Job Search Strategies for International Students at University Park Campus

1. Job Search Strategiesfor International Studentsat University Park Campus Co-Sponsored by Career Services and International Student & Scholar Services – Division of Student Affairs FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

2. Career ServicesYour Partner for Career Success GC 230 EC 2780 WUC 255 (305) 348-2423 (305) 348-1282 (305) 919-5770 http: www.fiu.edu/~career International Student & Scholar Services GC 355 WUC 363 (305) 348-2421 (305) 919-5813 http: www.fiu.edu/~isss

3. Agenda • Self Assessment • General Tips • Challenges • Work Authorization Options • Finding Companies

4. Self-Assessment • What is your competitive advantage? • What makes you unique? • What are your marketable skills & competencies? • Are you willing to relocate?

5. Valuable Personal Characteristics • Bilingual, if not multi-lingual • Adapted to life in another culture (Resilient) • Lived independently • Exhibits determination, perseverance and tenacity

6. Identify Clear Career Goals • Register with Career Services at www.fiu.edu/~career • Meet with a Career Consultant • Clarify duration of employment in U.S. • Research the field • Read journals/publications • Talk with your faculty/professors • Obtain experience

7. Target Your Market • Multi-nationals • Small/mid-size companies • Companies doing business in or business with your home country/region (US Companies that have divisions in your home country) • Foreign firms operating in US particularly from your home country • Companies with history of H1-B sponsorship • Consider intern/co-op employment as “foot in the door” opportunities

8. General Success Tips • Start early • Utilize all resources available • Be consistent • Prepare a professional resume • Develop strong interviewing skills • Obtain experience & develop skills

9. Resume Tips • Provide a frame of reference for potential employers (related experience/skills) • Emphasize strong English communication skills in resume (written and verbal) • Resume should be free of errors especially awkward use of language • Clear, concise format

11. Interviewing Tips • Be on time! (arrive 10 minutes early) • Professional Business Dress • Maintain eye contact • Expect direct questions regarding experience and competency • Promote your skills/ accomplishments • Research the company & demonstrate that knowledge • Schedule a “Mock” Interview with Career Services! • Disclosure of work authorization

12. What to wear…..

13. What NOT to wear…

14. Obtain Experience • Internships/”Co-ops” • Student Organizations • Student Professional Organizations

15. Network • Make contact with potential employers • Internships • Career Fairs & Career Forums • Company information sessions • Alumni programs • Conferences, lectures • Student groups (professional associations)

16. Network • Use your personal network • Friends • Professors • Classmates • Family • Hidden job market - 80% of jobs

17. 10 Organizational Skills 9 Computer Skills 8 Flexibility/adaptability 7 Analytical Skills 6 Strong work ethic 5 Motivation/initiative 4 Interpersonal Skills 3 Teamwork Skills 2 Honesty/integrity 1 Communication Skills! TOP TEN SKILLS SOUGHT BY EMPLOYERS

18. For more information, attendCareer Services Workshopssign up at www.fiu.edu/~career “CS 101-Panther Joblink Orientation” “Internships 101” “Interviewing Skills” “Resume Writing” “Networking Your Way to the TOP”

19. Challenges

20. Staying in the US • Finding companies that sponsor for H1B visas • Immigration quotas • Employer perceptions • Becoming an informed applicant

21. Finding Companies that Sponsor H1Bs • Focus only on companies that sponsor • Fully utilize Career Services Office • Network with friends, family, classmates & alumni in your field • Avoid government agencies and government subcontractors • Avoid companies that hire you for OPT but do not sponsor H1B

22. Immigration Quotas • FY 2008 (Oct. 1, 2007 – Sept.30, 2008) Congress mandated cap: 65,000*Regular FY 2008 quota reached April 2.Special Quota of 20,000 for US Advanced degree holders finished in 1 month * 6,800 set aside for U.S.-Chile & U.S. Singapore Free Trade Agreements • FY 2007 (Oct. 1, 2006 – Sept.30, 2007) Congress mandated cap: 65,000*Regular FY 2007 quota reached May 26Special Quota of 20,000 for US Advanced degree holders reached July 26 * 6,800 set aside for U.S.-Chile & U.S. Singapore Free Trade Agreements Higher Education and Non-Profit Organizations are exempt from the caps

23. H1B Typical Occupations * Engineers * Computer Programmers and Analysts * Accountants * Architects * Doctors * University Professors or Researchers

24. Employers Perceptions • Employers unfamiliar to applicable law and regulatory procedures • Hiring Complexities • Long processing time • Legal Bureaucracy • Cost

25. Be An Informed Applicant • Become knowledgeable about work authorization /visa options • Information you can provide • Cost estimates • Paperwork requirements • Your own attorney (Check with ISSS for various workshops conducted with local Immigration Attorneys.)

26. Work Authorization Options

27. Practical Training (F-1): CPT & OPT • Practical Training is employmentrelated to student’s major or field of study. Authorizationthrough USCIS or by an ISSSAdvisor is required (whetherwork is paid or not). • Access required F-1 Online Workshop:www.fiu.edu/~isss/F-1_Employment_Online_Workshop.ppt

28. Practical Training (F-1): CPT & OPT • Eligibility Requirements • Student must be maintaining valid F-1 status at time of application. • Student musthave been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least two consecutive semesters prior to application. • Student must have viewed the REQUIREDISSS F-1 Employment Online Workshop.

29. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • For academic creditORcurriculum requirement of major or program. • If done for academic credit: • Only “Internship” or “Coop ” courses qualify; “Independent Study” and “Seminar” do NOT qualify. • Course must be commensurate to current degree level. • Authorized by an ISSS Advisor during an appointment.

30. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • Authorized for aspecific employer. • Duration of authorization (for academic credit): • From first day of classes until last day of classes (IFstudent appliesbeforestart of term)OR • From date of application until last day of classes (IFstudent appliesafterstart of term).

31. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • No application fee. • May be authorized as part-time (20 hours or less per week) ORfull-time (21 hours or more per week). • Authorization noted on page 3 of SEVIS I-20. • May be paid or non-paid, at Employer’s discretion.

32. Optional Practical Training (OPT) • For training that is not required by degree/program curriculum and not for academic credit. • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued as form of authorization. • Authorized by U.S. CIS with ISSS advisor’s recommendation. • Application fee charged by U.S. CIS • No employer required for application.

33. Optional Practical Training (OPT) • LIMIT: 12 months (OPT may be available for each higherdegree completed.) • May be used BEFORE or AFTER completion of degree. • If used before completion of degree, OPT is authorized for part-time employment; If used after completion of degree, it is authorized full-time. • OPT after completion application period: application within last term of enrollment only and PRIOR to end of that term.

34. Words of Advice(from adviser to student) • Be informed about OPT and your post-OPT options! • Use available resources! • Apply for OPT! • Make the most of your OPT experience! • Be flexible! • Make yourself valuable! • Don’t wait to know your employer’s policies about immigration support! • Consider further study! • Remember that timing is critical! • Invest wisely!

35. Beyond OPT:Change to Another NIV Category Overview of NIV Categories: • H-1B - Temporary Worker in Specialty Occupation • O-1 - Aliens of Extraordinary Ability • P-1/2/3 - Entertainers/Athletes - • TN - Trade (NAFTA) • E-1/E-2 - Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor • E-3 - • L-1 - Intracompany Transferee

36. H1B Visa Category • Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation. • Employment permitted only with sponsoring company or institution. • Granted for an initial period of 1 to 3 years with possibility of extension for an additional 3 years (Maximum: 6 years). • Quota: 65,000*H1B Extensions not subject to quota/cap*Omnibus Appropriations Act (2004) implemented for FY 2006; 20,000 additional (MS/PhD)

37. H1B Visa Category • “Dual Intent” NIV classification • DOL: Wage Attestation • DHS U.S. CIS: Adjudication of COS to H1B • Fees charged: Application, Anti-fraud, Expedited Processing • Immigration attorney services recommended; legal fees charged.

38. TN (Trade NAFTA) • Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Chile & Singapore. • Employment for specific professional fields/positions. • Employment permitted only with sponsoring company or institution. • Authorization period: yearly basis.

39. L-1 Intracompany Transferee • Transferred to affiliate, subsidiary or parent company in the U.S. in executive or manager level at company in home country. • “Dual intent” NIV classification • Being transferred to same level or higher position in the U.S. • Employed by company in home country for at least 1 year. • Petition filed with U.S. CIS and upon approval, employee applies for L-1 visa at U.S. Consulate in home country.

40. E-1-Treaty Trader/E-2 - Treaty Investor • Treaty between U.S. and alien’s country of nationality. • Position must be at supervisory, management, or executive level. • Intend to depart U.S. at end of status; No provision for immigrant intent. • For E-1: “Substantial” trade between U.S. and alien’s country of nationality. • Status obtained at U.S. Consulate in Treaty Country; COS or Extension if/once in the U.S.

41. Sources of Additional Information • U.S. CIS Web http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm • Listings of Multi-nationals (published by the Beacon Council) • Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries • Local Chambers of Commerce • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) • Home Country/Foreign Embassies or Consulates

42. Presentation by: Ivette Duarte Assistant DirectorCareer ServicesDr. Ana Sippin, Director, ISSSRevision: November 2007Design & Application originally designed by:Iliana Martin