
probabilities.
This is actually a simple concept to grasp. It says that the more calls you make, the better your chances of
making a sale—or getting an internship—irrespective of your skills, or your resume and/or cover letter.
Obviously this assumes that the playing field is relatively level—that all the resumes are at least average–
looking, and the content is average at minimum.
Here’s another way to think of it. Many marketing-and-sales manuals and training programs will tell you
that if you make 10 sales contacts, one customer will actually buy your product. But remember, the rule we
just discussed is called The Law of Large Numbers. Therefore, if you make 10 sales contacts or send out 10
resumes, you shouldn’t count on making one sale, or getting one interested response about an internship. What
is being said is that if you send out a sufficient number—that could be 100, 200 or maybe 500 or more
resumes—the numbers will show up over the long haul as reliable and consistent.
Some US recruiting companies use this same approach to help professionals find employment. They
generally send out anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 resumes. One engineering intern I met told me that he
figured out this concept after having taken a statistics course. When he used this approach, he sent out about
600 resumes and cover letters. From the 600, he received 20 inquires for more information, nine interviews
and three internship offers.
We will discuss this again when we discuss “broadcasting as a strategy”
Since this is a statistics problem, how do you go about affecting the outcome?

¾ What tactics and strategies should I employ?

In the final analysis, it is all a numbers game. Here are some tactics and strategies you can use to improve
your chances:

ƒ Use multiple resumes. Send out more than one resume to an employer. The more you send, the more
your chances improve. Each mailing should have a slightly different cover letter and resume, and send
them on different days. What you want to do is give each mailing out a unique look. By doing this, you
will improve the chances that your letter and resume will be reviewed. (This is also more probable if
multiple resume reviewers are involved.) You can do the same thing if you are e-mailing or faxing
your resume.

One intern who asked us to write her resume had us develop three resumes with
three different objectives. “I have three areas I am interested in in the hospitality
field,” she told us. “So, with three resumes, I can apply for three different internships
at three different hotels or for three different positions at the same hotel. This will
give me real flexibility.”

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ƒ Send your resume late. Here is a scenario that happens more often than you think. A recruiter receives a
couple of hundred resumes. He goes through the screening process to eliminate as many as he can, then
presents the final choices to management. They are not impressed with any of them. The process I just
described can take upwards of a month or more.
Can you picture this recruiter, after a month of work, ending up with no candidates? It happens all the
time. It has happened to us. By sending your resume late (you should send it on time also), your resume
may arrive at the time there are only three or four candidates left—or none, as the case may be. So you are
now being compared to three or four, not 200. Or, your resume could be the only one he has in hand that
hasn’t already been rejected.
On closer review, many Internet postings have been there for a long time. So if you want, you can go to
ads that ran three, four, or even six weeks ago and respond. The worst that can happen is to be told the
internship is gone. I will tell you what one intern did to us. He faxed us his resume every week for about
eight weeks, until we finally found him an internship. He used the “Pestering Effect,” and for him, in this
case, it worked.

ƒ Go up and down the chain of command. Send your cover letter and resume to the president of the
company, the director of human resources and the recruiter with a “cc:” and the appropriate names on each
piece. The benefit that you will receive from this approach is that when the staff members note that your
resume has been sent to the president, they will have a tendency to review it more closely. Granted, the
president will most likely not give it much attention, but he will probably send it to the appropriate
department. Through this approach, your resume may actually get a second or even a third review. Again,
you can follow this same procedure if you are e-mailing or faxing your documents.

ƒ Become comfortable with “the warm call.” Let’s start by discussing the problem with cold calling, which
is calling without previously establishing contact. I realize that there is a host of related problems when
placing international calls, starting with the cost of long distance, to timing and bad connections. For the
purposes of this strategy, we will assume that these problems are nonexistent and/or surmountable. Even
so, cold calls are generally met with rebuke, because they never seem to happen at an appropriate time
for the person receiving the call. Because of the inherent strain involved with cold calls and the
uncomfortable feeling that it generates in you, the tendency is to rush through your presentation. (I am
sure this has already happened to you on more than one occasion.) The natural response to one of these
calls is for the recruiter to say, “I am not interested,” or “We are not hiring,” which leaves you with not
much to say.
So many people I have worked with, including interns that I have mentored, literally hate cold calling.
This also applies to me: I can circle a phone all day and come up with many excuses to not make the call.
So I will tell you the approach I used first to overcome this reluctance—I commit myself to a date and time
that I will call. This really helps. One intern told me that she lined up her calls, one after the other, on a 20-
minute schedule, so she wouldn’t have time to think about what she was doing. She was so busy dialing
the telephone, talking, and then rushing to the next call, she had no time to contemplate what she was
doing until it was over.
If those ideas don’t work, how do you get around this? You can turn your “cold” calls into “warm”
calls.
Start by sending a letter of introduction in advance via e-mail, snail mail or fax to the person, letting
them know that you will be calling them. Make sure you include the date and time.
When you call, identifying yourself, indicate that you are calling internationally, and that you are
calling with regard to either the letter (or fax or e-mail) that you previously sent.
Your first question should be, “Did you receive it?” This should follow on the heels of your statement
that you sent a letter. Here is how it should sound:

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 Phone: Ring, Ring, Ring…

Person: Hello, this is John Stokes.

You: Hi, this is Ignacio Sanchez calling from Brazil.

How are you today? I am calling you with regard
to a letter I sent you about a week ago. Did you
receive my letter, and did you have an opportunity
to review it?

The response that you will most likely get is something like, “I’m not certain,” or “I don’t quite
remember,” and he would like it if you would refresh his memory about the letter and its contents. This is
the opportunity you have been waiting for.
Start by giving a brief summary of the letter. Don’t speed through it. Make your conversation very
matter-of-fact, and display confidence. At this point, ask again if he recalls the letter. The objective is to
get this individual to talk to you and assist you. (Remember, open-ended question generate discussion.
These questions cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.)

Let’s take what we started in the last example a step further:

Phone: Ring, Ring, Ring…

Mr. Hello, this is John Stokes.

Stokes:

Ignacio: Hi, this is Ignacio Sanchez calling from Brazil. How are you today? I am calling
you with regard to a letter I sent you about a week ago. Did you receive my letter,
and did you have an opportunity to review it?

Mr. You know, I don’t recall receiving your letter. Exactly what was it in reference to?
Stokes:

Ignacio: As I said, I am from Brazil, and I am a student in Mechanical Engineering. I have

been researching engineering companies in the mechanical design field that have
an excellent reputation in biomechanical engineering. Your company has piqued
my interest. Especially interesting to me is the research you are pursuing on
electromechanical limbs. I am interested in doing an 18-month internship with your
company. Do you recall my letter?

Mr. (Response…)
Stokes:

Ignacio: (Respond with another open-ended question. For example: “Could you tell me
about your biomechanical program on heart development?” (Display genuine
interest; build confidence with the person you are talking with by showing that you
know about the company and what it is doing.)

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When you make this kind of call, it is important to display your knowledge about the company. This
shows that you are a mature professional who has done his research and who has a genuine interest in the
company.

I hope you are starting to understand that there is no one way of going about this, just as there is no right
way or wrong way. Yet as I said before, the best way is the one that lands you your internship.

¾ Okay, I have made contact. How do I follow up?

The typical student or young professional sends out a cover letter/resume to an employer and waits for a
reply. If they don’t receive a reply, they generally forget about it and try another company. However, you now
know that this isn’t the best way.
Consider what is really happening when you send that resume. Your resume and cover letter is your
introduction. You are saying, “Here I am.” If you don’t receive a reply and move on, you are now saying,
“Well, I was only marginally interested anyway, and not serious at all about the position.”
However, by following up, you are saying, “Hey, I sent you a letter because I am interested, seriously
interested. And I am not going anywhere until you deal with me.” By being persistent, you will differentiate
yourself. So your next step after sending the resume is to call.
Most of your peers won’t do this, so you are now one of the few students who are being pro-active. By
doing this, your name is also back in front of the recruiter again. This provides you with an opening to discuss
the situation and, if this is where the road leads, to explore other possibilities. For instance:
Since you are seeking an internship, you have the option of flexibility. Maybe if the recruiter finds out that
you’re willing to take on some mundane tasks, he will be willing to offer you an internship in the area you are
interested in. Or, maybe they know someone at another company that would be interested. The important thing
is, you have made a connection with someone that you can network with in the future.
Regardless of how this conversation goes, you want to end it with the request, “May I call you from time to
time to see if any internships open up?”
Ninety-nine percent of the time, you can expect to receive a yes. Certainly, they might say yes just to get
you off the phone. But that’s okay; you still have a yes, which means you can call freely.

Now that you have established this contact, follow up with another letter thanking them for the opportunity
to discuss your situation, and that you appreciate the opportunity to call on them again. This provides you with
an open invitation to call again in the near future.
This strategy is also known as the squeaky wheel method. For those of you who are not familiar with the
squeaky wheel concept, it simply means that the wheel making the most noise (or the person making the most
noise) will be attended to first. Why? In both cases, to stop the noise!
We have a number of interns who contact us on a regular basis, and their e-mails start like this: “Hi, this is
Su-hee from Korea. I sent you my resume a few months ago to see if you had an internship in marketing for
me. I just want to let you know I am still interested. Can you let me know if you have anything coming up?” In
Su-hee’s case, after about six months we had an internship come up, and since she stayed in touch, she got the
internship.
So what you want to do is over the coming weeks and months is to follow up with letters, phone calls, e-
mails or faxes. Remember along with being friendly and polite in your approach, you want to remain constant
and persistent. By continuously placing your name in front of the recruiter every so often, the person receiving
your correspondence will get to know you, and will eventually try to help you. Over time, this individual will
likely become a supporter of yours, and the benefits will go far beyond your internship search campaign.
Throughout your career, you will need resources that you can call on from time to time. So look at this strategy
with a very long view.

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¾ What is a broadcast letter, and how do I use it?

With some of the resources that I listed previously, like Hoover’s, Monster.com and Vault.com, you are in
a position to easily conduct a broadcast letter campaign. The broadcast letter is an unsolicited letter indicating
that you are interested in the company, and that you want them to get acquainted with you and what you have
to offer.
When you send this out, indicate upfront that you know that there are no internships currently available
based on your research. You should also state that, if they are willing to consider you, you can bring some
compelling benefits they might want to consider. Indicate that your internship is cost effective; you come with
your own health insurance, and you are flexible and willing to take on some of the humdrum tasks for an
opportunity to learn from them. (One caution: If you include this, I suggest you learn about the cost-savings
involved in using interns, because you might be asked for specifics.)

In spite of what the name implies, a broadcast letter doesn’t mean that you will send out resumes willy-
nilly. Make sure you have done your research. Use the search resources we discussed to find those companies
that match your background and the type of internships that interest you. Make sure you understand what the
business is all about, and whom the key players are. Identify at least three people in each company that you
can broadcast (send your letter) to. If you know the position of the primary person you are targeting, send it to
his boss and his boss’s boss, especially if he is the president of the company.
You are going to have to do all the steps including the follow up calls, etc., so don’t waste any money, time
or resources in this effort. If your broadcast letter brings interest, you will want to be able to respond quickly
and knowledgably. So do your research, and have your notes always ready.

¾ What are other strategies that I should consider?

Here are some fine-point suggestions, but they are only suggestions. Keep that balance scale in mind every
time you read about the following ways to differentiate you. These suggestions will make your letter stand out
from the other pieces of mail, and cause the recipient to be sufficiently curious to want to open your letter.

• Most companies get their mail in a standard business envelope. Here in the US, it is a #10 size
envelope. You can improve your chances by simply changing the size to an off-size.

• Another idea is to mail it in a large, flat envelope. This way, your resume doesn’t have to be folded.
Besides drawing attention to it in a stack of smaller envelopes, this makes it easier on the reader
because he or she doesn’t have to constantly smooth out the letter because of the creases.

• In addition, most mail comes with typewritten name and address. So, consider handwriting the
name and address on the envelope.

Whether you use the above suggestions or not, the main idea is to mail out as many letters as you can
afford to do. You can stage the mailing over some reasonable timeframe, but the idea is to continuously keep
the process going.
Remember that the whole idea of this approach is to get your name in front of as many employers as
possible. The difficult but rewarding work that produces results comes from your follow-up efforts. This
whole process has taken a lot of effort on your part. So once you have established a contact, you want to
continue making the effort to stay in touch. You are in this for the long-term, and your internship is only the
beginning of your career. Over the years to come, you will change jobs, need information, or require a
resource. These relationships can serve you well. These people you have contacted can become part of your
future network. So from time to time, contact those you have communicated with. When you find your
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internship, send out a short letter letting them know the internship you found, and where in the US you will be
located. If you are in the same city or a neighboring city, make the effort to call or visit while you are in town.
When you visit without a self-serving agenda, you are building a relationship. These types of relationships
have an uncanny way of paying off in a big way down the road. It will be much easier for you to go back later
when you do need something, or are looking for a new position.
Obviously, as you build this network, get each person's e-mail address; it is the simplest way to stay in
touch. That said, remember that the greatest impact still comes from the old letter-written-on-paper.

¾ Are there any other networking tips I need to consider?

Some of these points might seem a little redundant, but considering their importance, hearing them twice
cannot hurt:

ƒ Know what you are looking for from your contact. Ask specific open-ended questions to get specific
answers. If you aren’t sure what you are after, they won’t be either.

ƒ Ask for advice. The answer to the question, “Do you have a job available?" is easy. “No.” You need to
focus your questions on other issues, like industry advice, advice on the geographic areas, etc. The job
insights will follow. By positioning yourself in this manner, you will be building value for you, and in
turn, your contact will be more comfortable about assisting you with your search.

ƒ Flatter those that are part of your network, if you can do it without being obvious. The best way is to
use tact, courtesy and flattery.

ƒ If the person you are networking with is unable to assist you, ask for a referral. When you approach the
referral, tell the person the name of the person who referred you. It is the easiest way to get that
person's attention.

ƒ Don’t abuse the networking process. Networking is a two-way street. Be brief, and offer something in
return. It can be an offering of your professional services, or something as simple as lunch (if you are
in the same city or country).

ƒ Display interest in your contact. Mr. Cavette Robert, one of the founders of the National Speakers
Association, said, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Make sure you show how much you care.

An intern from New Zealand was interviewed by one of our clients, a construction
company involved in a major airport expansion program. After the interview, the client
called and said, “We were so impressed with Robert, because he was so
knowledgeable about our airport project. Even knew the name of the project manager.
If he is willing to go that far to get an internship, we want him.”

While some of the suggestions in this chapter might seem too time-consuming, or too difficult to
implement, Robert’s experience should show you that extra effort frequently gives excellent returns for the
investment made.
As you contemplate the concepts that you have been introduced to in this chapter, remember that trying
them is not fatal, even if you fail. However, not getting an internship may be very disappointing. So open
yourself to these new ideas and concepts. Give them a try. You might just surprise yourself.

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CHAPTER 7

PREPARING FOR AND CARRYING OUT YOUR INTERVIEW

Interview Preparation

T o perform your best during an interview, it is important that you know and understand the rules of the
interviewing game. Although many of you will have phone interviews, I will discuss this subject from
the perspectives of both in-person and telephone interview. There are many overlapping issues, and at
some point, you will need to know the fine points of an in-person interview too.

¾ What are the different types of interviews I might encounter?

Whether in-person or telephone interview, every employer’s objective is the same—to further evaluate
their candidates. However, the approach used by employers varies widely. Let’s begin by examining the
different types of interviews you might encounter:

ƒ Vetting Interview

A vetting interview can be thought of as a screening interview, since it is used to ensure that
applicants meet the minimum requirements of the internship. Individuals who perform these interviews
are considered “gatekeepers.” This phrase is often used to describe any individual within an
organization that acts as a buffer for another individual. The gatekeeper’s objective is a somewhat
negative one—to determine factors that will disqualify you for the position. They are not concerned as
to whether you are the best person for the internship; they only want to identify those things in your
resume that will eliminate you from consideration. They look for things like problems with past
employment, coursework that isn’t applicable to the internship—anything that points to some
discrepancy in your documents. Their job is to reduce the number of candidates that are being
considered to a manageable number.
Here are some ways to help you during this type of interview.
First, make sure that you underscore your accomplishments and your qualifications for the
internship.
Second, in this type of interview, the candidate’s personality is not a key factor for the individual
doing the screening. If you have any strategies planned to demonstrate your personality strengths, save
them for the next interview.
Third, what is important is the verification of your qualifications; therefore, address the questions
asked directly and concisely.

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 Last, if this is a phone interview, prepare notes in advance with all your important information
readily available. (We will discuss phone interviews in more detail later.)

ƒ The Networking Interview

We have briefly discussed this type of interview as one way to turbo charge your internship search
campaign. In terms of stress, this should be a very low-stress interview, since you initiated this
meeting. This type of interview works especially well with recruiters that like to stay informed about
who is available even if they have no existing internships or jobs. It provides them an opportunity to
share their knowledge, and they are often flattered by your personal interest. It is a great way to get to
know each other without a specific internship or position on the table.

If you decide to initiate one of these interviews, here are some considerations for the meeting:

• Prepare well-thought-out questions in advance. (This will demonstrate your

professionalism.)
• Ask for names of individuals that you could contact. This is primarily for networking
purposes, but it is also appropriate to obtain permission to use the person's name as a
reference. In doing so, make sure the person is comfortable with you contacting the
individual and using his name to gain a subsequent interview. Here is an example of why
you need to make sure beforehand:
• Prepare a “leave behind” folder, which includes your resume, contact information and
business or calling card. If possible, leave it with them.
• Make it a point to send a thank you note. We will discuss thank you notes in more detail
later.

Recently, I was discussing with a client who I should contact for our services within
a particular area. The client started to tell me about a company I was very
interested in, and indicated that he had worked for the president of this company.
Eagerly, I asked if he minded if I contacted the president and used his name. At
this point, he revealed that he had been fired by this individual, and had left on bad
terms. I quickly decided that if I called, I would not use this person's name. Had I
called without asking, I would most likely have not gotten the meeting I was after.

ƒ The Preplanned Interview

Some companies are very concerned about ensuring that all candidates are treated equally. One of
the ways they achieve this is to insist that their recruiters have a very clear agenda or format to follow
when interviewing for a particular internship or position. Normally, their questions are developed in
advance, and are designed to find out specific information on each candidate. (Having the same
information allows them to make a dispassionate decision with no bias involved.) This type of
interview can often be very intimidating, since the recruiter quickly takes control of the situation, and
might leave you feeling like you are unable to press those qualifications you deem important.
In this situation, try to accommodate the recruiter by following his lead. However, you can politely
interject when you feel that some of your strong points have been overlooked. (Remember, you can be
assertive if you are polite about it.)
An intern from Canada who interviewed for a position we had open in Human Resources told us,
“The interview I had with Mr. Glasso at XYZ was very difficult. He had very specific questions, and
would hardly let me ask a question. At the end, I asked him if I could add a few things. At first he
hesitated, but then agreed. I quickly filled in the missing points, asked a few questions, then thanked
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him. He apologized, then proceeded to tell me his company’s policy about controlled interviews to
prevent discrimination.” As it turned out, that was why the interviewer didn’t seem to want to allow my
intern to ask questions or offer information.

ƒ The Nonchalant Interview

Managers and recruiters with limited experience normally conduct this type of interview. These
individuals normally count on you to carry the interview by starting the interview with the classic
opening question, “Tell me about yourself.” I am sure you’ve heard that question before. To be honest,
I have used it myself on occasion, when I wasn’t prepared for an interview, or one was sprung on me
without notice. While this type of interview probably isn’t a good use of the interviewer’s time and
effort, it can work out well for you. It allows you to steer the discussion to specific areas, so you can
capitalize on your strong points while minimizing your weak ones.
Sound familiar? Keep that balance scale in mind, and take every opportunity you are given to
maximize and minimize.
There are some definite strategies you can use in this type of situation. First, make sure you are
prepared in advance with highlights and CPROs of your skills.
What are CPROs? That acronym stands for “Circumstance/Crisis Point, Response, and Outcomes”
of situations you have encountered in previous positions, or even in general life. The way you handle
this is by going through your resume and personal history in advance. Take the circumstances you have
been involved with; describe the crisis point that existed there for you; tell your response to the crisis
(a generalized term, not to imply a major life-changing event); and then report the outcome that
occurred. Here is an example from my own experience:

CPRO

Circumstance/Crisis Point:
I was responsible for the maintenance of a certain chemical plant. One persistent
problem was the continued and unavoidable failure of a particular heat exchanger. This
wasn’t just a minor occurrence: This heat exchanger was five stories high and 30 inches
in diameter, and one of six at the plant. When one of these units failed, it required about
seven days to conduct a change out, and the whole plant had to be shut down. This cost
the company tens of thousands of dollars per day in lost production and repair costs.

Response:
After watching the change-out procedure a few times, I felt that, with a little effort, a
procedure could be instituted to reduce the change-out time substantially. So I put
together a small group of engineers to study the process. We developed a detailed
change-out procedure. Next, we procured two large gang boxes (storage boxes) that
were filled with all the necessary tools, gaskets and other materials required to perform
the work. We even developed special tools to separate the shell from the bundle when it
could not be removed easily.

Outcome:
The change out was reduced to three days from seven days, saving the company
approximately $150M per change out.

Your own list of CPROs doesn’t have to be this dramatic, or large, but with a little research into
your work and personal history, you can probably find a number that will impress any recruiter. The
idea is to show how your presence and efforts improved a situation

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 So, having CPROs at hand is your first strategy. Second, stay attentive to the recruiter. Be
prepared in the event he changes gears on you and becomes more assertive in his questioning. At
times, interviewers will start you down one road of questioning, then change directions to see how you
respond. This is to test your flexibility in a changing environment.
Third, at some point in the interview, step back and ask questions about the company. These
should be questions you have prepared in advance. The tendency in this type of situation is to take the
ball and run. Yet in the process, you might miss important information because you neglected to take
the time to ask. Their answers will assist you with your decision if the internship is offered. Don’t let
this important opportunity pass by.

ƒ The Stress Interview

Candidates will often say they are tough and can handle the stress, only to find out that their
interpretation of stress is very different from the employer’s. Some employers feel that this type of
interview is an acceptable way of determining if a candidate fits the company’s culture. In other cases,
the recruiter knows that the day-to-day business environment you are going into is very stressful, and
wants to ensure that you are capable of handling it. The stress interview is designed to weed out
candidates who cannot handle the level of stress in a particular workplace.
This type of interview can take many forms. At times, it can occur without it being a planned
event. Some signs that you may be facing this type of interview include:

• You are left waiting for your interview for an unreasonable amount of time.

• The recruiter may challenge you directly about your resume.

• The interviewer continues to take calls during the interview, creating long pauses where you
have to sit there and wait while being made to feel like you are irrelevant.

So when things like this happen, it is important to not lose your composure. This is part of the evaluation
process, and not meant to be a personal affront to you. Have your thoughts organized and the message you
want to convey rehearsed in advance. This way, you won’t have to spend a lot of time developing responses in
the event you become flustered. (Having read this book, I’m sure you won’t find yourself in this situation.)
As I mentioned before, some of these situations are unplanned, and may even make the recruiter tense. If
the recruiter becomes disrespectful, make the effort to remain calm and tactful. Planned or not, you will be
remembered for your composure.
The following tip will help you in a stress interview, but applies in all cases: Go into your interview
relaxed and rested. To accomplish this, get a good night’s sleep in advance, and get to your interview
appointment early so you can have a few minutes to review your resume and your prepared CPROs.

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We had a young man from Canada, named Brian, who was in Atlanta on a student visa. He
called us to see if we had anything available in plant operations. As it turned out, one of our
clients, who had a manufacturing operation was looking for someone with his background and
wanted to interview him in person.

We sent Brian out to the plant for the interview. Upon meeting Brian, the plant manager
suggested they take a walk out into the plant. There, in the mist of the noise, chaos, heat and
dust, he conducted the interview.

When Brian came back, he relayed the story to us, and thought the whole meeting was bizarre.
I told him, “You have just been through your first stress interview.”

I later called the plant manager to find out how the interview went, and to find out why he had
used that approach. His response was, “It isn’t the most pleasant place to be. However, Brian
will be working in this environment on a daily basis, and I wanted to see how he reacted.”

It didn’t bother Brian, either. He took the internship, and after he finished, he accepted a
permanent job with the company as assistant plant manager.
ƒ T
h

ƒ The Behavioral Interview

Increasingly, companies are using this type of past behavioral analysis as a predictive tool to
anticipate the future performance of candidates. This is done by employing standardized methods to
extract information about applicant capability in a particular area, position or situation. This approach
is similar to the CPROs. As part of the interview, you will be asked to describe a past occasion that
presented a crisis that required problem-solving skills, adeptness, conflict resolution, self-initiative, or
the management techniques you employed. The objective is to see how you have taken situations in the
past and arrived at a satisfactory result or solution.
That is why it is important to go through your resume and personal history and to develop CPROs
for every major event that you think would be interesting to an interviewer. You should include in your
list professional, educational, volunteer and personal experiences.
One last point: make sure your CPRO stories are short and crisp.

ƒ Skills Demonstration Interview

You can anticipate this type of interview for a position like website designer, or computer systems
management internships. In this type of interview, you might be required to design a Web page as part
of the evaluation process. With certain skills, it’s helpful for companies to actually see you in action.
There are some real pluses to this, since it allows you to demonstrate your capabilities in a real-life
setting, and excel above the competition. Since this could give you the advantage you need, consider
recommending it as part of your interview if the interviewer doesn’t mention it first.
To get the most out of this type of interview, be sure you understand the requirements and the
expectations of the demonstration. On any job, understanding what must be done and following your
manager’s direction is a key factor. So before you proceed with your demonstration, ask for
clarification if you need it. Your request will be viewed positively, because our human tendency is to
avoid asking questions for fear of appearing incompetent. However, your manager wants an intern who
does the job right the first time. A candidate who is unafraid to ask questions is more likely to give that
impression.

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 The next point in doing a demonstration is to take ownership of the task you are given, and
approach it with professionalism. Employers are impressed with young people who display
professionalism, because it is an indication of their level of maturity.
And it goes without saying that you should practice the skill in advance. If you haven’t, it’s best not
to make the offer, and prepare better for the next interview opportunity.

ƒ The Group Interview

This can be a difficult situation to be in, because it requires that you quickly understand the
dynamics of the group. This is precisely why some companies frequently use this type of interview.
Through this approach, a company can easily evaluate and assess your leadership skills, determine
how you will interrelate with your co-workers, see if you have an aggressive or passive personality
when dealing with others, and determine if you are the type of person that your co-workers
instinctively turn to. As part of this interview, you might be asked to tackle a problem and develop
a solution. Or, you could be asked to defend a position or attempt to gain consensus on a subject
through persuasion.
If you are presented with this type of scenario, start by getting a handle on the group culture and
understand the rules. As we said before, if you’re not clear on what is expected of you, ask. Be
respectful and polite at all times. Stay calm, because these types of situations can get some people hot
under the collar, and the next thing they know, they are saying things they later regret. While it’s
understandable to want to perform well, avoid overpowering the other members of the group, because
it will make you seem like you are not considering them. Finally, stay focused on the recruiter; you can
gain valuable insight by watching his body language.

ƒ Panel/Board Interview

I have used this approach on more than one occasion, and find it very effective. Many companies
these days work in teams, and this approach allows the team to evaluate how you affect the dynamics
of the group. A similar type of interview involves you visiting and interviewing with a series of
different staff members. These types of interviews normally take the better part of the day, and can be
fatiguing.

Here are some ways to get the most from this type of interview:

• First, how you interact with each individual can be a potential pitfall, so make sure you treat
each of them with the same level of respect and deference. If all the interviewers are in the
room at the same time, when answering a question, look around the room to each of the
members as you give your answer. This will show that you view each with equal importance.

• Learn each person's name (and write it down if possible) so you can refer to them individually
when addressing them. To help keep track of each interviewer, get their business cards if
possible at the beginning of the meeting. Place their business cards in front of you in the order
in which they are seated.

• Make it a point to gain as much knowledge about the company as you can from each member.
Each member of the staff has a different view on the company, and it will help you in your
evaluation of the company.
• If you know in advance that you will be facing many individuals, prepare many CPROs so you
won’t find yourself repeating the same stories.

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• This can be a draining experience, so get lots of rest in advance, pace yourself during the day,
and stay poised. You don’t want to show that you are starting to fatigue around 2:00 or 3:00
p.m., because this might be interpreted that you lack stamina.

ƒ The Lunch Interview

This is where the interviewer eats and you talk while your food gets cold. All joking aside, this type
of interview really has a personal flavor to it. Some companies like to use this approach because it
gives them the opportunity to observe their candidate in a setting that is less formal. Others only have
this type of meeting with their very top candidates. Either way, you should look upon this as a positive
and significant opportunity.
It is important to just relax and go with the flow during this type of interview. The downside is that
your interviewers will be watching everything from how you treat the host and the waiters, to how you
handle your fork and knife. To keep this interview a positive experience, there are some things to keep
in mind—including the most basic, which is the proper manners for this type of occasion:

• Do not sit until your host does.

• Don’t order the most expensive thing on the menu.

• When ordering, avoid foods that are complicated to eat, such as lobster or escargot, which
require your hands, bibs and many, many napkins.

• It will impress your host if you ask for their suggestions about what to order. If your host insists
you try something he or she feels is exceptional, try it. (Unless, of course, you are severely
allergic to it. Even then, apologize profusely for the refusal.)

• Do not begin eating until your host begins.

• Forget about your diet or dietary restrictions. If you are a vegetarian, chose wisely without
bringing attention to it. If your host orders coffee and dessert at the end, join in, or at the
minimum order coffee.

Remember to go with the flow, even if that is frustrating. If your host decides that, instead of
discussing business, he would rather discuss his recent ski trip, don’t try to change the subject back to
business. Just follow his lead. At the end of the meal, make a point to thank your host for the meal.

ƒ The Second, Third and More Interviews

Some companies will bring you back for second and possibly additional interviews. There could be
a host of reasons for this. This might be a stress tactic to see how you respond. They might be
comparing you with others. Perhaps they are unsure about their decision, and want another chance to
interview you. It’s also likely that they want to make sure that all the right staff members have had a
chance to meet you.
Whatever the case, it is an opportunity for you to reestablish and strengthen your relationship
with those you have met before. Your focus and concentration should be less on things like CPROs and
more on how your skills fit with the company’s needs—and especially, how you can contribute to the
success of the organization. At this point, you can be more relaxed, but you should still maintain a
reserved approach . . . kind of like “one of the boys.” (Don’t go so far as to slouch back in the chair and
put your feet on the desk. Then, you have crossed the line into inappropriate behavior.)
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 Here are some pointers on how to manage this type of interview. First, be friendly. Don’t complain
or show any agitation at having been called back. Display a confident manner and your continued
interest in the company. Use this opportunity to lean more about the company.

¾ What should I know about myself to prepare for the interview?

During my many years of interviewing students and professionals, this is the area that most have a difficult
time dealing with. It seems that most interviewees and students aren’t prepared to answer questions like,
“Where do you see yourself in three (or five, or ten) years?” or, “What do you consider your shortfalls?” Yet
you must be ready to answer such questions.
Self-reflection can be difficult, so the best way to prepare for this is to do it in advance. Just as you
practiced your CPROs, you need to practice the answers to these types of questions. When developing your
answers, contemplate not only your professional life and current environment, but also your past, and your
vision of your future. Write or type out the answer to each question so you can review them before your
interview.

Once, I was mentoring a particular intern. As part of his preparation for some
upcoming interviews, I had him go through his life and develop as many CPROs as
he could, plus answer many of the questions I have listed. When we sat down to go
over them, he remarked, “I didn’t know I had done so many things during my short
life, and solved so many situations. Also I learned quite a bit about myself.”

Here are some very typical questions you might be asked. I will go through a number of these questions
again later, with what I believe is the type of answer you should provide:

ƒ What are your strengths?

ƒ What is your GPA? Do you feel it reflects your true ability?

ƒ How would your professors or classmates describe you professionally?

ƒ Why do you want to intern with us?

ƒ Tell me about your academic accomplishments. Tell me about your professional accomplishments.

ƒ What are the last three books you have read?

ƒ How has your schooling prepared you for this internship?

ƒ Describe three situations in which you felt highly motivated to accomplish something.

ƒ Describe three situations in which you lacked motivation.

ƒ List three accomplishments that gave you pride.

ƒ Why did you decide to attend your university? Are you happy with the choice?

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ƒ Make a list of what you consider your best qualities.

ƒ Why do you want to do an internship in the United States?

ƒ Describe the cultural differences you think you will encounter.

ƒ Tell me about the last trip you made to another country. Did you like the people? What did you not
like?

ƒ Why were your grades not very good in school?

ƒ What kind of adjustment do you see yourself having to make?

ƒ Make a list of things you have done that you are proud of.

ƒ How did your university experience change you?

ƒ Describe three large and small decisions that you made, and the method you used to make your
decisions.

ƒ Complete this sentence: “I want this internship because . . .”

ƒ Complete this sentence: “From this internship, I want . . .”

These are all common questions that require self-reflection. As I said before, take the time to write out
your responses, take the time to analyze your answers, and take the time to study your answers before your
interview.

¾ What should I know about the employer?

Interviews really are a two-way street; we often forget that. Yes, you are there to get the internship. But
you are also there to learn about and evaluate the company. In the end, if you are offered the internship, you
are going to have to decide whether or not to accept the offer. To do that responsibly and intelligently, you
have to learn about the company.
Doing your homework on the company will also help to develop your responses to questions, and will
increase your confidence. When you display knowledge about the company, the recruiter learns that you are
truly interested, and that you consider this interview important enough to prepare for it.
So many times, students send us letters and resumes saying that they want to intern with us. Upon reading
what they have written, I know they haven’t taken the time to read the website to learn about us. This makes
me lose interest in helping them. This is no different than with any interviewer, who judges you not only on
your answers, but also on the questions you ask. By investigating in advance, you are in a position to ask
meaningful and impressive questions which the interviewer will appreciate.
There is an old saying that goes like this: “If you don’t have any questions, then you haven’t learned
anything.” In my experience, nothing ends an interview on a sour note more often than when I ask, “Do you
have any questions about the company?” and the interviewee says “No.” So even if you think you know
everything about the company (impossible), be sure to ask questions, and you will gain more of the
interviewer’s respect.

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 Let’s look at the things you should know about the company you are interviewing with. If you use some of
the services I have listed above, like Hoover’s, you will be able to easily find the information below, and more:

ƒ Know the organization's mission.

If you go into the interview and ask what the company does, you are dead in the water. At the
very least, find out the company’s purpose: what its goals are, and where it is going. Review the
company's website to understand how the company presents itself. Read and understand the “Mission
Statement,” and be able to discuss it. If you are dealing with a big company that is in the news
frequently, go on-line and find out the latest news about the company. (By the way, if you find out bad
news like a high-profile lawsuit, strike or layoff, don’t bring it up in the interview unless the
interviewer does.)

ƒ Become familiar with the company's business.

If the company is a manufacturing operation, you need to know who buys their products. If they are
in the service sector or are a consulting organization, know who their clients are or whom they service.
Also, you should identify their main competitors. The objective here is to gain sufficient knowledge
about the company to be able to talk intelligently.
Let’s say you are interested in a specialized area of the company . . . as an example, a large
construction company’s construction of dams. Make sure you know which dams they are working on,
in what states, and how they are progressing. It does take some time and effort, but with a little
research, most of this information can be found. Make sure you have related questions that you can ask
to show your thirst for knowledge in this area.

ƒ Learn about the company’s organization, size, and position in the marketplace.

You need to know if they are a small or large company, a conglomerate, a subsidiary, a US or
international company, and where their home office is located. You also need to know how the
company is configured, and if they are well known and respected. If you are dealing with a large
company, you want to know at least where some of their other offices are located, or where their
manufacturing operations are. These are the kind of things you can bring up in your interview that will
add depth.
For example, “I understand you manufacture the components for your computers in St. Louis. Are
they then sent to the Denver plant to assemble?”
A question like that shows that you are serious, and tells the interviewer that you are interested
enough to have done some research.

ƒ Find out about its customers, and how it makes money.

Making money is the name of the game for any business. So it is important for you to understand
how the company does this, and if they do it effectively. Learning about their clients and customers
will give you some understanding if they are a growing or dying company, and will allow you to assess
the company’s financial stability.
I know you are thinking, All I want is a simple internship! Do I really need all this information?
My answer: You are preparing yourself for your professional life. You are no longer a child. This is
the approach a professional would take. And this is as good a time as any to learn and put into action
professional behavior and thinking. Better to make a mistake at this point, than when you are
interviewing for a permanent position.

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ƒ Find out about the company’s relationship with its employees, and vice versa.

This has everything to do with you. By reviewing newspapers and the Internet, you can read any
stories about the company and its treatment of its staff. Try to find out if they are known for providing
training and/or mentoring. Are they considered a company that takes care of their employees
financially? Are they known for having a good compensation package, benefits package and/or bonus
plan?
If you are fortunate enough to find a current or former employee, they can shed light on these
issues. Every company has its own distinct culture (which is a manifestation of its management). By
talking to a former employee or reading about the organization, you can quickly get to know a
company.
It is important to find out if this company treats its employees well, because it might be an
opportunity for your future permanent employment. If you are evaluating this opportunity against
another one with a better employee track record, you can hedge your long-term bet by going with the
employer with the better record of accomplishment.

ƒ Know your interviewer.

Since it is important that you start off your interview on the right foot, it helps if you can find out
some information on the interviewer. Obviously, you want to know if the person you are interviewing
is just a recruiter, your potential boss, or a member of upper management. This may be hard to
accomplish, but one of the first places to start is the Internet. Search the person's name to see if
information will come up. Also, check the company's website. Some give biographies on key staff
members. As a matter of interest, before I go into any meeting like this, I always visit the Internet to
check out the company. It has served me well.
You might not be able to find everything, but if you look, you will be amazed at how much you will
be able to find. Give it a try. Even if you only find some of it, you will be way ahead of the others
looking for an internship. (Oh, by the way, these are more of those items that will tip the balance
beam scale in your favor.)
There are a number of places beside the Internet that you can find this kind of information. Try
getting the company’s brochures, review magazines like Forbes, Inc. and Fortune that list companies
by a number of different criteria: best, worst, largest, and best-run to name a few.

¾ What are some of the typical questions I might be asked, and how do I answer them?

The following is a list of common questions asked during an interview, and some ideas on how to
effectively answer each one. Many of these questions are not restricted to interns or internships; they are
common to job interviews in general. Note: I have saved the difficult questions for a separate discussion, since
I want to go into them in greater detail.

ƒ Tell me about yourself.

This is typically one of the first questions asked of an applicant. Avoid using your answer to
address things like sports you are involved with, hobbies and home life. This question should be used
to focus in on your skills and accomplishments, and to describe your educational background and
whatever limited related work experience you may have. You can also highlight a couple of your traits
that would be beneficial to the company.
This is almost a guaranteed question, so prepare for it in advance. Limit your response to no more
than two minutes.
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 ƒ Why should we use you as an intern?

Here again, focus on your personal strengths and your willingness to be a real help by doing some
of the mundane and boring jobs around the office in exchange for the opportunity to learn. If your
research of the company revealed areas where you can make a contribution, stress them. If you feel that
the contribution you will make will be quick (within two weeks), make sure you point it out. If you are
planning to intern for a year or 18 months, make sure to emphasize this; it is one of, if not your major
advantage.

ƒ Tell me what you consider your greatest strength to be.

Pick a couple of strengths, and give examples of how you employed that strength in a real-life
situation. For example:
“I have very good teaching skills. While I was in college, my professor asked me to tutor two
students who were having problems. I taught them how to properly study for the course, which resulted
in both students receiving a B for the course.”
This is one of those places your CPROs will come in handy.

ƒ Why do you want to come to the US to do an internship?

Do not mention things like, “I hate my parents and want to get far away.” You have to approach
each question from a positive perspective. What interests an interviewer is the person who seeks a
greater challenge and/or increased responsibility. These attributes point to an individual that is
motivated and has drive and ambition. For example, you could start with, “The US is a great
country (a little flattery goes a long way), and a leader in the semiconductor industry. I would
consider it an excellent opportunity for me to improve my skills and learn firsthand about the
business.”

ƒ Why do you want to intern with this company?

Your answer should highlight what you believe are the most interesting things you learned in your
research. Here is where the research you did earlier will make a big difference. Again, employ a little
flattery. For example, “XYZ, Inc. is well known in my country for . . .”

ƒ What do you know about our company?

Prepare this answer in advance from the sites we discussed. Also, make this response create
confidence in you. Put yourself in the position of the interviewer, when a prospective intern comes in
and says, “I don’t know much about the company, other than it is in the computer business.”
Doesn’t an answer like that turn you off? Don’t let this happen in your interview.

ƒ Why do you want this internship?

Your answer should offer what you think are the most interesting aspects of the position, and
include factors like “more responsibility” and “increased learning opportunity.” This is a good place to
explain your goals and plans, and how this internship fits those plans. You want the interviewer to
come away from the interview thinking that you are a responsible individual who has thought through
your plans for the future.

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ƒ Do you work better alone or as part of a team?

Your answer should be a middle-of-the-road answer. You want to avoid extremes. Try to slant the
answer toward what the internship involves. If it is being part of a team or helping a team, then your
answer should illustrate the fact that you can work effectively as a team member.

ƒ If your internship requires you to work overtime, are you willing to participate?

Remember: If this wasn’t an aspect of the internship, it would probably not be asked.
Obviously, if you want the internship, there is only one right answer to this question, and that is
“yes.” If, in the past, you were involved in even a part-time job that required overtime, use it as an
example to show your willingness to do whatever is required to get the job done. It is important to
understand that Americans are into the team spirit and “we do whatever it takes to win” idea of
doing business.

ƒ What previously held job or internship do you consider to be your favorite, and why?

This is actually a trick question to determine if you like the type of internship you are applying for.
Therefore, point to work you performed in the past that is similar to what you are applying for. For
example, if you are applying for an internship that requires you to write computer code 18 hours a day,
don’t tell the interviewer that you enjoyed working for XYZ Inc., where computer-code writing is
outsourced.

ƒ Do you consider yourself to be organized? Do you manage your time well?

What the interviewer wants to hear about are your skills concerning time and task management, not
that you are neat and orderly. He wants to hear that you pride yourself in completing tasks and
assignments ahead of schedule, not that you have to rush at the last minute to get something done. If
you have a history of arriving at work late, don’t mention it here.

ƒ How well do you handle change?

If you want the internship, this is another of those questions that has only one answer. That is, that
you handle change well. Offer an example of your ability to handle change in the past. Hint: The fact
that you are willing to undertake this internship far from home is proof positive of your ability to adapt
to a new environment.

ƒ What books are you currently reading (or, What was the last book you read)? What were the last three
books you read?

The answer is not “this book”; the correct answer is a book about your professional interests. If
you are interviewing for an internship in Web design, for example, your answer should be a book
like, How to use Microsoft Front Page. The interviewer is trying to assess how deep your interest
is in your field. In other words, if it is important enough for you to be reading a book on the
subject.

ƒ Why did you attend XYZ University?

Remember: no negatives. Your answer should focus on some attribute or specialty of the university
that differentiated it from the other universities you could have attended. Or, single out a particular
program that you felt would greatly help you professionally. Obviously, you want to avoid answers
like, “It is the biggest and best party school in London.”

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 ƒ What factors did you consider in choosing your major?

This is a wonderful opportunity to tell your interviewer that you have wanted to become a
(_______) since you were a child, and because of that, you chose your particular major.

ƒ How committed are you to this internship?

Your answer should focus in on your willingness to travel from your country to the US, and that
you are willing to spend X dollars to get a visa and plane ticket for the opportunity to work and learn
from the company.

ƒ Do you have any questions?

Don’t drop the ball at this point with the wrong answer (which is “No”). Make sure that you have
prepared your questions in advance.

First, here are some questions to avoid: questions about salary, stipend, vacation time, time off or
benefits. The appropriate time will emerge naturally for these questions.

Now, here are some good questions to ask:

o Why is this internship available?

o Is this a new internship? How long has this internship existed?

o How many people have held this internship?

o Who would be my supervisor? To whom would I report?

o With whom will I be working most closely?

o What do you like about working for this company?

o What are the current plans for expansion?

o What projects and assignments will I be working on?

o What happened to the intern that held this internship before?

o What is this company's culture, (i.e., is it rigid and formal or relaxed and flexible)?

o What are the current problems facing the company (or my department)?

o What is the philosophy of the company as it relates to interns and internships?

o What do you consider as the company's strengths and weaknesses? As an intern, how should I
view these strengths and weaknesses?

o What are the company's long and short-term goals?

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o Describe the work environment that I will face as an intern.

o What attracted you (the interviewer) to this organization?

o Describe the typical training program for this internship.

o What are the most challenging aspects of this internship?

o Describe the opportunities for training and professional development that I can expect.

o Will I receive any formal training, attend any seminars, or participate in new-product training?

o Will I be able to grow in responsibility during my internship? If so, what can I expect in terms
of additional responsibility?

o When can I expect to hear from you?

Unless your interviewer seems eager to answer more, you should only ask four or five questions at
most. Watch his body language (or if you are on the phone, listen for a change in his voice), which will
indicate it is time to end the discussion. You can also ask if you could e-mail him some additional
questions.

¾ Can you tell me some of the difficult questions I might encounter?

The following are the most common difficult questions that are asked during an interview. If you aren’t
prepared, these are the questions that will leave you squirming and stammering and will make your hands pool
with perspiration. First, the questions. Then we will discuss how to answer them.

ƒ Describe your two greatest weaknesses.

ƒ I noticed that you were only at your last job for three months. Why?

ƒ If your supervisor displays dissatisfaction with your performance, how will you deal with it?

ƒ Five years from now, what do you see yourself doing?

ƒ How do you deal with those you report to?

ƒ Who was your favorite boss or professor, and why? Who was your least favorite boss or professor,
and why?

ƒ Describe the riskiest venture you have undertaken.

As you just look at these questions, you can see that they can be tricky to answer. Yet it is important that
the answers are honest and encouraging, not glib. When answering you need to be diplomatic, and choose your
words carefully to demonstrate respect for those you have worked with, or your professors. Running people
and institutions down is easy; yet when you do, you give the impression of being petty, and may even come off
as arrogant. Your interviewer will be looking at you as a potential employee, supervisor, manager or leader in
the organization in the future. (You never know where your internship may lead.) As such, you want to show
that you have the qualities to grow and flourish within the organization. You also want to show that you can
use discretion. So the best way to reply to these questions is to apply understatement.

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 This is one way you can rise above so many of your peers. Just like the news on television when people
hear something bad, they tend to focus on the negative aspect of the situation in a disproportionate manner to
its significance in everyday life. Here is a good example:
Let’s say that you tell the interviewer that you are disorganized at times. Your interpretation of
“disorganized” may be entirely different from that of the interviewer. To him, he may see a person who cannot
find documents, has no personal filing system, and loses things continuously. Whereas you are referring to
only the top of your desk during the day—which you straighten before you leave for the day. And in addition,
your messy desktop isn’t a problem, because you are known for having a great filing system. Yet the
difference in meaning is a very significant difference, and one that could cost you your internship or a job later
in life.
We are not advocating that you lie. Most of the questions you will be asked can be answered honestly with
a variety of different answers. Your objective is to choose the answer that is truthful, is sensitive to the
situation, and supports your objective (an internship) in an appealing way.

You have seen the list of questions. Now, let’s go through them one by one, and discuss possible answers:

ƒ Describe your two greatest weaknesses.

Don’t answer by saying you have no weaknesses. You can confess to a weakness, but make sure
that it isn’t relevant to the job, or that it will be overcome with experience. In addition, your answer
shouldn’t be one of the phony weaknesses that have been bantered around, like, “I am a workaholic.”
These are worn, and transparent to the interviewer.
Once you have provided a weakness, explain the steps you are taking to overcome it, like reading a
self-help book, taking a course, or seeking help from others.

Here are examples of different answers to this question:

Unacceptable: “I hate working closely with others.”

Avoid: “I work better alone, because when I am working with others, I get upset if they do less than
I do.”

Correct: “I have been building on my communication and interrelationship skills. As I gain

experience in the area of supervision and management, I know my skills will improve. I am also
taking a night course on how to be an effective communicator. I am already starting to see results.”

ƒ I noticed that you were only at your last job for six months. Why?

Assuming you weren’t fired or let go for stealing, your reason for leaving your last employer
should always be based on your wanting more responsibility, or a greater challenge than was available.
Never say it was because your employer was incompetent, unfair or an idiot. (As I said before, these
excuses make you look petty.)
Make it a point to stress that you are seeking a long-term relationship, and that you are hoping that
through this internship, that may be possible. For example:

Unacceptable: “I decided to take some additional coursework at the university, and I figured the
job would interfere.”

Detrimental: “The man who owned the company was too demanding for me. He checked up on me
continuously. Every little error I made was a big deal to him."

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Correct: “I was offered a position at another company where I would have the opportunity to
broaden my skills and take on additional responsibilities. I know I was not at my last position long,
but the learning opportunity was too great for me to pass up. ”

ƒ If your supervisor or one of your previous professors displayed dissatisfaction with your performance,
how did you deal with it?

Your answer should stress that you are the type of person who tries to view criticism from a
positive viewpoint.
Another way to handle this question is to give an example of a minor criticism that was leveled at
you by your superior or a professor, and how you took steps to correct the situation. For example:

Unacceptable: “For the most part, I usually figure the person who is doing the criticism is in no
position to criticize. So I just go about doing what I think is right."

Arrogant: “Criticism? I just don’t pay attention to it."

Correct: “I take the criticism and evaluate it against what I have been doing. If I don’t understand
the reason for the criticism, I discuss it with my manager so I can make the necessary adjustments
to my performance.”

ƒ Five years from now, what do you see yourself doing?

Anticipate where you should be in terms of promotions during the next five years, and give that as
your answer. Make it clear that you understand that promotions are earned, not given automatically,
and that you are prepared to work hard to achieve the company’s goals.
As an intern, your answer can be broader in scope, especially if it is assumed that you will return
home after your internship. The question will give you a good opening to express how the internship
will help you achieve that goal. For example:

Unacceptable: “Five years from now? Living on a sailboat in the Mediterranean, fishing and scuba
diving every day.”

Belittling: “After I have improved my skills and gained experience, I would like to join one of the
major companies in this field.” (One intern I met who said something like this got his interview cut
very short. The next utterance from the interviewer was, “Thank you, we will call you if we have
something come up” and Click went the phone.

Correct: “The knowledge I gain here will greatly help me with my career when I return to my
country. Some of the unique things I will learn will help me achieve my goal of being a product
manager."

ƒ How do you deal with those you report to?

The one thing every boss expects is respect for authority. That said, a boss’s greatest nightmare is
the employee who goes around his back to upper management. If you want to kill an internship, or a
job for that matter, use the alarming and scary responses given below. For example:

Unacceptable: “I like to challenge authority and push it to see what the limits are.”

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 Scary: “At my last job, my boss made a decision that I didn’t agree with. So I went to the president
of the company and discussed the situation with him. I also was able to get three other members of
the department to go along with me. As a result of this, my boss was moved to another
department.” (This answer will definitely shorten your interview.)

Correct: “I believe it is important to be respectful of authority, and those in authority. Right from
the beginning, I make it my practice to build a relationship based on mutual respect with my
manager. That way, if I have a question about a decision, I can take it up with him privately. By
building a relationship first, I have found that my managers have always taken my concerns
seriously, and appreciate my input.”

ƒ Who was your favorite boss (or professor), and why? Who was your least favorite boss (or professor),
and why?

Answering the first half of the question (concerning the good boss) isn’t the problem; it is the
second half. Unless you have some insight into what the interviewer wants to hear, these are difficult
questions when asked together. You might be an intern, but you are also a potential future employee.
The interviewer is looking for individuals who are interested in contributing to the company in a
positive way. Therefore, it is not in your best interest to demean your past supervisors or professors. Be
honest, but choose responses that are not disparaging. For example:

Unacceptable: “My least favorite boss? He was okay. I just didn’t like him.”

Disrespectful: “This professor was an idiot. He wouldn’t provide any guidance on how to handle
some of the assignments and research projects we had to do.”

Correct Response: “This professor really knew the subject matter, but because of the research he
was involved with, he really didn’t have adequate time to provide after-class assistance—which I
would have appreciated. As a result of this, he was my least favorite professor.”

ƒ Describe the riskiest venture you have undertaken.

How you respond to this type of question depends on the type of company that you are interviewing
with. It isn’t as critical for an internship position, but it’s worth knowing how to handle this type of
question. You could be asked this question in a number of different settings, and each interviewer would
have a different expectation. If you are interviewing with a start-up company or with a company that is in a
highly competitive business, then they will appreciate a risk-taking personality. On the other hand, if it is
a well-established company (a banking institution, perhaps) they might be risk-averse.

That said, no company wants someone as foolish as the first two examples below show. For
example:

Unacceptable: “Risky? I decided to go rafting down a Category-Five river with another friend of
mine, who also had never rafted before. It was a heart-stopper.”
Irresponsible: “I like to write a check with no money in the bank, and just before the check clears,
deposit sufficient funds to cover it. I want to maximize my float.”

Correct: “A couple of years ago, when the economy in my country was weak, I decided to open a
business. My investment was minimal, and the possible loss was within my budget. I figured if it
didn’t work out, I would at least learn a lesson or two about starting a business. The business didn’t
work out, but I learned a lot about the entrepreneurial challenges that face a new venture. I
definitely got more out of it than I put in.”

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Again, the answer to this question depends on what the interviewer is seeking. So make the effort
to understand the company’s culture.

While none of the questions are easy to answer, with enough research and preparation, you should
be able to give worthy answers without fumbling.

¾ I have heard there are laws on what can be asked during an interview. What are they?

Interview questions should be focused on obtaining the information needed to assess a candidate’s skills
and the qualifications, and/or the candidate’s ability to do well in the internship. In the US, discrimination is a
serious issue, and this limits some of the questions you can be asked. (This is not to imply that it isn’t the same
in other countries, only that it’s to your advantage to understand what can and cannot be asked during a US
interview.)
Just as we have discrimination laws that deal with the workplace, we also have laws that protect you
during an interview. These laws deal with issues related to race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion,
age, marital status, family situation and disabilities that you may have. As you start interviewing, you will find
that most US interviewers are sufficiently savvy to avoid asking discriminatory questions. However, you might
find some interviewers and recruiters who aren’t overly knowledgeable in discrimination laws. Finally, you
might encounter a small minority of unprincipled individuals who assume that you either don’t know the laws,
or are so eager to obtain the internship, you won’t protest or report them. The following information should
help you deal with interviewers in the last two categories.
Since answering these questions can be a delicate issue, I will go through what are the most obvious and
how best to handle it (if there is a satisfactory way).

ƒ Questions concerning Birthplace and Residence

The following are examples of questions that you should not be asked and you should avoid answering:

“You have an accent, where are you from?”

“Where were you born?”

“Are you a citizen?”

“Where were your parents from?”

Since you are an international seeking a US internship, these questions may be an asset instead of a
discriminatory act. For this reason, you will want to disclose this voluntarily at the beginning of your
interview, if you haven’t already done so in your resume.
The one exception to this is that employers are responsible to ensure that their workers and interns are
eligible to work in the US. Therefore, they can ask if you are eligible. The interviewer can also verify and
inquire about your address to facilitate future contact.

ƒ Questions concerning Race or Color

The following are examples of questions that you should not be asked and should avoid answering:

“Could you tell me what your skin color is?”

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 “What race are you?”

“I was wondering, is your wife Caucasian (or Hispanic or Asian)?”

“Could you tell me where you got the scar on your arm?”

There are no fair questions on this subject. Obviously, if you are a student from India, China or Kenya,
there is at least a good possibility the interviewer will know what you look like. But remember, you are not
required to divulge this information.

ƒ Questions concerning Age

The following are examples of questions that you should not be asked and should avoid answering:

“How old are you?”

“When did you finish elementary school?”

“When were you born?”

“Are you between the ages of 18-24 (25-34, etc.)?”

“Will you mind being the oldest intern working here?"

The employer can ask you certain questions, though:

• To verify that you meet the minimum age requirements for working in the company;

• To verify that you are old enough to drive a vehicle (if that is a requirement of the position); or

• To confirm that you meet the insurance company’s age requirement.

But that is the extent of it.

ƒ Questions concerning Creed/Religion

The following are examples of questions that you should not be asked and should avoid answering:

“What is your religion?”

“What religious holidays do you observe?”

“Which church do you attend?”

“What do you do on Sunday (or Saturday)?”

There is one exception to this rule, and that is for organizations that have a special religious orientation. In
this case, they can ask questions that pertain to practices and beliefs that are religion-based. Here is an example
of an acceptable question: “This internship requires you to work on weekends. Can you meet the
requirement?”

ƒ Questions concerning Sexual Orientation and Marital Status

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The following are examples of questions that you should not be asked and should avoid answering:

“Are you married or single?”

“What is your maiden name?”

“Do you wish to be addressed as ‘Mrs.’, ‘Miss’, or ‘Ms.’?”

“Are you gay/lesbian?”

Even if you have no personal objections to questions like these, you should avoid these types of
discussions during an interview, since you have no idea what the interviewer’s opinions are on these very
controversial areas.

ƒ Questions concerning Disabilities and Health

The following are examples of questions that you should not be asked and you should avoid answering:

“Do you have any disabilities?”

“How serious is your disability?”

“Do you have AIDS?”

“How many sick days did you take on your last job?”

What the employer can ask about is your ability to perform the tasks of the internship, and if you have any
conditions that would preclude you from doing so. In some cases, you might be required to undergo a medical
examination that is relevant to the responsibilities you will be expected to perform. Finally, you might be
asked to submit to drug testing, and also asked about your use of illegal drugs.

These are by no means all the discriminatory issues that are part of US law. However, they are some of the
more relevant ones that you should familiarize yourself with. At the end of the day, you have three choices
about how to approach these issues, and the choice is yours:

• You can forgo your rights and answer the questions. In some cases, this might be to your advantage,
because they can create a bond between you and the interviewer. For instance, you might both have
come from the same country, or both attend the same church, or both have children the same age.
Conversely, the interviewer might not like people with your religious affiliation, or people with a
disability. You just never know.

• You can tactfully and discreetly refuse to answer the questions. Or, you can answer in such a manner
that addresses the concerns the interviewer may have. For example, he might be asking you about your
religious affiliation because he is concerned about your working on Sunday. If you can address the
interviewer’s concern (“If the job requires I be available on Sundays, I can be there without
restriction.”) without acknowledging your affiliation. This latter strategy is better.

• You can decline to work for the company. Perhaps you decide that you really aren’t interested in a
company that uses discriminatory hiring practices. In addition, this might be a precursor to the general
type of organization they are—one you would never be comfortable working for.

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¾ I am concerned about my English speaking ability. How do I overcome this?

Interviewing can be an intimidating experience for any student or young professional. For those of you
whose primary language is not English, it can be especially so. The importance of your English fluency as
an intern candidate depends on the internship, and the importance placed upon it by the company. If you
are doing an internship in an area like culinary arts or F&B (Food and Beverage), your English skills are
less of an issue. If, conversely, you are interning at the front desk of a hotel, then your English is of
greater importance.
Besides the job, your English language skills can become a barrier to you during the interview. When an
interviewer or recruiter is conducting an interview, they need to feel like they are effectively communicating
(establishing a relationship) with you. All things being equal, if there is a language barrier, the interviewer
might become uncomfortable with you. This isn’t because of anything you yourself have done. Actually, what
happens is that the interviewer feels strange when he cannot understand you, or perceives that you cannot
understand him. You can often tell when this is happening when the inflection in the interviewer’s voice
changes, or he starts to speak slowly, enunciating each word in an effort to make sure you understand. If the
interviewer feels uncomfortable with your communication, then he will feel uncomfortable with you. Even so,
it is undesirable to leave the interviewer with the impression that you didn’t understand what was being
discussed.
This is an opportunity to minimize a disadvantage and tip the scale in your favor. The obvious solution is
learning to speak English well. The more fluent you are, the better and more confidently you can relate to the
interviewer. Unfortunately, and regardless of how good your language is, American English employs so many
idioms that, even for internationals with good language skills, speaking and understanding can be challenging.

Here are some pre-interview things to do:

o Remember those common and difficult questions that we discussed before, and that you answered
for yourself? Take each one and commit the answers to memory. I would recommend you have
someone with good English skills review them in advance, to make sure they have American
English flavor to them.

o Take the time to put together some notes that you can refer to in the event that you become
flustered and overwhelmed. It is okay to bring notes with you to the interview. But don’t bring a
stack of paper that requires you to sift through it to find an answer.

o Remember those questions for you to ask the interviewer during the interview. Memorize some of
them as preparation for your interview.

o Be confident with who you are, and remember that you are bi-lingual or tri-lingual, an
accomplishment few can claim.

In the next step, I’ll discuss how to handle the interview. There, I will also discuss additional ways to
overcome any real or perceived language barriers.

Doing the Interview

You get one shot at an internship interview, and you want to make the most of it. Here, I will describe the
interview process step-by-step. Throughout, I will assume that your interview will be either in-person, or a
telephone interview. There are many similarities, and eventually, you will be subjected to both types of
interviews.
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¾ I have an interview! Where do I start?

Here are the basic steps to start your interview off right:

ƒ Dress conservatively and professionally. Use your appearance to enhance and project your image
and self-confidence. Generally, men should wear a conservative suit with a traditional shirt and tie,
or a blazer with a traditional shirt and tie, and dress shoes. Hair should be clean and neat. For
women, a dress suit or pants suit with limited accessories is appropriate. Women should avoid short
dresses (above the knees). Men and women should also avoid strong-smelling colognes and
perfumes.

ƒ Arrive on time. I recommend you get to your interview at least 30 minutes early so that you can
relax and compose yourself. If you are doing a phone interview, I offer the same suggestion. Be
waiting at least 30 minutes before the scheduled call.

ƒ While you are waiting, use your time productively by reviewing your CPROs, and the other
materials you have prepared.

ƒ Introduce yourself in a polite and courteous manner.

ƒ When you go to shake the interviewer’s hand make sure that it is a firm, solid shake. Here are other
important tips about the handshake:

o As you do so, look the interviewer in the eye and smile.

o When you extend your hand, make sure that your hand is perpendicular to the floor. Here is
why:

ƒ If you extend your hand with your palm facing down, you are indicating that you are
the type of individual that needs to be in control of a situation. An interviewer who
understands body language will find this objectionable.

ƒ Conversely, if you extend your hand with the palm up, this is an indication that you
are overly docile—not a good attribute unless you are interviewing to be a servant.

o Your palm should be relatively flat when it is extended so that you are making full contact
with the interviewer's hand. (Cupping your hand indicates that you mistrust the
interviewer.)

ƒ Do not sit until the interviewer asks you to sit.

ƒ If you are carrying a briefcase or portfolio, don’t put it on the interviewer’s desk or on the
conference room table (if that is where the interview is being held). Place it either on an adjoining
chair, or on the floor.

ƒ If the interviewer offers you coffee or water, accept it and say thank you. Also, thank the person
who delivers it to you.

These items are the preliminaries. Handled well, you will make an excellent first impression. If not
handled properly, they all have the capability of starting the interview off on the wrong foot.

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¾ How do I go about winning the interviewer over?

It is customary for the interviewer to start the conversation by asking the first question. Do not be surprised
if he starts by pursuing a "let’s get to know each other" style of questioning. He may ask if you have seen a
soccer game or football game on television the past weekend. He is doing this to make you feel comfortable.
Let him lead the way.
At the forefront of the interview, it is important to win the interviewer’s confidence by demonstrating your
eagerness. You want him to realize that you are actively listening, and participating in what is transpiring. You
can accomplish this, and therefore project the right impression, through your demeanor. Here are some things
you can do.
Make eye contact with the interviewer. If you don’t make eye contact, you will look uncomfortable, appear
deceitful and give the impression that you are hiding something. American’s typically do not, but some people
in every culture have trouble looking another person in the eye. If you are one of those people who have
difficulty with eye contact, focus on the interviewer's face in a general way. From his perspective, it will
appear you are looking into his eyes. Or, choose a distinctive facial feature to focus on. Finally, avoid having a
transfixed gaze; it will give the impression that your mind is somewhere else. Take breaks and look away from
time to time.
Something as simple as how you sit can make a big difference. Sit up straight in your chair, face the
interviewer directly and lean slightly forward, toward the interviewer. This makes the interviewer feel like you
are engaged, and gives the appearance of eagerness. Don’t slouch, and don’t lean back or tilt the chair back.
Slouching gives you an unprofessional look, and the tilted chair will give the impression you are arrogant,
insolent or bored. Don’t sit with your arms folded in front of you, because this gives the impression that you
are defensive due to insecurity or mistrust. Do not cross your legs with the tip of your shoe facing the
interviewer. (In some cultures, that is an insult.) All along, make sure you smile and appear open and
interested in what the interviewer is saying.

Another approach used by professional interviewers is called “emulating the interviewer.” Studies have
found that people feel comfortable when you are doing the same things they are doing. When you do this, you
cannot be obvious about it. For example, if the interviewer takes out his comb to comb his hair, you should not
follow suit. However, if he is talking and starts to smile, you should do the same. If he expresses displeasure
by raising his eyebrow and frowning about something, express the same disapproval.
There was an intern candidate who had an English comprehension problem. At his interview, he started to
emulate the interviewer by smiling and frowning when the interviewer did. At one point, he got mixed up and
gave a big disapproval when he should have done the opposite, which caused the interviewer to give another
disapproving expression, which the intern mimicked. There’s no need to say how it all ended. Stay alert.
You can apply this same technique to verbal statements. By briefly saying what you hear when someone
else says it, you are demonstrating that you are connected. For example:
The interviewer says, “Our company has grown from 100 employees to 1,000 employees over the last
eight years."
You respond, “In only eight years.”
By doing this periodically during the interview, it shows that you are engaged in the discussion, paying
attention and are very interested.
Make certain that, as the interviewer is talking, you occasionally nod and acknowledge verbally with a
“yes” or “no.” This further shows that you are listening and paying attention to what is being said. Never
interrupt while the interviewer is speaking. When there is a break, that is your opportunity to briefly
summarize what has been said. This technique is especially good if you are concerned about your English
comprehension skills. It will give you an opportunity to make sure that you understand what has been said,
along with making you look like you are genuinely interested and paying close attention. A good statement to
use for summarizing and paraphrasing is, “Let me see if I understand what you mean . . .”

Using these techniques, you will have the full attention of the interviewer. He, in turn, will be confident
that you are absorbing what is said and are interested in the internship.

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¾ I will be doing a phone interview. How do I handle it?

Many of you, if not most of you, will secure your internship through a phone interview. Telephone
interviews are growing in popularity, and companies have found two major benefits of phone interviews. The
first is that they can save time and money in doing their recruiting. The second reason is that studies have
shown that many interviewers are greatly influenced by the interviewee’s appearance. Using the telephone
will, to a large extent, reduce this bias. Obviously, in the case of an international student interviewing for a US
internship, the costs of an in-person interview are prohibitive. So you shouldn’t let anyone convince you that
your phone interview is an indication of a lack of the company’s interest.

Make sure that you take the telephone interview seriously. Treat the interview with the same level of
significance as you would any face-to-face interview. You have done a lot of work to arrive at this point.
Therefore, as you have done for all the other steps in the process, you need to prepare properly for the call.
This call is a one-shot deal, and I cannot remind you enough how important it is. I say this because I have had
students do things like take the call on their cell phones while they are socializing somewhere, or while I am
talking to them, I can hear the television or music in the background. You need to attach the same significance
to this interview as you would an in-person interview.
Realtors have a saying about the three most important things in the real estate business: “Location,
Location, and Location.” When seeking an internship there are also three important things: “Preparation,
Preparation, and Preparation.” Here are the guidelines you need to follow:

ƒ Avoid the unexpected interview. You need to make sure that all your interviews are scheduled
interviews. If you receive an unexpected call, you need to reschedule the call for a later time. You can
do this easily by having some excuses ready. For example, “I was so looking forward to talking with
you. I have a slight problem. You see I was just leaving for a doctor’s appointment. Could we
reschedule this?” You want to make sure you are ready. Make sure that your excuse is reasonable.
You don’t want to say you are going to a doctor’s appointment if it is the middle of the night where
you are.

ƒ Be ready, even if you’re not at home. If you have an answering machine on your phone, check the
message to make sure it sounds professional.

ƒ Prepare the environment where you will be taking the call.

o Have a current copy of your resume ready.

o Have copies of your answers to the frequently asked questions, the difficult questions and your
CPROs available.

o You will also want to have questions ready to ask the interviewer, along with the information
you have gathered about the company.

o Make sure you have a glass of water there in the event your mouth gets dry.
o If you need to, place a “Do not Disturb” sign on the door so no one will disturb you while you
are interviewing.

o Have a notepad, pen, calendar and calculator sitting nearby.

ƒ When the call comes, stand at the telephone when you talk. This typically compels you to pay more
attention to the conversation, because it avoids you getting too comfortable. In addition, and even
though he can’t see you, you will project to the interviewer that you are a person of action.
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 ƒ Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum during the interview. The sounds of these activities will carry
over the phone.

ƒ Use the interviewer's surname (e.g., Mr. Jones).

ƒ Before you even start the interview, write down the interviewer’s name. Or, if there is more than one
person on the call, get each person's name and the proper spelling.

ƒ Don’t answer other calls received via call waiting during the interview. If possible, temporarily disable
the call waiting feature.

ƒ Speak clearly and distinctly. Do not rush; take your time. This is where having your CPROs ready
gives you confidence.

ƒ If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification.

ƒ Avoid taking the call on a cell phone. There are too many things that can go wrong with a cell phone
connection, especially on an international call.

I could give you 50 stories of lost internships that were the result of trying to use a
cell phone as a contact number. Here is one:

Just recently, we set up an intern for a client interview. Twice, the client came back
saying, “I tried that number, and all I got was music. If this young lady wants this
internship, she better be someplace where she can take the call.”

Again, she gave the cell phone. Again, the client got the music.

By this time, it was too late. The client picked a different candidate who was not as
qualified.

ƒ Take notes. Write down some key words as the discussion proceeds. These notes will be helpful and
important if you decide to write a follow-up letter, or you might want to reference a key issue in your
thank you note.

ƒ Don’t monopolize the conversation. There is a tendency to do this when you are nervous. Monitor
yourself to make sure you are not talking a mile a minute. However, keep up your end of the
conversation. Answer all questions in full, but avoid rambling on. Remember, if you are concerned
your answer is getting long, you can always say something to the effect, “Would you like me to go on
with my answer?" The interviewer will then direct you accordingly.

ƒ Do not give “yes” or “no” answers, because they are discussion-killers. Follow up a “yes” or “no”
with clarification. This is your one chance to market yourself, so take it.

ƒ If you get one of those off-the-wall questions you didn’t anticipate and you need a few seconds to
think through the answer, just say, “I need a few seconds to think about . . .”

ƒ Make sure you ask follow-up questions. (We discussed the preparation of them earlier.)

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ƒ Thank the interviewer at the end of the interview, and take the opportunity to express your continued
interest in the internship. You should do this even if you have decided that you aren’t interested in the
internship.

ƒ At the end, ask the interviewer what the next step in the process will be, and when you can expect to
hear from him again.

ƒ Along with any follow-up information the interviewer requests, send a formal thank you letter. (I will
discuss the thank you letter in the next section.)

¾ After my interview, is there anything else I should do?

Yes. Send a follow-up letter to your interviewer. Everything we have talked about has to do with taking an
aggressive approach to finding an internship. To not send a letter is a passive approach. And in some
companies, the recruiter will take offense to not receiving a follow-up letter. Instead of trying to decide
whether or not to send a letter, just go ahead and send one. It is in your best interests to do so.
It is important to get this letter in front of the interviewer within a day or two. As an international student, I
recommend that you send your letter by e-mail rather than mailing it. If you interviewed with multiple
interviewers, send a letter to each. (This is why it is important to get the names and the spelling of the names
right). If you can make each letter you write tailored to the particular interviewer, that will be a plus.
Obviously, a letter by mail is preferable to e-mail, so you might consider following up your e-mail letter with a
hard copy by regular mail.

We had an intern named Maria from South America who really understood the importance
of follow-up. We set her up for an interview with a client interested in an intern with website
design experience. Maria told us that she had phone-interviewed with four different people
from the company over a two-day period. After her last interview, she designed a thank-
you letter to each interviewer, using her website design experience. She figured it would
accomplish two things. First, it would show them her talent, and then acknowledge her
appreciation for the interview. The recipients were so impressed, they canceled all the
other interviews and gave Maria the internship.

There are a number of reasons for sending this follow-up letter. The first reason is to provide you with
another opportunity to market your skills and accomplishments. Second, it provides you with the chance to
bring up and to clarify any points of miscommunication or points you forgot to mention during the interview.
Third, it provides you with a forum to take those issues that the interviewer felt were important and to show
how you can satisfy and fulfill the company's needs—another opportunity to market yourself to the company.
Fourth, it gets your name in front of the interviewer again. (The more times your name is brought up, the better
your chances of being offered the internship.)
Do not underestimate the value of this letter. Whether you believe it or not, most interviewers don’t have
their minds made up at the end of the interview. The follow-up letter might make the difference between being
chosen and being passed by.

Before I present an example of a follow-up letter, here are a few tips to consider as you write your letter.
• Make the letter short, no more than one page in length.

• The letter should project a positive and enthusiastic feeling.

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 • Make sure that you address specifics from the interview.

• You will want to make sure that it demonstrates your American English writing skills.

• Review the letter to ensure there are no misspelled words.

• Your letter should be slightly personal but professional. This will help to establish a connection with
the interviewer.

• In the letter, indicate that you plan to call the interviewer in a week to ten days for a status update.

Now, here is a sample letter for you to review:

Mr. Randy Markham October 3, 2004

Human Resource Manager
XYZ Enterprises, Inc.
3245 Henderson Rd.
Birmingham, Alabama 30323

Dear Mr. Markham,

I really appreciate you taking the time to call me yesterday to conduct my phone
interview. As I expressed on the phone, I feel that I am uniquely qualified to fill the
internship position in your international import/export operation. The fact that I am
fluent in English, Russian and German will allow me to be an effective communicator
between the company and your international partners.

You expressed concern because I am a recent graduate, and unfamiliar with the
workings of your operation. Through my past internships, you will note that I have
demonstrated the ability to learn quickly and to adapt well to changing circumstances.
During my last internship, in just a matter of weeks, I was selling more product to
wholesalers than staff members who had been with the company for two years. I am
also the type of person who makes the extra effort to learn the job, even if I have to do
it on my own time.

I am confident that with my language skills and willingness to do whatever it takes, I

could be an asset to the organization. I will give you a call in a week or so to see if
there is any additional information that you may need. Again, thank you for
considering me for this internship. If you need to speak with me again, you can
contact me at 011-42-43-3456789.

Yours truly,

Renata Migalcova
45j23 Moscow Road
Kief, Ukraine

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Look at the interviewing preparation process as you would a sport you want to learn; it is all about
preparation, practice and execution. The more you prepare, the easier it will be in the biggest game of the
season. The more you interview, the more comfortable you will get with the process, and with the execution of
the process. Eventually, you will become a natural.
Yet for the most part, interns and jobseekers alike don’t prepare as much as they should for internship or
job interviews. In many cases, people will spend hundreds of dollars and work hundreds of hours to get an
interview, then drop the ball when it comes to the interview. Yet the interview is as important to getting an
internship or job as any other part of the process. Perhaps 80 to 90% of the time, this is when a recruiter makes
his final decision on an individual. When you get to the interview, there are normally no more than three or
four candidates left in the search. These candidates, for the most part, all have about equal credentials to yours.
However, by knowing the information in this chapter, you probably have a much better understanding
of what is required, and what you should do, than those other three or four candidates. Applying what you
have learned here will tip the scale even further in your favor.

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CHAPTER 8

“Lock It Down” - Formalizing Your Internship

Y ou have now been offered an internship position. Is it time to celebrate?

No, no, no.
Too often, because of the hard work to find an internship and the over-exuberance of finally finding
one, the tendency is to not think clearly and accept the first thing that is offered without doing a proper
evaluation. Here in the US, we call this “leaping without looking” or “shooting from the hip." In either case,
it means the same thing . . . that is, making a decision without thinking through the consequences.
Consider what is happening to you. All of a sudden, all your dreams and aspirations seem to be within your
grasp. You are going on a long, exciting trip to another country, and you feel like you can conquer the world.
Believe me when I tell you, this is the time to slow down and think things through. Remember, nothing is
what it seems.
In this chapter, I’ll lay out the topics and issues that you must consider as part of your final decision-
making process. I will also present a simple method that you can use to evaluate one or more internships, and
present my recommendations on how to “lock it down” with your employer.

¾ What are the topics and issues that I should consider about an internship offer?

Following are the questions you need to answer to prepare yourself to make an informed decision on which
internship to chose. As you will see, interspersed with the objective questions are subjective ones that you also
need to consider. You are now taking all the objective work, research and analysis that you have done and are
now adding the subjective component to your decision-making. Here broken down by category are the
questions you must consider:

Attributes of the What is this internship about? Is it in my field of study? Will it

Internship: help me gain the knowledge I need to advance my career?
What is the primary job I will be doing, and is this the kind of
experience I am looking for and need? How much mundane
work will I be expected to do? What is supposed to be my
first assignment? How much variety in assignments can I
expect? Will I get to work in different departments; will I
rotate? Is this the internship I was hoping for?

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 Internship Term: What is the length of the internship? Is the length of the
internship what I was looking for? Does the internship start
when I was hoping it would start? Is this what I am really
looking for?

Company Culture: Based on my research and the interview, is this the kind of
company I want to do an internship with? Will doing an
internship at XYZ add to my resume? Is this an important
factor? Do I like the people I have talked to at the
company? Did they seem as enthusiastic about me as I
was about them? Am I their first intern, or am I part of a
corporate internship program? Do I feel like this is the right
company for me?

Professional What is their intern-training program like? Does the intern-

Development: training program seem reasonable, and does it provide me
with the type of training I need? Will I be attending any
seminars, or is it all on-the-job training? Will I be assigned a
mentor to help me along? Will I be reviewed on a regular
basis? Was this discussed as part of my interview? Does
this company have any programs or relationships with local
colleges so that I can take some evening courses? Will their
professional development program challenge me?

Location and Work What state and city will I be working in? Is it a northern,
Environment: southern, eastern or western state? Is it an expensive city
to live in? What is the climate like? Will I be happy working
in this city and state? What is the dress code at work? Will I
be interning in a big office, a small one, or the corporate
office? Will I be working days, evenings or nights, or will it
be shift work? What are the work hours? What time will I be
starting and finishing each day?

Pay and Benefits: Is this a paid or non-paid internship? Will I receive a salary,
hourly rate or a stipend? How much? Will I be guaranteed
40 hours of work per week? Will I be receiving any time off
for vacation or holidays? If I am sick, do I receive any sick
pay? Is there any overtime pay associated with the
position? How much overtime can I expect, and at what rate
of pay? Can I live on the pay that is provided?

Living Will the company provide living accommodations? If not,

Accommodations: will they help me pay for it? Will they help me find a place to
live? If they have other interns on staff, is there a chance to
room with another intern? Is there anyone in the company
that I can share living accommodations with? What are
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living accommodations like in the area? How much is the

rent for an apartment, and how much deposit will I have to
have? What deposits are required for electric, telephone,
gas, water, sewer, etc.? Can I find adequate living
accommodations that will keep me reasonably happy?

Transportation: Will I need transportation to the worksite or office? Will I

need to provide my own transportation, or is the office on
the transit line? Will they pay for transportation by providing
a transportation allowance? Is there some alternate way to
get to the office each day? Can I get to and from work
without a lot of hassle? Am I willing to put up with
transportation constraints?

Visa: Will the company help me get my visa by completing the

necessary paperwork? Will they help me by paying for
the DS-2019? Will they help me pay for the mandatory
health insurance I will be required to have? If I have to go
through the visa process alone, am I willing to do it?
What is the cost-penalty if the embassy does not issue
me a visa?

Cultural Exchange: Does the city I will be interning in have a strong cultural
heritage? Does the company have any cultural events?
Picnics? Employee get-togethers? Does the company have
a cultural program, or sponsor any cultural events? Do I feel
like I will be able to get the cultural exposure I would like to
get from this internship?

Miscellaneous: Will someone at the company take me to get my Social

Security number, open a bank account and get a driver’s
license if I need one? Does the company have any
provisions to help me get settled in? Am I satisfied with
the amount of support the company will be giving me, or
should I be looking for a company that is willing to help
me more?

¾ I have received more than one offer. How do I evaluate my different internship offers?

When evaluating an internship offer, the goal is to make your decision process as objective as possible. To
remove as much emotion as possible (there will be plenty to go around) the following analysis should help:

You will start by scoring what you believe to be an acceptable internship. Each item should be scored by
considering its relative importance to each of the other items on the list. For example, you would rate the
“internship training” at a much higher level than you would the “miscellaneous” items.

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 You can add or delete items in the “items to evaluate” column to address things you feel are significantly
more important, or those that don’t warrant consideration in your case. Every intern’s situation is different. For
example, some of you will be coming from wealthy backgrounds, and things like the cost of housing or the
stipend you will receive are not relevant. To others, it is an important factor. Develop your evaluation form
and weight your answers based on the factors that affect your life.

Grade each item on a scale from 1 to 10. Here is the significance of each grade level.

10 – A critical and important factor to my decision

8 – An important factor to my decision
6 – A factor that has some importance to my decision
4 – Of limited importance to my decision
2 – Has no bearing at all on my decision

Note: If you aren’t sure an item is an 8 or a 10, you can use 9.

Items to Evaluate Acceptable

Company A Company B
Internship

Internship Training
Internship Term
Company Culture
Professional
Development
Location & Work
Environment
Pay & Benefits
Living
Accommodations
Transportation
Visa
Cultural Exchange
Miscellaneous

Total Score

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¾ Can you give me an example of how to analyze an offer?

Imagine this scenario:

You have been looking for an accounting internship for the last six months. However, after
reading this book and following the plan, in the last week you have been offered two
internships, one in Dallas, Texas and one in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago internship is with
one of the Big 5 accounting firms in their auditing department. The Dallas internship is with a
well-known regional firm, and is a rotational internship, which will include some time in the
audit group. The Chicago internship is 12 months long, and you will be paid $12.00 per hour.
The cost of housing is pretty high in Chicago. If you take the Dallas internship, which is 18
months, you will be paid a stipend of $400.00 per month and provided with shared housing
and transportation.

The staff members you interviewed with from the Chicago firm seem to be much more
aggressive, and the pace is faster than the Dallas group. They seemed more laid-back and
had a friendly, “down–home” attitude. You were told you would start your internship in Dallas
with a month of classroom training, and would be participating in quarterly seminars. The
training you would be receiving in the Chicago auditing firm would be primarily on-the-job
training while doing client audits.

On the personal side, your family has helped you with the cost of your J-1 documents, but
after all is said and done, you only have a small amount left for emergency money. Your
goal from the beginning has been to gain experience as an auditor, but you realize the
importance of learning about the other departments within an accounting firm. You would
like to make this internship as long as possible, because there are few positions available
back home, and you believe in a couple of years, that situation will turn around. You like
winter sports, but you prefer a warmer climate for day-to-day activities. As far as personal
likes, you have found that you like American football and water sports, but are not into
operas and symphonies.

In your discussion with the two firms, you found that the firm in Dallas would be assisting
you with obtaining a Social Security number, bank account and driver’s license. You would
be assigned a mentor, who would be in contact with you before you even start your trip, and
will be there to pick you up at the airport. The Chicago recruiter said that one of the other
interns would help you during their free time. This is the first time you have left home and
your first time in the US or any other country.

Which internship should you take?

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First, let’s set up your form and tailor it to your evaluation needs and goals:

Items to Evaluate Acceptable

Company A Company B
Internship
My internship experience is the most important The longer, the better.

Internship 10 I make friends easily, and am easygoing.

Training
Internship Term 8 Professional
Company Culture 6 development
Professional 8 will look
Development good on my
resume.
Location & Work 4
Environment As long as I am getting training
Pay & Benefits 8 and I don’t freeze or burn up, it
Living 6 is not that important to me.
Accommodations
Pay is important. My
Transportation 4 emergency resources
Visa 4 are limited.
Cultural 4
Exchange Not a big
deal. I
Miscellaneous 2 will find
Total Score 64 a way to
work.

I do not believe I
will have a
Not very Not really problem getting
important important my visa.
to my to me.

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Now that you have determined how much each element matters to you, let’s evaluate the two companies to
see which one is a better fit:

Items to Evaluate Acceptable

Chicago Dallas
Internship
In the long run, I
believe a rotational I like 18 months
internship is better better.

Internship Training 10 8 10 I like the laid-back

Internship Term 8 6 8 environment.
Company Culture 6 6 7
Professional 10
8 6
Development More training in
Location & Work Dallas.
4 4 4
Environment
Pay & Benefits 8 6 9 Not important.
Living
6 6 6
Accommodations
Transportation 4 4 4
Visa 4 4 4 Dallas covers the
big costs.
Cultural Exchange 4 4 4
Miscellaneous 2 2 2
Total Score 64 56 68

When we look at the analysis, we see that the

Chicago internship, besides being less attractive than Not really
the Dallas internship, doesn’t even meet the criteria important
as an acceptable internship. to me.

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 You were presented with two seemingly very good internships. However as you started to analyze them
against each other and against what you were looking for, you started to see how the subtle differences add up.
That is why, even if the answer seems apparent, you should take the time to do this analysis for no other
reason than to make sure that the internship meets your minimum requirements. If, after you have done this
analysis, you still decide to choose the less desirable one, you will have at least made an informed decision.

One final recommendation: record all of this into your journal for future reference.

¾ What is the best way to lock down (formalize) my internship?

This is where problems with an internship generally start. If a problem does develop, it is because one
person said one thing, and the other misinterpreted what was said. In our company, we’ve seen it happen on
more than one occasion.
You cannot afford any problems at this point for a number of reasons. To start with, you have invested a
lot of time and energy in finding this internship. Second, you have invested a lot of money to get your visa and
the required health insurance. Finally, you will be investing a year to 18 months of your time doing this
internship. The last thing you need is to get a few months into the internship, and then realize that you aren’t
where you want to be. I did discuss that there is a positive side to doing a bad internship, but of course, I never
advocate going out to purposely look for one. At least if you have done all the right things and you still end up
in an internship you don’t like, you won’t be saying to yourself “I should have . . .”

Once you have been extended an offer, the most likely scenario is for the employer to send you a
confirmation letter. The letter will tell you that you have an internship, and give the relevant information about
it. At this point, I recommend that, before you accept the internship, you tell the employer that you would like
to send him, via a letter or e-mail, your understanding of the internship and a confirmation of the facts.
It may sound bold or even risky—because you fear that doing so will make the employer think you aren’t
interested. But it won’t. The employer will respect you for doing this, and will view you as an astute individual
who is taking the internship offer very seriously. Just keep in mind that you are the person with the most to
lose here. All the employer has invested is a few phone calls and an hour or two of time. You, however, have a
great amount of time and money invested. But there is another reason for your request—since you are an
international, language barriers can affect your interpretation of what is being offered.

Let’s go through the elements you want to include in your letter. Then, we’ll put together a sample letter
that you can model your letter after.

Elements of the Confirmation Letter

ƒ Opening: In this paragraph, thank the recruiter for the internship offer, and express your excitement about
the opportunity.

ƒ Your Internship: In this paragraph, describe your understanding of the internship: what you will be doing,
how long you will be doing it for, and any other pertinent information that is relevant. In other words,
clarify any special circumstances of the internship that were mentioned in the interview, or in the letter you
just received. As examples:

▪ Length of internship and start date: You need to lock down when you need to report to work, and
how long will the internship be for.

▪ Work schedule details. You want to lock down how many hours per week you will be working,
and the start and stop times.

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▪ Pay and Benefits: You want to confirm the pay (salary, hourly rate, or stipend); how often you will
be compensated; and how much time you will have off for vacations and sick time.

▪ Living accommodations and transportation: You want to confirm what was discussed on where you
will be living, and how you will get to the job site each day.

▪ Professional Development: If anything was promised during the discussions, you will want to
confirm it at this point.

▪ Mentoring and transition assistance: Again, you will want to confirm any promises or assistance
that was offered as part of the acceptance of the internship.

▪ Visa and Documentation: You want to confirm your understanding of what was agreed on
concerning sponsorship, and on obtaining these documents.

This might seem like a lot of work, but it is actually only one letter or e-mail, and a confirmation back. In
fact, this is the most important letter you will write. (Note: If you send an e-mail, make sure you save a hard
copy of the letter, and of the confirmation.)

Now, here is a sample letter confirming an internship:

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 Mr. John Jameson October 22, 2004
XYZ Partners Inc.
3252 Piedmont Rd
Miami, Florida, 12345

Dear Mr. Jameson

It was so nice to hear from you earlier today. Since we last talked, I have been
hoping that you would be offering me the accounting audit internship. I have been
looking for such an opportunity, and the one that you have offered is truly unique. As
we discussed, I am sending you this letter to confirm my understanding of the
requirements of the internship, and what will be expected of me during my training
period. If, after you have reviewed this letter, there are any misunderstanding or
discrepancies, let me know so that we can resolve any issues.

It is my understanding that the internship will be a rotational internship. Initially, I will

be working in the tax department for three to six months. While in this department, I
will be expected to become familiar with US tax laws as they apply to corporations.

After I have completed this training, I will be working with the corporate group
assisting clients on preparation of their tax returns. During this period, it is my
understanding that I am to become familiar with two or three specific clients. These
clients will be assigned to me at the beginning of this rotation. During my last six
months, I will work with the audit team responsible for auditing these specific clients.
The objective is for me to apply, in a practical way, the training that I received during
the first 12 months of my internship.

The following are other points that we discussed:

Length of Internship: 18 months

Start time:
You are expecting me to report on or about February 15, 2005. This will allow me
three months to obtain my documents and visa.

Work schedule details and location:

It is my understanding that my work schedule is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with one
hour for lunch, and that during tax season, I can expect to work three to four hours of
overtime each day and a half day on Saturdays. At a minimum, I will be working 40
hours per week. My office will be located at the corporate office annex adjacent to
the administration building on Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, Florida.

Pay and Benefits:

I will be paid a stipend of $400.00 per month, and will be paid an additional $8.00 per
hour for any hours in excess of 40 hours per week. I will be allowed three sick days
with pay, and given one week of unpaid vacation after 12 months. In the event that I
miss my internship by more than three days, my stipend will be reduced by $35 per
day for each day missed.

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Living Accommodations and Transportation:

You will be providing a two-bedroom, fully furnished apartment, which I will share
with three other interns. You will cover the cost of all utilities, including cable TV and
local telephone service. Transportation is by local bus service or by foot, since the
office is located down the street from the apartment.

Professional Development:
During our discussion, you indicated that I will be expected to attend two corporate
seminars per quarter, which will be paid for by the company, and that you will
provide me a list of approved seminars that I can choose from.

Mentoring and transition assistance:

This is to confirm that Mr. Ron Jacobs will be my mentor and will be available to
assist me in obtaining my Social Security number, checking account, and help me
get set up in my apartment. It is my understanding that Mr. Jacobs will be
responsible for my quarterly and semi-annual review, and for the reporting required
by my university.

Visa and Documents:

You indicated that I needed to call International Educational Exchange, Inc., who will
be the sponsoring agency for my J-I visa, and that you will call them in advance to let
them know I will be calling. As for the required health insurance, you indicated that
the company will be paying for this as part of my internship, and that you will make
direct arrangements with the sponsoring agency to pay for this coverage.

I believe this covers all the issues concerning my internship. Assuming no major
differences in understanding, I look forward to this opportunity that you have offered
to me. Again, thank you for giving me this valuable opportunity. I truly appreciate it.

Yours truly,

Afua Talipan

When you receive your confirmation, you will know what to expect when you arrive at your internship.
Now, you have effectively locked down your internship.
My recommendation is that you use this approach regardless of the size or prestige of the company. It
is always better to have a written confirmation of what was agreed upon, and it will inevitably eliminate
bad feelings that can easily develop because of misunderstandings. Our company, Internship4America,
uses just such a procedure. We call it our “Pre-Orientation Packet,” and it outlines all the terms and
conditions of the internship, which has been verified with the hosting company. Every student receives it
prior to final acceptance, and is required to sign off on every term and condition. That way, there are no
“Gee, you said . . .” or, “I did not understand that I was expected to . . .” to worry about later for either the
intern or employer.

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 I will close this with a short story to illustrate the importance of locking down your program. I was
recently at a meeting with a client that was interested in us taking over their interns and folding
them into our program, because they were tired of all the complaining and discontent among the
interns. Before we would agree, we wanted access to the interns to interview and get their feelings
on coming under our umbrella, and to understand their concerns and problems. The following
three are only a fraction of the complaints the group had, but does illustrate what happens when
you don’t get a clear understanding.

The first intern we interviewed was Peter from Romania. He had been in the program for three
months, and was struggling with living costs. It seems he hadn’t inquired about the local cost of
living, and was having a hard time meeting his expenses. He had to find a second job just to get
by. He felt that because his situation mandated a second job, he wasn’t performing or learning as
much as he should. When asked what he had done to lock down his internship, his reply was: “I
just assumed that what they would be paying me was enough to cover my expenses, and I thought
I would be living with the other 10 interns in the company’s program.”

The next intern we interviewed was Gloria from Istanbul. Gloria was here to do an accounting
internship. At least, that was what she thought. She was spending most of her time acting as
the secretary to the accounting manger and she was unhappy and frustrated. We spoke to the
company about this situation and they claimed that they told Gloria she would be spending half
her time as a secretary in the accounting department. When we asked Gloria if she had a letter
outlining her internship, she produced her training plan that was written for her. The training
plan indicated that she would be spending 50% of her time assisting as needed. What she
failed to do was get clarification on the meaning of “assisting as needed.”

The third individual was Jacob from England. Jacob graduated with an IT degree, and really
enjoyed programming and troubleshooting. Since the market for IT internships had been weak, he
opted for an internship with XYZ in their website design group. Jacob figured that once he got
here, he could change management’s mind, and they would let him do programming. Of course,
when he was interviewing with the company, he never mentioned this interest in programming, or
got any type of training commitment for it. After a month of working with websites, he started to
express interest in moving to the programming group, and then started complaining to the HR
department on a regular basis. Because of his discontent, he also became frustrated with his living
arrangement, the cost of living, Americans and a host of other things.

As we completed our interviews, it became apparent that, although the company was partially at
fault because they didn’t have a clear policy outlining their program, the interns hadn’t been
prudent in their evaluation process.

From these examples, you can see the importance of locking down your internship, knowing the
parameters of your program and asking questions before you make a final decision. Just maybe, if Gloria had
understood in advance that she was going to also act as a secretary, she might have accepted it willingly as part
of the price to gain accounting experience. If Jacob had expressed his interest in programming, and since the
company wanted him as part of the team, they might have provided him some training in this area. And if
Peter had outlined in an e-mail or letter that he expected shared housing, or had clarified the local cost of
living, he could have made a more informed decision.
There is an American saying that says “Buyer Beware,” which means, “Be sure you understand what you
are buying.”
Or in your case, “Lock it down before you accept it.”

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CHAPTER 9

OBTAINING A US VISA
Understanding Visas

¾ What is a visa?

F or the most part, if you are a citizen of another country, you will need to have a visa to enter the US.
Because of world conditions and changes in the regulations, the amount of time to secure a visa has
definitely increased. This has been done to ensure your safety and the safety of US citizens.
So, what is this document you will be required to obtain?
The visa indicates that your application for entry has been reviewed by a consular officer at the US
embassy in your country and that it has been determined that you are eligible to enter the US for a specific
purpose. This process falls under the jurisdiction of the US Department of State.
Technically speaking, the visa only allows you to travel to the US as far as the port of entry. In most cases,
this is the airport. At that point, with the visa in hand, you are asking the immigration officer for permission to
enter the US. Authority to enter at this point is in the hands of the immigration officer—who also decides how
long you can stay for any particular reason.

¾ What are the two categories of US visas?

There are two basic categories of visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Let’s talk about each, since it will
help you to have an understanding of both categories.

From the standpoint of this book, the immigrant visa is of little concern to us. This visa is for individuals
who intend to live permanently in the US. However, if at some later date you decide to immigrate to the US,
this will be the type of visa you will be interested in.
Nonimmigrant visas are for individuals who have declared that their permanent residence is outside the
US. Through their request for this type of visa, they are seeking to enter the US on a temporary basis for the
purpose of study, temporary work, business, medical treatment, or tourism and travel.
Through the visa process, the consular officer at the US embassy determines the eligibility of each
recipient, based on the evidence provided and on the virtues of each case. Even if you have provided all the
required documentation, there is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. That is why, as we will discuss
later, you must make sure that all your documents are prepared correctly and that you are properly prepared for
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your embassy interview. Each individual’s situation is different. Therefore, even though you are applying for
the same visa as the next person or a friend of yours, the questions you will be asked, and subsequent
document requests, might be different.

¾ What should I know about visa policy?

Because of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there have been some changes made in the laws that
control visitor entry into the US. In terms of what has not changed, you still have to complete all the various
application forms and passport checks, submit your photo, and provide additional documentation as required.
You still have to demonstrate your intent to return to your home country upon completion of your stay. And of
course, you still have to pay a fee.
In terms of what has changed: The consular officer, in addition to being satisfied that you will honor the
terms of your visa request, must be assured that you are not a security risk. This is a daunting responsibility for
the consular officer. Therefore, you must make every effort to provide proper documentation to assist with his
responsibility.
One of the biggest changes is the addition of a registration requirement. The purpose of this requirement is
to track visitors to verify that they are complying with the terms of their visa. Although this system has been in
place in the past, it was not followed. Today, it is being enforced. It is called SEVIS (Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System).

¾ What is different now about Student and Exchange Visa policy?

Here are the key differences to keep in mind:

ƒ You must complete a supplemental application form, which assists the consular officer in judging
your visa eligibility.
ƒ You must have an authorization form from your sponsoring institution in the US.
ƒ The sponsoring institution must authenticate the applicant by opening and maintaining an electronic
file on the SEVIS web-based data management system, which is managed by the US Department of
Homeland Security.

¾ What are Visitor Exchange Programs?

These are exchange programs that are the result of arrangements made by different governments to allow
their citizens to study, train or conduct research as part of a reciprocal agreement. Persons who are accepted
into these programs are provided with a special classification of visa so they can be identified and tracked.

¾ What are the Exchange Visitor Visas?

If you will remember, we discussed the two categories of visas as the immigrant and the nonimmigrant. The
exchange visas are considered as nonimmigrant, since they are temporary, and include, as part of their agreement,
that you will return home. These visas allow international students and young professionals to enter the United
States to participate in an exchange program. Within these visas are different categories. Of these, the two
classifications that we are concerned with are the “J” and the “Q” type visas. The “J” is for educational and cultural
exchange programs, and is designated by the US State Department. The “Q” is for international cultural exchange
programs, and is designated by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

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Some of the other visa classifications that you should be familiar with are the following:

ƒ F – This visa is for a student attending an academic or language training program.

ƒ M – Students in vocational or other recognized non-academic programs use this visa.

Let’s briefly discuss “J” and the “Q” type of visas. Later, we will go more in depth on the steps and the
documents required to obtain these visas.

ƒ J-1 Visa

The objective of the “J” exchange program is to promote educational and cultural exchange, and to
promote the sharing of individuals’ knowledge and skills in education, arts and sciences.
Participants in this visa program include students, trainees involved in on-the-job training, teachers
engaged in research and teaching, and international visitors interested in travel, research, consulting
and demonstrating specific knowledge.

ƒ Q Visa

The Q-1 international cultural exchange program provides practical training, employment and the
sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of the participant’s home country in the US.

¾ How can I find out more information about visas?

Here are some websites that can help you find additional information on the subject of visas:

ƒ Destination USA
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov

ƒ Foreignborn.com
www.foreignborn.com

ƒ Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/index.htm

ƒ Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State http://exchanges.state.gov/

ƒ US Department of State
http://www.state.gov/

ƒ Visa Services, Department of State http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html

ƒ What Consuls look for - Student Visas http://travel.state.gov/what_consuls_look_for.html

ƒ Visa Denials
http://travel.state.gov/visadenials.html

ƒ Frequently Asked Questions about Visas http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html

ƒ Visa Applications, Department of State http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html#apps

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 Here are some US government publications that you want to review as part of learning about visas:

ƒ Code of Federal Regulations http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/

ƒ Federal Register http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/

Understanding the J-1 and Q-1 Visa Background Requirements

¾ What types of financial resources are required?

As a participant in the “J” exchange visitor program, you must have sufficient funds to cover all expenses.
These funds can be provided by a hosting organization (the company you will be training with), which will do
so in the form of a salary, hourly pay rate, scholarship or a stipend. It can also be in the form of housing plus
other considerations and monies in one form or other. It is also important to show that you have financial
resources available to you through your family or a relative. The more ties you have to your home country, the
better your chances of being granted a visa.
If you are participating in a “Q” exchange visitors program, you will be paid by your sponsor at the same
pay rate as a local domestic worker who is similarly employed.

¾ What type of scholastic preparation is required?

The “J” exchange visitor must have sufficient educational background to participate in the program. As
part of this requirement, you must have knowledge of the English language, or the program you are in must be
designed to accommodate non-English-speaking participants.
We often get requests from students to do internships in areas where they have no practical or educational
experience. Not long ago, a young lady who had majored in accounting called us. She had no experience in the
hotel field, but decided that she wanted to do an internship in hotel management. In an interview with her, she
said, “Listen, I want to get to the US because I have friends there. Can you get me a hotel internship if you
don’t have an accounting one?”
We quickly pointed out to her that it is a requirement that the individual applying for a J-1 visa have
related experience or education—that this was not just another method to get a US visa.
Having a good command of English is very important. In fact, I will go so far as to say that it is key to your
success. I highly recommend that you take some of the proficiency tests discussed in Chapter Two, and have the
results with you at your embassy appointment. It could be helpful, and improve your chances of getting a visa.
For you to qualify for a “Q” exchange visitor’s visa, you must be 18 years old. In addition, you must be
able to communicate effectively about the cultural attributes of your country.

¾ What are the special requirements for graduate medical education or training?

As a “J” program participant for graduate medical education or training, you must pass the Foreign
Medical Graduate Examination in Medical Sciences. In addition, you must demonstrate competency in
English, and will be automatically subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement (more on that later).
Also, you are subject to time limits on the duration of your program. However, if you are a physician coming
for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching, or research in which there is little or no patient care, you
are exempt from the above requirements.

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¾ What forms and petitions are required?

If you are participating in the “J” program, you must present a Form DS-2019 that has been prepared by a
designated sponsoring organization. Previously, this form was called an IAP-66, and was replaced on
September 1, 2002 by DS-2019.

If you are a participant in the “Q” program, have your sponsoring organization file Form I-129
(Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).
The BCIS is in the Department of Homeland Security. The BCIS will notify the sponsor listed on Form
I-797 when the petition is approved. Keep in mind that petition approval doesn’t guarantee visa issuance
to an applicant found to be ineligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act. So again, be certain that
all your documentation is accurate and complete at all stages, and that you meet all the eligibility
requirements.

The DS-2019

The DS-2019 must be obtained from an organization designated to administer Training as part of the
Exchange Visitors Programs. The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
designates these organizations, which are called sponsoring agencies. There are many of them; the following is
a list to help you get started.
Your host company will have to submit their training plan (in the required format) to one of these agencies
for approval. Once they approve your application (with all the relevant documentation) and the training plan,
then you will be issued your DS-2019.

American Hospitality Academy

Hilton Head Island, Georgia, USA
www.usainternships.com

Apex USA, Inc.

1504 Neptune Drive
Clinton, OK 73601-6201
580-323-3555 (OK)
828-497-9711
www.apexusa.org

Association for International Practical Training

10 Corporate Center, Suite 250
10400 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044-3510
410-997-2200
www.aipt.org

Council on International Educational Exchange

633 Third Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10017-6706
212-822-2620
www.ciee.org

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 Cultural Exchange Network
902 E. Jackson Blvd.
P.O. Box 111
Jackson, MO. 63755
573-504-1111
www.cenet.us

InterExchange, Inc.
161 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10013
212-924-0446
www.interexhange.org

International Educational Exchange, Inc.

53 White Oaks Circle
Bluffton, SC 29910
843-757-1963
www.ieexchanges.com

¾ What do I need to know about visa ineligibility and waivers?

The Form DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application lists classes of persons who are ineligible under US
law to receive visas. If you are such an applicant but are properly classifiable as an exchange visitor, you can
apply for a waiver of the ineligibility. If the waiver is approved, you can be issued a visa.

¾ When and where do I need to apply for a visa?

You should apply for your visa as early as possible to provide ample time in the event that the consular office
needs to get special clearances based on your course of study or your nationality. The embassies and consulates are
able to issue your visa up to 90 days prior to your start date or reporting date as shown on your DS-2019. If you
apply earlier than 90 days, the consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa.

It is advisable that you apply at the US embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of
permanent residence. It is true that you can apply at any US consular office abroad, but it may be more
difficult to qualify for the visa outside your home country.

¾ What are the required documents, and are there any associated costs?

Let’s start with cost. Each applicant must pay a nonrefundable $100(US) application fee and submit:

ƒ Application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and
signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign a Form DS-157. You can obtain
these forms at all US consular offices, and on the Visa Services website under “Visa Application
Forms.”

ƒ A valid passport for travel to the US, with a valid date at least six months beyond your intended
period of stay. If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must
submit an application.
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ƒ One 2 inch x 2 inch photograph of yourself.

ƒ If you are a “J” applicant, you must have your completed DS-2019. The cost of this document can
range from $500 to $1,000(US). In addition, you will be required to have health insurance, which
costs between $500 and $800(US). You will find that these costs vary by agency and length of stay.

ƒ If you are a “Q” applicant, you must have a Notice of Approval, which is Form I-797.

ƒ Proof that your stay is temporary. Whether you are a “J” or a “Q” applicant, you must demonstrate
to the consular officer that you have binding ties to your home country. This is to show that you
have no intention of abandoning your home country, and that your stay in the US is for a temporary
period.

¾ How do I prove I have binding ties? Is that important?

You will find that what constitutes “strong ties” differs from country to country, city-to-city, and
individual to individual. I don’t have any statistics to prove it, but I believe that many exchange visitor
applicants are turned down because of an inability or lack of proof of strong ties. So before you go to your
embassy appointment, make sure you have as much proof as you can find and can substantiate. This is so
important, I am going to list out what you need to have with you. You have come a long way to arrive at this
point, so I beg you to make sure you are ready, because if you are denied, it is an uphill battle to reverse the
decision:

ƒ Proof of ownership of house or land.

ƒ Proof of a bank account with money in it.

ƒ Proof of a job you are leaving, and that will be waiting for you when you return. This can include a
letter from your employer acknowledging that he is holding a position for you, and that the training
you will gain will be a benefit to his company.

ƒ Proof of parents, relatives and siblings that you will want to return to. For example, a letter from
your parents or relatives acknowledging that they expect you to return home at the end of your
training.

ƒ Proof that your family owns property, or a business or a bank account, and has strong ties to the
community. This can include a letter from a church pastor acknowledging your strong involvement
in the church and with the members.

ƒ If you are a student, proof that you will need to return to complete your degree in order to graduate.
Bring a letter from the dean of the school. If the dean has approved your internship, have that proof
available.

ƒ Have a black and white photo with a white background.

ƒ Have your passport and birth certificate with you.

ƒ Have your DS-2019 and related papers that you will receive from the sponsoring agency.

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 ƒ Have your resume with you.

ƒ Have your diplomas, certificates, etc., that support your resume.

ƒ Have your documentation from your host company, your offer letter, correspondence, etc. And, if
you are working with a program management company, have their documentation with you. Again,
offer letters and any e-mail correspondence.

In essence, bring everything you can put together and have it available to prove your commitment to
returning. There is no overkill on this issue.

During your visa interview, the consular officer will look at your application as an individual, and
consider your professional, social and cultural motives and other factors. As a young applicant, you
might not have had the opportunity to form many ties in your home country, so the consular officer
will look at your specific intentions, family situations, and long-range plans and prospects within your
country.
You will be questioned on all these factors. Therefore, you should prepare in advance for it by making
sure you have a sincere, clear reason why you want the training you are seeking. Your answers should
indicate how you plan to use this training once you have returned to your home country. If you have a job
waiting or pending based on this training, you should have a document with you from your employer
stating this fact.

¾ Is a visa denial permanent?

No. But as I said before, it is an uphill battle. You will have to go back and get further convincing evidence
of ties to your home country. You will have to call the embassy and find out the reapplication procedures. All
of this will take time, and might cost you your internship.

¾ What are the rules concerning employment?

Because the “J” status does not automatically authorize employment, employment depends upon the terms
of your program. If the program provides for on-the-job training, teaching, research, or other activities, which
involve paid employment, you may accept such employment. If your program does not involve work, you may
not accept outside employment.
If you are in a “Q” international cultural exchange program, you are authorized to accept paid employment
as part of the program.

¾ I understand there is a foreign residency requirement. Can you explain this?

Basically, it says that when you complete your training, you must return to your country of nationality or
last residence after completing your program in the US, and reside there physically for two years before you
become eligible to apply for an immigration or temporary worker visa. There are exceptions to this rule, so
you might want to check what is applicable to your country.
However, if you are in a “Q” exchange program, you may not participate in another “Q” program until
after you have been abroad for one year.

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My recommendation: If you have further questions concerning this whole issue, consult an immigration
attorney who can advise you properly.

¾ Can my spouse and children accompany me?

As a participant in a “J” exchange program, the answer is yes. Your family member can apply for a
derivative “J-2” visas to accompany, or to follow you by presenting a copy of your Form DS-2019. They will
have to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to cover all their expenses while in the US.
They can also apply to the BCIS for authorization to accept US employment.
The “Q” exchange program does not provide admission of a spouse or children in a derivative status.

Understand that immigration matters are the responsibility of the US Department of Homeland Security
now. And remember, this is the government, so everything is subject to change. Yet, even with the changes
and increased restrictions, the visa process is achievable. When in doubt, take the time to research the
information, and be sure to provide it to the right people at the right time. Assuming that you have been honest
and straightforward with all the information you supplied in your application, this process should be seamless,
and the only sound you will hear is the stamping of your passport.

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CHAPTER 10

LIVING IN THE USA

Cultural Considerations

¾ Tell me about American culture.

S ome 300 million people now call the USA home. However, for the most part, they have their origins
around the world.
If you were to visit a US school, you would find children with names such as Anderson, Ali, Chi,
Sellers, Branch, Jilek, Hernandez, Levine, Patel, Reinhart, Shah, Smith and a host of others.
Cultural diversity is preserved in American society more than the traditional “melting pot” image might
mislead people to believe. You will find American cities divided into ethnic neighborhoods with high
concentrations of immigrant groups, and many of these groups retain their own customs and social traditions.
You will also find that these areas, over time, transform from one ethnic group to another as new groups
migrate into a particular city. Even with the existence of these ethnic neighborhoods, almost everyone
integrates into the American mainstream in some aspect of life—such as in schools, entertainment, sports and
business, to name a few.
America is a very big country. These wide geographical differences within America also make for
profound differences in attitudes and values. For example, a traditional Mid-Westerner’s point of view might
be as different from a Texan’s as the traditional Turkish outlook is from the Italian.
You will find it very easy to meet Americans. As a visitor from another country, you have an added
“mystique” that greatly interests Americans. We discussed this as one of your advantages when seeking an
internship. This inherent allure will also work for you in this situation.
Keep in mind that the US is a country insulated by vast oceans, and engrossed for over 200 years in its own
rapid development. So don’t be put off if the Americans you meet don’t know much about your county.
Americans have a tendency to be quite unaware of other cultures and societies and how they work, but at the
same time are very curious and interested. This unawareness is changing, however. Because of “9/11” and the
expansion of terrorism, Americans have become more aware of the world at large and less self-absorbed. This
is your opportunity to educate us about your country.
At times, this might place an additional responsibility on your shoulders. As a newcomer to both the
company and community, the “responsibility” is on you to be outgoing and extend the first hand of friendship.
Whatever you do, be open to the new experiences that confront you, try not to be judgmental, and keep a sense
of humor.

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 As you meet people, you will see that there is no one definitive or distinctive set of cultural traits that
describe all Americans. You may find some well-known stereotypes, and probably some unexpected
characteristics and attitudes. Yet you will find that most Americans are eager to befriend you and help you,
because America is a country comprised of first, second or third-generation immigrants.

¾ What do I need to know about adjusting to a new culture?

While everyone responds differently, there are typically several stages most interns go through during the
following adjustment period:

ƒ At first, you can expect to experience excitement and happiness. During this phase, you will participate
in and observe things that are new and different to you; this will give you a feeling of adventure and
newfound freedom. You will, at all times, be aware that you are in a new culture and far from home.

ƒ As time passes and you get into your daily routine of living and working in the US, your sense of
adventure and excitement will start to wear off. You will find that life in the US can also be quite
ordinary, stressful, and uneventful, just like life back home. During this second period, you will
most likely start missing your old friends and family, and you may even feel isolated because you
have not yet established any close bonds of friendship. Rather than being happy and enjoying
yourself, you might find yourself dissatisfied or disenchanted with America and Americans. All of
a sudden, every task becomes a major ordeal, and deep-down, you wish you hadn’t embarked on
this internship.

ƒ These feelings soon give way to a more realistic view, and an adjustment to American culture. Once
you start to assimilate into the community, the values and characteristics of Americans become more
lucid and seem more familiar to you. You will start to focus inward, and day-to-day life becomes easier
and more familiar. During this part of immersion into the American way of life, you will begin to
experience the culture in a way that would never be possible if you were only here visiting. This is the
cultural experience you have been looking for.

During the adjustment phase, you may have to work hard to keep a positive attitude and to keep up
with your daily routines. You might be tempted to withdraw, or might even become somewhat hostile
toward your American friends, your job or employer, the US, and even the whole program. If this is the
case, it will help you to know that, for most people, this phase doesn’t last very long. The best way to get
through it is to force yourself to keep up your routines, keep a positive attitude, and make a special effort
to have some fun (yes, I said fun). Go back to your journal and refresh you memory on all the reasons you
came to the US in the first place. Most important, and as we say in the US, you do not want to burn your
bridges by acting hostile.

It is somewhat rare, but sometimes these simple tips don’t work, and an intern finds themselves feeling
overwhelmed and upset most of the time. If this happens to you, find someone away from the job that you can
talk to. My best advice is to keep a sense of humor and keep an open mind. And remember, even the worst
experience will probably make a highly entertaining story back home!

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We have mentored many interns through their adjustment periods. One young lady I remember,
from Germany, was having a particularly rough time adjusting to the internship, to her co-
workers, and to the interns she lived with. She came to me in desperation, saying she was
thinking of going home. I reminded her that she’d only been here for four weeks, and she
needed to give it time. I suggested that, over the weekend, she visit the city’s entertainment
district and try to have fun. Since I didn’t hear from again her right away, I lost track of her.

About a month later, she was in the office, all smiles. I said, “Seems like you have settled in.”

Her reply was, “I did what you said. I went with a couple of other interns to the
entertainment area about a month ago. While I was there, I met a group of girls from the
University of Georgia. We hit it off . . .” Her smile widened. “I think they liked my accent.
Anyway, we have been going out, and I have even visited them on campus. I am having
fun. See you later, Mr. L!”

As that intern’s experience shows, most people have an enjoyable time during their internship. However,
the following are examples of some less-than-positive experiences participants have had in this stage of
adjustment:

ƒ A new arrival in a large American city was initially exhilarated by the fast-paced bustle of the city, and
enjoyed the feeling of being in the midst of so much activity. However, the feeling eventually gave
way to stress. It seemed that people were always in a hurry, the streets were always crowded and noisy,
and no one ever looked anyone else in the eye.

ƒ A student in a small community found the American customs of saying “Thank you,” “You’re
welcome,” “Have a nice day,” and smiling at strangers rather silly. This seemed insincere, and the
student scorned this superficial behavior, preferring a more formal relationship with strangers. The
student refused to be friendly to people who weren’t actual friends.

ƒ An adventurous student seeks out an isolated, rural area for work. The place can only be reached by car
or on foot; public transportation is nonexistent. While the student likes the peace and beauty of the
area, she also feels trapped and frustrated by her inability to leave and explore other regions nearby.
America’s “car culture” strikes her as a ridiculous self-indulgence, and she concludes that Americans
are selfish, lazy people.

By reading these experiences of other interns, you will probably begin to recognize that some behaviors
are neither “good” nor “bad,” but simply a function of culture. Even those behaviors that seem negative may
be understood better in a cultural context. For example, while Americans’ dependence on cars contributes to
environmental problems, and is inconvenient for those who can’t afford a car, this phenomenon can be
explained by such things as the size of the country, the low cost of gasoline, and the national emphasis on
individualism and self-reliance.

The best thing you can do is to follow the old cliché, “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” If you do, you
might find that there is a method to our madness.

¾ What are some of the common customs practiced by Americans?

One of the best ways to assimilate into a culture is to know and understand some of the local customs and
practices. It is difficult to list all of them, and impossible to list the regional ones you will encounter. So I can
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only provide you with the most common ones you can expect to encounter during your internship. These are
not listed in any particular order of importance:

ƒ Shaking hands: A handshake is used to indicate friendship and acceptance. In the US, it is an activity
practiced by both men and women. Besides being used as a greeting, it is often used to informally close
a contract or deal.

ƒ Saying “Bless you!” when someone sneezes: This is a custom of wishing someone well, when in
actuality they may be experiencing a cold!

ƒ Hand over the mouth when yawning: It is considered good manners to cover your mouth when
yawning. By doing so, you might be covering up bad breath also.

ƒ Ketchup: This product, which is a spiced, tomato-based sauce, is commonly used on hot dogs,
hamburgers, and French fries. In America, a hamburger is not a hamburger unless it has ketchup on it.
Try it, you will like it.

ƒ The backyard barbecue or barbecue party: A barbecue is normally an outdoor summer social event held
by families, companies, and organizations. While occasionally a barbecue includes meat cooked over
an open fire and coated with a spicy sauce or seasoning, normally you can expect to be served hotdogs,
hamburgers or steaks, along with refreshments. (Don’t forget to ask for the ketchup!) Often, barbecues
are held during national holidays and birthdays, or to celebrate a special occasion. The “Fourth of July”
is the one holiday that you can expect to be invited to that will include a barbecue.

ƒ Drive-thru or fast food: This custom is 100% American, and is part of the fast-food craze that swept the
country beginning right after World War II. It allows you to pull up to a drive-thru window, order your
food, and eat it in your car (or while you are driving if you are in a hurry or willing to take unnecessary
risks!).

ƒ Hot dogs at the baseball game: The hot dog, formerly from Germany, was called the frankfurter. Eating
them at a baseball game has become part of our culture. So when you attend your first game, order one.
They taste best if you put mustard, relish and onions on them and have a cold beer to wash it down
with. And oh, perhaps ketchup too!

ƒ Regular tooth-brushing: In American society, cleanliness and personal hygiene are stressed from early
on. The practice of brushing one’s teeth after each meal is considered a standard practice. Now, not
everyone brushes three times a day, but most will brush at least morning and evening. The next time
you are in a public washroom (WC); don’t be surprised if you see someone brushing his or her teeth.
As part of this tradition, it is common for people to visit the dentist yearly.

ƒ Daily showers or baths: Here again, a daily shower or bath is considered a standard practice.
Americans are very sensitive to body odor, and it is considered unacceptable in the workplace. Also
considered unacceptable are strong colognes and perfumes.

ƒ Coupons and coupon-clipping: It is very common to find “money off savings” on items listed in the
newspaper. Some coupons are for national items; some are only for items that are carried by a
particular store. If your local store carries the product, all you have to do is to cut out (“clip”) the
coupon, bring it to the store, and present it at the checkout. You will receive the discount in exchange
for the coupon. If you are on a budget, you can save a substantial amount by watching the newspapers
and collecting the coupons. Look at the Sunday paper in particular; they normally have an abundance
of coupons.

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ƒ TGIF (“Thank Goodness It’s Friday”): Many Americans celebrate the end of the work week by
frequenting restaurants, bars and taverns for drinks and food to release the tension of the workweek.
For those of you who are into partying, there are those young Americans that celebrate “Over the
Hump Day” on Wednesday evenings, signifying that there are only two workdays remaining.

ƒ Tailgate parties: This custom takes place before a sporting event such as a football, baseball, soccer or
basketball game. Those who attend the game as a group meet at the venue a few hours before the event,
and proceed to have a party with food and drink served. The party usually happens outside the sporting
event. The object of the party is to get everyone excited about the event and to get into the spirit of the
game.

ƒ Baseball: This is as American as it gets. Baseball is played at all levels, from Little League softball for
the kids, to “big leagues” for the professionals. In many communities, the sport is played informally as
well by groups of friends and associates. Baseball is not a fast game, but it is one where you can sit in
the sun and just relax while you are watching it. Have a few hot dogs, drink a few beers and you will
have captured the American feel.

ƒ Football: This has become a big favorite among Americans. You will find that it is very prevalent at
the high school, college and professional level. Don’t be surprised if the buzz around the office on
Monday mornings in the fall is about either the local high school football team, the local college team,
or some pro team and how they fared over the weekend. Another favorite is a Tuesday morning
discussion of a television show called Monday Night Football, where two football teams compete on
national television.

ƒ Celebrating Mardi Gras: The words are French and mean, “Fat Tuesday,” which is the Tuesday before
Lent. The biggest celebration is held in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is worth a visit. Mardi Gras
includes a big parade with many floats, and lots of eating and drinking. If you don’t have the chance to
visit New Orleans, many US cities also have “Mardi Gras parties.” (Note of caution: The celebrations
can become quite ribald, especially in larger cities, so exercise the same cautions you ordinarily would
in any large, boisterous gathering.)

ƒ Wearing green on Saint Patrick’s Day: Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and many Americans
(whether or not they are Irish) celebrate this holiday on March 17th. In New York, a large parade is
held with people wearing green clothes, and shamrocks are used for decorations everywhere in the
country. You can find Saint Patrick’s Day parties in most major American cites. After a night of
celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, I remember one intern saying, “And I thought that we Germans could
drink beer. You Americans can put it away!”

ƒ Sending flowers on Mother’s Day: This day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, and it is
customary to send your mother flowers, a card, and often a gift. You will find that many Americans
will attend religious services on this day to honor parents who have passed away.

ƒ Independence Day parade and fireworks: This is the Fourth of July, and it is your opportunity to join in
and have a hot dog and hamburger at a backyard barbecue, and to end it off with the local fireworks
display. Don’t forget to put ketchup on that hamburger!

ƒ “Trick or Treat!” on Halloween: Fortunately, these days Halloween is more about the “treats” than the
tricks. It is customary for kids to dress up in costumes and go house to house, where they are given
candy as a “treat.” As an adult, you will find many Halloween costume parties that you can attend. This
is always celebrated on October 31.

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 ƒ Gathering for Thanksgiving dinner: This day is celebrated throughout the United States on the fourth
Thursday in November with a large feast of turkey with stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and
pumpkin pie for dessert. This holiday celebrates the pilgrims coming to America in search of religious
freedom. The emphasis of Thanksgiving (besides giving thanks), is on togetherness. It is very common
for interns to be invited to a co-worker’s home to join in on Thanksgiving dinner. One intern remarked
after a Thanksgiving dinner, “Wow. What a meal. All we did was eat and watch football all day.”

General Information about the USA

(Note: Some of the information in this section was adapted from The World Fact Book, a US government
publication, and is current as of December 2003, the latest data available.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/)

The United States became the world's first modern democracy after its break with Great Britain (1776),
and the adoption of a Constitution (1789). During the 19th century, many new states were added to the original
13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas
possessions. While there are others you might become aware of, the two major traumatic experiences in the
nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in
World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation-
state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in
technology.

¾ Can you give me some geographical information about the USA?

Location: It borders both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and
Mexico.

Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about
one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two
and one-half times the size of Western Europe.

Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great
plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter
temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm Chinook
winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and
broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii.

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Death Valley - 86 m
Highest point: Mount McKinley - 6,194 m

Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron,
mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber

Natural hazards: tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mudslides in
California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska (a major impediment to
development)

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Geography - note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)

¾ How about some statistics on the people of the USA?

Population: 290,342,554 (July 2003 est.)

One birth every………………………………. 8 seconds

One death every………………………………13 seconds
One international migrant (net) every………..22 seconds
Net gain of one person every………………...10 seconds

Age structure:

ƒ 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 31,098,473; female 29,675,712)

ƒ 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 96,628,469; female 97,061,559)
ƒ 65 years and over: 12.4% (male 14,888,185; female 20,990,156) (2003 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.91% (2001 est.)

Birth rate: 14.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate: 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate: 3.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

ƒ Total population: 77.14 years

ƒ Male: 74.8 years
ƒ Female: 80.05 years (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: American(s)
adjective: American

Ethnic groups:

ƒ White 77.1%
ƒ Black 12.9%
ƒ Asian 4.2%
ƒ Amerindian and Alaska native 1.5%
ƒ Native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.3%
ƒ Other 4% (2000)
ƒ Note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers
Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or
Puerto Rican origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black,
Asian, etc.)

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 Religions:

ƒ Protestant 56%
ƒ Roman Catholic 28%
ƒ Jewish 2%,
ƒ Other 4%
ƒ None 10% (1989)

Languages: English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority)

¾ How does the US government work?

The United States began as 13 independent states under a loose confederation in 1776. After winning their
independence from Great Britain in 1783, the states had trouble getting along with each other. After much
debate and controversy, the states adopted a written constitution in 1787. Certain powers were given to the
federal government, while other powers were kept by the individual states. The US Constitution forms the
framework for the American legal, political and governmental system.
The first ten amendments of the Constitution limit the powers of the government to abridge individual
rights; all Americans cherish this Bill of Rights. The issue of how the Bill of Rights is interpreted is never far
from the center of controversy in American life.

The Federal Government

The Constitution created a federal government with three distinct branches—the Executive, the
Legislative, and the Judicial. State governments are often, but not always, similar in structure.

ƒ The Executive Branch

The head of the Executive branch is the President, chosen through a popular election every four years.
During his term, the President lives in the Executive Mansion (the "White House"), at 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington, DC, a Vice President—who takes over if the President is ill or
becomes President for the remainder of the term if the President dies—is also elected. All the other
officers of the Executive branch, known as the President's "Cabinet," are chosen by the President with
the advice and consent of the Congress.

ƒ The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch on the federal level, and at many state levels, is divided into two branches—the
Senate and the House of Representatives. Each of the 50 states—no matter how small—is allowed two
senators (who serve six-year terms), while 435 seats in the House of Representatives (with two-year
terms) are allocated to the individual states on the basis of population. This is the "bi-cameral" system
of representation.

ƒ The Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch is composed of the Supreme Court and the federal courts. The President appoints
members of the Supreme Court to life terms (though Congress must confirm them). The function of the
Supreme Court is to interpret the Constitution. Hundreds of Supreme Court decisions govern the way
the law is administered in America.

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State Governments
State governments are structured much like the federal government, though in many cases the state
judiciaries are directly elected. The chief executive of the state is the Governor. Each state has a capitol city
where the state legislature meets. In many cases, the capitol is not the largest city.

States are divided into counties for administrative purposes. Counties are divided into various smaller
units: townships, towns and villages. Cities are incorporated by state law, and have special legal status. Most
cities are run by elected mayors, with city councils, or boards of aldermen, acting as the legislative branch.

¾ Can you give me an overview of the US economy?

The US has the most technologically powerful, diverse, advanced, and largest economy in the world, with
a per capita GDP of $37,600. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make
most of the decisions, and government buys needed goods and services predominantly in the private
marketplace.
US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and
Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same
time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms
in US markets.
US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical,
aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II.

¾ What are the US Holidays?

The following is a listing and brief explanation of the major holidays celebrated in the US. This does not
mean that, as an intern, you are guaranteed these days off. In many US companies, work continues on, and
employees are expected to work. Interns will generally receive at least the six federal (official) holidays off.
If you would like to see a complete list of holidays, including the minor holidays and their celebration
dates, go to www.holidays.net/dates.htm

New Year’s Day: January 1

This is an official federal holiday for schools, offices and stores. New Year’s Eve (December 31) is more
important to Americans than News Year’s Day itself. Everyone gathers with family and friends to “ring out the
old and ring in the new”—an expression that reflects the old custom of ringing church bells to greet the New
Year.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday: January 15

This is an official holiday that began in 1986. Martin Luther King Jr. organized and led the civil rights
movement in America during the 1960s.

Groundhog Day: February 2

This is not an official holiday. The groundhog is a small burrowing animal that hibernates during the
winter months. Legend has it that he emerges on February 2. If he sees his shadow (a sunny day) he will be
frightened and run to his burrow. This is supposed to indicate six more weeks of cold weather. If he doesn’t
see his shadow, then spring is at hand.

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Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday: February 12
This is an official holiday. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was in office during
the War Between the States (1861-1865). Believing that, "A house divided against itself cannot stand,"
Lincoln tried to bring the seceded states back into the union.

Valentine’s Day: February 14

(Not an official holiday.) Valentine’s Day is a lover’s holiday celebrated by sending cards and giving
candy or flowers. Many children also celebrate the holiday by sending or giving “friendship cards.”

George Washington’s Birthday: February 22

This is an official holiday. Commemorates the birthday of George Washington, commander-in-chief of the
Revolutionary Army that freed America from the colonial rule of England. Washington was also the first
president of the United States. Many folk traditions are now connected in conjunction with George
Washington’s birthday or “Presidents Day.” Abraham Lincoln was president during the civil war (1861-1865),
a period that had a profound effect on the nation. Believing that, “a house divided against itself cannot stand,”
Lincoln acted to free the slaves and bring the seceded states back into the union. Therefore, both are celebrated
together.

Saint Patrick’s Day: March 17

This is not an official holiday. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and the holiday commemorating
him was brought to America by Irish immigrants. People celebrate this holiday by wearing something green
and getting together with friends to party and sing Irish folk songs.

April Fool’s Day: April 1

This is not an official holiday. As in many other countries, this day is marked by the custom of playing
practical jokes on friends and colleagues.

Easter: a Sunday in March or April

This is not an official holiday. A religious holiday for Christians who believe that on this day Christ rose
from the dead. Easter is associated with spring, and includes the decoration of brightly colored eggs and giving
gifts to children as a celebration of spring.

Mother’s Day: Second Sunday in May

This is not an official holiday. On this day, Americans honor their mothers by sending flowers, buying
small gifts, and taking their mothers out to eat so that they don’t have to cook or do work around the house.

Father’s Day: Third Sunday in June

This is not an official holiday. Fathers are honored on this day. Children give them cards and gifts.

Memorial Day: Last Monday in May

This is an official federal holiday. Memorial Day is the day on which Americans remember those who died
in military service for their country. Many families visit graves and decorate them with flowers. The day is
also marked with patriotic parades. This day is considered the beginning of the summer season.

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Independence Day: July 4

This is an official federal holiday. Independence Day commemorates the day the Declaration of Independence
was signed in Philadelphia on July 3, 1776. Celebrated the next day, July 4, all over the country with picnics,
political speeches, and community get-togethers that culminate in fireworks displays.

Labor Day: First Monday in September

Official federal holiday. This holiday was established in recognition of the labor movement’s contribution
to the productivity of the country. This day is the last holiday of the summer season and is celebrated with
picnics and other outings.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Late September/early October

These are not official holidays. Rosh Hashanah, when Jews commemorate the creation of the world, is the
first of the Ten days of Penitence, which ends with Yom Kippur, the most solemn of the Jewish holidays. For
Rosh Hashanah, families gather for a feast in which an apple is dipped in honey to express the hope for a sweet
year ahead. In Judaism, Yom Kippur is a day of judgment; on the eve of Yom Kippur, Jews ask forgiveness
from those they may have wronged. The keynotes of the holiday are fasting, and a collective confession
repeated several times throughout the day.

Halloween: October 31
This is not an official holiday. This was originally a religious holiday, but its religious character has been
lost in the United States. It is now celebrated mostly as a children’s holiday. Tradition includes carving out
pumpkins with funny faces, as well as dressing up in costumes and going around the neighborhood to receive
treats of candy, fruit and cookies. When people answer the door, children say, “Trick or treat!” meaning, “If
you don’t give me a treat, I will trick you.”

Thanksgiving Day: Fourth Thursday in November

This is an official federal holiday. The Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts celebrated the first
Thanksgiving Day in 1621 to give thanks to a bountiful harvest and their triumph of survival over the
wilderness. Now it is a time when Americans give thanks for the good life they enjoy. They celebrate by
getting together with family to eat traditional foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and
pumpkin pie.

Hanukkah: Eight days, usually in December

This is not an official holiday. Hanukkah is one of the less solemn of the Jewish holidays, but one widely
observed even by non-religious Jews. The only Jewish holiday connected with war, Hanukkah celebrates the
victory of Jewish Maccabees over their Syrian rulers in 167 BC. Hanukkah is marked with parties, games, gifts
for children, and the lighting of the nine candles of the menorah.

Christmas: December 25
This is an official federal holiday. Many people regard Christmas as the most important holiday of the
year, with the holiday season extending from a few days before Christmas to New Year’s Day. Although its
origin is religious in nature, it is a holiday celebrated by almost everyone in the country. Family members
travel great distances to be together on this day on which gifts are exchanged, and a traditional dinner is
shared. Even families who do not have strong religious convictions decorate a Christmas tree and join in the
festivities of the Christmas season.

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 Daily Living

¾ What are the first things I should do when I arrive in the US?

I am going to assume that you have your housing arranged, or someplace to stay upon arrival. This, of
course, is the most essential. Next, there are two very important things you need to do. The first is to obtain
your Social Security number, and the second is to open a bank account. (You cannot do the second task until
you do the first.) If you cannot open a bank account, you are going to have a tough time cashing your
paycheck unless you go to the bank the check was drawn on. Even then, you will need to have your passport to
cash the check. Also, should you decide to get a driver’s license, you will only be able to do so if you have a
Social Security number. Are you getting the picture on how important this number is to you?
There are Social Security offices in every city. Your new employer will be able to assist you with this
process. When you go, make sure that you have your passport, your I-9 and your DS-2019 with you. The
process is very simple, but you can expect to wait two to four weeks to receive your number in the mail. So
don’t waste any time; go within a day or two of your arrival in the US.

¾ What do I need to know about banking in the US?

As I have said, open a bank account as soon as possible. You will find that services and fees vary from
bank to bank. Bring various forms of identification, including your passport and Social Security number.
If you have any credit cards, and proof of where you are living (this is your home address in the US), you
should bring this as well. As for the type of account you want to open, ask what the different options are.
Some are considerably less expensive than others. If you are a student, this can have a bearing, since
students can often get free or low-cost checking accounts, if you have some proof to verify this, make sure
to have it with you.
Below is a checklist to help you decide which bank services might be appropriate for you, and questions
you will need to address:

▪ If you open a current checking account, how long do you have to wait before you can write a check
using the money in that account? After you deposit a check, how long before you can write a check or
withdraw the money?

▪ Some banks charge a service fee every month. Others may charge you each time you write a check.
Find out about all the bank fees you might be liable for.

▪ Some banks require a minimum balance of money, or they will charge a fee. Find out what the
minimum balance is, and if you can afford it.

▪ Bank hours vary. Be aware of your bank’s business hours. US banking is regional, not national, so
make sure you cash any checks in the town or city where you received them. A check deposited in an
out-of-town account can take one week or more to become available. If you are going out of town, be
sure to cash checks before you leave, or purchase traveler’s checks.

¾ Tell me about US ATMs (automatic teller machines).

Most bank accounts provide bankcards that can be used at 24-hour automated teller machines (ATMs). At
least two banking networks, the Cirrus network and the Plus network, offer services at machines in many
locations across the US. When staying in major cities, a bankcard may prove as useful as traveler’s checks or
credit cards.

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Check with your local financial institution before leaving home to verify if you are able to use your
bankcard from home at some of these machines. To locate a local cash machine, contact the VISA ATM
Locator Service at 1-800-843-7587. You can also call the telephone number on your card to locate local
machines that will accept your card.
When opening a bank account, ask about an automatic teller card and find out if your bank belongs to one
of the major networks.
Banks may charge a fee of between $1–2 per withdrawal for using an ATM machine belonging to another
bank. So make sure you understand the cost associated with withdrawals. Use these cards wisely—do not
spend more than you can really afford.
Keep track of all banking records. It is easy, especially when you use ATMs, to forget how much money
you have taken out of the bank.

¾ What is the currency of the US and the basic units?

The basic unit of currency is the dollar ($1). Coins are in the value of 1¢ (one cent or a penny), 5¢ (a
nickel), 10¢ (a dime), 25¢ (a quarter), and 50¢ (a half dollar). Bills (notes) are printed in the value of $1, $2,
$5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
The one dollar denomination ($1) comes in coin and in bill form. Because so many people collect the coin
version, it is seldom seen. The same applies to the $2 bill. If some one tries to give you a $3 bill, don’t take it;
there is no such denomination.

¾ What do I need to know about credit cards?

Most Americans have credit cards. They are a convenient, safe way to make large purchases, or to get cash
advances from banks. Be careful about overspending “plastic money”—you will have to pay your debts
eventually. The common providers of these cards in the US are VISA, MasterCard, American Express,
Discover, and Diners Club.

¾ Should I consider using traveler’s checks?

Traveler’s checks are perhaps the most convenient and safest way to control your money on a trip you may
decide to take. The cost is worth the security and since you are on limited funds, you need to make sure you
are protected. They are refundable if lost or stolen, and can be purchased at any bank. Make a separate list of
check numbers, and buy small denominations. Some establishments do not accept traveler’s checks; ask before
you shop. Where an establishment specifies, “No checks accepted,” this usually refers to “personal checks”
from your bank account, not traveler’s checks.

¾ What do I do if I need money in a hurry?

Here are three options you have at your disposal should you get in a situation that requires quick action.

Western Union
This service makes it possible to transfer money from your home country to anywhere in the United States
within 15 minutes, on any day of the week. There is a handling charge, which will vary according to the
amount of money sent. Call 1-800-325-6000 to find the Western Union office nearest to you and nearest to the
person sending money to you, or to see if your money has arrived.

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Wire Transfer
This allows you to transfer money from a bank in your home country to a bank in the US. This can often take a
week or longer. The charges vary from bank to bank, and both the receiving and sending bank may charge
you. Not all banks offer this service—check in advance.

Banker’s Drafts
These can be bought from your home country bank and then be mailed to you by the Post Office’s express
service. This usually takes between three and seven days. Participants sometimes have difficulty cashing them
in small towns. You will need to designate an emergency contact in your home country.

¾ Why do I have to pay a tax when I purchase an item?

Different from many countries where taxes on an item purchased are included in the price of the item, in
the US, the tax is added to the cost of the item at the time of purchase. The tax is called “sales tax.” It varies
from city to city, and can vary from 5% to 8% depending on the city. When you arrive in your host city, you
might want to inquire about what the sales tax is in that city.
On things like hotel rooms, you will find additional taxes that you will not find in normal day-to-day
transactions. When you are going on a trip and you are quoted a room rate, you might want to inquire on what
taxes will be added. In the larger cities, the taxes can add an additional 18% to 22% to the price of the room.

¾ How is tipping handled in the US?

Americans generally tip the waiter/waitress 15 to 20 percent of the price of the meal. Similar practices
apply to bartenders, taxi drivers, hairstylists, and various service industry individuals. If you like the job the
waiter or waitress did, show them by paying a larger tip. Tip less if you did not like the service.

¾ What do I need to know to make a phone call?

Telephone procedures can vary across the regions of the US. Dialing procedures depend on the local
telephone company.
A telephone number in the US looks like this: 212-822-2600. The first three numbers are the area code. To
make a long-distance call: dial “1,” then the area code and number. To make a local call, dial only the last
seven digits. (Note: In some of the large cities, you must dial all 10 digits. Also, in many areas of the country,
police, fire and ambulance personnel can be summoned by dialing 911.)

Directory Assistance

The local telephone directory contains most of the information you will need, including area codes for the
US, many foreign country codes, and rates. To obtain local phone numbers or area codes of other cities, call
directory assistance. For local directory assistance, dial 411.
Be aware there is a cost with using this service. If you must find phone numbers often, consider using the
telephone book instead. There are two different books. The first is called the “White Pages,” and includes both
home and business phone numbers. The second is the “Yellow Pages.” This book is primarily business phone
numbers, along with advertisements, and the listings are by service needed (e.g., if you are looking for a
particular dentist, you would look under the listing for “dentists”).
For long-distance directory assistance, dial “1,” then the area code, then 555-1212. There is a fee for
directory assistance calls, but in an emergency, you can reach the operator anywhere by dialing “0,” without
payment, from any pay phone.

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Another option for finding a specific telephone number is to use the Internet. There are various databases,
most are free, and you can usually find them by searching for the key words “white pages” (for home
numbers) or “yellow pages” (for business numbers).

Pay Phones

These phones are plentiful, most often on street corners and in public areas. (Be aware that many pay
phone companies charge extremely high rates per-minute for long distance calls.)
Put your coins (usually 35¢ for a local call) into the slot and listen for a dial tone before dialing. If there is
no answer or if you get a busy signal, you will get your money back. To make a long-distance call, put the
coins in and dial the number; an operator will tell you the cost of the first three minutes, and you must then
deposit that amount. Long-distance rates are cheaper after 5:00 p.m. On weekdays, they are further reduced
between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., and on weekends.

Cell Phones

These days, with the wide use of cell phones and the cost of service greatly reduced, we are seeing more
and more interns opting to buy a cell phone. There are many plans to choose from. Some companies will even
give you the phone for a negligible amount. All deals are based on a contract with the provider. All we can say
is, chose wisely. Here are some websites to help you make your decision:

ƒ www.pricingcentral.com/electronics/cellphone.htm
This website provides price comparison shopping services to find the best deals on PCS and cellular
phones, and helps you comparison-shop all the available wireless service plans in your area. It also
allows you to shop directly at the top national wireless services providers.

ƒ www.getconnected.com
This service offers the largest selection and lowest prices on wireless phones and plans. Through this
service, you can compare prices in your area to find the best deals.

Calling Collect

If you do not have a lot of change, you may want to charge the call to the recipient. This is called a collect
call. To do this, first dial “0,” and then the area code and number you wish to reach. An operator will offer to
help you. Tell the operator that you wish to place a “collect call” from (your name). (This also applies to
international calls, though they are very expensive.)
Here is an alternative I found on the Internet that you should check out. It allows you to get your own “800
number” so that all your long distance calls are like a local call. The website is
www.submydiscounts4u.completely4u.com.

¾ Are phone cards prevalent in the US?

Yes, they are very prevalent. The phone card acts like a prepaid credit card and enables you to make
calls at a cheaper rate than is available through pay phones. To use the card, you dial the toll-free access
number on the front of the card and then enter your account number. This will allow you to make calls
anywhere in the world from any telephone as long as your account is in good standing. A card costs $10 or
$20, and can be recharged when your account gets low. Cards can be obtained at most grocery stores and
office supply stores.
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 Here are some websites that indicate that they have low price phone cards:

www.InstantPinPhoneCards.com

www.callingcard.com

www.nobelcom.com

www.talkitg.com

An Internet search might reveal others for your consideration as well.

¾ How does the US mail service work?

You may buy stamps at a post office. As of this writing, domestic rates are 37¢ for letters and 25¢ for
postcards. International rates are 50¢ for postcards, and 60¢ for airmail letters. To mail letters, go to the post
office, or drop the letter into the blue US mailboxes on many street corners. Mail within the country takes
between a day and a week to arrive; to northern Europe and South America, a week to 10 days; to southern
Europe, two to three weeks; to Australia and New Zealand, 10 to 14 days; to Jamaica, approximately two
weeks. For more in-depth information on this, visit the official website of the United States Postal Service,
http://www.usps.gov.

Traveling in the USA

By Car

¾ What should I expect in terms of inter-city transportation?

With the exception of a few major US cities, inter-city travel is difficult at best. Because America is so big
and the cities are so spread out, it is difficult to get around. In places like Europe, the cities are older and most
activities are conducted around the city centers. This is not the case in the US.
Fortunately, in the US you can purchase older vehicles at a reasonable price. Some used car dealers will
even finance the purchase for you. (A note of caution: Most businesses are ethical, but be careful of any car (or
loan) that seems “too good to be true.” Likely, it is.)
The key (this is critical and do not minimize its importance) is to have someone with you who understands
cars and can evaluate the vehicle you are purchasing.
As an alternative, some service (gas) stations can perform a “pre-purchase check.” These are inexpensive;
at this writing, you can have this done for approximately $35. They can tell you if any repairs need to be made,
and how much those repairs would be. In addition, you will want to have any purchase or loan contract
reviewed by someone who is knowledgeable. Likely, the same person who helped you to evaluate the car can
also help you in these areas.

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Let me give you an idea of what can happen if you don’t listen to someone who knows
cars. We happen to have an individual on our staff who understands vehicles, and takes
interns out to find them. Not long ago, he took a young intern from Poland named Joan
to find a vehicle. Joan fell in love with one that our staff member didn’t recommend, and
tried very hard to talk her out of it. But she insisted that she wanted this particular one—
she liked the look of it.

Within two weeks, she started making regular trips back to the dealership for repair.
Fortunately for her, we had developed a relationship with this dealer. He finally agreed to
buy the car back (at a small loss to Joan), and sell her a vehicle that was in better
condition and better suited to her needs. In this case, our relationship saved her from a
serious error. You might not be so fortunate. Don’t buy for looks; buy for reliability.

¾ What do I need to know about owning a vehicle in the US?

You will be required to obtain auto insurance and to have a valid driver’s license. As for the insurance, at a
minimum, you will have to have liability insurance, which covers the other person's vehicle in the event of an
accident but does not cover yours. With liability insurance, in the event of an accident, you will have to pay for
your own damages, which can put a serious burden on you. There is also insurance called “comprehensive
coverage,” which is usually more expensive than liability insurance. So if you decided to purchase only
liability insurance, drive carefully or see if you can find a friend that you can ride with.
In all cases, try to make sure your living accommodations are close to public transportation that can ensure
that you make it to your internship each day. Even the most reliable car can break down.

¾ Can I use my country's driver’s license?

You can get away with an international license for a while, but you should make it a point to get a US
license as soon as possible. The international driving permit is more easily recognizable in the US than your
home country permit. The coded information on foreign licenses may be incomprehensible to US law
enforcement officials. Even so, the international driving permit is required, and can be used for renting a car or
a “drive-away.” With either type of license, you must have it in your possession at all times whenever you are
driving. Also, it is a good idea to obtain a study guide from your local Department of Motor Vehicles and
study it to familiarize yourself with the local and state driving laws.
In the US, you must get your driver’s license in the state where you reside and work. (This is also true for
citizens.) If for some reason you transfer to a different state, you are required to get a new license in that state.
To get a US driver’s license will require you to take a written test and driving test. (And you will need that
all-important Social Security number as well.)
To apply for your license, contact your local office of your State Department of Motor Vehicles. This does
require a fee, which usually ranges between $20-$30.

¾ Can I rent a car in the US?

Most car rental companies require that you be at least 21 years of age and possess at least one major credit
card. In many cases, you must be 25 years old or pay an additional fee if you are not.
When renting a car, make sure you understand the terms of the agreement very clearly before you sign
anything. Also, make sure that you purchase auto insurance. This will cover the cost of damages in the event
you have an accident.
The various costs involved with renting a car add up quicker than you might expect. When discussing your
options with a car rental company, ask for an estimate of the entire cost of the rental, including tax.

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 There are a number of rental agencies that cater to the budget-minded traveler, as you will most likely be.
Here is a website that you can use to compare prices and read reviews on car rental agencies. It is called
Epinions.com, and the address is www.epinions.com. You can also use this site to get comparisons on a host
of other services. For rental cars, click on the “Travel” section.

¾ I have heard of drive-away services for long trips. Can you tell me about them?

If you are interested in driving long distances, look into the possibility of “drive-away,” which arranges the
transportation of cars from one part of the country to another. The best part is, it is a cheap way to see the
country. The car owner usually pays for the tolls and occasionally the gas, and the driver is given a certain
amount of time to get the car to the final destination. Agencies will be listed in the telephone Yellow Pages
under the heading “Automobile Transport and Drive-away Companies.”
Here is a website I found that will give you lots of information on this service. The website is
www.autodriveaway.com

¾ I have decided to buy or sell a vehicle. Tell me what I need to know about that.

You can avoid the commission price incurred at used-car lots by purchasing/selling a car independently.
Here are ways you can search for a car:

• Local newspaper classified ads.

• “For Sale” signs posted in car windows.

• Flyers in supermarkets, corner stores and automotive shops specializing in independent car sales.

• Specialty advertising publications. You may obtain Auto Trader and Swap Sheet by calling 1-800-724-
0881. They have offices throughout the United States, which is convenient if you would like to sell the
car in an area other than where it was purchased.

• The Internet. One of the biggest used car dealers in the US is a company called “Carmax.” Their
website is www.carmax.com.

Before you make your final purchase, I recommend that you check out what we call in the US the “blue
book value” of the vehicle you are thinking about purchasing. This buyer’s guide will give you guideline
prices based on make, model, age, and mileage. There are two frequently used buyer’s guides:

• Edmunds website: www.edmunds.com

• Kelley Blue Book website: www.kbb.com

¾ I have purchased a vehicle. How do I register it?

Immediately after you purchase the vehicle, register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your
state. To register the car, you will need:

• The title, which has been signed over to you for ownership,

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• A bill of sale from the seller,

• A valid driver’s license, and

• Proof of insurance coverage.

The costs involved in registering a vehicle vary from state to state, and may range between $50 and $100.
(This does not include the cost of insuring the car, which might be quite expensive.)

¾ What are the basic driving rules I should follow?

Police and state highway patrol officers enforce driving laws to ensure safety on the road. Be aware of the
following rules at minimum:

• Speed Limit: The speed limit in cities, town centers and congested areas is usually 20 to 25 miles per
hour. Usually there are signs indicating the speed limit. The maximum speed limit on the highway is
usually 55 to 65 miles per hour, depending upon the state. Laws against speeding are strictly enforced
in order to prevent reckless driving, accidents, injuries and death.

• Accidents: Most accidents, especially those involving personal injury or property damage, must be
reported to the nearest police station immediately. You must not leave the scene of the accident. If you
do, you risk being cited for doing so. If your accident involves a rental car, it is important that you get a
police report and to understand any steps required by your rental agency. If you do not follow the rules
of the agency, you could be held personally responsible for any damages to the vehicle, property
damage and/or injuries.

• Traffic Lights: Unless otherwise indicated, most state laws permit motorists to turn right on a red light
after stopping to check for traffic. If this is not allowed, a sign is posted at the intersection.

• Tickets/Infractions: You are responsible for paying any tickets you are issued and answering all
charges incurred.

• You must have your seatbelt on at all times.

• Passing school buses loading or unloading children is strictly prohibited, whether the bus is on the
same, or opposite, side of the road as your car.

• Reduced speed limits are in effect in all school zones.

• Always signal when you turn, stop or change lanes.

• Never drink and drive or have open containers of alcohol in your car. Penalties are extremely strict and
enforced.

Before you drive, I highly recommend that you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the city you are
residing in and obtain the study guide for obtaining a driver’s license. It will explain all the appropriate driving
rules you must follow.

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By Air

¾ Tell me about air travel in the US, and where to get the best bargains on flights.

Except for very short trips, the quickest way to travel between two points in the US is by air. There are
more than 1,000 airports throughout the country. To obtain the best fare, you have many options open to you.
You can use a local travel agency; doing so doesn’t increase your cost to book a flight. Your best bet is to go
on-line. Here are some websites of the major companies that sell tickets at a great savings:

• Travelocity
www.travelocity.com
Provides online booking for air, car, hotel, cruise, and vacation reservations.

• Priceline.com
www.priceline.com
A buying service that lets consumers name their price for airfare, hotels, new and rental cars, and long
distance calls.

• Expedia.com
www.expedia.com
An online travel agency providing leisure services in the United States, Europe and Canada.

• Orbitz
www.orbitz.com
A travel site run by the major America airlines that offers low fares and rates on airline tickets, rental
cars, hotels, vacation packages, and other travel products.

• Cheap Tickets
www.cheaptickets.com
This service offers discounted airfares and travel options. It also includes rental cars, hotels, cruises and
specials.

• EBay
www.ebay.com

This is an Internet auction center, and probably the biggest in the world. You can literally buy anything on
this site, including plane tickets, vacation housing and vacation packages.

Two interns wanted to go down to Disney World for a long weekend. A couple of
months in advance, they started monitoring EBay to see what they could find. They
came across a vacation package for four that the seller couldn’t use, and was
auctioning off. The package included two airline tickets, a room for three days, and
tickets to Disney World for two. They bought the total package for $325 dollars. The
plane tickets alone would have cost them more than $300! (By the way, they had a
great time.)

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¾ How has air travel changed since US security increased? What else should I know?

Air travel has changed considerably since the 9/11 attacks on the US. However, if you follow some simple,
commonsense rules, you should not have any problems. Here are some rules to keep in mind:

• For domestic flights, arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. If you have your ticket in hand,
you should arrive a minimum of one hour before your flight. Many of the bigger airports recommend
two hours. For international flights, arriving a minimum of two hours early is recommended.

• Make sure you have picture identification or your passport with you. It is advised that you carry your
Form I-94, your passport and your DS-2019 with you. (The I-94 is the little white card that is
sometimes stapled onto your passport.) Suggestion: you should make copies of these documents and
retain them somewhere safe.

• Don’t carry any items on you that could be used as a weapon, even things like pocketknives, eyebrow
tweezers, etc. If you aren’t sure, ask for a list of prohibited items, or check the airline’s website.

• Do not use any inflammatory language that would suggest you have the potential of being a problem
traveler.

• Limit your carry-on luggage to two small pieces. One small bag is even better.

By Bus

¾ Tell me about bus travel in the US, and where to find the best prices on tickets.

Bus travel has always been an inexpensive and popular way to travel around the US. The major bus
companies can help you connect to local bus transportation to reach even the most remote towns. And you
never know whom you might meet in a bus!
One of the best bargains in bus travel is Greyhound Bus Company’s International “Americas” for
exchange students. This can be purchased in the gateway cities of New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and
San Francisco, and allows you unlimited travel anywhere in the US for a specified period of time. Their
website is www.greyhound.com . Another alternative bus company is the Green Tortoise, which is a
vacation/touring service for budget travelers. They use sleep-aboard diesel coaches, and have frequent
stops for swimming, hiking, boating, etc. For information, contact Green Tortoise, 494 Broadway, San
Francisco, CA 94133, and Telephone: 415-285-2441. Their website is www.greentortoise.com. You
should be aware that bus stops are not always located in the most populated or the safest areas of town. Be
careful if the bus stops in an isolated area late at night.
For a comprehensive list of US and local bus companies, I suggest you check out the website
www.highwayhome.com/travel/bus/buslines.html.

Travel Restrictions and Rules

¾ What is the 30-day rule, and does it affect me?

This means that you are authorized to stay in the country 30 days beyond the ending date of your
internship program. (The ending date is indicated on your DS-2019.) You must stop working on this date, but
may remain in the US to travel for up to 30 days after it. It is extremely important to comply with this rule.
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Participants who remain after the 30-day period without proper authorization are subject to arrest and
deportation. In addition, violation of immigration regulations may seriously jeopardize the possibility of
obtaining any type of US visa in the future.

¾ What do I need to know about trips outside the US once I am there?

Before you leave the United States to go anywhere during the program, check the expiration date of
the J-1 visa in your passport, and the expiration date of your DS-2019. If either of these documents has
expired when you re-enter the US, you will not be able to enter the US under J-1 status. In some cases,
you might not be able to re-enter the country at all. To avoid placing yourself in a difficult situation,
consult with your sponsoring agency if your documents are not up-to-date.
You must also check your J-1 visa to make sure it allows you to make multiple entries. (This is indicated
by the letter “M” under the word “ENTRIES.”) This allowance will allow you to enter the US more than once
during your authorized dates. If you intend to visit home, or any other country, you must have the back of
your DS-2019 form signed by a “Responsible Officer” of the sponsoring agency. This signature is to confirm
that you remain in good standing with the program, and is required by INS for re-entry into the US.
Generally speaking, here are the rules you will have to follow to travel outside the US. However, these
rules can change, and there might be other rules in your individual case. Check with your sponsoring agency to
make sure you understand their specific guidelines and any changes in those guides:

1. Send your DS-2019 to your sponsoring agency.

2. Make sure that you send the form well in advance of your trip, so there will be plenty of time to get
it signed and returned to you before you leave.

3. Indicate the dates and destination of your trip.

4. Include your return mailing address and phone number.

When you return to the United States, you must present your passport (with your valid J-1 visa) and your
signed DS-2019 form to the immigration officer. The officer will look at the pink copy of your DS-2019 form
and return it to you; he or she will not need to keep it. (In fact, make sure you get this back!) You will be
issued a new I-94 card indicating your J-1 status.
Most participants who leave and reenter the US during the program have no problems as long as their
documents are in order. If you have any questions or problems, don’t hesitate to contact your sponsoring
agency, which is available in the case of an emergency.

¾ What do I have to do to visit Canada and/or Mexico?

A valid US entry visa isn’t required if you travel to contiguous territory (Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean
Islands excluding Cuba) for less than 30 days. If a person in J-1 status enters the US from the contiguous
territories after an absence from the US not exceeding 30 days, the entry visa is considered to be automatically
extended to the date of reentry PROVIDED THE ENTRY VISA HAS NOT BEEN CANCELED OR
VOIDED. This is called "Automatic Visa." If you plan to use this procedure, DO NOT SURRENDER
YOUR VALID FORM I-94 TO IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS UPON DEPARTURE FROM THE UNITED
STATES. When reentering the US from any of these territories, you must present your I-94, passport, and
currently valid DS-2019 with a travel signature from your sponsoring agency.

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SPECIAL NOTE: As of April 1, 2002, citizens of the following countries are NOT eligible for Automatic
Visa Revalidation: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba. Also, the automatic visa
revalidation provision excludes aliens who applied for a US entry visa in Canada or Mexico and whose visa
application was denied.
Above all, make sure you check with your sponsoring agency before you decide to travel.

Emergencies, Health Insurance, and Medical Issues

Emergencies & Trouble

¾ How do I prepare for a possible emergency or problem?

As soon as you settle in, one of the first things you should do is to prepare for an emergency. You can do
this by writing down all the important contact people and organizations that could be of help to you. You
should make it a point to keep these phone numbers and contacts with you at all times. Do this by preparing a
small card, about the size of a credit card, with all the critical information on it. Keep this in your wallet or
purse at all times. As I mentioned before, here in the US, the universal phone number in an emergency is
“911.” If you are in an accident, hurt or in need of the police, ambulance service or the fire department, this is
the number to call. You should also make copies of all your documents, including your passport, and put them
away in a safe place.

¾ Who should be on my list of contacts in the event of an emergency?

ƒ Your sponsoring agency (most likely has a 24/7 hotline)

ƒ If you are working with a program management company, their number or hotline number

ƒ One or two people at the company you are interning with (Get their permission in advance. If they
agree, have each person’s home and cell phone number.)

ƒ The phone numbers of any family or close friends in the US

ƒ The national emergency number, “911” (if you don’t think you will be able to remember it)

¾ What should I consider an emergency?

Before you act in an emergency situation, you need to determine if you are experiencing a real emergency.

A real emergency is:

o If there is a death or medical emergency

o If you have been arrested

o If you are a victim of attack/assault

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 A non-emergency is:

o Loss of IAP-66 form and/or I-94 form

o Tenant/landlord concerns

o Basic legal information and advice for procedures and contacts

o Being a victim of theft or a crime (lost valuables, luggage, etc.)

o Work concerns (tax questions, notice, final paycheck)

o Social Security or tax problems

o Forwarding your Social Security card

o General information about jobs and housing

o Loss of passport (Contact your home country’s consulate for this.)

o Insurance inquiries (Contact your insurance company.)

o General travel information

¾ Whom should I contact in the event I lose any of my documents?

If your passport and visa have been lost or stolen and you have reported it, even if you recover it, it is no
longer valid and you cannot use it to travel to the US. You must qualify for a new visa. Here are some other
vital forms, and what to do if they are lost or stolen:

ƒ DS-2019: If you lose your DS-2019 after arrival, contact your sponsoring agency or your internship
management company.

ƒ Passport and J-1/Q-1 visa: If you lose your passport, contact the embassy or consulate of your country
of citizenship.

ƒ I-94 card: If you lose your I-94 card before applying for your Social Security card or starting work,
contact your sponsoring agency for advice. (Note of caution: This card can normally only be obtained
upon entering the US. It is quite difficult to obtain a replacement card.)

ƒ Social Security card: If you lose your Social Security card, call Social Security Administration at 1-
800-772-1213.

Health Insurance

¾ Tell me about US health insurance.

There is no “National Health Insurance” in the US. It is for this reason that the United States Information
Agency (USIA) requires all exchange visitors to have insurance meeting the agency’s standards. The insurance
you purchased as part of your internship is designed to meet these USIA requirements.

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If a doctor treats you, you might have to pay the bills first, and then file a claim with the insurance
company for reimbursement. It is therefore imperative to keep careful records and receipts of all medical
services that you receive. If you purchased health insurance, and you have a major accident or illness and
cannot pay your medical costs upfront, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. However, if a
doctor for a non-emergency medical problem treats you, you might have to pay the bills first, and then file a
claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. To file the claim, you will need to submit your records
and receipts. Refer to your insurance information for details on how to make a claim.
If you are going to see a doctor for a non-emergency medical problem, check your health insurance policy
to make sure that this type of treatment is covered. For example, most international health insurance policies
don’t cover preexisting or preventive medical problems.

¾ How do hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms work?

Medical fees will depend on the doctor, the type of facility, and its location in the country. In certain areas
of the country, especially large cities, medical care will be significantly more expensive. Unless you need
immediate treatment, it is better not to go to a hospital “emergency room” to see a doctor. You should use
these facilities for emergencies only, since they tend to be quite costly. After you are settled in, it is a good
idea to find a private doctor. In most cases, your insurance company will direct you to a doctor. Otherwise, ask
friends or colleagues, or call your local hospital for recommendations. Your country’s consulate might also be
able to provide a list of approved physicians.
“Walk-in clinics” have sprung up all around the country in recent years. They offer an alternative to seeing
a private physician or going to a hospital emergency room. They tend to be less costly, and for people who
don’t have a continuing relationship with a doctor, they can be a good choice.

¾ Can I bring my own prescription drugs and medicine with me?

If you require medicines containing controlled drugs or narcotics (e.g., cough medicine, heart drugs or
stimulants), you should have all these products properly packaged and labeled. You should also have a
statement or prescription from your doctor, translated into English, indicating that the medicine is being used
under a doctor’s direction, and is necessary for your physical well-being.
You will not be able to fill a foreign prescription for controlled drugs without seeing a US-registered
doctor. Keep in mind, not all over-the-counter medicines and preparations are easily available in the United
States. In addition, the dispensing of birth control is not a free service in the United States. In most cases, it is
best to bring a supply of medications with you.

¾ How does dental care work in the US?

Dentists, like doctors, usually have private practices and are expensive, and only emergency dental
treatment is covered by your insurance policy. However, many large hospitals, particularly those associated
with universities, have dental clinics, which are open to the public and charge established clinic fees. These
fees are much lower than those charged for private treatment. Many times, fees are based on a sliding scale,
which takes your income into account.

Crime and Punishment in the USA

¾ What should I know about using drugs in the US?

Since the US is attempting to control the trafficking of illegal substances, any type of illegal drug use is
seriously frowned upon. Illegal possession of controlled substances (drugs) is subject to prosecution by law.

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The specific penalties for drug possession vary from state to state and region to region. However, in every
state, you are subject to fines and possible time in jail for any illegal drug possession, or even association with
people who have illegal drugs. In addition, you might be subject to the confiscation of any money or vehicles
if they are alleged to be involved in a drug transaction.

¾ What is the legal age for drinking alcohol, and do I need identification?

Please be aware of US drinking laws, which state that you must be 21 years old to drink legally. In many
regions, you will be asked to produce picture identification to prove that you are above the legal drinking age.
Many bars will only accept a driver’s license or identification card from the Department of Motor Vehicles
that states your age. (This identification card does not authorize you to drive.) Contact the Department of
Motor Vehicles for information on the procedure for obtaining an identification card. Drinking in public (i.e.
outside a restaurant, bar, or your residence) is prohibited in many places, especially in beach resort towns. You
will be subject to fines if you are found guilty.

¾ What are the “drinking-and-driving laws” about?

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Because the police and all
Americans have seen too many innocent people, including children, killed by drunk or drug-impaired drivers,
we are very united and tough on driving and drinking, or driving while mentally impaired by any drug. A
national campaign to raise awareness of “drunk driving” and decrease alcohol-related traffic accidents has
swept the US. Because of this, the enforcement of DWI/DUI laws has become very tough. To keep yourself
and others safe, don’t drink and drive. Americans generally appoint a “designated driver” when going out with
a group of friends. This person agrees to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. However, not all people do
this, which can result in terrible outcomes.

One Sunday morning, an intern called us to ask for our help. It seems that he had
been out partying, drank too much, and had been picked up for drunk driving and was
in jail. He was in jail for two days, required an attorney, and had to go to court and pay
a fine. It took an agonizing six weeks for him to get this behind him, and another eight
months to pay off the $2,000 in fines and attorney’s fees. Even at that, he now had a
DUI charge on his record. A chauffer-driven limo would have been cheaper.

¾ Is it true that different states have different laws?

Unlike most countries, laws in the US vary from state to state and even city to city. To avoid any potential
legal difficulties, it is important to become familiar with and obey the local laws in the town or city where you
are living. For example, the permanent population of resort towns might be only a few thousand, but during
the summer months, the population may grow to more than 100,000. In an effort to maintain order, the local
police often strictly enforce minor laws. Local laws that govern alcohol consumption, noise levels, and group
gatherings are strict. Your best source of information will be local residents and US students who are living
and working in the town or city.

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¾ Can I smoke wherever I want?

As part of an intense anti-smoking campaign in the United States, tough measures have been taken to
provide a smoke-free environment. There are several national and local regulations regarding smoking in
public places. Smoking is banned on all flights. Smoking is restricted in most office buildings and restaurants,
and prohibited on public transportation. Look around before you light a cigarette; no-smoking signs are usually
posted in a clear, visible location. If you are in someone else’s house and no one else around you is smoking,
ask what the rule is before you start.

¾ Should I be concerned about crime in the US? How can I avoid being a victim of crime?

The United States has a rather notorious reputation overseas for being a violent country. Many people are
often shocked at the proliferation of guns and gun-related crime. While it is true that crime rates are higher
here than in Europe, few will encounter any such problems. Nonetheless, it is important to be aware of some of
the potential dangers during your stay here. A little caution and common sense goes a long way in preventing
problems.
In cities, it is best to avoid deserted streets, and to avoid going to unfamiliar neighborhoods at night if
you are alone. Walking in a confident, purposeful manner helps, but don’t hesitate to ask a friendly face
for directions if you’re lost. Do not expose large amounts of cash in public (you should not travel with
much cash), and keep your possessions firmly in your grasp. Railway stations and bus stations often
attract pickpockets and luggage thieves (as they do in most cities in the world), so take extra care in these
places. Car thieves are not uncommon. Do not leave suitcases, cameras or anything else attractive to
thieves in the main section of your vehicle; hide what you can and put the rest in the trunk. Most of all,
trust your instincts. Until you know an area, it is best to remain cautious.

¾ Do US laws apply to me?

Even though you are a visitor, the law still applies to you. Just as you do at home, you must respect local
laws. The US police can be very strict. A night in jail or a large fine is not what you want to remember or have
on your record. If you do get into trouble, you will want to notify your sponsoring agency or your program
management company. However, you are obliged to take responsibility for any crimes or violations you
commit. Your sponsoring agency can advise you on a course of action, but in some cases, there are limits to
the help that can be offered. Depending on the severity of the infraction, you might want to retain an attorney.
The best advice is to limit what you say until an attorney is present to represent you.
You have the same rights as a US citizen if you are accused of a crime. You have the right to know the
crime you are being charged with. However, ignorance of the laws is no excuse for breaking the law.

¾ What are my legal rights if I am arrested?

ƒ You have the right to remain silent, and to refuse to answer any questions if you so choose.

ƒ No person accused of a crime may be forced to confess or give evidence against himself or herself.

ƒ You have the right not to be searched unless the police officer has a warrant, or under other limited
circumstances. For example, during a vehicle stop, an officer is allowed to “pat you down” to search
for weapons.

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 ƒ Most important, you have the right to be represented by a lawyer, and to be provided with a lawyer to
represent you if you cannot afford to hire one.

ƒ Furthermore, you are entitled to be released from jail upon posting of a bail bond (money paid to
ensure that the person reports for trial) set by the court while you await trial.

ƒ Above all, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. You do not have to prove your innocence.
Rather, the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

¾ What should I do if I am arrested?

If you are accused of having committed a crime, the best advice in most circumstances is to talk to
your sponsoring agency or a lawyer before you answer any questions regarding charges. They can assist
you in identifying available legal services in your area. Each state has different laws. Remember that
lawyers can be very costly, and you might not qualify for free or low-cost legal help. During evenings and
weekends, your access to general legal and financial services might also be limited.
If arrested, you are allowed one phone call. Call your sponsoring agency (or program management
company emergency services number, especially outside of office hours).

¾ What will happen to me if I am arrested or detained by the police?

You could be subjected to any of the following if you are arrested or detained:

ƒ Charged (“booked”) and fingerprinted.

ƒ Held in jail until bail bond is posted.

ƒ You might have to go before a court judge who hears preliminary details. He can either drop the
charges, or set a court date within the next 30 days. Sometimes court dates can be set sooner if the
judge understands you are here for a limited time.

ƒ Depending on the severity of the charges, you might not be able to leave the area before your court
date.

ƒ You have the right to be represented by a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer or if you are not
eligible to be assigned a public defender (which might be the case), you have the option of legal
services from various community and social service organizations. These might be free, or have
minimal charges.

¾ What can happen to me if I am found guilty of a crime?

To start with, any fines or penalties are subject to local laws. Because of this, they can vary from city to
city. It can also vary if your violation is a state law or a federal law. Possible penalties can include money
fines, community service, jail or prison time, and deportation. Finally, it is my hope that this section of the
book is a source of information only.

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Taxes and Social Security

¾ Do I have to pay taxes in the US?

There are only two things you can be sure of in life: death and taxes. So the simple answer to this question
is yes. However, as a J-1 trainee, there are some taxes that you are exempt from. Following is a review of the
different taxes, and your responsibility with regard to each:

ƒ Social Security Tax—You are required to have the Social Security card and number, but you are
exempt from paying Social Security tax and related Medicare tax.

ƒ Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)—You are exempt from paying this tax.

ƒ State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) —There is no national policy on state unemployment taxes, so you
must check with state tax offices to find out about this. If your employer cannot help, you can ask your
sponsoring agency or contact the local agency.

ƒ Income Taxes—In the US, the federal, state, and local governments impose income taxes. The
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects personal income taxes, usually on a “pay-as-you-go” basis.
This means that your employer withholds income taxes from your stipend or paycheck and pays it
directly to the government. You must pay US income tax. Failure to pay any taxes you owe could
cause problems for you in the future if you apply for a visa to return to the US in the future.

o Federal Income Tax—Income tax is paid to the federal (national) government by all
income-earning individuals. It is paid on income from salaries, wages, stipends and tips.
Approximately 10 to 15 percent of your stipend will be withheld for federal income tax, a
portion of which you might be able to claim back as a refund at the end of the year.

o State and City Income Taxes—States and cities might charge extra income tax according
to local laws. State income taxes are approximately five to eight percent. City income
taxes vary, so check with your company human resources manager. Like federal income
tax, state and local income taxes will be withheld from your paycheck. You might be able
to claim a refund for a portion of these taxes at the end of the year.

¾ Tell me about the tax forms I must complete by April 15th after the end of the year.

▪ W-4 Form : When you begin your job, your employer will ask you to complete a W-4 Form
(Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate) to ensure that you are not over-taxed. Your employer
will keep this form while you are working there, and will use the information to determine how much
tax should be withheld from your paycheck. If you don’t fill out your W-4 form properly, you will pay
more taxes than you need to. (Note that you are classified as a “Non-resident Alien” on the form.)

▪ W-2 Form: At the end of the calendar year, your employer will send you a Form W-2, detailing your
total wages and the amount of each tax that was withheld. Your employer will send the W-2 to your
home address. If you return to your home country before the end of the calendar year, be sure to give
your home country address to your employer so they can send you this form overseas. If you have not
received your W-2 forms by February 15 of the following year, you should contact your employer for a
replacement.
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¾ What do I have to do to file my income taxes?

All Exchange Visitor Program participants are required by law to file a tax return each year. This
determines the amount of taxes you owe, or are owed to you for the year. Failure to file could affect your
ability to reenter the US in the future. The US tax year runs from January to December. Many interns qualify
for a partial tax refund at the end of the year.

¾ What tax forms do I need, and how do I handle payments and refunds?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal tax agency responsible for collecting taxes.
When you receive your W-2 form, you will have to fill out tax return forms. There are separate forms for
federal, state, and city taxes. All forms are available from banks and post offices in the US, or by calling state
or city taxation departments. You may also phone the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-1040 to
request federal forms. If you have returned home, contact a US embassy or consulate in your home country for
federal tax return forms. Most of the forms you will need are also available on the Internet at www.irs.gov.
The federal tax form you will have to complete is the 1040NR-EZ, which is specifically for non-resident
aliens earning less than $50,000 a year.

The deadline for filing tax return forms for a given year is April 15 of the following year (e.g., forms for
2004 must be filed by April 15, 2005). Use the charts sent with the tax return forms to determine the amount of
tax you owe. If too little tax was withheld from your paychecks, you must pay the balance to the US
government. If too much was withheld by the US government, you qualify for a refund. The earlier you file,
the sooner you will receive a refund. Many participants qualify for a refund of some of their US income tax.
You can apply for a refund yourself, or for a small fee, you can let Taxback.com handle it for you. They
specialize in handling the paperwork and obtaining tax refunds from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand,
USA and Canada for students and young professionals working in those countries. Their website is www.ess.ie .

Adapting to American culture and society is an exciting process. Of course, it might challenge you
sometimes. You can expect to feel some degree of “culture shock”—a perfectly common response for a person
who changes from a familiar to an unfamiliar environment. You can console yourself by realizing that this is a
very common reaction experienced by many interns! In addition, you can be assured it will be rewarding. By
taking the time to adapt, and keeping this book close by for frequent reference, you will succeed in your
adaptation process.

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CHAPTER 11

WORKING IN THE USA

I t has been a long and challenging road to search out, identify, compete for and secure your
internship. You have arrived in the US. Now what? In this chapter, you will learn and understand
first, the differences between the perceptions you have developed and the reality of the situation you
find yourself in.
Next, you will find out how Americans see themselves. Only through this kind of understanding can you
learn how to adjust to and assimilate into the culture. American's view of themselves has a major impact on
how business is conducted and how your performance will be assessed. The business environment and
etiquette common in most American companies is very different from that found in other countries. If you do
not understand it, you will feel uncomfortable and out-of-place. Finally, you want to know the expectations of
your host company. Developing a good appreciation of these factors will put you at ease and give you
confidence as you start your internship.

¾ What are the perceptions and realities that I will face?

You have just arrived in the US. The internship you have been anticipating in your mind for months is at
hand. You envisioned yourself training in your field of study, gaining valuable knowledge that you will take
home, and making this trip and all its sacrifices worthwhile. But when you arrive at your first day as an intern,
you are given some trivial task that any clerk can do!
So in just a few minutes, your enthusiasm and excitement has been replaced with doubts and
dissatisfaction.
It is very likely that you will feel this way. The majority of domestic and international interns experience
this feeling for a period of up to eight weeks. When you mix these feelings with loneliness for family, friends
and home, and throw in a shot of culture shock, you have created a recipe for disaster.

Before you take yourself down this road, which could possibly destroy a valuable once-in-a-lifetime
learning experience, there are some points that you should consider:

ƒ The internship process, especially for you, the international student, is multi-faceted. The job
training experience is only one part of the total. You probably are also here to improve your
command of the English language, learn the ways of a new culture, and gain business experience in
the fastest-growing and -changing economy in the world. Don’t develop an attitude based on one
facet, one day or one week of your program. Keep an open mind and give the program time to
unfold. Keep in mind that the mere fact that you are here will change your perception on life.

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 ƒ Keep your eye on the big picture. During this period, your journal will be invaluable to you. It will
provide insights into your reasoning, and will reaffirm for you that your decision was the right
decision.

ƒ Believe it or not, your host company is going through many of the same adjustments you are. This
is especially true if the company has not previously sponsored an intern. As we said before, to a
certain degree the US is isolated and insulated from most of the world. Thus, Americans aren’t used
to international people who have an accent and whose English sounds different from theirs. So
initially, they will be shy, reserved and self-conscious about the first assignments they give you. To
them, you are “foreign” and a curiosity. The first question in their mind is, “Does he (or she) know
our ways?”

ƒ There is good news in this scenario. You will find that if you just go along with the program,
Americans will quickly warm up to you and be eager to assist you, teach you and advance you. Yet
if you take an adversarial position, or become condescending or unfriendly, then those who are
training you will be less inclined to assist you. To a certain extent, this is a natural reaction you will
find as an alien in any country you go to.

We had an intern in our program named Julian who wanted to do an internship in

restaurant management. Julian was highly qualified, with an undergraduate degree in
business. In addition, he had a great personality—a winning personality. After about two
months, we met with the client to see how Julian was doing. They reported that the
management team had taken special interest in him, and were eager to support him and
help him to learn. Through his display of openness and eagerness to learn, Julian had
so impressed the management team, they went out of their way to teach him.

ƒ We have found that, in the end, your ability to advance in your training is greatly governed by your
command of the English language, your ability to communicate effectively, and your willingness to
jump in and be part of the team. So if your English language skills are weak, you can expect to
advance slowly. Conversely, if you have a good command, you will move rapidly.

ƒ Some tips: Speak slowly and clearly so that those you are dealing with can get used to your accent.
To help yourself, get involved in some of the local English-language programs offered in every city
in the US. (In many cases, you can find free programs.)

ƒ US companies are in a constant state of change. This means that staffing changes, shift changes,
start-time changes, management and supervision changes, and every other possible change is an
everyday fact. So don’t let it discourage you, and don’t read too much into it.

ƒ If you are involved in a change you think is contrary to your program do not openly challenge your
supervisor. Wait until you have an opportunity to discuss it with your supervisor or assigned
mentor in private. If you still aren’t satisfied with the answer, contact your program management
company or your sponsoring agency so they can intercede on your behalf.

ƒ It is very important that your relationship with your host always remains positive. Therefore, before
you contact your sponsoring agency, try very hard to resolve the problem yourself. Remember,
your attitude not only affects you, but also the other interns that train at a particular host company’s
site.

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ƒ If you have a work-related problem with your program, don’t discuss it with the host company staff
or another trainee. Deal with either your supervisor or your sponsoring agency. I cannot tell you the
number of times that our company has been contacted by a client who starts by saying, “One of our
employees told us that a certain intern said this or said that, or is unhappy about this or that.”
Inevitably, it turns out that the truth is very different from the story that is being told.

ƒ If you remember nothing else, remember this: Whatever you tell to another employee, regardless of
how much confidence you have that what you said won’t be repeated, it will be repeated.

ƒ Our experience has found that an intern who fails for whatever reason (personality conflict, doesn’t
like the internship, doesn’t like the company, etc.) has a very high probability of failing in a second
or different internship. Earlier in the book, we discussed that even if an internship is a bad
internship, there is much to be gained by the experience. Learn to manage the situation and stick it
out. You will find it very rewarding later in life.

ƒ When you accept an internship, you become a representative or ambassador of your country to
the host company. Therefore, you should conduct yourself appropriately. Again, let me give
you my personal experience. We have had clients tell us that they won’t accept candidates
from a particular country because of a past, negative experience with the trainees from that
country. What you do and how you act affects those that come after you. Don’t ruin it for the
next intern.

As an intern, you must recognize your host company's need for operating flexibility. Running the company
always takes precedence over your training. If you find yourself questioning your decision about accepting this
internship, restrain yourself, give your program and host company time, and most important, give yourself time.
What is most important at this junction is to understand the work environment you find yourself in. To do
this, it is important for you to understand American thinking as it first relates to themselves, and in turn to the
world of business.

¾ How do Americans view themselves?

If you did a survey of 1,000 Americans about where is the best place on earth to live, 998 would say “The
US.” The American reasoning and thinking goes like this: “If it wasn’t the best place to live, why would
everyone else be trying to get here? They will cross bodies of water in makeshift boats, travel in containers,
cross borders guarded by armed guards and risk death to arrive at these shores, because they know that with
freedom, everything is possible.”
Americans have always viewed themselves as innovative, industrious, hardworking, ambitious, and
in control of their future. This feeling has been fostered into the American psyche by the events of the
last two hundred years, and by the impact America has made at home on its citizens and on the world.
This has all resulted in Americans having one of the highest standards of living in the world, and a
preeminent role in world affairs. Coupled with this is the fact that democracy is considered synonymous
around the world with freedom, the free-market economy, and unlimited opportunity. As one intern
remarked to us one day, “Here, I know that if I work hard I can get ahead. It is much more difficult in
my country.”
Some of the perceptions and basic assumptions that Americans have about themselves include the idea that
each American can control his own circumstances, and thus control his or her own destiny. Another
assumption is that competition is the basis for personal improvement and growth. As one intern told us after
two months at her internship, “I can really feel the sense of competition within my department. It is a friendly
kind of competition. You can really tell that each staff member is trying to do a better job and gain a
promotion or increase.”

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 Further, Americans firmly believe that privacy is a guaranteed “right.”
To understand this, you have to go no farther than the controversy that has been ignited by the “Patriot
Act,” which was enacted in the face of the 9/11 disaster. Even after such a horrendous act, Americans are loath
to relinquish even a little of their right to privacy in exchange for increased safety and security.
Finally, Americans cherish the fact that the laws and the actions of government, its elected officials, and
business or private persons can be openly criticized. You will see this played out in the news on a daily basis.
You can expect to see TV show hosts and guests openly criticizing the government. This in no way should
indicate or imply a lack of loyalty or love for the country, but simply an expression of each individual’s
“freedom of speech” right.

¾ I have heard it said, “Every American marches to his own beat.” What does this mean?

Fostered by the first settlers—the Pilgrims who came to escape religious oppression and seek individual
freedom—Americans place a high value on “individual freedom.” As a result, they tend to look on authority
with suspicion and caution. Because of this, you will continuously see Americans speaking out and
questioning the world around them. This unquestioned belief in self and its importance is difficult for those
from other cultures to comprehend. In many other cultures around the world, an individual’s identity is an
extension of the family rather than self. However, Americans view themselves as individuals first and
foremost. Family, organizational memberships, community organizations, and for some, even religious
affiliations are considered secondary.
From early childhood, Americans are encouraged and rewarded for independent thinking and performance.
One of the first demonstrations of this is that American students, rather than attending a hometown college or
university, will choose an institution far from home, which allows them to flourish without the constraints of
family and community. Many young adults, regardless of whether they attend college or have opted to find a
job after high school, move out of the family home into an apartment in an effort to establish independence
and self-sufficiency.
In discussing with a US college student from North Carolina why she had decided to attend a university in
Texas, her response was, “I needed to get away from the family pressure. I am the first from my family to
attend college, and the pressure of being under everyone’s eyes was too great. By going to school in Texas, if I
had some troubles along the way, no one at home would see it. I could just pick myself up and get on with it,
without everyone second-guessing me.”

¾ What do they mean when they say in America, “There is a level playing field for all”?

Americans take great pride in the idea that everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve his or her goals.
Rooted in this belief is the idea that hard work, honesty and determination can overcome adversity and
ultimately result in success. That each of us can, through the American way of life, accomplish whatever goal
we set out to achieve, and that success is not reserved for the upper class. That success is a function of desire
and hard work, and if you are willing to apply both to the maximum, you can attain whatever you want. This is
partly why internationals find great acceptance from their US co-workers.
Many of our clients have reported how impressed their employees are with the initiative and courage these
internationals have to travel so far from home and to submerge themselves in our culture.
Here is a composite statement I have heard said many times in many different ways: “I am so impressed
with (person’s name) that he/she has come all the way from (place) to work with us, and to learn how we do
business. It takes a lot of heart, nerve and courage to take on such a challenge.”

In reality, is the field totally level? No. But Americans have enacted laws and regulations, and have set
standards on a regular basis aimed at removing age, race, sex and gender biases. So even though it is not
perfectly level, Americans have worked hard to make sure that each person has an equal opportunity to
succeed.
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¾ Is there much government intervention into US businesses?

The best way to describe the relationship between business and government is to call it a watchful,
courteous and amicable alliance, with each party constantly watching the moves of the other while trying to
support the other’s effort. As one of our former Presidents, Calvin Coolidge, said, "After all, the chief
business of the American people is business." Although this statement has sometimes been misquoted and
taken out of context, it does sum up the feelings you get in America. As a result, there exists what could be
described as an informal alliance between business and government—each side watching the other, exerting
influence on the other, and compromising for the betterment of the country.

¾ Tell me how all this ties to the work environment.

American business is results-oriented. You will find that the focus of the company you are training
with centers on four factors: time, money, budget and schedule. In short: “How long will it take?”; “How
much will it cost?”; “Can we get it done within the budget?”; and “Will we meet the schedule?” With the
emphasis on these factors, management and staff must be ready and capable of making swift decisions,
must go all-out at all times for rapid implementation, and achieve success in ever shorter time-frames.
Over the last 15 years, the emphasis in the US has become “supply chain management”—an effort to
control all facets of production, so that parts and supplies are at the assembly point in the exact quantity
(with no overage or underage) to efficiently deliver a product with the lowest unit cost. You will find that
this philosophy of operation clashes with many cultures that are more deliberate in their decision and
execution processes.
You will also find that personal ambition often supplants personal ties and allegiances. Because of this,
Americans are very inclined to move to another city or state if a better opportunity presents itself. So, as we
said earlier, this results in a higher employee turnover rate within American companies than you will see in
other countries.

An intern came to use after six months at a client’s office, saying, “I have been in the
accounting department, and have seen three people leave the company. Is there something
wrong? Are they going out of business? Why does everyone seem to leave?”

After some checking, we explained to her that all three had opportunities to advance by
moving to another company, and that was just the way business was conducted in America.
This surprised her. As she pointed out, in her country, employees did not change jobs
frequently, and it was common for most to spend their whole career at the same company.

In America, business friendships flourish and are built on an individual’s ability to get the job done and
meet the challenge. As an intern from Turkey named Ali once told me, “Once the marketing group started to
realize how creative I was, it seemed that my friendships and connections within the company grew rapidly.”
His experience proves that, because of the competitive nature of American business, things like competence,
financial resources and past accomplishments carry more weight than a shared past (grew up together, played
tennis together, went to the same school, etc.). A phrase you will often hear that sums up the attitude is, “It’s
nothing personal, just business." This statement was made popular by the movie The Godfather. Of course you
will find that, just as in the movie, when someone is saying this to another person, that person most likely just
got the bad end of the deal.
You will find that creative problem-solving, teamwork, and open analysis mixed with constructive
criticism within the organization is encouraged, with the boss being the moderator and final decision
maker. Many interns have reported to us how important it was for them to openly demonstrate their
creativity. One said, “I was challenged time and again by my boss to develop alternate solutions, even
when the one I had presented was adequate. It got to the point that I always had at least three solutions to
each problem that faced me.”

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 Many organizations, especially the large ones, will periodically have assertiveness and conflict-resolution
training classes and seminars on improving “people skills.” The idea is to get those members of the staff who
are non-confrontational engaged in the process. My suggestion is that if you are not assertive by nature, either
get that way, or find a few books on the subject and develop the skills.

Many, if not most Americans hold the belief that their lives are under their control and they are
personally responsible for what happens to them. Therefore, they accept that they can improve and affect
whatever aspect of their life that needs changing or altering. Because of this, you will find that most are
confident they can be more efficient and resourceful and, as a result, more prosperous and successful. This
has resulted in many working Americans returning to school to obtain college degrees at night, or taking
vocational classes to learn a new occupation to qualify for a better job or achieve a promotion that will
improve their life.
We have talked to a number of interns over the years who were very impressed with the number of colleges and
universities that had degree programs available in the evenings and on weekends. I have heard it said, “If we had
more evening and weekend programs available in our country, many working people would attend!”

¾ Is the atmosphere in US businesses formal, or informal?

The atmosphere is definitely informal. You will find that offices are given a personal touch, with
pictures of family and friends and memorabilia from a vacation or an event as part of the décor.
Discussions around the office often are about a recent family event, vacation trip, or football/baseball
game. It is very common to see senior members of the staff enjoying the company of those they manage.

Since US companies are results-oriented, you won’t see a big display of authority. Rather, you will
observe a genuine effort by senior management to deal directly with the individual that has the answers or
expertise. If a younger member of the staff has knowledge on a particular subject that is being considered,
that member is just as likely to be included in a senior-level meeting. In many US companies today (and
the trend is growing), the most important person in the room might be the most casually dressed. In US
companies, informality is considered an effective means of eliminating red tape, getting to the answer
quickly, and streamlining the process of arriving at a solution and putting everyone at ease in the process.
This can often be disconcerting and even offensive to outsiders who are not accustomed to the US’s
informal approach to business.

One intern told us that she was invited to attend a staff meeting at which the president of
the company would be participating. Here is what she said: “There were ten people at this
meeting, and I wasn’t familiar with many of them, since I had only recently joined the
company. Since I had a definite idea of what a [company] president looked like, I was
disappointed, because I thought he wasn’t at the meeting, and I wanted to meet him. Also,
one of my co-workers was doing most of the talking, so I figured it was just a low-level
meeting.

“After the meeting, I was introduced to a Mr. Rankin, who was polite, friendly and cordial. He
welcomed me, and asked about my country and family. When my co-worker and I got back
to our offices, I asked him, ‘Who is this Mr. Rankin, and what department does he work in?
He seems like a nice guy.’

“My co-worker said, ‘He is the president.’

“I was so surprised! He was just one of the guys, dressed casually, no tie, and he didn’t
control the meeting and he was so friendly. Wow, was I surprised.”

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¾ Can I use the American method of doing business to my advantage?

First, keep in mind at all times American businesspeople are focused on the bottom line (results). I’ve said
this before, and cannot not say it enough, about the importance of results, and the impact results will have on
your career. If you want to be a successful intern, and later a successful businessperson, you will need two
ingredients: knowing what you want, and straightforwardness. At the beginning of any meeting or encounter,
you might want to start by clearly stating your objective, and make certain that those participating recognize
what you are trying to accomplish. It is always a good idea to show up at a meeting with an agenda in hand,
and be ready. If it is not your meeting, offer it up as a way of ensuring the meeting stays on track. (Just a little
tip: the person with the agenda controls the meeting.)
Second, always be as direct as possible. A reserved manner may well be construed as disdain, indifference
or aloofness. These characteristics will stand out negatively in America’s casual environment.

Third, learn to think on your feet. This is a highly regarded skill by Americans. As an intern, you will
have many occasions to see it in action. When you are observing it, be aware that it is a combination of
wanting the right answer, sincerity of purpose in your mission, and informality. It is a rapid-fire, exploratory
type of exchange, where many ideas are thrown out as possible solutions to a problem, and instantaneous
feedback is expected and welcomed. Open discussions and contrary positions are taken, expected and
embraced without regard for any corporate hierarchy. The idea is to find the right solution, regardless of where
or from whom it comes from, and to move on without assigning judgment.

One last important concept deals with the importance of punctuality. You will find that Americans look
very favorably on those that are punctual for meetings and meet their deadlines. Lateness is viewed as a lack of
interest, arrogance or a sign of poor time management. If you are late or you think you are going to be late, call
in advance to let them know you are conscious of the fact and respectful of their time. If you aren’t able to do
so in advance, make it a point to apologize as soon as you meet your appointment or enter the meeting.

A good example of the importance of punctuality is the case of an intern who trained
with an accounting firm. It seems that her boss had a regular staff meeting every
Monday morning to discuss the weekly audits that were scheduled, and how the audit
teams would be organized. At her first meeting with her supervisor, she was told that he
was very particular about his staff assembling on time for staff meetings.
The first week, she arrived about ten minutes late for the meeting, and all her boss
did was make a passing comment about being on time in the future. The next week, she
was late again. This time, her boss said nothing. Mid-morning, he called our office and
told us that either she reported on time from now on, or she could return to her home
country.
Of course we took immediate action, and she wasn’t late again. However, this was a
bad start to her internship, and it took a month or two before she regained her bosses’
confidence and respect.

The US business community is an exciting place, with many opportunities for the individuals who will
reach out and seize the moment. So when you start your internship, know that not only are you welcomed, but
also your ideas; share them.

In actuality, the American workplace is likely quite different from any workplace you have experienced
before. However, you will gain much from experiencing both its differences, and similarities. In your first few
weeks, you will likely experience many challenges, but also intriguing, and even fun experiences. The
information in this chapter will help you in the acclimation process. So follow the rules, learn the customs, and
enjoy our open and free society.

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CHAPTER 12

YOU CAN DO IT

N ow that you have a better understanding of what it takes to have a successful US internship, you’re
probably thinking, “Do I really want to do this?”; “Can I do it?”; or, “Is it worth all the effort?” The
answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” To start with, think of the experience you will get just in the process
of pursuing your dream. Yes, just by going through the search process, you will learn many valuable lessons.
Let’s look at just a few:

1. You will learn how to take an idea, a dream or a goal and make it a reality.

2. You will learn how to follow through on an endeavor that takes months to accomplish.

3. You will learn to improve your focus.

4. You will improve your communications skills, both oral and written.

5. You will learn how to evaluate different options that are presented to you, and learn to make an
informed, well-thought decision.

These are the benefits of just pursuing an international internship. The benefits of actually doing the
internship are immeasurable. Many we discussed at the beginning of the book will apply directly to you.
What you need to do first is to come to a personal decision: whether you truly want to pursue a US
internship program. Then, you’ll need to decide if you are mentally ready. For example, is your personal and
professional life in a position to take on the additional burden required to do this? Do you have the finances, or
can you acquire them? If you can answer “yes,” then you are ready to move ahead.
While it is fine to occasionally think about your overall goal, you must avoid constantly viewing the
process in its totality. Rather, view it in small, incremental pieces. There is an old adage that says, “You can
eat an elephant, as long as you do it one bite at a time.” This book has been laid out with this concept in mind,
and you should view it as your “internship cookbook.” Start at the beginning, and work your way through the
process one step at a time. You will soon realize that you are well on your way to achieving your dream. It
may look big, it may seem difficult, but my experience has been that when jobs, goals or tasks are reduced to
small pieces, it all becomes manageable.
This is your time, your opportunity to gain experience that will change your life and how you view the
world around you. All you need to do is reach out and seize the opportunity.
As they say in the South, “Y’all come see us now.”
I look forward to you visiting with us.
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 US Internships…

APPENDIX
IDIOMS USED IN THIS BOOK

I dioms are words, phrases, or expressions that are unusual, either grammatically—as in “Long time, no
see”—or in meaning, since it has a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its
elements, as in “It’s raining cats and dogs!”
Every language has idioms, and they are a challenge for foreign students to learn.
Following are the common idioms used throughout the book, along with the definition of their meanings.
For the meanings of many more idioms you might encounter during a US internship, visit these Web pages for
a searchable dictionary of them:

http://eslcafe.com/idioms/

http://www.english-zone.com/idioms/dictionary.html

Idiom Definition Example

A mile a minute Very fast I couldn’t understand what
she said. She was talking a
mile a minute.
A red flag will go An indication that there is a problem or If you fail to turn in your
up that something is not right. A warning report on time, a red flag will
indication go up in your supervisor’s
mind.
After all is said The result or ending; completion After all is said and done,
and done our sales figures were not
as good as we expected.
Bad end of the To lose out in a situation After all the work he did to
deal get the project done, his
boss let another guy in the
office present it to the client
and get the praise. John got
the bad end of the deal.
Big picture Overall view The big picture is that we must
improve our accuracy rate.

161
 Idiom Definition
Blindsided Caught by surprise. From American
football: tackled/hit without seeing it
coming.
Bottom line The profit line
Final result
Burn your This comes from the idea that if you go
bridges over a bridge to get somewhere, you
don’t want to burn it, or you won’t be
able to get back. So this phrase is often
used figuratively to express that you
don’t want to leave any enemies or
unhappy friends behind, because you
may need them later.
Buzz Gossip or clandestine information,
especially in the workplace
Buzzwords Technical phrases intended to impress He used so many
others, usually laymen
Catch his eye To be noticed by someone because
you are looking at them
Caught off guard Not being prepared.
Changes gears Just as an automobile changes gears
to change speed, the use here refers to attractiveness to employers
changes in events, intent or strategy.
Close-to-home Used to describe something that is
example (or, personal or familiar in nature, often
close to home) uncomfortably so.
162
Example
The abrupt change in policy
blindsided our efforts.
I was blindsided by her
change in attitude.
The stolen shipment of
widgets will negatively affect
the bottom line.
What is the bottom line on
your getting tickets to the
ball game? Did you get
them or not?
Please don’t burn your
bridges at this meeting by
getting angry with the client.
The buzz is, there will be
major changes in our
department next year.
buzzwords in his speech, I
had trouble understanding
him. After all, I’m not a
scientist like he is.
The waiter is standing over
there. Try to catch his eye.
He was caught off guard
when the boss came into his
office while he was
e-mailing his girlfriend.
Don’t be surprised if your
changes gears after you
complete a US internship.
When we were at the
conference and the speaker
was talking about sports
injuries, he was getting too
close to home for me.
When my boss told me that
he was being transferred to
another office, that was a
close-to-home subject for
me.
 US Internships…

Idiom Definition Example

Cons Disadvantages Moving into another
apartment before your lease
is finished on this one has
several cons.
Cookbook the To put the tasks that must be done in a I believe we can cookbook
process (or, simplified order like a recipe so that an the process for developing a
cookbook easy step-by-step approach can be marketing presentation on
approach) taken to arrive at the result. how to sell computer
hardware.

To find just the right

automobile for you, you
should use a cookbook
approach.
Day-to-day grind An activity or routine you have to do After two years of college, I
every day, usually as a part of your am finding homework to be
work. In this case, the word “grind” a real day-to-day grind. I
implies that it is less than pleasant, or wish I had some after-class
maybe somewhat boring. activities to break it up.
Dead in the An abrupt stop, often in the progression We were hoping to get the
water of a plan or progress toward a goal, contract, but when they
especially a stop that is considered heard that our estimate was
permanent three weeks longer than
they wanted, we were dead
in the water.
Down the road Later or afterward; eventually Down the road, you can
(or, down this expect a reward for your
road) hard work today.

Making a decision or choosing a course I have already discussed

of action this with you, and don’t want
to go down this road again.

Drop the ball To fail to complete a task that was
given to you, or to not follow through
with a promise concerning something
you said
Eat some To admit you are wrong about
humble pie something, or to go to someone and
(also, Eat crow) ask for forgiveness.
End of the day When you are through hearing all the
discussion on an issue, and it is time to
make a decision; alternately, the end of
something, like a project or plan
Eye-catching To be attractive or different enough to
be noticed by people
Dinner was served at
7:00 pm. You really dropped
the ball by not showing up
until 10:00 pm.
When the results came out
after the election, he had to
eat some humble pie and
admit he was wrong on the
issues.
At the end of the day, we
have to decide if we want an
internship in Atlanta or
Chicago.
There are many shirts to
choose from, but I don’t
think any of them are eye-
catching.

163
 Idiom Definition Example
Firsthand Direct observation, not filtered through
I heard about my demotion
someone or something else from my secretary, rather
than firsthand from my boss.
Follow on the To be close behind, or to happen right The contract for the spare
heels after parts followed on the heels
of the purchase of the new
equipment.
Following in his To follow someone else’s example or to Following in his father’s
footsteps assume someone else’s role; often footsteps, he went into the
used to describe following a member of hotel business.
one’s own family
Front you Give you money that you will have to I will front you the ticket
pay back later money for the movies since
you are low on cash.

To put up a false appearance, or give a The store clerk is trying to

misleading impression front you. I saw him
overcharge you for your
snack.
Getting the Understanding a situation I don’t want to go out with
picture (or “get you tonight, are you getting
the picture”) the picture? I am not
interested in you.

When she told me the

negative things my landlord
said, I began to get the
picture that he wants me to
move.
Go with the flow To go along with a situation He had no control over the
presentation, so instead of
complaining, he decided to
go with the flow.
Goes hand-in- When one thing or situation meshes The fundraising for the
hand (or, go closely with another children’s hospital and
hand-in-hand) health clinic goes hand-in-
hand.
Grass-roots Very basic Participating in the
(experience) company’s orientation
process gives a grass-roots
experience.
Greatest thing Something that is wonderful. The That new engine that uses
since sliced phrase implies that sliced bread was a gas and solar power to
bread great innovation. reduce energy cost is the
greatest thing since sliced
bread.
Hot button A subject that is important to people Having excellent English
and which they feel very strongly about speaking skills has become
something of a hot button to
most recruiters.

164
 US Internships…

Idiom Definition Example

Hot under the To get upset about something When he found out that his
collar wife got into a car accident
with his new car, he got hot
under the collar.
Hung-up Restricted in thought or attitude Americans are not hung-up
on titles or positions.

Halted Because of the loss of our

funding, our project is hung-up.
Jumped in (or, In conversation, to interrupt when I was coping just fine until
jump in) someone else is speaking she jumped in and finished
my presentation.

In a situation, to act impulsively or I wish I hadn’t jumped in to

without warning that car purchase. The
transmission quit working
the very next day.

I didn’t feel fully qualified to

take on that project, but
decided to jump in. It turned
out all right in spite of my
inexperience.
Keep your chin To not allow yourself to become down You lost the match, but you
up or depressed about a situation must keep your chin up in
anticipation of next week’s
game.
Leaping without To do something without giving Talk about leaping without
looking forethought to or considering the looking! He decided to jump
ramifications of your decision into the lake without reading
the warning sign.
Level the To make things equal, give an equal They decided to level the
playing field (or, chance at winning, or remove the playing field by giving him
level playing advantage or disadvantage ten less points than they
field) gave the others who were
taking the same test.

A situation or opportunity where a He has an accounting

person’s chance of success is equal to degree, but so do I. We
that of someone else’s have a level playing field for
a promotion for either one of
us.
Like shooting Indicates that something you are trying Mr. John's class was so
fish in a rain to do or achieve is easily accomplished easy that getting an A was
barrel (or just a like shooting fish in a rain
barrel) barrel.
Locking down To make something final or formal Because of her efforts, she
(or, lock down) is in the process of locking
down the agreement right
now.

165
 Idiom Definition Example
Looking over To be put in a situation that requires If you were more concerned
your shoulder you to be on constant guard, or about how your actions
concerned about something would be interpreted, you
would not have to be
constantly looking over your
shoulder now.

Now that your boss has

been fired, you will have to
be looking over your
shoulder for a while.
No loose ends All details are addressed, and no minor Be very careful to check that
details are overlooked contract carefully. I want no
loose ends that might cause
us problems later on.
None of this is “Stone” is an indication of permanence. I think we have resolved our
written in stone Thus, something that is written in stone disagreement, but until you
will last a very long time. have done all that you
promised, none of this is
written in stone.
Not go down To not take a particular action We can talk about your
that road behavior on Monday, but
concerning what you did on
Tuesday, I advise you to not
go down that road again.
Off-the-wall Something that is unexpected or I was in class, and a girl
happens unexpectedly asked me this off-the-wall
question about my family.
Off-track Not following goal steps Our plan has been off-track
ever since he failed to
deliver his cost estimation.
On the other Something you say when you are On the one hand, I’d like
hand (also, On speaking about two different facts or more money, but on the
the one hand) two opposite ways of thinking about a other hand, I’m not prepared
situation to work the extra hours in
order to get it.
On the right foot To begin whatever you are doing He started the school year
properly and correctly off on the right foot by
getting his first assignment
completed on time.
On the table To make available all the information All the facts were put on the
for consideration table so all parties could
make an informed decision.
On the wrong This is the opposite of starting “on the The meeting started off on
foot right foot” the wrong foot when our
boss realized that we hadn’t
prepared our presentation.
One-shot deal A task you only have one chance to Taking that test is a one-
accomplish correctly shot deal. If I pass it I get an
A; if I don’t, I get an F.

166
 US Internships…

Idiom Definition Example

Other side of the An opposite viewpoint. (Similar to “on It rained every day during
coin the other hand”) our vacation. On the other
side of the coin, there were
many things to do indoors,
like theatres and shopping.
Out of the game Failure to achieve the goal you set I just failed Chemistry for
the third time. I guess I am
out of the game for a degree
in Chemical Engineering.
Overkill Doing too much, or doing much more He contacted ten stores to
than is required, often with negative get a price comparison on a
consequences of some kind $10 item, which I believe is
overkill.
Pack a great Something to either impress, or to get Ending her presentation
punch attention, usually in a positive way with that video will pack a
great punch with the
attendees.
Pros Advantages This internship opportunity
has many pros.
Pros and cons Advantages and disadvantages Before we can make a firm
compared decision, let’s review the list
of pros and cons one more
time.
Read too much To think there is more to a situation or I was really nice to this guy I
into it conversation than it appears. Loosely, met at the club last night,
a conspiracy theory but he has read too much
into it. I am not interested in
dating him.
Recipe for A mixture of different situations that will If we invite your old
disaster result in a bad ending or result boyfriend and my old
girlfriend to this party, we
have all the ingredients for a
recipe for disaster.
Red tape Can refer to the many levels of To get a visa to enter the
decision-making, or to having many US, you will have to go
documents to be filled out and through lots of red tape
requirements to meet before getting a before it is awarded to you.
final decision
Rocket scientist To be a rocket scientist implies that Folding napkins isn’t rocket
stuff (or, It someone is very intelligent and to be scientist stuff.
doesn’t take a one is very difficult. Therefore, if you
rocket don’t have to be a rocket scientist to It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist.) accomplish something, then the task scientist to learn how to
must be easy. make your bed.

Shooting from To do something without giving We went to the store and

the hip forethought to or considering the
ramifications of your decision
John purchased the first
computer he saw. Now if
that isn’t shooting from the
hip, what is?
167
 Idiom Definition
Short fuse A short amount of time before
something happens
Referring to a person who gets angry
very easily
Shotgun A very broad approach to doing
approach something or solving a problem
Singing the Everyone (or multiple documents) all
same song saying the same thing
Snail mail Regular postal mail, which is much
slower than e-mail
Sour note When a musician hits the wrong note, it
is called a sour note because it sounds
bad. The same applies when
something goes wrong to ruin an
otherwise good situation.
Stick it out To continue on during a difficult period,
or when a situation is less than
acceptable. To force oneself to
continue to perform a particular task or
activity
Strikes the To cause the recruiter to have a
recruiter’s fancy positive feeling or idea about
something
Take the ball A football reference implying that you
and run have picked up a task or job and are
handling it
The best bang The most efficiency, the most
for the buck performance, the most amounts of
goods for the money spent
The carrot Carrots are used as an incentive to
have a horse come to you. It implies
that what you are offering will interest
someone to come to or do something
for you.
168
Example
Our presentation is due
tomorrow; we are on a short
fuse.
You had better be careful,
because when he is working
on his computer he
develops a short fuse. All
you need to do is say the
wrong thing, and he will yell
at you.
He took a shotgun approach
by sending his resume to
1,000 companies.
Their presentation will be
really good, because they
are all singing the same
song: that the solution is to
buy new computers for the
office.
I can send you a check by
snail mail, but it will take
three weeks to get there.
When he admitted that he
hadn’t performed all the
tests as prescribed, the
meeting ended on a sour
note.
I have only ten weeks until
summer vacation; I can stick
it out that long.
If your resume strikes the
recruiter’s fancy, he will
likely contact you.
No one at the office can
handle the telephones
today. So, Jamie, take the
ball and run with it, please.
He completed so many
tasks during the last training
session, his boss felt that he
really got the best bang for
the buck by hiring him.
I thought if I gave the front
doorman $5.00, it would be
the carrot to get him to have
my car sent up from the
parking lot.
 US Internships…

Idiom Definition Example

Think on your To be able to quickly come to a To be successful in the
feet decision or offer ideas on how to operations department, you
pursue a situation will have to think on your
feet when we have an
emergency on the floor.
Tipping the To make something more or less likely The sudden improvement in
scale in your to happen, or to make someone more the US job market should
favor (or, tip the or less likely to succeed help in tipping the scale in
scale in your your favor for finding an
favor) internship.

To go down this To decide to do something in a We’re thinking of

road particular way automating our finances, but
if we decide to go down this
road, we’ll need the advice
of a specialist.
To play out How a situation will evolve over time or I don’t know how this
in a particular instance running argument between
you and your friend is going
to play out.
Trial-and-error Trying and eliminating various methods A trial-and-error approach
until a solution is found will take longer, but since
we don’t have any firm
ideas, that might be the only
way we can solve this
problem.
Turbo charge To enhance and/or boost an action or If I get an MBA to go with
event to improve it, make it go faster or my law degree, I can turbo
increase its output charge my career.
Turn you off To develop adverse feelings about A glass of milk that has
something soured will definitely turn
you off.
Under my belt If you have an experience or a I believe I am a capable
qualification under your belt, you have individual, considering that I
completed it successfully. have four years of
engineering experience
under my belt.
Weed out Remove all the items that are not Ten men went out for the
relevant soccer team, and they will
weed out the ones that
cannot kick the ball.
Whichever way Whatever happens I don’t care whichever way it
it all goes all goes in class today, I am
planning on going to the
concert tomorrow.
Willy-nilly To do something without purpose, or to They took a willy-nilly
not focus on a situation approach in developing their
findings, and the boss
wasn’t pleased with the
results.
169
 Idiom Definition Example
Zero in Apply focus, or a focused observation If we zero in on the exact
(derived from rifle target shooting) error messages the program
gives us, we will surely be
able to identify what part of
the computer needs to be
fixed first.
Zero in on your To narrow the scope of or to close in on We decided to investigate
target a decision or situation only internships that are
related to auditing, because
we wanted to zero in on our
target area of interest.

170
 US Internships…

INDEX
4work.com, 55 Careerbuilder.com, 54
Abraham Lincoln, 130 Carmax, 138
Academic, 43 Cheap Tickets, 140
Accidents, 139 Children, 131
Achievements, 26 Christmas, 132
Acronyms, 27 CitySearch, 52
Address, 35, 38, 40, 60 Civil War, 126
Advantages, iii, 15, 167 Climate, 126
Age, 88, 127 Closing, 38
Air travel, 141 Code of Federal Regulations, 114
Alien, 149 Cold War, 126
Allowance, 149 Constitution, 126, 128, 129
American culture, v, 6, 121, 122, 150 Contact, 144, 146
American English, 1, 5, 22, 24, 25, 34, 42, 90, 96 Co-op, 48
American Hospitality Academy, 50, 115 Cost, 51
Apartment, 52 Council on International Educational Exchange,
Apex USA, Inc., 115 115
Appeal, 25 Coupons, 124
Appearance, 25 CPROs, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 91, 93, 94
Appraisals, 43 Crime, vi, 145
April Fool’s Day, 130 Criteria, iv, 49
Area, 30, 31, 32, 33, 126 Cultural Exchange Network, 116
Associates, 39 CV, iii, 22
ATMs, v, 133 Death, 126, 127
Auto Trader, 138 Department of Homeland Security, 112, 115, 119
Balance, 26 Deposits, 52
Baseball, 125 Destination USA, 113
Benefits, 100, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108 Development, 100, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108
Birth, 127 Digital Cities, 52
Birthplace, 87 Disabilities, 89
Boasting, 27 Disadvantages, iii, 15, 163
Bus, v, 141 Dress, 91
Business, 14, 55 Drinking, 146
BusinessWeek Online Drive-thru, 124
Marketplace, 56 Driving While Intoxicated, 146
Canada, v, 70, 126, 127, 140, 142, 143, 150 DS-2019, 52, 101, 115, 116, 117, 119, 132, 141,
Car, v, 136, 147 142, 144
Career Mart, 56 DUI, 146
171
DWI, 146 Internship Programs.com, 54
Easter, 130 Internship4America, ix, 6, 21, 42, 50, 54, 109
Edmunds, 138 Internships 2004, 55, 59
Education, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 56 Internships.com, 54, 55
Elevation, 126 InternWeb.com, 54
E-mail cover letter, 41 Interviews, 75, 77
Emergencies, v, 143 In-the-field experience, 48
Employer, 38 Introduction, iii, 1
Employers, 23, 74 IRS, 149, 150
Employment, 31, 32, 33 Issues, v, 143
English for Speakers of Other Languages, 17 J-1 visa, 19, 114, 142
English speaking ability, iv, 90 Job Track, 56
Ethnic groups, 127 Journal, 10, 11, 12, 13
Excutive branch, 128 Kelley Blue Book, 138
Experience, 30 Ketchup, 124
Federal Register, 114 Key, 60
Follow up, 94 Labor Day, 131
Football, 125 Languages, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 128
Foreignborn.com, 113 Law of Large Numbers, 62
Forms, 116 Laws, 139
Geography, 127 Length, 26, 106, 108
George Washington, 130 Letter, 60, 106
Global Hospitality Exchange, 50 Life, 26, 127
Government, 128, 129 Living, v, 6, 51, 85, 100, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108,
Great Depression, 126 121, 132
GreenTortoise, 141 Location, 51, 93, 100, 102, 104, 105, 126
Greyhound Bus Cmpany, 141 Management, 13
Hanukkah, 132 Mardi Gras, 125
Health, v, 89, 143, 144 Martin Luther King Jr., 129
Highlights, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Medicare, 9, 149
Holidays, v, 129 Memorial Day, 131
Hospitality, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 54, 59 Mentoring, 107, 108
Hot dogs, 124 Mexico, v, 126, 127, 142, 143
Identification, 38 Mission, 39, 78
Idiom, 161 Money, 8
Idioms, vi, 161 Monster.com, 54, 56, 59, 66
Illegal, 145 National Internship Guide, 55
Immigration and Naturalization Services, 9 Natural resources, 127
Independence, 125, 131 Networking, 67, 70
Independence Day, 125, 131 New Year’s Day, 129, 132
Infractions, 139 Nonimmigrant, 111, 115, 116
INS, 9, 112, 113, 142 Northeast, 7
Insurance, v, 143, 144 Objective, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33
Interbiznet.com, 56 Offer, 81
InterExchange, Inc., 116 Orbitz, 140
Internal Revenue Service, 149, 150 Passport, 144
Internatioanl Educatioanl Exchange, Inc., 108, 116 Pay, 100, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108, 135
Internatioanl resumes, 22 People, 67, 130
Internship, iii, iv, 3, 16, 34, 39, 47, 53, 54, 59, 99, Police, 139
100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 3 Population, 127
Internship for America, 16, 3 Posting, 39
2
 US Internships…

Preparation, iv, 69, 93 Subject, 35

Priceline.com, 140 Suggestion, 141
Professional, 100, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108 Swap Sheet, 138
Proof of a bank account, 117 Tax, 149
Proof of a job, 117 Taxes, vi, 149
Proof of ownership, 117 Team, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33
Proof of parents, 117 Telephone interview, 93
Pros and cons, 167 Term, 100, 102, 104, 105
Qualifications, 29 Terrain, 126
Questions, 87, 88, 89, 113 Test, 17
Race, 87 Test of English as a foreign Language, 17
References, iii, 32, 33, 43 Text, 34
Religion, 88 TGIF, 125
Religions, 128 The Internship Bible, 55, 59
Requirements, iv, 114 Time, 16
Research, 43 Tipping, 169
Resort Intern Connections, 50 Training, 6, 39, 102, 104, 105, 115
Resources, 39, 40, 70 Transportation, 101, 102, 104, 105, 108
Restrictions, v, 141 Travelocity, 140
Resume, iii, 21, 23, 24, 26, 34, 60 Unemployment, 149
Rights, 128 US Department of State, 111, 113, 115
Rising Star, 54 USA CityLink, 52
Rosh Hashanah, 131 Variety, 26
Rules, v, 141 Vault Internship Advice, 54
Saint Patrick’s Day, 125, 130 Venues, 51
Searching, iv, 53, 61 Visa, iv, 101, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108, 111, 112,
Security, vi, 9, 26, 50, 101, 103, 108, 132, 137, 113, 114, 116, 142, 143
144, 149 Visa Denials, 113
Sentences, 27 Visa policy, iv, 112
SEVIS, 8, 112 Visa Services, 113, 116
Shaking hands, 124 W-2 Form, 149
Sites, 54 W-4 Form, 149
Skills, 26, 32, 33, 73 Weather, 51
Smoking, 147 Web resume, 34
Southeast, 7, 127 Western, 7, 126, 129, 134
Southwest, 7 Western Union, 134
State, 6, 38, 112, 113, 128, 129, 137, 149 Work schedule, 106, 108
States, ii, ix, 12, 44, 53, 77, 112, 126, 128, 129, Working, vi, 4, 151
130, 131, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 145, 147, WxUSA, 52
149 Yahoo, 54, 56
Strategies, iv, 59 Yale Daily News Guide to Internships, 55
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, Yom Kippur, 131
112

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 US Internships…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexander Lostocco is the president of Internships for America, Inc., which specializes in working with US
companies interested in developing internship programs, and with internationals interested in pursuing a US
internship. Through Internship for America, Lostocco has worked with hundreds of international students and
young professionals, screening, interviewing and selecting candidates for designated company programs. It is
through this association that he saw the need for this book, which is designed to prepare the international student
and young professional to compete effectively for US internships. Lostocco’s company can be accessed via the
Internet at http://www.internship4america.com/.
Lostocco received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Christian Brothers
University, and received his MBA from the University of South Carolina. He has served on the trustees board
for Christian Brothers University, where he initiated a personal scholarship program for the university.