1. American Business Culture Workshop
Renee Gifford
Kirstin Mercer
Jill Phillips

2. American Business Culture Workshop
Agenda:
Introductions
American Business Culture
Resume Writing and Interviewing
Individual Consultations

3. 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

4. Overview of American Business Culture
National Culture
Corporate Culture
Professional Culture

5. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Universalist verses Particularist
Your country:
Americans:

6. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Individualism vs. Communitarianism
Your culture:
Americans:

7. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Neutral vs. Emotional
Your culture:
Americans:

8. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Specific vs. Diffuse
Your culture:
Americans:

9. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Achievement vs. Ascription
Your culture:
Americans:

10. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Traditional Culture:
-Directing
-Competing
-Relying on rules
-Lecturing
-Secrecy
-Passive
-Isolated Decisions

11. Group Interactions in the Workplace
Team Culture:
-Guiding
-Collaborating/Coaching
-Team Activities
-Diversity/Flexibility
-Openness/Sharing
-Active
-Involvement of others

12. 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

13. American Business Negotiation Strategies
How do Americans negotiate?
-”Get the job done quick”
-Assess the situation and get results quickly
-Don’t spend too much time building
relationships
-Message is conveyed through
speech, not through gestures

14. American Business Negotiation Strategies
How do Americans negotiate?
-Time is money
-Set a schedule and prioritize
-Move through the process and
control the time allotted
-Take a risk
-Let the senior executive make the final decision
-Detailed contract will formalize negotiation

15. Etiquette for Business Lunches, Dinners – Place Setting

16. Etiquette Tips for Business Lunches, Dinners and Receptions
Napkins
Ordering
Silverware
Passing
Eating
Paying

17. Additional Resources http://www.cuisinenet.com/glossary/tableman.html

18. 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

19. Dealing with Problems in the American Workplace
Hierarchy

20. 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

21. Preparing an Effective Resume
Self Assessment
Content
Basic information- Name, address, contact information
Objective
Education
Experience
Other information- Relevant awards, publications, skills
References

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Popular Websites for Student Internships
TrueCareers (
TrueCareers is a national career site bringing professional, degreed candidates and the companies that value them together.
MonsterTRAK (
MonsterTRAK is a website for students and alumni looking for full-time and part-time positions, internships and on-campus employment.
JobWeb (
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).