Independent Search

Training at a US Host Company should be an experience that allows you to strengthen the professional skills that you have developed during your studies or past employment. Therefore, before beginning your search, it is important that you have a good idea of what you are looking for in a training program and have prepared a professional resume and cover letter. This section will provide you with valuable tips on how to do this, and how to conduct a targeted search for a relevant training position in the US.

• Design your ideal training position
• Create a resume
• Create a cover letter
• Find a Host Company

Design Your Ideal Training Position
Before you begin your search for a training position at a US company, it is important that you determine exactly what type of training experience you are looking for. Ask yourself the following questions, and then create in your mind the exact type of training experience you would like to have.

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.

After you have determined which type of training experience you are looking for, you should create a resume and cover letter that you can send to potential US Host Companies.

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Your Resume
In the United States, most businesses expect interested applicants to submit an organized 'resume' outlining their professional and personal experiences, along with a statement of interest called a 'cover letter.' A resume is very similar to the curriculum vitae, or CV, which you should be more familiar with. Every person has individual preferences on how to present his or her personal information. However, there are a few general guidelines you should follow when creating your resume:

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. You can refer potential host companies to CIEE's Host Company website for detailed information on hosting an international Trainee. 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. Also, don't forget to make CIEE's Trainee Select service part of your search. If interested in learning more about this service, simply refer to this section of the website and inquire with the CIEE representative in your home country or country of residence.

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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