International Students:
U.S. Job Search Success
Anne Scammon, Managing Director
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Learning Outcomes
• For international students seeking U.S. employment:
– Identify career goals
– Understand challenges facing all international students
– Learn four+ strategies for an effective US job search
– Determine GW and other resources for support
– Learn how to research/target employers
– Review market to and network+ with potential employers
– Recognize cultural/language competency per employment
– Review interview process and interview attire
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Agenda
• Elements of the Job
Search
• Strategies for Success
• Create a Job Search Plan
• Using LinkedIn
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What do you think?
Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation
• Have you learned from the program today?
– I have learned more about myself.
– I have learned more about connecting with employers.
– I have learned more about how to be a professional.
• Comments & Ideas
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Upcoming Workshops & Events
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & the
Internship Search for International
Students
Thursday, January 28, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Marvin
Center 309
What Every International Student Should
Know About U.S. Employment
Monday, February 1, 1 PM-2:30 PM, Marvin
Grand Ballroom
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Create A Job Search Plan
•
•
•
•
•
•
#1 Identify goals
#2 Understand visa status
#3 Identify resources
#4 Research employers
#5 Marketing/networking
#6 Interviewing
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Step #1: Identify career goals
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Identify U.S. career goals
• For how many is this true?
• Upon gradation, my preference is to:
– Return to my home country
– Obtain OPT, work 12-27 months; return home
– Obtain OPT, H1B visa for 3 years; return
home
– Obtain H1B visa; permanent residency
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Identify career goals by
knowing yourself
What do you do well? Skills and strengths?
What interests you? Likes and dislikes?
What is important to you?
What is of value?
What are your goals?
The best leaders are those
who know themselves.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Step #2: Understand “international
student status” + U.S. employment
• Four challenges facing F1 students
seeking U.S employment:
1) U.S. labor and immigration
regulations/options
2) Employer hiring preferences
3) Lack of English language proficiency
4) Adjustment to/knowledge of U.S.
professional culture
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Step: #3: Identify search
resources
• MyVisaJobs www.myvisajobs.com
– Listings for foreign nationals seeking employers
– FREE list of employers accepting H1B Visa holders
• GoinGlobal, gwu-csm.symplicity.com/students
– H-1B Info Section: US employers who sponsored H1B visas in previous year. H-1B PLUS search for
employer listings, corporate profiles, and career
resources
• Foreign Labor Certification Data Center
www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov
– H‐1B petitions for U.S. companies hiring
internationals
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Identify more resources
• Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign
Countries/Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S.
www.uniworldbp.com/template1.php
• US Citizenship and Immigration Office
http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/studentsand-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment
– US Government information about VISAS
• International Student
www.internationalstudent.com/jobsearch
– Internship listings available by region and industry
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Center for Career Services offers…
Discuss resumes, cover letters, interviewing,
job/internship search, career options, resources
Career
Coaching
Skill-building programs,
industry panels, employer
information sessions
Career
Workshops
Site Visits,
Employer-in-Residence
Career Fairs
SelfAssessment
Special
Programming
One-on-one, tools to
identify your strengths
International student
workshops and events
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
International student
career workshops and programs
• International Student Career Workshops
– Many job search skill building workshops, including CPT
and OPT with ISO
• International Student Career Ambassadors
– Service for resume and cover letter critiques
• International Student Alumni Networking Night,
– Event in the Fall semester
• Top Ten Job Search Tips for International
Students
• GW CCS webpage for international students
– careerservices.gwu.edu/international-studentassistance
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Step #4: Research employers
• Identify employers who hire CPT or OPT visas/sponsor H1B
– www.myvisa.com and others
• Target employers who may consider internationals
– Say “no” to international students but hire for right person
• Research employers who need your skills
• Avoid U.S. federal, state or local governments
– Internationals cannot work for governments/employers with
government contracts
• Target others from home country who have jobs in U.S.
• U.S. companies working in your language/region/business
home country
• GW international alumni with US links
• International organizations
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Track employers willing to hire:
Industry
Potential
Employer
CPT/OP
T
Future H1B
Contact
Name
Source
Info
Intervie
w
Ideas,
Themes,
Trends,
Follow
Tech
EPIC
CPT
only
OPT
Qing Yang
GWork
For
9/24
Listed on
H1B
Public
Policy
Brookings
YES
YES
Kathy
Career
Fair
TBD
Find CCS
who might
refer
Banking
The World
Bank
YES
Unlikely,
need
experience
Imran
Imran’s
brother
worked
For
10/15
George said
to up in
10/30/15
Spr 16 intern
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Top 10 Skills Sought by U.S. Employers*
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Verbally communicate with others in/out of organization
Work in a team structure
Make decisions and solve problems
Plan, organize, and prioritize work
Obtain and process information
Analyze quantitative data
Technical knowledge related to the job
Proficiency with computer software programs
Create and/or edit written reports
Sell or influence others
** National Association of College and Employers, Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Step: #5 Marketing/Networking
• 80% of Jobs
• Professional Pitch
• International Student
Perspective
• Resumes, Cover Letters,
Career Fairs
• Informational Interviews
• Professional Attire
• On Campus Networking
• Online
Networking/Linked In
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
SHEG
(Smile + Handshake + Eye + Greet)
•
•
•
•
Smile
Strong handshake
Eye contact
“My name is…”
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Professional pitch
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Professional pitch
• “The 30-second Elevator Pitch”
– May be up to two minutes
– Connect with employer
• Breathe, smile, eye contact, handshake
– Brief introduction of yourself
• Name, degree, major, grad date
• Identify your career goals, your skills
• Describe why you targeted this organization
– Demonstrate knowledge about the company
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“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 campusCPT-OPT-H1B
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Are you eligible to work on campus?
• As a full-time student at GW with a F1 visa, I am eligible to work at the
University for 20 or less hours per week. My employment does not have to
be related to my academic studies.
• GW full-time degree-seeking students may use GWork to search and
apply for on-campus part-time
Benefits of on campus employment:
Experience the U.S. workplace successfully
Opportunity to practice your English with peers
Build career skills to prepare for off-campus employment
Add to your resume experiences
Demonstrates your willingness to try new activities and knowledge of
the U.S. workplace
• Earn money
•
•
•
•
•
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Are you eligible to work part-time?
• I am eligible to work in the U.S. as an F1 visa holder through
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization in an
area related to my academic studies.
• I am responsible for applying for CPT work authorization
through the International Services Office at GW.
• I am allowed to work part-time (20 hours or less weekly) in
the academic year and full-time summer and school breaks.
Start/end dates follow GW’s academic semester schedule.
• I would require from you: job offer letter, and an Employer
Agreement and Student Evaluation at the internship end.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Are you eligible to work full-time?
• 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 am 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 . . .
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Are you eligible to work? (H-1B)
• Applications for H-1B visas are submitted by sponsoring
companies on behalf of international employees annually.
• The employer files the H-1B application with the USCIS on
behalf of the employee for three years.
• Cost for attorneys and application fees range between
$5,000-$7,000.
• April application deadline. If H-1B application is granted,
October start date.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Informational Interview
DOs
DON’Ts
• An opportunity to
gather information and
build relationships for
the future
• Dress AS IF going for an
interview. Be
professional.
• Schedule and stay for
only 30 minutes.
• Afterwards, reflect on
what you learned.
• Write a thank-you letter
within two days.
• NEVER ask for a job:
You are looking for
connections
• DON’T ask: “Does your
organization sponsor
H1-B visas?”
• DON'T talk about
yourself. Ask questions
and request advice and
suggestions.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Professional Attire
• Suit
– Well fitted, conservative
presentation
– Clean and pressed (ironed)
– Men: Dark suit, shoes, socks;
White button-down shirt, tie
– Women: Dark suit, shoes; Hose,
Blouse
• Accessories
– Shoes: Low heels
– Jewelry: Conservative, limited
• Portfolio (Avoid backpack)
– Resume copies
– Store employer information
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Track employer applications/
contacts/networking
Industry
Potential
Employer
Name
Professional
Contact
Title
Profession
al Contact
Position
Applied
Source
Info
Intervie
w
Ideas,
Themes,
Trends,
Follow
Tech
EPIC
John Smith
Director
of
Programs
Programme
r
GW
Alum
For
9/24
Listed on
H1B top
Public
Policy
Brookings
Doug Shaw
AVP
GWU
Research
Analyst
See
contact
TBD
Find CCS
who might
refer
Banking
The World
Bank
George
Jones via
LinkedIn
Tech
Manager
Tech
Internship
Imran’s
brother
For
10/15
George said
to up in
10/30/15
Spr 16 intern
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
On-campus networking strategies
• Join GW student
organizations to meet new
people
– International Student
Community
– Suggestions?
• Actively engage US
students
• Practice English daily with
native speakers
• Visit the Center for Student
Engagement
• Volunteer (Honey Nashman
Center for Civic Engagement
and Public Service)
• Join discussion groups
outside of your normal
associations
• International alumni
– http://alumni.gwu.edu/inte
rnational-alumni-networks
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LinkedIn:
Build a Professional Online Profile
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Company Pages
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Company/Industry Groups
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Utilize the LinkedIn Alumni Tool
http://linkedin.com/alumni
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LinkedIn Alumni Tool (cont.)
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Utilize the LinkedIn Alumni Tool
http://linkedin.com/alumni
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Relevant Jobs/Internships:
Student Jobs Portal
http://linkedin.com/studentjobs
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
• Before
–
–
–
–
Step #6: Interviews
Research, research, research the employer
Identify location and visit before/Arrive early
Practice using InterviewStream on GWork
Practice – out loud – answering questions
• During
– Breathe, handshake, smile, eye contact, speak
– Answer questions
• Situation, task, action, results
• Employ stress relievers
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Practice answers to questions
Why are you interested in ___?
What do you know about ____?
Why did you chose _____ as a major?
Why did you chose _____ as a career
option?
• What contributions will you make?
• What are your career goals?
•
•
•
•
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Ask the employer questions
• What skills are seeking for the position?
• What are the day-to-day responsibilities?
• What are you looking for in a new
employee?
• What are the organization’s plans for the
future, or expansion,
or new services?
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
What do you think?
Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation
• Have you learned from the program today?
– I have learned more about myself.
– I have learned more about connecting with employers.
– I have learned more about how to be a professional.
• Comments & Ideas
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
International Student Career Ambassadors
GW's International Student Career Ambassador (ISCA) Program provides peerto-peer career advising for all international students, including
graduate/professional students across all degree programs.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Upcoming Workshops & Events
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & the
Internship Search for International
Students
Thursday, January 28, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Marvin
Center 309
What Every International Student Should
Know About U.S. Employment
Monday, February 1, 1 PM-2:30 PM, Marvin
Grand Ballroom
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Questions?
•
•
•
•
Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505
Careerservices.gwu.edu
gwcareercenter@gwu.edu
202.994.6495
Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career
Services
go.gwu.edu/careerservices