Executive Orders Impacting the Workplace-Impact on International Student Hiring
Executive Orders Impacting the Workplace – What You Need to Know
Executive Orders Impacting the Workplace – What You Need to Know
Five Steps To Take If You Are Unemployed Under Optional Practical Training (OPT) I get a lot of messages from international students such as the one above as their 90-day OPT unemployment allowance period comes to an end. Many new graduates hoped that three months would be enough time to secure a job offer. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible in reality. The job market is tough to crack, and it is even more challenging to find jobs as an international student. If you are in this situation, please take a deep breath and follow the 5 steps below: 1) Start being specific about your career goal Employers will hire you because you have the right skills to solve their business problems and you are passionate about helping them achieve their business goals. Don’t just blindly apply. You need to narrow down your job search. Be more specific about the jobs you are applying for and which industries you are applying to. For instance, if you are an MBA international student, your career paths and job opportunities for MBA graduates can be various such as Management Consultant, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, etc. If you have been distributing your resume to multiple companies in different roles, please pause and think about your specific skill sets and past experience. Find your selling points for your job applications. If you are open to any job, you will not be a strong candidate. 2) Target a stepping stone for your OPT Since you have a limited amount of time, larger companies may not be the right target as there are multiple layers to the hiring process. Look for small to medium-sized companies that have been around for more than 5 years with sustainable revenue. Those companies can be flexible with their hiring policy and might not have a vast talent pool like large global companies. Many of them are willing to hire international students if they are short of manpower and urgently need skilled candidates. After you have built your profile and expanded your knowledge in the industry with these companies, you will become a more desirable candidate and become ready to jump into bigger companies. Most large companies select to sponsor experienced hires over entry-level candidates. 3) Spend only 10% of your time on online job application On average, only 2% of online applicants are called in for interviews. For international students, the odds are even tougher. It is sad that not all jobs posted online clearly indicate whether or not they hire international students. You need to use other methods. Spend 90% of your time connecting with your target professionals. Use your connections and really put yourself out there. You might hear about great opportunities from the most unlikely sources. Remember: if you don’t put yourself out there, people won’t know you exist and are available. 4) Develop a Plan B for Your OPT Find options that allow you to stay past the 90 days period. The term “employed” is not as specific as you might think. Find a job that is related to your course of study. Paid or unpaid job doesn’t matter. It will help stop the 90-day unemployment allowance clock. Please always contact your International Student Services Office at your college or university. Your DSO is the person who can approve if the job is compatible with your OPT. In a normal situation, the OPT job needs to require at least 20 hours a week. However, duration the COVID-19 emergency, SEVP considers students who are working in their OPT opportunities fewer than 20 hours a week as engaged in OPT. See this announcement, Find other options, such as temporary jobs or volunteering positions, that will allow you to remain in the country. Please contact your International Student Services at your school to ensure eligibility. If you are not familiar with the job market and specific industries, it is tough for students to find jobs within 3 months. If you don’t have connections, your search time will augment to an average of 5 to 6 months. Maintain your status with your plan B and continue your full-time job searching! 5) Find a Community to Support You Join a community that helps you move forward. You can build your professional skills and connect with professionals via many professional affiliations. For example; joining Ascend Leadership will give you the opportunity to learn from so many inspiring Asian leaders in the US. At ICAway, we also have a WhatsApp group for International Students so please make sure that you check this out today and request to join our group! Do you want to get more tips on this topic? Check out these resources:
Post-completion Optical Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work on their F1 visa status after graduation. Depending on the degree, this period can be from one to three years. This article will be exploring one international student’s process of applying for her OPT. We encourage you to follow her tips and tricks in addition to doing your own research.
There were 1,739 students from Ukraine in the U.S. for the 2020–21 academic year, according to the Open Doors Report. Some of them may be close to the end of their program of study or OPT, and they are not able to return to their home country during the Russian invasion.
Join our LIVE webinar to discuss H-1B Visa Program Reforms and other visa options for F1 students with Attorney Art Serratelli.
Hiring Global Talent: The Why, The How and Next Steps We believe that finding the right talent is harder than sponsoring a student. Hiring international students brings so many benefits to the U.S. job market. Therefore, ICAway is committed to advocating international students’ abilities to U.S. employers. This guide provides a few reasons why employers should consider hiring international students. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Top 3 reasons to hire international students 1) They are highly motivated and skilled. The motivation of international students looking for jobs in the U.S. is off the charts! Motivated employees strive for more, take chances, and are valuable assets to every company. According to Gallup data, companies with a high level of engagement report 22% higher productivity. 2) They bring innovation. Having had different upbringing and life experiences, international students bring a unique perspective to the table. This, in turn, fuels innovation and creativity. According to HBR, employees with a diverse background are 45% more likely to report that their firm’s market share grew over the years. Moreover, 70% are more likely to report that the firm captured a new market. 3) They help you grow business globally. Understanding the subtle challenges in the use of English with non-native speakers, as well as the nuances of non-verbal communication, is critical to achieving business objectives when operating across cultures. International students have language skills and a deeper understanding of cultural differences. This makes them clear assets for companies with a global presence. Hiring international students is not a gamble. There is no need to treat the hiring of international students as a gamble. CPT and OPT are two forms of work authorization that allow employers to assess whether a student is a good fit for the company before committing to sponsorship. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of temporary work authorization that allows students to work (either part-time or full-time) during the time of their enrollment at an institution. Optical Practical Training (OPT) is a post-graduation period during which students can work. It is one year long for non-STEM degree holders and three years long for STEM degree holders. What happens next? Once the student’s OPT period has ended, the employer has the option to sponsor the employee so that they can continue employment under a different type of visa. The H-1B visa is the most commonly known one. However, depending on the candidate, there are other options available as well. If an employer meets certain eligibility requirements, they can petition for an EB2 or EB3 visa for skilled professionals or academics. This is also known as employment-based Green Card. For more amazing points from the American HR community, who is an advocate for OPT, please visit SHRM Advocacy Global Early Talents Introducing the ICAway Talent Platform 10 Things to Remember When Searching for Jobs in the First Quarter of 2021 Finding Target Professionals on LinkedIn What To Do When Your 90-Day OPT Unemployment Is Running Out Free Three-Week Career Strategy Series In this 3-week strategy, you’ll find some great examples like… How to plan your career strategy based on your situation How to create an effective networking game plan to turn your new connections into your mentors and job referrals in the future How to build your brand on a resume, LinkedIn profile, and much more to draw recruiters to you Please tell us about yourself and I’ll send your personalized tips to your inbox! Let’s learn from Maria – How she got a job offer from an American employer.
Dear Coach Kwan, I’m planning to pursue a degree in the US. What are some things that I should consider to ensure that I am fully prepared to optimize my time as an international student in the US? – Aspiring international student dreaming to join a university in the US. I’m so happy to see you reach out and be so proactive! Coming to America gives you an amazing opportunity to learn and grow toward your future profession. However, success is not a straight line, and the more you’re prepared for it, the better chance of success you will have. With us today is our guest mentor, Vinod Karri, a former international student from India who’s passionate about helping international students like yourself. Read below to learn more about the ten points that you need to consider when planning to study abroad (USA). Study Abroad USA “I want to experience the American Dream.” Most international students who want to study in the US want to experience “the American dream” when they decide to take the giant leap and move from one country to another. But it’s not all about frat parties and sorority houses. There’s a bigger, more realistic picture that you need to be aware of before making life-altering decisions and moving abroad: 1. Choosing the right school and the right program Often, the school you choose ultimately determines the country you will be migrating to. Make sure that the school you choose offers the program you want. Moreover, it must fit within your budget. Your previous academics and extracurricular activities also have a huge impact on the kind of college experience you will have. The US provides a wide variety of schools you can choose from: Ivy League schools, private non-profit, private for-profit, and state-funded schools. Learn about each of these categories in depth before making a choice. 2. Talk to a Guidance Counselor, Current Students and Alumni One should take the opportunity to talk to a guidance counselor to understand and identify the schools that they might be best fit for. Current students and alumni can provide more insight about what the college experience is truly like as well. 3. Money Matters – Costs, Tuition Fees, and Scholarships Offered Most students, especially international ones, received funds from their parents’ hard-earned money or through school-provided scholarship programs. So, make every dollar count. Public universities (funded by local and federal governments) are cheaper and could be an affordable option catering to all types of students. Private universities (like MIT and Stanford) are mainly funded and managed by a trust and less by local and federal grants. The tuition cost for a student going here is bound to be higher; however, the facilities provided could also be much nicer. Now, the real question is: why should an international student look into all these aspects? This is because, ultimately, whichever school you choose determines your costs, work permit options and chances for employment after graduation. 4. Employment Opportunities (Part-time or Full-time) The US only offers non-immigrants (students) to work part-time on campus. It means that it is illegal to work at a deli nearby or become a Starbucks barista to meet your daily living expenses. Nevertheless, if you happen to get a corporate job (OPT) or an internship (CPT) through your college’s career services office as part of your study program or related to the subject that you’re studying, you are eligible to legally work. In such cases, public universities would be a better option to consider since they offer a lot more on-campus jobs than private universities. Decide on the location of your college: rural or urban. Even such simple aspects of your decision can have a huge bearing on your college experience and post-college life. 5. Attitude Towards International Students Hundreds of people, students and professionals, migrate to America every year. Without a doubt, one could say that the US has a very positive attitude towards incoming international students. 6. Life Outside College: International Experiences, Travel, and the Ability to Pursue Hobbies Let’s be honest here: no one is going abroad to attend college just to get brilliant education. In that sense, the US has a lot to offer in terms of exploring the culture and making memories. The country is filled with culturally diverse people and access to various resources. Are you willing to spend a few dollars? Then, you can pursue any hobby or activity you want to. Climate is another big plus: the US has all four seasons, which is bound to make your stay as a student there more adaptable and enjoyable. 7. Work Permits It’s not just about getting a foreign education from a well-known university; after shelling out a considerable amount of money and putting in a significant amount of effort and energy into moving your entire life from one country to another, you also need to think about the return on investment. If you are a STEM student, you are initially granted a work permit for 12 months immediately after graduation. After the completion of this term, you are given an option to extend this period by another 36 months before taking on an H-1B visa. This is not the case with non-STEM students, though, and a company will need to sponsor a work visa (H-1B) after the completion of the initial 12-month work permit granted by your school. Work permits (OPT) also depend on the school you attend. Private for-profit universities are not eligible for the additional 36 months after the initial 12-month work permit. The rules for issuing H-1B visas have become tighter, and one needs to be regularly informed about on-going changes that are happening. Further, the size of the economy should be considered before choosing the country of study. Ultimately, the larger the economy, the better are employment opportunities. 8. Job Security Work culture and job security are interrelated concepts. When it comes to America, if an individual is willing to put in time and effort into their career, it can pay off tremendously. However, the
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Great News! ICE rule on international students is rescinded! According to Sevis Savvy, an international student advisor, below is the list of defendants and what Harvard and MIT asked for in the lawsuit. As you can see, Chad Wolf, who has proposed anti-immigration policies, is accused, and Harvard-MIT wanted to have defendants to cover the fees. Small things but fun to know: A list of 4 defendants: United States Department of Homeland Security United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security) Chad F. Wolf, who is the Acting Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security Matthew Albence, who is the Acting Director of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement A list of what Harvard-MIT asked for: A temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief preventing Defendants from enforcing the policy announced in ICE’s July 6 Directive, or promulgating it as a Final Rule; An order vacating and setting aside the policy announced in the July 6 Directive and reinstating the March 13 Guidance; A declaration that the policy announced in the July 6 Directive is unlawful; An order awarding Plaintiffs their costs and attorney’s fees; and Any and all other such relief as the Court may deem appropriate. Background story from our blog published on July 7, 2020: On Monday, July 6, 2020, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that International Students in the United States whose schools have ruled for online-only classes in the Fall 2020 semester must leave the United States. Otherwise, they may face immigration consequences. We have been following a conversation via the NAFSA’s International Student Advising Network. Even though there are still some uncertainties, and many colleges and universities are trying to find ways to cope with this unpleasant situation, there are a few helpful resources that we’d like you to check out: 1. SEVP: In-person Classes must for F1, M students. If not, leave the US. No Visas According to Redbus2us.com, OPT, CPT, STEM OPT Students can continue normally. SEVP said that current F1 students engaged in approved practical training like CPT during their program of study or working on OPT, STEM OPT that is done after degree program can remain in active status and continue their practical training. 2. Facebook LIVE by Immigration Lawyers: F-1 Changes for online learning 3. If you are negatively impacted by ICE’s announcement regarding F-1 and M-1 students and have to depart the US; if your university only offers online courses in the fall semester; AND you are interested in talking to reporters about your situation, check this tweet from an immigration attorney. 4. Possible action plans for students by Sevis Savvy 5. Broadcast Message: COVID-19 and Fall 2020 to SEVIS users 6. Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about Guidance for the Fall 2020 Semester (Last Updated: July 7, 2020) 7. Sign a petition to request that ICE rescind their decision to force international students back to their home countries in the midst of a pandemic. Disclaimer: International Career Advisory, Inc. (ICAway) and all resources above do not have any business relationships. Therefore, ICAway assumes no liability as regards to any membership investment or product/service purchase with the above vendors, lawyers or websites. In no event will ICAway be liable for direct, indirect or incidental, special or consequential damages resulting from your participation or involvement or contacts with the above services. This is meant to be a general guide and is not a substitute for the advice of an immigration attorney or a student’s specific International Student Office. Let’s move forward to something positive and listen to Apurva’s story below: Learn more about ICAway Talent Platform, Click Here Career and Immigration Pathways CPT and OPT (Do’s & Don’ts) What To Do When Your 90-Day OPT Unemployment Is Running Out Getting Hired into a FAANG company
According to the latest Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak, here is some helpful information that we have received from our NAFSA network, Mark B. Rhoads, who is the immigration attorney at McCandilsh Holton. Disclaimer: This is meant to be a general guide and is not a substitute for the advice of an immigration attorney or a student’s specific International Student Office. The White House has issued another Proclamation “Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak” effective June 24, 2020. It remains in effect through December 31, 2020. The Proclamation has far less of an impact than was rumored in advance of the Proclamation. Although early fears were that this Proclamation would have a wide impact on H-1B visa holders in the United States, this is not what happened. It only applies to those outside of the US on June 24, 2020, and restricts those individuals seeking to enter the United States in the following categories on new visa stamps issued after June 24, 2020: H1B ; H-4 dependents; L-1; L-2 dependents; J-1 (but only J-1s who work as interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors, au pairs, or summer work travel programs); and J-2 dependents. It does not impact at all those already in the United States in any one of these categories and does not revoke existing visas of individuals who are inside the US in any of these categories. They are all free to remain in the US and continue to work.As a result, there is no impact on the ability to: Change status to H-1B, including H-1B cap cases, within the US; Extend H-1B status within the US; Apply within the US to transfer H-1B status to a different employer; Apply within the US for permanent residence. Similarly, there is no impact on the ability to: Change status L-1 or J-1 within the US; Change status to H-4, L-2 or J-2 within the US; Extend L-1 or J-1 status within the US; Extend any of the H-4, L-2 or J-2 dependent categories within the US; Apply within the US for permanent residence for L-1, J-1 or any of the dependent categories. The primary impact will be on limiting international travel for those who do not currently hold a valid visa in any one of these categories. There will be no impact on international travel for the following individuals: Permanent Resident Green Card Holders; Spouse or children of US citizens; Those with a valid visa stamp in one of these categories (H-1B, L-1, J-1 or their dependents); Those with valid advance parole travel documents; J-1s and J-2s seeking to enter as Professors, Scholars or Medical Residents/Fellows; and Canadian citizens, who are exempt from needing visa stamps in any of these categories. Processing of applications will continue in the US for ALL visa categories, including permanent residence.For more information, please contact https://www.lawmh.com/
This episode is designed to help our International Students who plan to stay in the US as long as possible. If that’s your plan, you need to think beyond an OPT. Here are a few examples of questions we walked through with Attorney Art Serratelli in this episode: Why H-1B is the most popular employer-sponsored visa? What’s the cost and processing time like? Why do some companies clearly said that they didn’t want to sponsor? What are some key changes that will impact future H-1B sponsorship in 2020? What should be the strategy for the year 2020? Art is the Partner Serratelli Mijal PLLC – a skilled immigration law firm that helps clients from all over the world secure their future in America. Coach Kwan and Attorney Art walked through all FAQs from many international students and educators when it comes to H-1B sponsoring. Stay tuned to our Podcast Alert: Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.icaway.com/ — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/icaway/support