Job Search Strategies

For International Students in Graduate Business Programs

OverviewI. VISA

II. Internship

III. Job Search

IV. Marketable Skills

VISA• F1 Student VISA– Are you eligible to work in the U.S.?• YES

– Curricular Practical Training (CPT) while studying» Part time or Full time

– Optional Practical Training (OPT)» 1 year after graduation

VISAH1B Work VISA• What is the process?– A “relatively simple” process– Average cost ≈ $5,000• Average MBA signing bonus ≈ $7,000• 10% of 1 year annual salary (or $5,000)

– Approved for an initial 3 years and renewal for additional 3 years

– Approximately 65,000 available & 20,000 additional for Master level candidates

VISA• J1 VISA- Higher Education– Various categories including Researcher,

Professor and Teacher

• Know Your Rights– Be aware of the most recent immigration laws– Know your visa status– Research which companies do/do not hire

international students

Internship• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)– Establish a good relationship with employer– Differentiate yourself from other applicants– Gain practical experience of theories taught in class in

industry– Full-time job possibilities– Makes you more marketable– “Interview for the job” while working– Another option of getting the H1B Visa

*Eligible after 2 semesters of enrollment unless critical component (MBA)

Job Search• Resume– Downplay your need/desire for sponsorship to

obtain interview & avoid illegal questions• Don’t write your citizenship status• If you have an “American” name, use it on your

resume simply for the sake of obtaining an interview• It is not required to list all your international

universities/job experience

Job Search• Interview– Dress & Grooming• Dress appropriate to the country and employer• Shower, deodorant, no perfume/cologne

– Illegal Interview Questions• Do not volunteer information• Answer with general replies

– Research• Read company info, websites and online data ahead

of time to prepare for interview

Job Search– Time• Arrive 15 minutes early to your destination

– Speak slowly and clearly– If you don’t understand the question, then ask

the recruiter/interview to repeat themselves

• Practice– You will be doing the majority of the talking!– Interview questions can include behavioral

based and open-ended

Job Search– Answer using the S.T.A.R. technique– Employer Practice Interview & Mock Interview– Career Services

• Self-Promotion– Talk about YOUR role in group projects and/or

teamwork (eg. My role in the project, I did this…your U.S. peers do this!)

– Confident handshake & good eye contact

Marketable Skills• Employer Demand– STEM : Science, Technology, Engineering & Math– Electrical Engineering– Computer Science– Chemistry– Chemical Engineering– Business Administration/Management– Finance/Accounting* Avoid Government & Defense Contractors due to

Security Clearance issues

Marketable Skills• International Student Challenge– Stand out from the rest– Weak economy– Language/Cultural Barriers– Visa Issues– Time Constraints

Marketable Skills• General Communication Skills– Practice continuously

• Be assertive• Network! Network! Network!– 60-80% of jobs are found through the “hidden”

market– Employer Information Sessions & Job Fairs– Friends, Staff, Professional Associations,

Conferences, Student Organizations, Colleagues