ICAway Career Coach (Find F1 CPT, OPT, H-1B Jobs)

To get help finding your dream job in the US, please visit https://www.icaway.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/

What I'm going to share today is based on real stories from a few international students who have used these strategies to stop the clock. Before deciding to pursue any of these options, please remember to contact your International Student Services office to ensure eligibility.

How can you find non-profit organizations in your area to volunteer with?

One effective way is to utilize online platforms and directories that connect volunteers with non-profit organizations. Websites such as 

can be great resources to find volunteer opportunities. 

2. Consider seeking contract jobs.

Contract work can be a viable option for your first-year OPT. Many companies and organizations hire contractors for short-term projects or assignments. 

These contract positions can provide valuable work experience and help you meet the employment requirement of your OPT period.

And sometimes, when you're a good fit for the team, you may have a chance to convert your contract role into a full-time opportunity.

3. consider reaching out to your professors for an offer letter that can potentially be considered an OPT job opportunity.

4. explore the possibility of building your own business and working on OPT.

For STEM international students who are on OPT and when you're approaching your STEM extension, your employers must be e-verified in order to utilize your STEM OPT for work in the US. 

 To check whether the employer is verified or not, check out the link I provided in the caption below.

Use the E-Verify search tool below to find employers who are currently enrolled in E-Verify.

https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/e-verify-data/how-to-find-participating-employers 

Let's listen to this episode to receive more information on how to stop your OPT unemployment allowance clock.

Think Big & Live Your Dream!

Coach Kwan, ICAway

Disclaimer:

Please note that the information provided here is of a general nature and should not be considered as legal immigration advice. We are unable to assess individual circumstances and provide specific guidance on immigration matters. It is essential to consult with your international student services office or a qualified immigration professional to ensure eligibility and obtain accurate advice tailored to your specific situation.

I just received a message from an international student whose OPT will begin in less than a month and have only 90 days of unemployment to stay in the U.S.  The student asked if I could help them because they've applied to multiple job postings online but haven't received any interview invitations. The student is feeling discouraged due to news of layoffs and hiring freezes, and they don't know what action to take to find an OPT job. 

If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, here are some actionable steps that can be taken to search for an OPT job opportunity within a short period of time.

Firstly, it's important to ensure that you don't exceed the OPT 90-day unemployment allowance without a job offer in place and risk losing your F-1 status. 

So you're probably wondering about the 90-day unemployment allowance and how it works.

Optional Practical Training or OPT means F-1 students’ work authorization to work off-campus.

your work authorization after your graduation is called a Post-Completion OPT

Say you already graduated and you are eligible for OPT. You’ll have a limited time to be unemployed when your OPT starts.

For post-completion OPT, you have 90 days of unemployment, and for STEM OPT, you have 90 days plus an additional 60 days during the 24-month STEM OPT extension period. It's important to note that this 90-day unemployment period counts both weekdays and weekends. 

Even if you travel outside the US, your time spent outside the country will still count as unemployment

However, don't worry, there are options available to you if you’re in your first year of OPT. If this is your first year OPT, Did you know that the term "employed" is not as specific as you might think? 

Whether it's a paid or unpaid job, finding a job related to your course of study can help stop the 90-day unemployment allowance clock. 

Don't forget to reach out to your International Student Services Office at your college or university to ensure that the job is compatible with your OPT.

If you are under a time crush, it's worth considering options such as temporary jobs or volunteering positions that will allow you to remain in the country. 

The requirement is that the work must be at least 20 hours per week. Just be sure to check with your International Student Services office to ensure that you are eligible for these options.

It can be tough for students to find jobs within three months, and without connections and a personal coach, your search time may extend to an average of five to six months. Therefore, it's important to maintain your status with a backup plan and continue your full-time job search.

In short, if your OPT is about to start, please develop a backup plan and find options that allow you to stay past the 90-day unemployment allowance period. 

Also, It's a smart move to hold onto your OPT unemployment allowance time for unexpected situations like losing your job or transitioning between jobs. 

This way, you'll have a safety net to fall back on when you need it most. It's better to have a backup plan in place, just in case.

Remember to keep your International Student Services office in the loop and explore all options, including part-time work, temporary jobs, and volunteering positions. 

With these strategies in mind, you can increase your chances of finding employment and maintaining your legal status in the U.S. Now that we have talked about the importance of not exceeding the OPT 90-day unemployment allowance, let's focus on the steps you can take to build your career brand and increase your chances of finding employment.

Let's listen to this episode and let me know if you have any questions.

Coach Kwan

To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/

I reminded them that they still had their STEM OPT and could try again next year. I also suggested that they speak with an immigration attorney to learn more about other visa options.

I hope to share this story and encourage others to advocate for international students and propose changes to the H-1B system. We need to create a fair system that recognizes the valuable contributions that international students make to our society and the American economy.

The current H-1B visa system does not fully leverage the potential of international students, and we need to change that.

International students bring a wealth of knowledge, diverse perspectives, and critical skills that are essential to American businesses, especially in a post-pandemic world where innovation and adaptability are crucial. It's time to recognize their contributions and create a system that values them for the incredible assets they are.

Think Big & Live Your Dream!

Coach Kwan

Are you looking for the best way to get noticed at career fairs?

Attending a career fair can be an exciting opportunity for international students to make connections and find potential employers. But it can also be daunting if you don’t know what questions are appropriate to ask. In this podcast, I will discuss the right questions to ask and the ones that should be avoided when attending a career fair.

Let's listen to this episode and I hope you'll enjoy the tips I provided in this episode to help make your career fair visit a successful one.

Don’t forget to think ahead and research the companies beforehand, and be sure to ask the right questions when you meet employers.

Think Big & Live Your Dream!

Coach Kwan

To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/

Summer internships can be a great way for international students to gain valuable work experience, build their professional networks, and gain a deeper understanding of the industry they are interested in.

Not only do internships provide hands-on experience, they can also help you determine if a particular career or industry is the right fit for you. This is especially important for international students, as you may have limited opportunities to gain professional experience before you graduate.

First, you need to make sure that you understand the rule of CPT which is your work authorization for F-1 international student

There are a few important things you need to keep in mind when requesting your CPT.

First and foremost, your internship must be directly related to your field of study and must be an integral part of your academic program.

This means this work experience should be something that will help further your education and career goals.

To be eligible for an internship, you must be in valid F-1 status and enrolled in a full-time program of study at an accredited school.

You must also have completed one full academic year of study before participating in the internship.

Once you've met these requirements, the next step is to get your internship authorized.

This is where the Designated School Official (DSO) at your school comes in.

They will issue the necessary documents and give you the green light to participate in the internship.

One thing to keep in mind is that for CPT, you'll need to have a job offer before you request the authorization.

This is different from OPT, where you can apply before you have a job offer. The process of getting CPT authorization may take 1-2 weeks or more, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Listen to this episode to find out how to land a summer internship in just 60 days.

NOTE: Attending events hosted outside of your campus to expand your network. Join a professional organization such as Ascend, SHRM, Prospanica, or ALPFA. 

To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/

Summer internships can be a great way for international students to gain valuable work experience, build their professional networks, and gain a deeper understanding of the industry they are interested in.

Not only do internships provide hands-on experience, they can also help you determine if a particular career or industry is the right fit for you. This is especially important for international students, as you may have limited opportunities to gain professional experience before you graduate.

First, you need to make sure that you understand the rule of CPT which is your work authorization for F-1 international student

There are a few important things you need to keep in mind when requesting your CPT.

First and foremost, your internship must be directly related to your field of study and must be an integral part of your academic program.

This means this work experience should be something that will help further your education and career goals.

To be eligible for an internship, you must be in valid F-1 status and enrolled in a full-time program of study at an accredited /əˈkredədəd/ school.

You must also have completed one full academic year of study before participating in the internship.

Once you've met these requirements, the next step is to get your internship authorized.

This is where the Designated School Official (DSO) at your school comes in.

They will issue the necessary documents and give you the green light to participate in the internship.

One thing to keep in mind is that for CPT, you'll need to have a job offer before you request the authorization.

This is different from OPT, where you can apply before you have a job offer. The process of getting CPT authorization may take 1-2 weeks or more, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Listen to this episode to find out how to land a summer internship in just 60 days.

NOTE: Lastly, get outside of your comfort zone by attending events hosted outside of your campus. Join a professional organization such as Ascend, SHRM, Prospanica, or ALPFA. You can find links to these organizations in the captions below and Participate in events or workshops hosted by professional organizations.

To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/

In this episode, I want to kill the myth that having a good GPA guarantees a job offer, and I'll share some insights into what employers really look for.

As an international student, having a high GPA is an outstanding achievement, but it's essential to understand that it's not the only factor employers consider.

According to the most recent National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, the number of employers using GPA to screen candidates is declining

In 2019, around 73% of employers used to consider GPA as an important factor, but now only 46% of the employers who took part in the survey use GPA as a selection criterion.

GPA is just one of the factors employers consider while evaluating job candidates.

They feel that it provides an indication of the candidate's level of dedication and ability to perform in a structured setting,

but it's not the only thing that matters.

For entry-level positions, GPA can be an important consideration, but it's definitely not the be-all and end-all.

The weight that employers give to GPA varies depending on the job and industry.

For instance, in fields like engineering or finance, a high GPA may hold more weight, while in areas like marketing or advertising, hands-on experience, and a strong portfolio may be more valuable.

Overall, many companies are now placing more emphasis on a candidate's skills, experience, and potential than their GPA.

They look for candidates who have relevant work experience, a strong skill set, and a passion for their work.

In addition, many companies place a high value on candidates who have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others.

They may consider a candidate's extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and overall fit with their company culture.

They also consider problem-solving skills, adaptability, and communication skills, which are critical for success in any job.