go.gwu.edu/careerservices optional practical training (opt): international student u.s. job search...
TRANSCRIPT
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Optional Practical Training (OPT): International Student
U.S. Job Search
Courtney Luque, GW International Services OfficeStephanie De Souza, GW International Services Office
Anne Scammon, GW Center for Career Services
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Learning Outcomes
• Discuss OPT learning opportunities • Review challenges facing international students• Importance of goal setting and “Plan B”• Identify 6 OPT job search strategies & resources • Review skills U.S. employer desire • Practice introductory pitch to employers• Expand knowledge of interviews and interview
attire
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Learning via OPT • Experience the U.S. workplace • Increase your marketability to U.S. employers• Build personal and professional confidence • Gain practical experience and transferable skills • Apply classroom knowledge to develop workplace
skills • Build English proficiency and develop relationships • Explore career paths and specific industries and fields • Network
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Create Job Search Plan
• #1 Identify goals• #2 Understand VISA status ACTION: How are #1-#2 different #3-#6?• #3 Identify resources• #4 Research employers• #5 Networking/Marketing* • #6 Interviewing*
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#1 Identify Goals
• Why are you interested in working in the U.S.?• Will working in US advance your career goals?• What are your short/long term career goals? • What actions are you will to take to meet you
short and long term goals?
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#1 Identify Goals (cont.)
• Short (12 – 29 months) – OPT for 12 months;
return to home country– Apply for additional OPT
months per STEM– More education– Don’t know– Plan B
• Home/alternative country
• Long (1 or more years)– OPT employer sponsors
for H-1B via lottery– More education– Don’t know– Plan B
• Home country• Alternative country
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#2: Understand International Student “Status” + U.S. employment
• Four challenges facing F1 students seeking U.S employment:– U.S. labor and immigration regulations/options*– Employer hiring preferences*– Lack of English language proficiency– Adjustment to/knowledge of U.S. professional
culture
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#3: Identify Resources • MyVisaJobs www.myvisajobs.com
– Free listing of employers accepting H1B Visa holders • GoingGlobal, gwu-csm.symplicity.com/students (via GWork)
– US employers who sponsor H-1B visas/H-1B PLUS employer search www.h1base.com/visa/work (alternative)
• Foreign Labor Certification Data Center – www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov
• *Job Listing Services– www.simplyhired.com/search?q=OPT&l=Washington%2C+DC(OPT jobs)– www.idealist.org (Job listings that may include OPT jobs)
• Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S.• www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases/directory-foreign-firms-op
erating-united-states
• *International Student– www.internationalstudent.com/jobsearch/
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#3 Resources (cont.)• Career Services
– Career Coach One-on-One Meetings, Appointment– International Student Career Ambassadors, Daily– Student-Alumni Networking Night, October 14, RSVP now– Drop In Consulting (11am to 2pm), Daily– Online International Student Career Assistance, 24/7
• www.careerservices.gwu.edu/international-student-assistance-0
• Books– Power Ties: The International Student’s Guide to Finding a Job in the
United States, Dan Beaudry, GW Spring 2015– 3 Steps to Your Job in the USA: International Student Edition, S.
Steinfield and H. Yinping
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Top 10 Skills Sought by U.S. Employers*
• Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside/outside organization• Ability to work in a team structure• Ability to make decisions and solve problems• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work• Ability to obtain and process information• Ability to analyze quantitative data• Technical knowledge related to the job• Proficiency with computer software programs• Ability to create and/or edit written reports• Ability to sell or influence others
* National Association of College and Employers, Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#4: Research/Target Employers • Identify employers who hire sponsor H1B
– See previous resources
• Target employers who do or may consider internationals – Say “no” to international students, but hire for right person
• Research employers who need your skills • GW international alumni with US links (Linked In groups)• International organizations• Avoid U.S. federal, state or local governments
– Internationals cannot work for governments or contractors
• Target others from home country who have jobs in U.S.• U.S. corporate programs with option for U.S. return
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
“Consider international students” • U.S. employers:
– Are not well informed about international student hiring practices or navigating visas
– View hiring of internationals as time consuming – Represent company cultures unfamiliar with international
students or do not have a company tradition • Make it easy for the employer
– Know your visa status and implications – Explain your role and employer’s role – Be more like than less like (English proficiency, dress, attitude,
handshake . . .) • Practice and experience: On campus-CPT-OPT-H1B
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Are you eligible to work in the U.S. ?
• I am eligible to work in the U.S. with Optional Practical Training (OPT)work authorization in an area related to my academic studies for one year. – I may be eligible to work for 12 months (or 27 months per
STEM) with OPT• I have applied for my OPT authorization through the
GW International Services Office and the US Citizenship and Immigration Service.
• I expect to receive my EAD card (authorization to work) by . . .
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Step: #5 Networking/Marketing
• Networking -- 80% – Build Relationships and Connections – Expand number/type of people you meet – Career Fairs – On Campus Networking – Online Networking/Linked In– Professional Pitch – Information Interviews
• Marketing– Resumes, Cover Letters, Attire, Professional
Presentation, Branding, Interview
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Networking*
• Hidden U.S. Job Market • 80% of all U.S. jobs: never advertised or listed• Networking is the #1 job search strategy for
international students, not career fairs, not online job listings
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#5: Networking • Build Connections
– Technology: Online resources, employer websites, social media, data/information/lists, LinkedIn
– People: Friends and friends of friends and friends of friends of friends, Family, Roommates, Dry Cleaner, ISO, CCS, GW Staff, Grocery store . . . .
– Organizations: Student, professional, religious– Community: Neighbors, volunteer work– GW: Professors, fellow students, faculty offices,
alumni
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Networking via LinkedIn
Access to professional networks not on Facebook
Research companies, industries, and grad programs
Explore opportunities
Add connections with ‘warm’ contacts and alumni
Learn professional networking etiquette
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
30-Second Pitch and Practice: • Name• Class year• Major• What are you interested in? (specific position, learn about field or
company, identify summer internships?)
INTRODUCTION
• Top skills and where you have demonstrated skills• Top accomplishments• Top leadership activities• Class projects
IDENTIFY SELLING POINTS & CREATE 30-SECOND PITCH
• What do I want to request?• Confirm next steps• Request business card• Thank you.
CLOSING
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Curricular Practical Training
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Practical Training Eligibility (CPT & OPT)– F-1 students who have maintained their F-1 status for
at least 1 academic year• Students with full-time study in A,E,G,H,J,L or N status
should see an ISO advisor about possible exceptions• US transfer students must be enrolled at GW for 1 semester
before they are eligible to apply for CPT • Graduate students in programs that require an internship in
the 1st year of study must see an advisor about exceptions
– Employment must be• related to the major field of study • commensurate with the level of study on student’s I-20
– CPT Must have an eligible job offer to apply
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)• Basic Facts:
– Occurs during the course of study– Must be “an integral part of an established curriculum” –
receive credit or transcript notation– Authorized by the ISO (in writing on I-20)– Employer-specific (must have a written job offer to apply
and it does not transfer)– On campus + off campus employment = 20 hours total!– CPT can be authorized for paid and unpaid internships
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Where do I find the CPT guidelines?!
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Is there Checklist? Absolutely!!
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT – Application Procedures• Immigration docs:
• Visa• Passport • I-94
• Cover letter from you• how is it related to your program of study?
• Prospective employer letter • (on letterhead) MUST include all required items
• Letter from Academic Advisor to the ISO • Verifying that the employment is related to your program of study
• Letter verifying enrollment in the appropriate curricular course • Co-Op course is a 0 credit course through CCS, which shows up on your
academic transcript http://careerservices.gwu.edu/cooperative-education-co-op • Other options are sometimes available
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT – Application Tips• Apply early!
– 10 business day processing @ ISO
• Follow Center for Career Services guidelines
and application process for Co-Op enrollment • You receive a “CPT I-20” once you have been
approved• You are not eligible to work before you
receive your CPT I-20 !!!!!!!!!!
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT – Part-time v. Full-time• Hours / week
– part-time (20 hours-) during academic semester for experience not required by the degree program
– full time (20 hours+) during authorized university breaks (i.e. spring, summer & winter break)
• Impact on OPT– Use of part time CPT does not impact OPT eligibility– 12 months of cumulative full-time CPT results in the
loss of eligibility for OPT
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT- Paid vs Unpaid Internships
• CPT can be granted for paid and unpaid opportunities
• Co-Op enrollment may be available for unpaid internships– You must be enrolled in either Co-Op credit or academic credit
to qualify for CPT authorization.
• Labor laws must be taken into account when assessing unpaid training opportunities – Important DoL resources:
• http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Volunteering- General Information • May receive “no compensation”
– Receiving compensation such as meals, free parking, discounts, metro passes, gift cards, stipends are ALL compensation!
• Performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered
• Offers services freely and without pressure of coercion and..• Is not otherwise employed by the same public agency to
perform the same type of services as those for which the individual proposes to volunteer
go.gwu.edu/careerservices go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Contact Information
Colonial CrossroadsMarvin Center Suite 505800 21st Street, NWWashington, DC 20052
CSC LOCATION:
Monday-Friday9:00 am – 5:30 pm11:00 am – 2:00 pm (drop-in hours)
HOURS:
EMAIL & PHONE:
Please fill out an evaluation survey
Old Main1922 F Street NWWashington, DC 20052
ISO LOCATION:
Monday-Friday9:00 am – 5:00 pm1:30 – 3:30pm (drop-in advising)
HOURS:
EMAIL & PHONE:
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) International Students:
Internship Search
Courtney Luque, GW International Services OfficeStephanie De Souza, GW International Services Office
Anne Scammon, GW Center for Career Services