What type of company would I
like to train with? -- There are many different types and sizes of
business here in the US, from smaller firms or agencies to large, dynamic
corporations. You may also be more interested in not-for-profit companies or
NGO's.
Do I want to train with a
company in a major city, a suburb, or a rural area? -- Remember that your
training program is also a cultural exchange experience, which will be shaped
by your company's location.
What are the top three features
that are most important to me in a training environment? -- The qualities
you like in a supervisor, the things you need from a team of co-workers, the
general atmosphere at a company, how high-paced a company may be, a company's
longevity, and a company's mission are just some of the attributes you might
consider when reviewing your options.
What elements of a training
environment could make my experience difficult? -- Just as you considered
the positives, consider what company features might make you uncomfortable or
less likely to succeed. Keep in mind that a training program is a learning
experience and that you should choose a training environment that challenges
you to stretch your comfort zone.
Do I need a paid training
position? -- This might be a key component in choosing a great training
position if you do not have sufficient savings or some other type of financial
assistance. Some companies that do not offer a salary may provide other
attractive benefits, such as housing, transportation, meals, and so on. Figure
out what you need in order to be able to support yourself and to enjoy your
experience fully. You may also be able to secure scholarship funding in your
home country to subsidize the expense of taking on an unpaid training position.
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any sort
To view an example of an outstanding
resume, please click here.
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Your
Cover Letter
Finding a training position in your field of interest is very similar in process
to finding a related job in your home country. The most important step in this
process is creating an informative and interesting cover letter, which strongly
emphasizes your professional qualifications, and your interest in training. When
sending out application material, a cover letter should always precede your
resume. And, each cover letter you send should be unique to the position and
company to which you are applying. This means that you must write a cover letter
for each potential Host Company that you contact. It may be useful to work from
a general cover letter, and personalize it as you search for a training position.
What Makes a Good Cover Letter?
A professional cover letter is
generally composed of three to four major paragraphs. After you have properly
addressed your cover letter, your first paragraph should be dedicated to clearly
stating the intentions behind your inquiry. In short, you should state your name,
your interest in a training position, and highlight the fact that you are a
skilled and competitive candidate with much to offer a potential Host Company.
Briefly explain why you are looking for a training opportunity, and convince
them to continue reading your cover letter. If you intend to have this training
program count for academic credit, you should mention the name of the school you
are attending and the fact that this program will be credit-bearing. This
paragraph should not exceed three to four sentences in length.
In the second paragraph of your
cover letter it is important to mention that you are intending to apply for a
J-1 Trainee Visa through CIEE and that, as part of this program, CIEE will act
as legal sponsor and will provide for the legal framework in which this training
program can be undertaken. Moreover, companies may also be interested to learn
that you will be provided with health and travel insurance as part of the CIEE
program.
The third paragraph of your cover
letter should highlight your educational background and professional interest in
pursuing a career related to the company's activities. This paragraph is your
chance to expand upon the experiences outlined in your resume, and directly
relate them to a company's operations and mission. It is also important to
discuss your work ethic, positive nature, ability to communicate with others,
dedication to professionalism, and whatever other qualities are relevant to the
training position you are seeking.
Finally, you need to conclude your
letter by restating your interest in training at this particular company, and
thanking the company for taking the time to review your materials. Also, you
should remember to express your interest in the chance to participate in a
telephone interview, and offer them a good means of contacting you, be it by
phone or email.
To view an example of an outstanding
cover letter, please click here.
Important Tips
- Check your spelling and grammar.
If you are not a native English speaker, you may also choose to have a skilled
English speaker review your cover letter for content and clarity.
- Remember to contact the company
after submitting your cover letter and resume. Send an e-mail to the contact
person if you have not heard from them in over two weeks, and remind them that
you have submitted materials to them and would still be very interested in
pursuing the possibility of a training position with them.
- Don't make your cover letter too
long. It should be kept to three paragraphs, and should not be more than one
page in length. The biggest challenge in cover letter writing is drafting a
document that is both readable and comprehensive, within a very restricted
space.
- Your contact information should
always follow the salutation portion of the cover letter.
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Finding a Host Company
Hunting for the right training
position may seem like an impossible task at first. However, you will quickly
learn to utilize helpful internet resources, and you will develop a network of
contacts that may be able to put you in touch with an appropriate Host Company.
As you begin to reach out to US
companies, you will find that some of them are not familiar with the term 'Trainee'
or with the J-1 Trainee Visa category. Therefore, you may need to take the time
to clarify your reasons for contacting them and your understanding of the
framework in which you will be allowed to enter the US. Once companies
understand that they will not need to worry about your US entry or work
authorization documents, they will likely be much more interested in speaking
with you about the possibility of a training position.
The following strategies can help
you in your search for the perfect training experience. Try to take advantage of
as many different search methods as possible, as this will greatly increase your
chances of finding a US company that is interested in providing you with
practical training.
Search the Internet
The Internet is a great place to start your search for a training position in
the US. It is important to keep in mind that you are not looking for ordinary
employment, but rather practical training. Thus, try to use keywords like 'internship,'
or 'training program' when you begin your search. For a list of popular career
search engines and internship websites, click
here.
Career Help Centers
Does your university have a Career Center? Do local schools in the area have
public career service centers? Are you near a US Educational Advising Center?
You may be able to utilize the resources and career counselors at centers such
as these or you may be directed to placement websites that are affiliated with
universities.
Ask Around
Ask university students, co-workers, family, friends, and professors if they
have any contacts at US-based companies, or if they know of anyone who has
participated in a training program in the past. If you refer to an acquaintance,
friend or business colleague when contacting a company, your chances of securing
a position increase significantly.
Contact Companies Directly
The toughest part of finding a US training position is determining a successful
strategy for reaching out to US companies. It is important that you find a
comfortable method for researching and identifying interesting training
positions, and communicating with potential Host Companies. Email is a great way
to introduce yourself and to describe you interest in training at that company.
It is also good to follow up with the company by phone, to see if they would be
interested in hosting you as a Trainee. The search process will become more
natural with practice, especially if you keep the following tips in mind:
- Set aside 20-30 minutes every day
for researching and reaching out to potential host companies.
- Create a list of companies that
already have intern or training programs in place.
- Try to send a resume and cover
letter to at least 3 companies every day.
- Keep track of the companies you
have sent material to, as well as the specific date you sent it. Be sure to
follow up with each company within 14 days of your initial contact.
- If you choose to make contact by
phone, ask to speak to someone in the company's Human Resources or 'HR'
department. The Human Resource officer will be most familiar with the
company's training programs and staff resources.
- Remember to mention that you plan
to apply for a J-1 Trainee Visa, and that CIEE will be your legal sponsor. The
company will not need to worry about your US entry or work authorization
documents, and will not need to provide you with health insurance.
- If you are offered an interview,
prepare for it! Research the company's activities and products, and be
prepared to ask informed questions and to clearly state why training in the US
will allow you to meet your long term career goals.
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