american business culture

American Business Culture Workshop

Renee GiffordKirstin MercerJill Phillips

American Business Culture Workshop

Agenda:

1) Introductions

1) American Business Culture

1) Resume Writing and Interviewing

1) Individual Consultations

Overview of American Business Culture

How would you describe the typical American worker?

-Goal and achievement oriented-Highly organized-Freedom-loving and self-sufficient-Work oriented and efficient-Friendly and informal

Overview of American Business Culture

National Culture

Corporate Culture

Professional Culture

Group Interactions in the Workplace

Universalist verses Particularist

Your country:

Americans:


Individualism vs. Communitarianism

Your culture:

Americans:


Neutral vs. Emotional

Your culture:

Americans:


Specific vs. Diffuse

Your culture:

Americans:


Achievement vs. Ascription

Your culture:

Americans:


Traditional Culture:-Directing-Competing-Relying on rules-Lecturing-Secrecy-Passive-Isolated Decisions


Team Culture:-Guiding-Collaborating/Coaching-Team Activities-Diversity/Flexibility-Openness/Sharing-Active-Involvement of others

American Business Negotiation Strategies

American negotiators are selected based on their record of success

Gender, age, and social class are not criteria for selection

Individual characteristics are criteria for selection


How do Americans negotiate?-”Get the job done quick”-Assess the situation and get results

quickly-Don’t spend too much time buildingrelationships-Message is conveyed throughspeech, not through gestures


How do Americans negotiate?-Time is money -Set a schedule and prioritize -Move through the process andcontrol the time allotted-Take a risk-Let the senior executive make the final

decision-Detailed contract will formalize negotiation

Etiquette for Business Lunches, Dinners – Place Setting

Etiquette Tips for Business Lunches, Dinners and Receptions

Napkins Ordering Silverware Passing Eating Paying

Additional Resources

http://www.cuisinenet.com/glossary/tableman.html http://www.fredonia.edu/business/etiquette/links.htm http://www.etiquettesurvival.com/ http://www.modernetiquette.com/ http://career.utk.edu/students/skills_etiquette.asp http://www.career.fsu.edu/ccis/guides/etiquette.html http://business.missouri.edu/340/default.aspx http://business.missouri.edu/342/default.aspx

Effective Customer Service in American Culture

Listen Accept and strive for change Constant improvement is necessary Remember the target customer and ask

what they want

Empower, support, and reward frontline or interface people

Provide infrastructure to support goals Provide training and information to

achieve goals

Dealing with Problems in the American Workplace

Hierarchy

Resume Writing Skills

What is a Resume? What is the Purpose of a Resume?

-Helps get you an Interview -A summary of your education, skills,

accomplishments, and experience -Your first chance to communicate with a

potential employer -One of a kind marketing-you are selling

yourself with a resume -Establishes you as a professional person -Clarifies your direction, qualifications and

strengths

Preparing an Effective Resume

Self Assessment Content

Basic information- Name, address, contact information

Objective Education Experience Other information- Relevant awards,

publications, skills References

Resume Tips

Be Concise - Limit the length of the resume to three pages.

Be Neat Be Honest – Integrity is very important. Your

skills and work experience should be accurately represented on your resume. Background investigations are common in the United States.

Use action words and phrases when describing your experience.

Proofread, proofread, and proofread! Ask for a colleague to read the finished

document.

Differences between U.S. and International Resumes

U.S. Resume Characteristics

Concise, attractive marketing tool - summarizes jobs, skills, accomplishments, and academic background relevant to employment objective

One to two pages maximum

Does not include age, marital status, race, or religion.

May or may not include completion of military service depending upon whether it is relevant or makes the person a stronger candidate

International Resume Characteristics

Chronologically details academic and formal work experience

Sometimes two or more pages

Sometimes includes age, marital status, race, and/or religion

Sometimes includes completion of military service

Cover Letter Writing Tips

Its purpose is to interpret the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression.

Keep it brief and to the point. It should not duplicate your resume.

The employer is interested in the facts. It should demonstrate that you meet or exceed the requirements listed in the job description.

It should demonstrate that you are interested in the position and that you are available to accept the position if offered. Additional information beyond this can be counterproductive as it dilutes the core purpose of the cover letter.

Avoid negatives Try to avoid a salary history in the cover letter. Avoid using clichés in your cover letter-ex. “excellent

written and verbal communication skills”, "think outside the box" and "juggle multiple tasks”- This is your opportunity to highlight your communication skills.

Spend time thinking about the layout of your letter It should be easy to scan the letter, and have a logical

progression Personalize it if possible; address it to a specific person. Remember- the reviewer of your cover letter and

resume has many cover letters and resumes looking at, so making it easy for him/her to find the information you want to highlight.

Interview Tips for International Students

Be punctual. Arrive 5 to 15 minutes prior to appointment. Eye contact is expected and shows confidence. Interviewer styles vary. May begin with direct questions or minimal

small talk. Interviewer may do most of the talking or may expect the candidate

to do most of the talking. Questions regarding age, race, sex, and marital status are illegal. Direct questions regarding competency, experience are common. Open discussion of accomplishments and skills shows confidence. Show clear self knowledge, career goals and long-term plans. Interviewer may expect immediate competency and look at each new

employee for a 2 to 5 year commitment. Self-disclosure of strengths, weaknesses, personality, leadership style,

problem-solving abilities, etc. may be appropriate. Researching the organization and demonstrating that knowledge

during the interview is expected, because it shows initiative and interest.

It is acceptable to ask an employer at the close of the interview where they are in the interview process and when the candidate can expect to hear back from them. Inquiring about the status of an application after the interview is acceptable and demonstrates interest in the position.

Finding an Internship that is right for You

Determine Your Priorities. Do you want career-related experience? The opportunity to travel? Funds to support tuition fees?

Identify Prospective Employers. Organizational directories, the Internet, and local newspapers can be used to pinpoint organizations of interest. The Career Center at your school should also maintain both electronic and paper listings for internships and summer jobs.

Develop a Resume to Emphasize Your Skills. A resume can effectively present your background and distinguish you from other job seekers.

Start Contacting Employers Early.If you seek a career-related position, it is appropriate to contact the manager of an organization in your area of interest, as well as the Human Resources department. Call or write to request information regarding internships and job opportunities.

Complete Application and Be Prepared for Interviews. If you are seeking a general, non-career-related position, you may be asked to complete and return a formal application. Be sure to complete these forms neatly and thoroughly, typing them when possible. If there are currently no positions available, request referrals to other employers in the field. Should you be granted an interview, be prepared to answer questions about your background.

Follow-up All Interviews.Always send a thank-you letter to the interviewer expressing your appreciation. If you were not granted an interview, follow up your application with a phone call, a letter, or even a visit. Your interest and enthusiasm will distinguish you from other job seekers.

Popular Websites for Student Internships

TrueCareers (http://www.truecareers.com/) TrueCareers is a national career site bringing

professional, degreed candidates and the companies that value them together.

MonsterTRAK (http://www.monstertrak.monster.com/) MonsterTRAK is a website for students and alumni looking

for full-time and part-time positions, internships and on-

campus employment. JobWeb (http://www.jobweb.com/)

JobWeb® is a web site of career development and job-search information for college students and new college graduates. It is owned and sponsored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).