Fall 2016 A ppt for University at Buffalo international students. Topics include: STEM UP Technical Career Fair Career Fair Prep Days Challenges International Students Face in today’s US job market Special issues and resources for international students *NEW* Bullseye powered by Handshake Career Services resources & services Internship/Job Search Strategies

1. Holly M. Justice
Engineering Career Counselor

2. To get a copy of this PowerPoint
presentation
Go to:
www.slideshare.net
Search “American Job Search”

5. Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Alumni Arena Main Gym
12 noon - 5 pm
Professional business attire required.
Bring resumes!

6. Career Fair Prep Days
“Meet with an Employer!”
Wednesday, September 21
&
Tuesday, September 27
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Career Services office, 259 Capen Hall
Register through BullsEye system

7. 1. STEM UP Technical Career Fair
2. Career Fair Prep Days
3. Challenges International Students Face in
today’s US job market
4. Special issues and resources for international
students
5. *NEW* Bullseye powered by Handshake
6. Career Services resources & services
7. Internship/Job Search Strategies

8. Challenges
international students
face in today’s U.S. job
market

9. 1. US Economy
2. Employers’ “fear” of immigration regulations
3. Insufficient knowledge of US culture and US
work-related customs and employer
expectations
4. H-1B cap

10. 1. The US economy is getting much stronger
although some employers are still taking a
“wait and see” attitude
a) This has also led to employers doing more “just in time”
hiring.*

11. 1. The majority of employers have had little or
no experience with immigration and other
federal regulations affecting international
candidates in the US workplace*
2. H-1 Visa Status has become highly politicized
in the last decade

12. 1. It is illegal for employers to make interview or
hiring decisions based on a person’s national
origin, citizenship, age, religion, gender,
race or disability (and sometimes sexual
orientation.)
2. However, it is legal for a US employer to not
interview or consider for hire any person who
is not authorized to work indefinitely in the
US
3. Some employers may choose to only consider
US citizens

13. A challenge – the international student’s
insufficient knowledge of U.S. work-related
culture and employer expectations.
1. It is the applicant’s responsibility to
acquaint him/herself with what US employers
expect*.
2. US employers, for the most part, expect
international students to adjust to the
corporate culture, as opposed to the
corporation adjusting to the new employee’s
culture (at least at first)

16. Number 2

18. Special issues and
resources for
international students

19. 1. Using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional
Practical Training (OPT)
2. The “OPT Extension”
3. Finding companies willing to Sponsor for H-1B Visa
4. Answering the Work Authorization question(s) on
online job applications
5. The H-1B Visa “cap”
6. Employment “Contracts”
7. Student perspective vs. Employer perspective

20. Using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
1. CPT for internships. Must register for academic
credit. May only use while in school.
2. OPT may be used for internships and full time
employment. May be used during school and
after graduation. (Most students will save their OPT
for after graduation!)

21. The “OPT Extension”
OPT 12 months + OPT STEM Extension 24 months =
36 months of OPT.
What are the eligibility requirements for the 24-month
extension of post-completion OPT?
1. The student must have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate
degree in a STEM field.
2. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. (A Federal
government program.)
3. The student must apply on time (at least 90 days before the
current post-completion OPT expires).

22. Finding companies willing to Sponsor for H-1B Visa
NOTES:
1. You may not work for the US Federal government or
Department of Defense (DoD) Contractors
2. Companies who have sponsored in the past understand
the process and may consider sponsoring again
3. YOU must be able to explain the sponsorship process to a
company who has never sponsored before.
a) You must understand the visa & paperwork process
4. When reviewing Job Fairs make note which employers
have said they are willing to consider international
candidates

23. Finding companies willing to Sponsor for H-1B Visa
continued
1. Review the H-1B visa database from the
Department of Labor. (Free)
2. http://www.myvisajobs.com/ (Free and $$$)*
3. http://www.h1visajobs.com/ ($$$)
4. http://www.h1base.com/ ($$$)
5. http://www.workpermit.com/
6. http://www.path2usa.com/ ($$$)

24. Answering the Work Authorization questions on job
applications
Are you legally authorized to work in U.S.?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Answer: You are allowed to answer YES to this
question. You have legal authorization to work in the
U.S. with your CPT or OPT work authorization.

25. Answering the Work Authorization questions on job
applications
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Answer: A little more complicated…
1. The employers would like you to answer the
spirit/intention of the question, which means you will
answer “YES”.
2. Student perspective - I only plan to work in the U.S.
during my OPT then go home, so I plan to answer “No”.
i. Be aware that this could be a problem for you later.

26. The H-1B Visa “cap”*
There are 65,000 H-1B visas available each year
The past few years their has been twice the number
of applicants (~130,000 applicants)
• A lottery system is used to determine which applicants
are awarded a H-1B work visa
Make sure to attend ISSS workshops!

27. Employment “Contracts”
Employment contracts are legal and appropriate in
the United States
*Caution* - have a lawyer review your documents
before you sign to clarify and verify your
commitments and obligations!
Resource
• As a UB student you have access to free legal services
through the Student Association
• SBI Legal Assistance, 377 Student Union
• 716-645-3056
• http://subboard.com/legal/

28. 1. “I just want to work in the
US for 1-2 years then go
home.”
2. “The US work experience
will be very beneficial to
my candidacy for a job
when I go back home.”
3. “I’ll just use my OPT and
the employer doesn’t have
to sponsor me!”
4. “This will work great for
everyone!”
Int’l Student Perspective Employer Perspective
1. “I want to hire an entry-
level candidate and have
them stay and grow in my
company.”
2. “The 1st + 2nd year will be
lots of training, leadership
development and
mentorship.”
3. “The next 3-5 years the
employee will be a major
contributor and will
advance in my company!”

29. Resources & Services

30. • Individual Career Counseling
• Express Career Consult
• Resume, Cover letter, & Linkedin profile reviews
• Practice Interviews
• Bullseye powered by Handshake
a) Internship & job postings
b) On-campus & off-campus jobs
• On-Campus Recruiting
• Career & Job Fairs – STEM Up Fair!
• Connection (Networking) events & web portal
• Resources on the Career Services Website

31. • Discuss your personal career plans and how to achieve
them
o Job
o Graduate School
o Volunteer / Service
o Becoming an Entrepreneur
o Other
• Resume creation & review
• Cover letter creation & review
• Linkedin profile creation & review
• Internship & Job search strategies
• How to make connections
• Preparing for an interview
• Strategies for career fairs

32. • One on one meeting
• An hour long appointment.
• *NEW*
• To schedule your Career Counseling appointment
log on to “BullsEye powered by Handshake”

33. • One on one meeting
• 20 minute, same day appointment
• Monday – Friday 10:00am-4:00pm
• Call 716-645-2231 or walk-in to the office (259
Capen Hall) to make an appt.
• Great for
o Resume reviews, cover letter reviews,
o Linkedin Profile reviews,
o Basic internship/job search strategies

34. •Make an appointment for a practice interview
•A Career Counselor will ask you interview questions
while you are being videotaped.
•Then you and the Career Counselor will review the
tape together to identify areas of improvement.

35. •Online tool to practice interviewing
•7,000 interview questions available, in specialized
categories including Job Fair Preparation, Engineering,
Nursing, Business, etc..
•Access through UB Career Services BullsEye system

38. Powered by Handshake

40. Top 3 Actions Steps For You Right Now!
1. Complete your profile in the new
Bullseye powered by Handshake
2. Make your profile public
3. Get your resume critiqued and then
upload to the new Bullseye powered by
Handshake

41. Where is the UB Career
Services office located?
(Raise your Hand! )

42. 259 Capen Hall
(Behind Student Response Center)

44. 1. Professional Materials
a) Resume, Cover letter
b) Optional – website with projects/design portfolio,
Video introduction, etc..
c) CS majors – consider – Github
2. Research your industry and employers
3. Increasing your competiveness in the employment
market
a) Get experience!
b) Expand your Network of contacts!
4. Technical Interview Skills

45. •Good Communication Skills –
• Oral and Written!*
•EXPERIENCE!
• (Co-op/Internship, related experience)
•Technical Knowledge & Skills
•GPA
•Evidence of Team Work
•Time Management Skills
•Problem-solving Skills
•Enthusiasm
•Flexibility
•Being able to apply what you’ve learned
•Ethical decision making

48. 1. Strategy 1:
A. Find & Apply online for posted positions
2. Strategy 2:
A. Creating a list of companies to target
3. Strategy 3:
A. Connection – Networking

50. Strategy 1:
A. Apply online using the BullsEye system
B. Apply online using a variety of sites
A. Linkedin.com
B. Indeed.com
C. Glassdoor.com
D. engineeringjobs.net
C. Career Fairs
D. On-Campus Interviewing – apply for opportunities
through the BullsEye system
E. What about Recruiters/Headhunters/Staffing Agencies?*

52. Strategy 2: Creating a target list of companies
1. Linkedin –
a) Use the Advanced Search feature
2. Hoovers –
a) online database of companies available through UB Libraries
3. www.myvisajobs.com

53. Strategy 2: Creating a target list of companies
Additional Resources to Identify companies:
1. Your “professional” network of Faculty, Staff,
friends, family, acquaintances, etc…
2. Professional Associations
3. Internet – Google, vault.com…

54. Strategy 2: Creating a target list of companies
Once you have identified a list of companies:
1. Review their website
a) if they currently have openings – Apply!
b) If no current opening - Submit your
resume to their database anyway.

56. 1. What is Networking?
a) Getting noticed by a potential employer through
someone that the employer already knows and
trusts.
2. Employers use networking to recruit.
3. Don’t look for a job, look to meet people who
need your help.
4. Network by “Industry”

57. Who is in my network already?
How do I grow my network?
1. Family, friends, friends of friends, etc.
2. Professors, guest lecturers
3. Professional Associations
4. Conferences
5. Alumni Association
6. You already know someone who knows someone
who may know about a job opportunity…

58. Strategy 3: Connection – Networking
A. ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions
B. Career Conversations networking events with
alumni
C. “On the Road” employer site visits
D. UB Career Connector Network
E. Linkedin – to identify, connect and converse with
UB Alumni

59. Strategy 3: Connection – Networking

60. Strategy 3: Connection – Networking

61. Strategy 3: Connection – Networking –
Networking can be fun!

62. Strategy 3: Connection – Networking

63. Strategy 3: Connection – Networking

64. How to get started …
Take at least one “action” each
day.

65. Establish rapport or commonality
Ex. friend of a friend, alumni from same institution,
hobby, sport, volunteering, etc
Ask to follow up later
Be clear about what you’re asking for
Collect business cards
Leave the ball in your court
Types of follow-up
Meeting in person (most effective)
Speaking via phone (effective)
Video chat (effective)
Email exchanges (effective)

66. Prepare a “30-second commercial”, also called
the “elevator pitch”
Should contain:
Your name
Educational background
Summary of skills, experience, strengths
Explanation of immediate goals
A question to keep the conversation going.

67. 1. Be specific about your goals
2. Ask how they got started
3. Ask if there are any projects/special events
coming up that you can help with.
4. Do class projects that can put you in contact
with a potential contact/company.
5. Get involved with a student club and do a
project or volunteer to coordinate activities that
involve contacting employers!
6. Combine two seemingly diverse areas of interest
in your life*

68. 1. Does this process seem like a lot
of effort? - It can be.
2. It’s never too early to start
3. Don’t give up too soon
4. You’ll improve your networking
skills the more you practice
them!

70. Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Alumni Arena Main Gym
12 noon - 5 pm
Professional business attire required.
Bring resumes!

71. Career Fair Prep Days
“Meet with an Employer!”
Wednesday, September 21
&
Tuesday, September 27
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Career Services office, 259 Capen Hall
Register through BullsEye system

72. To get a copy of this PowerPoint
presentation
Go to:
www.slideshare.net
Search “American Job Search”

75. Contact us:
259 Capen Hall 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F
Call 716-645-2231
Email us at jobs@buffalo.edu
Website resources
www.buffalo.edu/career
Individualized appointments
Express Career Consult appointments
Hours M-F 10:00am-4:00pm

78. To get a copy of this PowerPoint
presentation
Go to:
www.slideshare.net
Search “American Job Search”