Job Search Strategies for International Students

Job Search Strategies for International Students Presented by Dona Gaynor Career Management Services

Topics Covered • Self Assessment • Research & Exploration • Material Preparation • Search & Application Strategies • How to Plan & Conduct a Job Search • Issues Facing International Students

Self Assessment Identify Your: • Values • Interests • Skills • Accomplishments • Experience • Goals

Research & Explore • Conduct Informational Interviews • Professional Associations • Professors • Professionals in the field • Research the Job Market • Where are the jobs? • Who is hiring? • What career fields are in demand? • What qualifications are needed? (certificates, education, etc) • Begin Targeting Potential Employers

Research Online Resources • Career Services • http://fit.experience.com • Employers that recruit at Florida Institute of Technology, can be searched discipline locally and nationally • CareerShift • www. careershift.com/?sc=fit • Search, select and store job listings from all job boards and all company job postings • MyVisaJobs • www.myvisajobs.com • Search for companies that have sponsored international candidates in the past • My Perfect Gig • www.mpgbeta.com • Unique application that links engineering and technology companies’ jobs requisitions and needs to your skills and availability.

Preparations & Materials • Résumé, Cover Letter, Transcripts, etc • Target to position and industry • References • Past Employers • Professors/Instructors • Volunteer Associations • Interview Skills • Participate in mock interviews possible • Practice answering interview questions

Sell Yourself • Develop Marketing & Conversational Skills • Networking, presentations, interview, etc • Practice English communications skills if that is a weakness for you • Professional Interview Attire • Suit, slacks, shoes, accessories, etc • Prepare for several options since you might have second & third interviews • Professional Voicemail and Email • Professional Voicemail message • No nicknames • No ring back tones • No joke voicemail • Email address should be professional • Use school email address • If using another account no hotstuff951, create one with name and initials

Network, Network, Network! • Develop a Career Network The Hidden Job Market • Assess Current Network • Parents • Relatives • Friends (Parents of Friends) • Tell them that you are looking for a job and ask for their assistance

Who is in your Network? • Professors • Administrators • Graduate Students • Alumni • Supervisors from previous jobs • Members of your Professional Associations • Friends • Relatives • Community Contacts

Effective Networking • Making New Contacts or Cold Calling • Contact by phone or email first • Mention mutual acquaintances early on • Prepare What You Want to Say • Prepare a script of what you are going to say in advance • Proofread email messages and be sure to use proper spelling and grammar (if you need help ask for assistance) • Successful Contact • Be prepared to concisely discuss your qualifications and what you expect from this contact • Schedule a Meeting • Informational interview or personal meeting • Only need 20-30 minutes of their time

Effective Networking • Do NOT ask for a job during the first conversation • Ask for career information • Look for advice in your advice in your job search • Manners go a long way • Say “Please”, “Thank you”, “I appreciate…” and “It was nice of you.” • Always follow up on successful contacts • Be sure to thank them for their assistance

Effective Networking • Utilize professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn to find new contacts • Participate in professional discussions on LinkedIn and comment professionally on topics • Post discussions about research or other related topics to show your knowledge and to make professionals aware of your background • Join groups related to your major or areas of professional interest

Plan your Job Search • Commit Your Time • A job search can be thought of as a full-time job • Not an overnight process • Start the Process Early • Especially research and preparation • Don’t wait till last semester before graduation! • Job Search Tracking • Create a spreadsheet or binder • Keep correspondence, notes, list of contacts and applications • Keep job descriptions of jobs you applied to. Some companies take awhile to respond so make sure you have the job description on hand for later if they contact you.

Conduct Your Job Search • Pursue Advertised Jobs • Experience – http://fit.experience.com • CareerShift-www.careershift.com/?sc=fit • Popular job listing websites • Career Builder- www.careerbuilder.com • Monster- www.monster.com • Employer Websites • Professional Association Websites • Classified Ads – Most are online now • LinkedIn • Twitter • Follow the company to see if they post vacancies- many will *** Do NOT blindly submit résumés, make the connection ***

Conduct Your Job Search • Find the “Hidden” Jobs • Utilize your career network contacts. • Start early and they will know you well by the time you start applying. • Get pass the “Gatekeeper” and follow up with hiring managers when possible.

Improve your chances • Target your resume to the job description • Try to play up skills that will be applicable in the position you are applying • Personalize your response as much as possible • Follow up with the hiring manager if possible • Send an email or call the office • Be polite! • Don’t come across as desperate

Maximize Online Resources • Realize that most employers, especially large ones, will only accept résumés through online systems. • Target your résumé to their system and the openings they have available. • Use keywords whenever possible • Use online job listing sites to post your résumé but also to learn who is hiring. • Apply directly to the company whenever possible! • Do NOT get stuck in this trap: Avoiding employers with difficult recruitment processes.

Maximize Online Resources • Protect your Privacy • Be careful of posting your résumé and personal information on job posting sites • Read the site Privacy Policy • Never give out your Social Security Number or any financial information on third party job posting sites

Protect your References Privacy • Only disclose reference information when specifically requested by hiring employer • Do NOT put their information on your résumé • This will allow your to give your references a heads up when you are applying to positions

Issues Facing international students • Hiring Complexities • Communication skills • Perceived lack of commitment to the job • Animosity • Poor economic conditions • Federal regulations • Cultural Differences

hiring complexities • Many employers do not understand the process involved in hiring an F-1 Visa student on OPT or CPT • Hiring someone on H-1B Visa requires complex paperwork and fees • U.S. government has limited the number of H-1B Visas issued to employers • Hiring a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident is faster, cheaper, and easier

Overcoming this obstacle • Understand and be knowledgeable about visa regulations. Become an expert on visa sponsorship and OPT/CPT – attend ISSS workshops. • Prepare to explain the sponsorship process to a prospective employer in an interview • Present the information in a way that is positive and simple

communication skills • Strong communication skills in English are a “must” for a successful job search in the United States • Employers are concerned that an international student may not be able to communicate effectively in English with clients and internal personnel

Overcoming this obstacle • If necessary, improve your English communication skills • Enroll in elective communication classes, in addition to required classes • Socialize with American and English-speaking students to improve conversational English • Take opportunities to speak in public to practice speaking in front of groups

Perceived lack of commitment • Optional Practical Training only lasts one year • Employers are not willing to invest time and money on an employee who will leave in one year • Employers assume students will want to return home

Overcoming this obstacle • Focus on the positive aspects of Optional Practical Training – the employer has no obligation to keep you if it doesn’t work out • If you are STEM major, you can work longer than 12 months – be sure to inform the employer • An employee on an H-1B Visa can only work for that employer so there is less chance of turnover • Be prepared to present this to an employer during an interview

animosity • In a very tough job market, some Americans (including employers) may feel that international students are “taking away jobs” from qualified Americans • Some employers may still feel that international students of certain ethnic backgrounds may represent a “terrorist threat” and may have a bias towards those individuals

Overcoming this obstacle • Focus your job search on employers with a diverse workforce that embraces people from different cultures • Conduct research on company culture using blogs, social networking, or resources such as Wetfeet.com that provide this information

poor economic conditions • The job market is very difficult for everyone – even more so for international students • Supply vs. Demand – there are many more job seekers out there than jobs

Overcoming this obstacle • Study a major that is “in demand” such as computer science or software engineering • Conduct research on current and future labor trends to make an informed decision on your major choice • Consider jobs in geographic areas that are hiring and booming economically – North Dakota in the U.S. or countries such as Canada

Federal regulations • Certain Federal regulations prohibit companies from hiring individuals who are not permanent residents of the United States • Some positions require a Security Clearance by federal law and it is very difficult and expensive if not impossible to conduct a Security Clearance on a non U.S. Citizen

Overcoming this obstacle • Understand these regulations and focus on employers who are not in these types of industries

cultural differences • Job Search in the U.S. • Self-reliance is emphasized • Career Services and other university offices provide career assistance and resources but students are encouraged to use a variety of resources in their job search and to initiate contact with employers • Employers want candidates who take the initiative to apply and who appear interested in their company • Job Search in Other Cultures • In some countries, students are “placed” in jobs or people find jobs mainly through the government or family members • In these situations, the student may take a passive role in the job search and little effort is required

Final Advice • Be Persistent • A successful job search takes a lot of hard work and time • Take Control of your Job Search • You are the one ultimately responsible for your job search • Be Flexible! • Do not create your own obstacles by developing job search goals that cannot be met. • Stay Positive! • A positive attitude is a must!

resources • My VisaJobs- http://www.myvisajobs.com/ • Search for companies that sponsor international candidates for H-1B visas by location, occupation, or company • Use this resource to find employers that frequently sponsor international candidates and therefore might be open to hiring international students

resources • International Student Services • http://www.fit.edu/isss/employment/offcampus.php • Required workshops and programs featuring legal experts providing information on OPT and CPT • OPT – for employment after you graduate • CPT – for employment while enrolled and only for major-related jobs or internships/co-ops • Information is also provided for employers so you can refer them to this site for information

Our Services • Experience: Part-time and Full-time job postings • Resume & Cover Letter Critiques • Internships & Co-op • ProTrack • Federal Work-Study • Florida Work Experience • Career Workshops • Career Fair and Employer Day • Mock Interviews • And much, much more!

Questions? Connect to Career Management Services Today! Florida Institute of Technology- Career Management Services @panthercareer Florida Tech Career Management Services fit.experience.com

Job Search Strategies for International Students