Job Search Strategies and F-1 Employment Options

1. Job Search Strategies and F-1 Employment Options Presented by: University Career Services and Office of International Programs and Services

2. Competitive Advantage • Language and culture • Ability to bring a global perspective to the workplace • Degrees and work experience from outside the U.S. • Open-mindedness and adaptability • Deal well with change and ambiguity

3. Challenges in U.S. Job Search • Lack of confidence in skills and abilities • Language barriers • Stereotyping/insensitivity from others • Explaining VISA status

4. Job/Internship Search Strategies • Use different methods, not just one, when searching for jobs/internships • Refer to the “Employment Resources Links” for information specific to international students

5. Finding Positions • HireMason • Apply directly on-line for positions • Learn what is “out there” by reading job descriptions and employer information • Search Agents • Mason students register for HireMason (free): • University Career Services, 3400 SUB I or • SOM Career Services, 8 Enterprise Hall

6. Finding Positions • Networking • Definition: DevelopingRELATIONSHIPS via in-person meetings and/or social situations for information gathering or job searching • Being Prepared – Resume/Business Card • Social Networking: LinkedIn, Facebook • Networking Resources: • Mason Career Network (alumni contacts): http://careers.gmu.edu/cn • Career Events:http://careers.gmu.edu/calendar • Student Organizations and Professional Associations: http://sa.gmu.edu/student_orgs/index.php

7. Career Network • Career Network online • Database of Mason alumni • Reach out for informational interviews • Password Protected • User: student • Password: jack$$pot

8. Revealing Visa Status and H-1 B Visas • No official time when you should reveal your visa status; there are various ways to address this question • During CPT • During the interview • After being hired and you demonstrate your skills • Educate yourself on the process of hiring an international student so that you may inform a potential employer • Meet with OIPS to determine your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

9. Revealing Visa Status and H-1 B Visas • H-1 B is the most common visa form for work authorization after your OPT expires • Discuss your H-1 B options with an immigration lawyer • Talk to your employer about sponsorship • Processing usually takes 4-6 months • Negotiate with the employer who will pay the fee; this should occur before you can submit your application on April 1st each year

10. Next Steps • To begin your search, you need to have a strong resume and cover letter • Resume—summary of relevant experience • Cover Letter—highlights important information and directs employer to your resume • Career Services sponsors many workshops about resumes and cover letters

11. Next Steps • Attend an interviewing workshop including “Interview Skills for Non-Native English Speakers” and “Behavioral Interviewing” • Learn interviewing techniques • Interview Practice Days • Perfect Interview • Practice with a career counselor