Career Resources for TAU International Students
Career & Internships Center offers international students:
-
Individualized career guidance for international students
-
Internship placement support
-
Strong connection between academic study and real-world professional experience
-
Career resources
Whether you are creating your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile, or preparing for a job interview, the goal is to clearly present your experiences and skills to a specific audience and purpose.
Effectively communicating your professional story allows you to showcase your abilities, express your motivation, and demonstrate how your background aligns with the role or organization you are targeting, while creating a coherent and compelling professional narrative.
Resumes & Cover Letters
Your resume is often your first introduction to an employer or internship provider. It should present your academic background, practical experience, and developing skill set in a clear and focused way.
Keep your resume concise and structured by limiting it to one page, using a clean and consistent format, and organizing sections clearly.
Include relevant sections such as:
- Education
- Internships or work experience
- Projects and research
- Volunteering
- Leadership activities
Highlight experiences that demonstrate transferable skills across roles and industries.
When describing your experience:
- Use strong action verbs
- Focus on results and impact, not just responsibilities
- Emphasize relevant skills
- Briefly note the value or outcome of your work
Tailor your resume for each opportunity by prioritizing the experience and skills that align most closely with the position.
A cover letter gives you the opportunity to expand on your résumé by explaining your motivation, interests, and fit for a specific role. For students and recent graduates, it connects academic experience, projects, internships, or early work experience directly to the position, while demonstrating clear and professional writing.
Length, focus, and structure:
-
Keep it to one page
-
Explain why the role interests you
-
Show how your background prepares you to succeed
-
Include contact details and the date
-
Address a specific person when possible
-
Open with a concise introduction
-
Close by reaffirming interest and thanking the reader
Interviews
If your application moves forward, you may be invited to an interview. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how your studies and experience prepare you for the role and to assess whether the position is right for you.
Prepare effectively:
- Review the role and research the organization
- Identify key skills they seek and prepare clear examples from your academic or practical experience
- Practice answering common questions aloud, especially if interviewing in a non-native language
- Be ready for general, behavioral, and technical questions
- Prepare for different formats, including online, phone, or in-person interviews
- Send a brief thank-you email afterward and reflect on areas for improvement
Networking
Networking is a skill that strengthens with practice. Approach everyday interactions as opportunities to introduce yourself, build connections, and learn from others.
A clear and concise self-introduction, often called an elevator pitch, helps you present who you are and what interests you in a memorable and professional way.
Many networking opportunities exist on campus, including conversations with faculty and guest speakers, as well as conferences, career fairs, and student events. Be willing to step beyond your comfort zone, as consistent engagement supports long-term professional growth.
Workplace
Starting a job or internship in a new country can be both exciting and challenging.
It is your responsibility to understand your role, meet expectations, and carry out your duties with professionalism and commitment.
It's important to:
- Ask questions early
- Seek feedback
- Observe how colleagues communicate and collaborate to support a successful transition.
Work environments vary across organizations and countries. Being attentive to communication styles, teamwork, hierarchy, and workplace norms will help you adapt effectively.
In Israel, it is common to encounter relatively informal work settings—such as startups—where interns and employees may interact directly with senior leadership, even in casual situations. Regardless of the level of formality, it is important to maintain professionalism at all times.
To succeed in the short and long term, it helps to demonstrate
- Reliability,
- Respect,
- Strong work ethic.
Balancing academic commitments, work responsibilities, and personal time requires careful planning.
It's good to
- Take ownership of managing your schedule
- Set clear boundaries
- Communicate openly with supervisors about your availability.
Maintaining this balance supports your well-being while allowing you to contribute meaningfully in the workplace and build sustainable professional habits.
Personal Career Journey
Recognizing what you are good at and what genuinely interests you is a key starting point in your career journey.
- Reflect on your academic experiences, projects, and activities to identify patterns in what motivates you and where you perform best.
- Seek feedback from instructors, peers, or supervisors
- Consider how your skills and interests can translate into different professional settings.
Career goals often become clearer through exploration rather than certainty.
Use your time at the university to learn about different fields, roles, and work environments by
- Attending events,
- Speaking with professionals,
- Engaging in internships or projects.
Setting short-term, flexible goals can help you stay focused while allowing room for growth and change as you gain experience.
Intentional career choices are based on awareness, information, and reflection.
When considering opportunities, look beyond titles and consider
- What skills you will develop,
- What you will learn,
- How the experience supports your longer-term direction.
Making deliberate choices, even small ones, helps you build a meaningful career path step by step.
University life offers daily opportunities to build skills that matter in the workplace:
- Take advantage of coursework, group assignments, internships, and campus involvement to practise communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in real situations
- Pay attention to how you manage time, handle responsibility, and adapt to new expectations
- Actively seek feedback
- Reflect on challenges
- Take initiative in small ways
