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Office of Career Management 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-80

Office of Career Management 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-8018 • cipa@cornell.edu International Student Guide to Employment in the U.S. Cornell University Cornell Institute for Public Affairs 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-8018 • cipa@cornell.edu Page 1 Guide at a Glance The objective of this guide is to provide tips and advice for international students trying to find a job in the USA, and help guide internationals through the American job search process. It is written by former international students based on their experience at the Johnson School. The guide focuses on the practical steps of planning and executing a US job search to maximize the potential for success. This guide is meant to be used throughout your job search, as you craft your own individual job search plan. It is up to you, not the Office of Career Management (OCM) to take control of your job search. We are here to partner with you. This guide is not about determining your professional interests and deciding upon what career path you want to pursue. Because of the current state of the US economy and the smaller number of visas available, your job search will require a lot of extra time and effort. Be prepared- international students face many more obstacles and the job search will become a significant time commitment alongside your coursework. The more prepared you are, the higher your chances of success. We look forward to working with you during your time at the CIPA program. We encourage you to stop by to schedule an appointment with us. We are here to partner with you to ensure your job search is a successful one! Cornell University Cornell Institute for Public Affairs 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-8018 • cipa@cornell.edu Page 2 Guide at a Glance CIPA International Job Search Guide The Big Picture ..................................................................................................................... 3 Disadvantages for International Students ........................................................................... 5 Advantages for International Students ................................................................................ 6 Job Search Resources ........................................................................................................... 7 Summer Internships ............................................................................................................. 11 Resumes, Cover Letters and Thank-you Notes .................................................................... 12 Interviewing Tips .................................................................................................................. 13 Independent Job Search Tips ............................................................................................... 14 Visa and Immigration Tips .................................................................................................... 15 Cornell University Cornell Institute for Public Affairs 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-8018 • cipa@cornell.edu Page 3 The Big Picture The US is an immigrant country in need of skilled people. Despite the current economic and political situation, there are careers available in the US for international CIPA students. The two major barriers to you landing a job in the US are:  Possessing the right skills for the position; and,  Lack of work authorization. The #1 reason why CIPA international students find jobs in the US is because they successfully convince the employer that they possess the character and skills to excel in the position; that they are the best candidate for the job. If you can be successful in doing this, the company will take care of the legal restrictions. You need to be worth the effort first. In order to convince an employer you are the ideal person, you need to know yourself better than ever before and clearly communicate the following:  What strengths you possess  What areas you need to improve upon  What differentiates you from your peers  What your career aspirations and interests are  What career you want after you leave Cornell What you choose as your career path will develop and be modified over time at Cornell but constant, conscious attention to this process is critical to a successful search. It is unlikely that a company with no ties to your home country will hire an international student unless the student has significant work experience in their industry. Often, Employers are not fully aware that an H1-B visa can be used for up to 6 years before requiring green card sponsorship, and view sponsorship as a huge hassle. To eventually sponsor you for permanent residency, the company must prove that they were unable to find a suitable US citizen. Few companies are willing to go through the paperwork unless there is a good chance for success. Cornell University Cornell Institute for Public Affairs 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-8018 • cipa@cornell.edu Page 4 We recommend using the simple framework below to make a first pass at prioritizing how you will approach your job search. Opportunities can be ranked based on your interest level in the job and the feasibility of an employer choosing you for the position. Some key criteria could be as follows. INTEREST-example criteria  The industry segment you want  The function you want  The location you want  Working in consulting in my home county  Public  Private  Non-profit FEASIBILITY-example criteria  Current skills match with job description  Organization has hired internationals  Solid networking/contact opportunities (CIPA/ Cornell alumni)  Good culture fit FOCUS: Get focused and specific in your job search as fast as you can. REMEMBER: As an international student, you need to maintain realistic expectations and leverage your existing skills. For example, you may passionately want to become a consultant (Deloitte) or an Investment Banker but you have no work experience or are a career changer. You may be more successful convincing a consulting company to hire you to work as an entry level analyst that does business in Latin America if you speak fluent Spanish, or in China if you are a native speaker. Think about opportunities in this “big picture” framework. Also, keep in mind your two to three year career goals; where can you gain the experience to get to the next step? For example, you may want to work at a consulting firm or NGO but they may want to send you to your home country initially. Considering such options will allow you to gain that additional experience and increase the chance that the company will transfer you back to the US. 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 • (607) 255-8018 • cipa@cornell.edu Page 5 Disadvantages for International Students A job search for any student requires substantial time and effort, as an international student you will face a few more hurdles to clear than your American counterparts: Familiarity Problem- Although every country has been exposed to American culture, you will be less familiar with US business culture and recruiting practices than domestic students. Solution- You need to tap into the knowledge of your American classmates and be a sponge for information from TV, movies, newspapers and colleagues:  Learn about favorite American sports, current politics, and the latest business news so that you can carry on an intelligent social conversation with prospective employers.  If you don’t fully comprehend the US systems, there is an even higher likelihood that the American employer has no idea about the industries, politics, or school systems in your home country. Be prepared to put your past experiences and education into context that Americans can understand by using metrics or finding an American equivalent for comparison. However, run your comparisons by domestic friends before using them on employers to make sure your comparisons are not over-inflated or discourteous. Example: A student’s conversation with an employer explained her background in the following manner- “My experience as an exchange student in the US was a key factor in my decision to pursue a MPA degree at CIPA. During my time in the US, I volunteered for a local non-profit/NGO…” English Skills Problem- If you don’t speak English as a native language, you are at a distinct disadvantage communicating with recruiters. Solution- Consciously make an effort to talk with Americans:  Make presentations, take English courses, and work tirelessly at improving your English skills.  Ask a fellow student to be your “coach” and focus on oral communication.  Many international students will end up hanging out with students from their own country, but the downside is that you communicate in your own language, rather than practicing English.  By the time interviewing season arrives, you must be comfortable expressing yourself in English, without lengthy pauses and stumbles. However, remember not to apologize excessively for your English skills, it simply draws attention to it.  Use a notebook to write down succinct answers to common interview questions. Work Authorization Problem - Especially post 9/11, the general belief is that the process of hiring an international student is extremely painful, risky, and expensive. Solution - You need to educate yourself on the steps and costs to gaining work authorization, and remain flexible in what positions you are willing to accept.  Visa options such as practical training and H1-B visas and work authorization are sketched out on page 12 of this guide and the International Employer Brochure, but you need to drill down and know as many specifics as you can about your particular situation. Cornell University Cornell Institute for Public Affairs 294 Caldwell Hall • Ithaca, NY 14853 uploads/Geographie/ intl-student-guide.pdf