Living At Yale, important logistical resources from OISS

Introduction
How Do I Market Myself?
What Do Employers Want?
Who Will Hire Me In The US?
How Do I Prepare?
Note on Job Search Ethics
Useful Career Websites for International Students
What Employers Cannot (and CAN) Ask You
The Yale Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
Information and Forms for F-1 Students: Employment (OPT)
Information and Forms for F-1 Students: Internships (CPT)

Introduction

Job search materials, methods and etiquette for both career full-time positions and internships in the U.S. may be quite different from those in your home country and other countries you have worked in outside of the U.S. We encourage all of our international students to visit CDO early in the year to discuss internship and employment strategies, to attend our career development programs as well as programs through Yale's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), to learn about the job search in the U.S. and how to build a career network, including finding mentorship, to form job-seeking support groups with other students and to seek advice on areas where you might need particular assistance.

The job search process for international students is essentially the same as it is for U.S. students with a slightly different focus on employers and opportunities. The career development and job search skills needed are the same.

The reality, however, is that securing employment in the United States can be a challenge for international students due to recent immigration laws and quotas. Therefore, we encourage our international students (those who possess a student visa and no authorization to work in the United States) to expand their career search and utilize their network to identify career options in their home country or outside of the U.S. as well as within.


Important Notes:
* Know the U.S. federal regulations and procedures for being hired; review the OPT and CPT requirements and procedures posted on the Office of International Students and Scholars website
* You are not eligible for U.S. government positions and positions with contractors which require U.S. federal government security clearance
* You are eligible for positions that relate to your field of study and require a Bachelor's degree or higher for which you are paid the prevailing wage

How Do I Market Myself?

* Do not be the first to discuss your work status with an employer, but do be prepared to address questions of work status by knowing what you and the employer must do; review OISS web site and read email updates from OISS on changing immigration regulations relating to practical training
* Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organization and demonstrate interest in working for the organization
* More than 70% of the jobs in the U.S. are found through networking, which is about relationships; networking is not about having a friend who has a job opening in his/her company. See CDO website section on networking and attend our workshops
* The reality is that not all of you seeking work in the U.S. will be hired to work in the U.S. Make the development of alternative strategies part of your overall career plan

What Do Employers Want?

* Highly developed English communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking and interpersonal
* Motivated workers with appropriate professional skills and knowledge prepared to work in a professional environment
* Honesty, integrity, punctuality and good business etiquette behaviors according to U.S. expectations
* Self-initiative; being willing to go beyond the job description
* See "What Are Employers Looking For?"

Who Will Hire Me in the U.S.?

* American firms operating in foreign countries and foreign firms operating in the U.S.; see the directories American Firms Operating In Foreign Countries and Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S. available in the Social Science Library
* More than one-third of all companies hire international students
* Small, medium and large companies with special needs for highly developed skills often do not have enough U.S. citizens to fill positions
* Review CDO employment offer data as reported by recent international student graduates
* Technical, engineering, quantitative science/math/computer science and some business areas generally offer more potential for practical training in the U.S.; however, your marketability depends more on you and your accomplishments, including academic, participation in organizations, the strength of your network, work/project experience and other related factors

How Do I Prepare?

* Concentrate on developing English communication skills including writing, interpersonal and oral
* Attend CDO workshops, borrow and read books on job search preparation topics; review CDO website
* Attend CDO events and employer information sessions
* Attend professional development workshops
* Build your network, including seeking mentorship
* Attend a resume writing workshop, write your resume using OptimalResume and submit for review for the FES resume book
* Attend a cover letter writing workshop, write a cover letter using OptimalResume and make an appointment to have your practice cover letter reviewed.
* Learn typical interview questions and practice answering them using OptimalInterview or InterviewStream technology; or take advantage of our mock interview offerings
* Start your job search two semesters before graduating


Notes on Job Search Ethics:

* Never misrepresent your status for employment; eligibility for optional practical training or practical training does NOT mean you have work authorization
* You are responsible for knowing U.S. expectations and appropriate behaviors for conducting a job search
* Once you have accepted an offer of employment from one employer you are committed to the organization and should withdraw from further interviewing (this is called good faith acceptance)
* Read Ethics in Your Job Search? from CampusCareerCenter.com

Useful Career Websites for International Students

Suggested listings always welcome.

* Jaqueline Whitmore: A Foremost Authority on Business Etiquette and Protocol. Business etiquette tips and quiz.
* Business Manners: an Important Ingredient to Success, Mercedes Alfaro, President, First Impression Management. Basic information on business etiquette.
* International Career Employment Weekly, Log In through CDO Environmental Career Journal Subscriptions Page
* Institute of International Education
* faayda.com, job search engine for jobs in India
* CDO's International Job Resources List
* Job Interview Etiquette in American Business, Phyllis Davis, job coach
* iStudentCity.com Basic information on career questions for international students studying in the US
* The Smart Guide to Studying in the US Basic guide to social and cultural differences in US.
* US Citizenship and Immigration Services
* International Student.com
* One on One Conversation Program Through OISS: For students and spouses. See OISS for more resources!
* On-line free Proposal Writing Short Course through the Foundation Center: in English; French; Mandarin; Portuguese; Russian; Spanish
* On-line free Proposal Budgeting Basics through the Foundation Center: in English and Spanish
* Asian Jobs.com Connect with employers who are searching for bilinguals who speak English and Asian languages and/or companies that want to increase their diversity
* Overseas Jobs.com Features overseas and international job opportunities
* Eluta.ca New job announcements at employers across Canada
* CareerTimes.com.hk Features opportunities in Hong Kong

What Employers Cannot (and CAN) Ask You

You cannot be asked to answer questions structured to obtain information regarding your:
Race
Gender
Religion
Marital Status
Age
Physical/mental status
Ethnicity
Country of Origin
Vital Statistics
Sexual Orientation
Family Status

Questions an Interviewer Can Ask You:
Are you legally authorized to work in the US?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
Are you able to work the hours/travel schedule required?
Are you able to perform the requirements of the position as outlined?

The Office of International Students and Scholars

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is responsible for the general welfare of international students at Yale University. We are here to answer your questions and help you with any problem that you may have. OISS serves as a resource on immigration matters for the Yale community and Yale’s liaison to those federal agencies concerned with matters related to international students and scholars studying and working here. Our staff can also assist you with problems concerning your social and personal adjustment to life in the United States and other personal matters and concerns.---From OISS Director Ann Kuhlman

The Office of International Students and Scholars is the key resource for International Students and Scholars studying and researching at Yale University. They serve students directly, providing one-on-one guidance as well as programs and support services geared specifically to Yale's international student population. They also serve as the primary source of information for administrators across the university.

Information and Forms for F-1 Students: Employment (OPT)

* Optional Practical Training (OPT) Everything you need to know about OPT from the OISS website.

Information and Forms for F-1 Students: Internships (CPT)

* Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Everything you need to know about CPT, from the OISS website.

What To Do:

* Complete your F-1 Curricular Practical Training Request Form (after you have been offered your summer internship/research project)

* Have your Academic Advisor sign the form (Gordon Geballe or Peter Otis can substitute for your Academic Advisor in signing the form).

* Take the completed form and your original I-20 form to OISS. OISS can process your form within 24 hours, but it's best if the form is given to OISS several days before needed.