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1. Know immigration laws and your employment eligibility

It is essential for you to become knowledgeable about the immigration laws and regulations that affect your employment eligibility when seeking employment in the U.S. Verify your employment status and eligibility based on your visa.

The more you are familiar with these regulations, the better able you will be to discuss your options with a prospective employer.

DO NOT interpret this information as legal advice. DO use it to increase your understanding of the issues.

RESOURCES:

1. The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) provides authoritative information on visas and work authorization.
2. The Virginia Tech Graduate School:
   International Graduate Student Services (IGSS):
   Employment for International Graduate Students
   The IGSS provides advice and technical support to international graduate students at Virginia Tech in obtaining and maintaining their non-immigrant visa status in the United States, including travel and work authorization procedures.
   1. General immigration information including:
   2. Definition of common immigration terms
   3. Understanding visa and via status
   4. Comparison of F-1 and J-1 visa
   5. Graduate Cooperative Education Program
3. Cranwell International Center at Virginia Tech
   Serves as the primary support service for the international community

   Read all of the information provided by Cranwell about immigration, which includes:

   1. Immigration classifications and legal employment
   2. 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa

   Note item 8. EMPLOYMENT. Your main purpose of coming to the United States should be to study, not for the chance to work before or after graduation. While many students do work off-campus during their studies, such employment is incidental to their main purpose of completing their U.S. education. You must be able to clearly articulate your plan to return home at the end of your program.

   3. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System – SEVIS
   4. Employment

   This is a very comprehensive section and should be read carefully.
   Includes:
   When Can I Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
   Curricular Practical Training For International Undergraduate Students with F-1 Status
   

 

2. If eligible for seeking employment in the U.S., clarify duration of employment you are seeking

Note the wording, "if eligible FOR SEEKING employment...." There is no guarantee even for U.S. citizens of employment in the U.S.. The employment market is competitive. If you are eligible to SEEK employment, that does not guarantee that you will become employed.

RESOURCES:

1. Optional Practical Training

   Thorough information is provided by

   1. The Virginia Tech Graduate School. See:
      Virginia Tech Graduate School > International Graduate Student Services (IGSS) >
      Employment for International Graduate Students
      > Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students
   2. Cranwell International Center > Immigration > Employment
2. Beyond your one year of practical training.
   This usually requires you to obtain an H-1B visa. Become familiar with the regulations surrounding an H-1B visa if you hope to work in the U.S. beyond your one year of practical training.
   1. Complete information and authority: U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services:
      U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) > H-1B Visas

 

3. Resources for an international job search

No doubt you have your own networking contacts in your home country, and perhaps elsewhere. These are some online resources you may find useful, in addition to your current resources.

The Riley Guide - International Job Opportunities
Very comprehensive list of web sites and advice.

Web sites with international opportunities
A list compiled by Career Services based on recommendations and research.

 

4. Cultural issues related to a U.S. job search

American cultural attitudes and behaviors related to job hunting and work may be quite different from those of your home country. Be aware of cultural issues that will influence your success in your job search.

RESOURCES:

These are on the University of Michigan International Center web site, and ARE IN PDF FORMAT:

Common cultural barriers to the job search

Differences between the U.S. and other countries on resumes, CVs, and interviewing

 

5. Skills and knowledge for a U.S. job search

1. You will need to become familiar with U.S. practices regarding resumes, correspondence (both hard copy and e-mail), interviewing, and handshakes. For complete coverage of these topics, see job search.
2. Disclosure of work authorization: When to tell an employer about your work status, from Boston College Career Center.

 

6. Resources for finding U.S. employment, if you are eligible

All students seeking employment at graduation should become familiar with and use more than one method of seeking employment.

See How to start your job search, including:

• Pros and cons of the ways to look for jobs

• Six top tips for the job search

International students may use all the resources used by domestic students; however, you may find more success with particular strategies.

1. Generally, international students will need to place more emphasis on research to determine which employers can legally hire students with your work authorization, and more emphasis on networking to find contacts.
2. Notice that if you use Hokies4Hire and the On-Campus Interviewing Program, employers will indicate required work authorization. These are non-negotiable.
3. Targeting organizations that do business abroad

If you are seeking employment with a U.S. corporation, you may have more success targeting those companies who do business in your home country because you could possibly contribute to an understanding of doing business within your home country. To identify these companies and the appropriate contacts within those companies, see the Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, a 3-volume set in the Career Resource Center at Career Services. You may view this during our office hours. No appointment is necessary.

4. Going Global online guide

Career Services pays a premium subscriber fee; that gives access to currently enrolled Virginia Tech students (and employees). Features include work authorization requirements of various employers.

5. In 2008-2009, NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, sponsored a Virtual Career Fair for International students that ran from December 2008 to June 2009. WE DO NOT YET KNOW IF THAT FAIR WILL BE REPEATED FOR THE 2009-2010 academic year. If it is repeated, we will publicize that opportunity.