Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S....

Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S. Denise Medeiros, International Student and Scholar Office Jim Novak, University Career Center Steve Garfinkel, JenniferCory: Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S. Denise Medeiros, International Student and Scholar Office Jim Novak, University Career Center Steve Garfinkel, JenniferCory: Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm

Todays Agenda The challenges as an international student in the US job market Tools for a successful search in the US job market Orientation to the University Career Center and all resources to assist you in your job search Longer term visa options that may be available to you

Potential Challenges OPT limited to 12 months (with possible 17-month extension for STEM fields), employer may see limited benefits to the company Competing with other US workers English language skills must have! Degree and qualifications are not enough to get hired

Interviewing American Style You must sell or promote yourself may feel uncomfortable coming from group orientation You will need to defend your opinion to gain respect demonstrate confidence You will need to speak clearly and articulate your ideas Learn the many ways to find a job (not just online!) What will motivate the buyer (employer) is the ability to solve business issues

Tips what you can offer! International Perspective Language Skills Multi-Cultural Insight and Diversity Desire Go the extra mile Know Yourself: What do you have to offer an employer, that distinguishes you from any U.S. Citizen with a similar degree?

Tools for a Successful Search in the US Job Market Know the Job Search Process! Identify career options Register with appropriate offices Develop resume Learn to write cover letters Brush up on interviewing (Practice, practice, practice) Know where to look Record keeping Follow-up

Tools for a Successful Search in the US Job Market Job Search Strategies Register with the University Career Center (career.uncc.edu) Hire-A-Niner On-Campus Interviewing Trade Magazines and Professional Journals Career Fairs Networking Friends, Family, Acquaintances Professional Associations Student Organizations Alumni

Hire-A-Niner Login with your University NinerNet credentials at career.uncc.edu/hire-a-niner career.uncc.edu/hire-a-niner Easy access to jobs, internships, and co-ops Built-in resume creator Employer directory Ability to report that you've been hired Streamlined processes for the 49ership and co-op programs

Hire-A-Niner F-1 Students must declare proper U.S. Work Authorization The choices in Hire-A-Niner are Eligible to work WITHOUT visa sponsorship: This can only be claimed by U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents Eligible to work WITH visa sponsorship now or in the near future: All F-1 Visa students must click this designation for all employment internships, Co-op, full-time permanent

Do you know the US Labor Market for International Students? What percentage of employers plan to hire international students from the Class of 2015? 34% Industries indicting plans to hire the highest percentage of International Students from Class of 2015? Computer and electronics manufacturing68.8% Wholesale trade62.5% Information52.9% Accounting50%

Do you know the US Labor Market for International Students? By geographic region, which of four regions in the U.S. exhibit increase demand for International Students compared to 2013-2014? West and Northeast International Student Hiring Continues to Climb - Learn more at: http://www.naceweb.org/s02042015/hiring- international-students-job- outlook.aspx?terms=International%20students#sthas h.LmdrTGBL.dpuf http://www.naceweb.org/s02042015/hiring- international-students-job- outlook.aspx?terms=International%20students#sthas h.LmdrTGBL.dpuf

Employer Thoughts: International Student Full-Time Positions In a 2013 national survey of 2000 employers, what percentage indicated they were not permitted to hire International Students? 15% indicated that their organizations were not permitted to recruit and hire international undergraduates or graduate students for full time positions. What percentage indicated they were not interested in International Students for full-time positions at this time? 60% at both degree levels indicated that they were not interested in international students for full-time positions at this time. 20% were optimistic -they were modestly serious to very serious about pursuing either international students with bachelors degrees or advanced degrees for full Factors: Economic Sector, Organization Size, Recruiting Region, Academic Majors THINK SMALL64% in small companies less than 500 employees interested in you! Learn more at http://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdfhttp://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdf

Employer Thoughts: International Student Internship Positions In a 2013 national survey of 1900 employers, what percentage indicated they do not provide internships for International Students? 35% indicated they do not provide international students with internships. What percentage indicated they might provide, at some future date, an internship experience to an International Student but were not considering doing so now or in the near future? 32% indicated they might provide, at some future date, an internship experience to an International Student but were not considering doing so now or in the near future? What percentage indicated they occasionally provide international students with internships, and will continue to do so? 22% indicated that occasionally provide international students with internships and will continue to do so. Learn more at http://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdfhttp://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdf

Employer Thoughts: International Student Internship Positions In a 2013 national survey of 1900 employers, what percentage indicated they regularly provide internships for International Students? 11% indicated they regularly provide international students with internships. Economic Sector, Organization Size, Recruiting Region, Academic Majors THINK SMALL: Among those companies that occasionally to regularly provide internships, 58% were small organizations with 500 employees or less. Major Challenges: Language, Cultural Awareness, Return On Investment, Moral Issue Learn more at http://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdfhttp://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdf

80% Rule 80% of jobs are not posted on job sites or even on the company website Over 75% of those employed in the US work for companies with less than 250 employees Get to know those who are doing what you want to be doing and get referrals from inside industry Applying for jobs online is easyare things that are easy usually worth it?

Networking Know How to Network! Personal Relationships are what makes the job search process come together. Conduct Informational Interviews. Look for Expatriates - Tap into Cultural Affinity. Tap into U.S. companies with interests in your native land. Tap into home companies with interests in the U.S.

Networking LinkedIn, social media groups Professional Organizations Objectives gather info, showcase your talents, knowledge, create path for further communication, ask to be referred to others in the field. Listen, people like to talk about themselves. Dont act, be you. Do what you say you will do. Give back. Be positive. Smile. First impressions matter!

Human Resources Purpose of HR is to weed out and slim down recruiting process and otherwise mitigate company risk HR staff make earlier decisions while hiring managers make final decisions HR is looking out for needs of the company, not you It costs companies to post jobs online

Behavioral Interviewing Interviewee is asked to provide examples from previous experiences of their transferable skills Interview questions may begin with Tell me about a time when Based on concept that past behavior predicts future behavior

Answering Behavioral Questions S-T-A-R EXAMPLE: Tell me about a situation in which you had to meet a deadline. SITUATION: While working as an intern at XYZ Agency TASK: I had four weeks to organize their annual fundraiser which generates 40% of their annual funding. ACTION: I delegated tasks to the other interns for four categories Marketing, Sponsorship, Logistics, and Refreshments. RESULTS: The event brought in over $50,000 and we had a 200% increase in sponsorship. I was able to meet all deadlines in coordinating the event through organization and delegation.

How To Work a Career Fair What do I Need to do to PREPARE? Know your career goals Research the employers and the positions for which they are recruiting Have your resume critiqued and bring enough copies for each employer of interest Purchase or borrow a business suit Prepare for possible interview (screening interview or full)

What Should I Expect on the Day of the Fair? Arrive early to the job fair location Check-in with your student ID card Pick up a list of employers and booth #s Name tag Reflection Area

What do I say when talking to an employer? Prepare a 20 second introduction of yourself Name Major Grad Date What type of position you are seeking Something you know about their organization Offer your resume Ask questions Asking questions shows an interested and engaged candidate Do not ask questions about salary, benefits, or anything that is readily available online Ask if they have a business card, company literature, position information Express your interest and thank them for their time smile!

How to Make a Good First Impression Firm handshake Eye contact Smile and enthusiasm Knowledge of the organization Groomed appearance Positive attitude Focusing on what you want to contribute to their organization Confidence Have a professional looking folder or portfolio to carry resumes (no backpacks)

After the Fair Evaluate yourself and the employers Organize your contacts/business cards and take notes on what was discussed Send a follow-up thank you letter (hard copy) to the recruiter you spoke with Prepare for possible interviews

Job Fair Donts (from employer feedback) Do not travel in friend packs or with a significant other Do not dress casually Do not ask an employer What does your company do? or What can your company do for me? Do not circulate to pick up employer give-a-ways Do not leave a resume on the employers table without speaking to him/her

Optional Practical Training/ Academic Training OPT for F1 students: 12 months work authorization in field of study at level of study Mandatory information session held twice/month by ISSO followed by student application to DHS Additional 17-month STEM extension possible for those with STEM degree and employer participating in E-Verify. Cap gap = period of time between end of OPT and start of H1- B (Oct. 1). Employment authorized D/S. Academic Training for J1 students: 18 months work authorization in field of study, approved by sponsor. Additional 18 months for post-doctoral positions.

University Career Center Resources career.uncc.edu/going-global Career Spots Hoovers On-Line (Atkins Library) Reference USA (in Hire-A-Niner) uscis.gov myvisajobs.com

Additional on-line resources American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (www.uschamber.com/international/directory) Directory of American companies and individuals doing business in a particular country, as well as firms and individuals of that country that operate in the United States.www.uschamber.com/international/directory H-1B Visa Jobs and Sponsorship Portal (www.H1Bvisajobs.com)Advice about applying for H-1B and list of H-1B sponsors. www.H1Bvisajobs.com

James A. Novak, M. Ed Associate Director, Employer Connections Programs UNC Charlotte 150 Atkins Building Phone: 704-687-0795 | Fax: 704-687-5298 [email protected]|[email protected]| career.uncc.educareer.uncc.edu

Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S....

Documents

Transcript of Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S....