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4 Job Search Tips for International Students and Professionals Looking to Land Their Next Job in Michigan Navigating the job market can present difficulties for any job seeker, especially for recent university graduates. International talent, including international students, can face additional challenges when trying to secure employment. This handy resource will help international job seekers and students successfully navigate these challenges to find the job that they are looking for. 1. Connect with Supportive Organizations Whether you are an international job seeker looking to continue your career in Michigan or an international student preparing for employment opportunities after you graduate, one place you can start is by connecting with Global Detroit . Since 2010, this nonprofit has worked to strengthen Michigan’s economy by advancing immigrant and migrant inclusion. Global Detroit has several teams devoted to helping international job seekers, students, and entrepreneurs thrive in Michigan. We can connect you with key resources, other partners, and opportunities across the state. International students should also connect with International Student Offices and Career Services on their college or university campus. These offices can help you learn more about different industries in Michigan you might want to work in and connect you with prospective employers. 👉 You can connect with Global Detroit’s Talent Team by emailing talent@globaldetroitmi.org , joining their LinkedIn group , or learn more about their programs by visiting their website . 2. Get Organized One piece of advice that will serve you well is “procrastination is the enemy of employment opportunities.” For international job seekers, be proactive and learn more about your visa options. Global Detroit partners with several immigration attorneys who may offer free consultations. You can also visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Categories page to learn more about different visa options you may qualify for and their requirements. For international students, Optional Practical Training (OPT) under the F-1 student visa is most commonly used for post-graduation work authorization. We recommend securing employment at least two months before graduation.  The employer will need to supply you with proof of future employment, such as an offer letter, but it is up to you to work with your higher education institution to apply for OPT with the federal government. These two months will allow for a sufficient cushion of time for your OPT application to be processed so you can start your new role without delay. 3. Don’t Get Disqualified When You Apply Application materials and hiring skills will get you in the door, so make sure it is not shut prematurely. There can be a big difference between the resume, curriculum vitae, or cover letter you may have used in another country and the types that Michigan workplaces are accustomed to. To ensure your application is competitive, one resource you can use is the Michigan State University Graduate School’s Resume, Curriculum Vitae, and Cover Letter page to modify your application materials for a U.S. employer. Also, invest in improving your interview skills. Being able to answer potential employers’ questions in a way that sets you up for success is crucial. You can also reach out to Global Detroit for resources on resume, curriculum vitae, cover letter, and job interview best practices. We offer individual consultation, workshops, and even a multi-session Global Talent Accelerator Program , which teaches international students best practices for soft skill development and navigating the employment journey. All these resources are free of charge. 4. Do Your Research and NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! Finding a job opportunity in Michigan is not just about your qualifications but who you connect with. Find the right people who you need to know, and who need to know you, that can influence a potential employer to hire you. This requires research on your part. Learn about prospective companies, firms, and organizations that have open positions, and do not be content with just submitting a job application. GO FURTHER! Who are the firms’ key decision makers? Can you identify the hiring manager for this position (and that is not always the Human Resource Manager but could be the person who heads the department where the role will be housed)? Have you reached out to them on LinkedIn or via email? What are the major pain points of the firm and/or department and how can hiring you best address them? Are there any company events being advertised that you can attend where you may meet the hiring manager or other personnel that can connect you with them? Are there any industry-level events that are coming up that you can attend where either company personnel may attend OR where you can meet other potential employers that may have open positions? Your unique experiences and skills are your best assets. Sell that unique value proposition by building genuine connections with key decision makers who can advocate for your hire. Final Thoughts This is not an exhaustive list, but it provides some practical first steps international job seekers and students can take to improve their competitive employment advantage and build their careers in Michigan. Above all, connect with organizations who are invested in your success, like Global Detroit. Their unique resources and support staff are dedicated to helping you reach your career goals. Author: Dr. Theodore Jones is Senior Director of Talent Initiatives at Global Detroit . In this work he leads two statewide programs:  the Global Talent Retention Initiative (helping international students find job opportunities after they graduate) and the Global Entrepreneurs in Residence (helping international founders bring their startups to Michigan). A lifelong Michigander, Dr., Jones earned his B.A. in Political Science from Hampton University, M.S.W.  from the University of Michigan, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Before joining Global Detroit in 2023, he worked for six years as a central office administrator for Detroit Public Schools Community District. He lives on Detroit’s east side. 

10 Steps to Prepare for Your Best Job Interview Ever If you’re looking to take the next big leap in your career right here in Michigan, preparing for an interview is more than just showing up on time. It’s your chance to stand out, impress future employers, and land a role that fits your ambitions. Whether you’re applying for a tech startup in Ann Arbor, a health system in Kalamazoo, a manufacturing role in Grand Rapids, or a fintech role in Detroit, these 10 practical steps will help you walk into any interview with confidence. 1. Dress for Success—and for Confidence: What you wear to your interview can influence how you feel and how others perceive you. Choose an outfit that’s professional, polished, and most importantly, makes you feel confident and competent. Make sure your clothes are clean, well-fitted, and pressed (yes, now’s the time to dust off the iron). Pick shoes that are comfortable but appropriate. If you're unsure, opt for business casual—it’s a safe bet for many Michigan industries. 2. Know the Interview Setup. Onsite Interviews Confirm the address and know where to park—especially in city centers like Lansing or Detroit. Bring multiple copies of your resume. Carry a notebook and pen for notes. Online Interviews Test your tech setup specific to the platform being used (i.e. Zoom, Teams, Google Meet). Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background—or use a virtual one. Practice looking at the camera and eliminating background distractions. 3. Bring the Energy: Your energy matters. Interviewers often remember enthusiastic candidates. Practice in front of a mirror to fine-tune body language and facial expressions. Smile! It not only conveys confidence but also helps ease nerves. Stand or sit up straight to project focus and engagement. 4. Prepare 3-5 Questions for the Interviewer: Do your homework because asking thoughtful questions shows initiative and curiosity. Research the company culture, recent news, and leadership on LinkedIn. If you know who’s interviewing you, learn about their role and background. Ask about growth opportunities, team dynamics, and company goals. 5. Rehearse Common Interview Questions: Don’t wing it. Practice answering common questions like: “Tell me about yourself.” “Describe a challenge you’ve overcome.” “Why do you want to work here?” Record yourself on your phone and watch it back. Yes, it’s awkward—but you’ll spot things to improve like tone, speed, or filler words. 6. Reread the Job Posting—With Purpose: Review the job description line by line. Highlight where your experience matches up. Jot down work examples that prove your fit. Be ready to talk about your accomplishments in terms of results. 7. Reflect on the Company’s Mission and Values: Most companies in Michigan—from big players like Ford and Spectrum Health to smaller local startups—share their mission online. What resonates with you? What excites you about the role or the company? How do your personal values align with theirs? 8. The Day Before: Get in the Zone. Prepare both physically and mentally. Eat nutritious meals and hydrate. Get a full night’s sleep—don’t underestimate the value of enough sleep! Visualize success: picture yourself thriving in this role. This mental prep boosts confidence and reduces stress. 9. One Hour Before: Final Touches. It’s game time! Get dressed, get your materials in order, and set your environment. Have water nearby. Sit down a few minutes early, breathe deeply, and smile while you wait—it calms nerves and sets a positive tone. 10. Own the Introduction: First impressions count, whether in person or online. Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. For virtual interviews, position a small mirror near your screen to remind you to smile. Avoid fidgeting. Stay grounded and attentive. Bonus Tip 1: Reflect on the Interview . While it’s still fresh in your mind, note answers to some reflection questions: What did you learn about the company? What did you do well in the interview? What would you improve next time? Bonus Tip 2: Follow-Up After the Interview Within 24 Hours: Thank the interviewer(s) for their time. Restate your interest in the position and the company. Mention 2–3 things you learned and highlight what makes you a strong fit. Final Thoughts Job interviews are your chance to showcase who you are, not just what’s on your resume. With preparation and self-awareness, you’ll stand out for all the right reasons. Your next big opportunity might be just one great conversation away. Robert Magee is Executive Director of The Engineering Society of Detroit . ESD represents over 3,000 engineers and 140 companies in Michigan. The Society promotes and celebrates innovation, excellence, collaboration, and professional growth across the spectrum of engineering disciplines. He is a passionate advocate for providing pathways for emerging engineers and works extensively with the ESD student chapters at 13 universities in Michigan. ESD runs fall and spring Engineers Get Hired events where hundreds of engineers get the opportunity to meet with Michigan’s leading employers. The Society also hosts the annual Link in the D event for engineering students looking to network with engineering staff at a broad array of companies in Michigan.

When we talk about resumes, the focus is usually on hard skills—technical abilities, certifications, and job-specific knowledge. But in today’s competitive job market, soft skills are just as critical, if not more so. Unfortunately, many candidates overlook them, fitting only the bare essentials into a one-page resume. If that sounds familiar, you might be missing an opportunity to stand out in a crowded field. Let’s explore why soft skills deserve more attention, how AI-driven hiring is changing the landscape, and how a post-COVID shift in the workforce has made these professional abilities more valuable than ever. Soft Skills: The Human Side of the Resume Soft skills refer to personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively with others in the workplace. These include communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, time management, and problem-solving, to name a few. Unlike hard skills, which are usually quantifiable, soft skills are about how you work rather than what you know—making them harder to showcase in a resume. Here’s the truth: Employers want both. It’s one thing to know how to run a SQL query, but it’s another to think critically about how this information will help to solve a customer problem, clearly explain your findings to non-technical internal and external customers, manage this project (along with your other tasks) under an extremely tight deadline, and effectively resolve some internal team conflicts that arose during the project. You might feel limited by the structure of a typical one-page resume, but that doesn't mean your soft skills should be left out. Consider using your summary or bullet points under each job to illustrate soft skill application. For example: “Collaborated cross-functionally with marketing and design teams to launch a product three weeks ahead of schedule.” That sentence implies teamwork, time management, and initiative—all soft skills—while still keeping the bullet concise and relevant. Why Formatting and AI Matter Now here’s where it gets trickier. Increasingly, companies are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or AI-powered screening tools to sort through resumes before a human ever sees them. These tools scan resumes for keywords, experience, and formatting structure. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly or doesn’t include the right keyword phrases (including those related to soft skills), you may never make it past the first round. That’s why a well-crafted resume that highlights both hard and soft skills with clean formatting and appropriate terminology is so important. This is particularly crucial for utilizing the Michigan Career Portal. Similar to many ATS, the Career Portal will pull keywords from your resume to match you with open jobs. Try uploading your resume to the career portal and see which soft skills it pulls from your resume. If you do not see many show up in your skills assessment, consider revising your resume to include additional soft skills. (Pro tip: Need help deciding which soft skills to emphasize? Read the job postings of 5-7 jobs you are interested in to see what soft skills they are most interested in.) Why Does This Matter? Following the COVID-19 pandemic, employers have been reporting a lack of soft skills in the emerging workforce. There is a lot of concern about new workers not showing up on time, struggling to collaborate in group settings, and being unable to have professional conversations. Companies value these skills because they help you better integrate into the company culture and enable you to more effectively contribute to the organization's goals and success. If you can demonstrate these soft skills in your resume, you can demonstrate your value to a potential employer. Take Action: Showcase the Whole You So, what can you do right now? Audit your resume: Go through it and check where you can naturally incorporate soft skills into your descriptions. Don’t just say, “led a team,” say “led a cross-functional team of five to meet project goals ahead of schedule.” Use your cover letter wisely: This is a great place to talk about your adaptability, leadership, or resilience in the face of challenges. Practice what you preach: Make sure your LinkedIn profile, personal branding, and interview responses back up what’s on your resume. Employers want consistency. Get feedback: Whether it's from a mentor, peer, or career coach, an outside perspective can help you refine how you present your soft skills. Final Thoughts In today’s job market, showcasing your soft skills isn’t just preferred—it’s expected. As hiring becomes more tech-driven and competitive, your ability to stand out relies on presenting a full picture of who you are, not just what you know. Take the time to flesh out your skills, tailor your resume, and show potential employers that you’re not just qualified—you’re ready to thrive. Cameron Maddock was born and raised in Michigan and is a rising junior at the University of Michigan studying economics and public policy. As a student assistant with the Talent Solutions team at Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Cameron's projects focused on making the Michigan Career Portal more accessible for students, and helping to develop Michigan’s talent pipeline.