American job search special topics for int'l students fall 2016

THE AMERICAN JOB SEARCH – SPECIAL TOPICS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Holly M. JusticeEngineering Career Counselor

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STEM UP Fair

Is Coming

Do you know the date for the

STEM UP Fair this year?

Wednesday, October 5, 2016Alumni Arena Main Gym

12 noon - 5 pmProfessional business attire required.

Bring resumes!

Career Fair Prep Days “Meet with an Employer!”Wednesday, September 21

&Tuesday, September 27

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Career Services office, 259 Capen Hall Register through BullsEye system

AGENDA

1. STEM UP Technical Career Fair2. Career Fair Prep Days3. Challenges International Students Face in

today’s US job market4. Special issues and resources for

international students5. *NEW* Bullseye powered by Handshake6. Career Services resources & services 7. Internship/Job Search Strategies

Challenges international students face in today’s U.S. job market

CHALLENGES INT’L STUDENTS FACE

1. US Economy2. Employers’ “fear” of immigration

regulations3. Insufficient knowledge of US culture and

US work-related customs and employer expectations

4. H-1B cap

U.S. ECONOMY

1. The US economy is getting much stronger although some employers are still taking a “wait and see” attitudea) This has also led to employers doing more “just in time”

hiring.*

EMPLOYERS “FEAR”

1. The majority of employers have had little or no experience with immigration and other federal regulations affecting international candidates in the US workplace*

2. H-1 Visa Status has become highly politicized in the last decade

A NOTE ABOUT U.S. REGULATIONS

1. It is illegal for employers to make interview or hiring decisions based on a person’s national origin, citizenship, age, religion, gender, race or disability (and sometimes sexual orientation.)

2. However, it is legal for a US employer to not interview or consider for hire any person who is not authorized to work indefinitely in the US

3. Some employers may choose to only consider US citizens

KNOWLEDGE

A challenge – the international student’s insufficient knowledge of U.S. work-related culture and employer expectations.1. It is the applicant’s responsibility to

acquaint him/herself with what US employers expect*.

2. US employers, for the most part, expect international students to adjust to the corporate culture, as opposed to the corporation adjusting to the new employee’s culture (at least at first)

QUIZ QUESTION

QUIZ:WHEN CAN AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BEGIN WORKING OFF CAMPUS AT THEIR INTERNSHIP USING THEIR CPT WORK AUTHORIZATION?

QUIZ QUESTION

Number 2

WHEN SHOULD YOU BEGIN YOUR INTERNSHIP/JOB SEARCH?

Special issues and resources for international students

SPECIAL ISSUES

1. Using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)

2. The “OPT Extension” 3. Finding companies willing to Sponsor for H-1B Visa 4. Answering the Work Authorization question(s) on

online job applications5. The H-1B Visa “cap”6. Employment “Contracts” 7. Student perspective vs. Employer perspective

SPECIAL ISSUES

Using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)

1. CPT for internships. Must register for academic credit. May only use while in school.

2. OPT may be used for internships and full time employment. May be used during school and after graduation. (Most students will save their OPT for after graduation!)

SPECIAL ISSUES

The “OPT Extension”OPT 12 months + OPT STEM Extension 24 months = 36 months of OPT.

What are the eligibility requirements for the 24-month extension of post-completion OPT? 1. The student must have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate

degree in a STEM field. 2. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. (A Federal

government program.)3. The student must apply on time (at least 90 days before the

current post-completion OPT expires).

SPECIAL ISSUES

Finding companies willing to Sponsor for H-1B Visa NOTES:1. You may not work for the US Federal government or

Department of Defense (DoD) Contractors 2. Companies who have sponsored in the past understand

the process and may consider sponsoring again3. YOU must be able to explain the sponsorship process to a

company who has never sponsored before.a) You must understand the visa & paperwork process

4. When reviewing Job Fairs make note which employers have said they are willing to consider international candidates

RESOURCES

Finding companies willing to Sponsor for H-1B Visa continued

1. Review the H-1B visa database from the Department of Labor. (Free)

2. http://www.myvisajobs.com/ (Free and $$$)*

3. http://www.h1visajobs.com/ ($$$)4. http://www.h1base.com/ ($$$)5. http://www.workpermit.com/ 6. http://www.path2usa.com/ ($$$)

http://www.myvisajobs.com/

http://www.h1visajobs.com/

http://www.h1base.com/

http://www.workpermit.com/

http://www.path2usa.com/

SPECIAL ISSUES

Answering the Work Authorization questions on job applications Are you legally authorized to work in U.S.? a) Yesb) No

c) Answer: You are allowed to answer YES to this question. You have legal authorization to work in the U.S. with your CPT or OPT work authorization.

SPECIAL ISSUES

Answering the Work Authorization questions on job applications Will you now or in the future require sponsorship? a) Yesb) No

c) Answer: A little more complicated…1. The employers would like you to answer the spirit/intention

of the question, which means you will answer “YES”. 2. Student perspective - I only plan to work in the U.S. during

my OPT then go home, so I plan to answer “No”. i. Be aware that this could be a problem for you later.

SPECIAL ISSUES

The H-1B Visa “cap”*There are 65,000 H-1B visas available each yearThe past few years their has been twice the number of applicants (~130,000 applicants)

• A lottery system is used to determine which applicants are awarded a H-1B work visa

Make sure to attend ISSS workshops!

SPECIAL ISSUES

Employment “Contracts” Employment contracts are legal and appropriate in the United States *Caution* - have a lawyer review your documents before you sign to clarify and verify your commitments and obligations!

Resource• As a UB student you have access to free legal services

through the Student Association • SBI Legal Assistance, 377 Student Union• 716-645-3056• http://subboard.com/legal/

http://subboard.com/legal/

SPECIAL ISSUES

1. “I just want to work in the US for 1-2 years then go home.”

2. “The US work experience will be very beneficial to my candidacy for a job when I go back home.”

3. “I’ll just use my OPT and the employer doesn’t have to sponsor me!”

4. “This will work great for everyone!”

Int’l Student Perspective Employer Perspective

1. “I want to hire an entry-level candidate and have them stay and grow in my company.”

2. “The 1st + 2nd year will be lots of training, leadership development and mentorship.”

3. “The next 3-5 years the employee will be a major contributor and will advance in my company!”

UB CAREER SERVICES

Resources & Services

CAREER SERVICES RESOURCES

• Individual Career Counseling• Express Career Consult• Resume, Cover letter, & Linkedin profile reviews • Practice Interviews

• Bullseye powered by Handshakea) Internship & job postingsb) On-campus & off-campus jobs

• On-Campus Recruiting • Career & Job Fairs – STEM Up Fair!

• Connection (Networking) events & web portal

• Resources on the Career Services Website

INDIVIDUAL CAREER COUNSELING

• Discuss your personal career plans and how to achieve them

o Job o Graduate School o Volunteer / Service o Becoming an Entrepreneuro Other

• Resume creation & review• Cover letter creation & review• Linkedin profile creation & review• Internship & Job search strategies • How to make connections • Preparing for an interview • Strategies for career fairs

INDIVIDUAL CAREER COUNSELING

• One on one meeting• An hour long appointment.• *NEW*

• To schedule your Career Counseling appointment log on to “BullsEye powered by Handshake”

EXPRESS CAREER CONSULT

• One on one meeting• 20 minute, same day appointment• Monday – Friday 10:00am-4:00pm• Call 716-645-2231 or walk-in to the office

(259 Capen Hall) to make an appt.• Great for

o Resume reviews, cover letter reviews, o Linkedin Profile reviews, o Basic internship/job search strategies

PRACTICE INTERVIEWS

•Make an appointment for a practice interview •A Career Counselor will ask you interview questions while you are being videotaped. •Then you and the Career Counselor will review the tape together to identify areas of improvement.

PRACTICE INTERVIEW TOOL:*INTERVIEW STREAM*

•Online tool to practice interviewing •7,000 interview questions available, in specialized categories including Job Fair Preparation, Engineering, Nursing, Business, etc..•Access through UB Career Services BullsEye system

CAREER FAIRS

*NEW*BULLSEYE

Powered by Handshake

Top 3 Actions Steps For You Right Now!1. Complete your profile in the new

Bullseye powered by Handshake 2. Make your profile public3. Get your resume critiqued and then

upload to the new Bullseye powered by Handshake

QUIZ QUESTION!Where is the UB Career Services office located?(Raise your Hand! )

ANSWER

259 Capen Hall(Behind Student Response Center)

PREPARING FOR THE INTERNSHIP / JOB SEARCH

PREPARING FOR THE INTERNSHIP / JOB SEARCH

1. Professional Materialsa) Resume, Cover letter b) Optional – website with projects/design portfolio,

Video introduction, etc..c) CS majors – consider – Github

2. Research your industry and employers3. Increasing your competiveness in the employment market

a) Get experience!b) Expand your Network of contacts!

4. Technical Interview Skills

WHAT EMPLOYERS HAVE SAID THEY SEEK:

•Good Communication Skills –• Oral and Written!*•EXPERIENCE! • (Co-op/Internship, related experience)•Technical Knowledge & Skills•GPA•Evidence of Team Work•Time Management Skills•Problem-solving Skills•Enthusiasm•Flexibility•Being able to apply what you’ve learned •Ethical decision making

INTERNSHIP & JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

THE INTERNSHIP / JOB SEARCHMAY SEEM VERY CHALLENGING…

STRATEGIES

1. Strategy 1: A. Find & Apply online for posted positions

2. Strategy 2:A. Creating a list of companies to target

3. Strategy 3: A. Connection – Networking

Strategy 1

HOW CAREER SERVICES CAN HELP – STRATEGY 1Strategy 1:

A. Apply online using the BullsEye systemB. Apply online using a variety of sites

A. Linkedin.comB. Indeed.comC. Glassdoor.com D. engineeringjobs.net

C. Career Fairs D. On-Campus Interviewing – apply for opportunities

through the BullsEye systemE. What about Recruiters/Headhunters/Staffing Agencies?*

Strategy 2

HOW CAREER SERVICES CAN HELP – STRATEGY 2

Strategy 2: Creating a target list of companies 1. Linkedin –

a) Use the Advanced Search feature2. Hoovers –

a) online database of companies available through UB Libraries

3. www.myvisajobs.com

http://www.myvisajobs.com/


Strategy 2: Creating a target list of companies

Additional Resources to Identify companies:1. Your “professional” network of Faculty,

Staff, friends, family, acquaintances, etc…

2. Professional Associations3. Internet – Google, vault.com…


Strategy 2: Creating a target list of companies

Once you have identified a list of companies:1. Review their website

a) if they currently have openings – Apply!

b) If no current opening - Submit your resume to their database anyway.

Strategy 3 - Connections

STRATEGY 3: NETWORKING1. What is Networking?

a) Getting noticed by a potential employer through someone that the employer already knows and trusts.2. Employers use networking to recruit.3. Don’t look for a job, look to meet people who need your help.4. Network by “Industry”

STRATEGY 3: NETWORKING

Who is in my network already? How do I grow my network?

1. Family, friends, friends of friends, etc.2. Professors, guest lecturers 3. Professional Associations 4. Conferences5. Alumni Association6. You already know someone who knows

someone who may know about a job opportunity…


Strategy 3: Connection – NetworkingA. ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions B. Career Conversations networking events with

alumni C. “On the Road” employer site visits D. UB Career Connector Network E. Linkedin – to identify, connect and converse with

UB Alumni


Strategy 3: Connection – Networking




Strategy 3: Connection – Networking – Networking can be fun!





Strategy 3

How to get started …

Take at least one “action” each day.

GETTING STARTED…

Establish rapport or commonalityEx. friend of a friend, alumni from same institution, hobby, sport, volunteering, etc

Ask to follow up laterBe clear about what you’re asking forCollect business cardsLeave the ball in your court

Types of follow-upMeeting in person (most effective)Speaking via phone (effective)Video chat (effective)Email exchanges (effective)

WHAT TO SAY

Prepare a “30-second commercial”, also called the “elevator pitch”Should contain:

Your nameEducational backgroundSummary of skills, experience, strengthsExplanation of immediate goalsA question to keep the conversation going.

NETWORKING TIPS & TECHNIQUES

1. Be specific about your goals2. Ask how they got started3. Ask if there are any projects/special events

coming up that you can help with.4. Do class projects that can put you in

contact with a potential contact/company.5. Get involved with a student club and do a

project or volunteer to coordinate activities that involve contacting employers!

6. Combine two seemingly diverse areas of interest in your life*

THINK LONG-TERM

1. Does this process seem like a lot of effort? - It can be.

2. It’s never too early to start3. Don’t give up too soon4. You’ll improve your networking

skills the more you practice them!

STEM UP Fair

Is Coming

Wednesday, October 5, 2016Alumni Arena Main Gym

12 noon - 5 pmProfessional business attire required.

Bring resumes!

Career Fair Prep Days “Meet with an Employer!”Wednesday, September 21

&Tuesday, September 27

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Career Services office, 259 Capen Hall Register through BullsEye system





QUESTIONS?

CAREER SERVICES

CONTACT CAREER SERVICES

Contact us:259 Capen Hall 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F Call 716-645-2231Email us at [email protected]

Website resources www.buffalo.edu/career

Individualized appointments Express Career Consult appointments

Hours M-F 10:00am-4:00pm

GOOD LUCK!

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.buffalo.edu/career

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & ATTENTION



