TheInternational

Student Job Search

OPT, CPT & AT

Used with permission from University of Oklahoma Career Services

Work Restrictions All F-1 and J-1 students are here on “student”

visas and have U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) restrictions on employment.Primary purpose in the US is to STUDY not WORK. Eligible to work on-campus automatically

○ No more than 20 hrs for Fall & Spring○ No more than 30 hours Summer & vacation○ Exchange Students are NOT eligible to work AT ALL (even

on campus)Working more than allowable hours a week on-

campus has SEVERE immigration consequences, such as deportation and denial of any future US visas.

F-1 Work Authorization: 2 Types

To work off-campus you must be pre-authorized by International Student & Scholar Services and DHS. You may also require work authorization for volunteer

work. Please see the International Office if you are planning to do a Volunteer Internship.

There are two main types of F-1 Work Authorization for.CPT (Curricular Practical Training)OPT (Optional Practical Training)

J-1 students can apply for one type: AT (Academic Training)

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

Key word is CURRICULAR

Under U.S. immigration regulations an international student may be academically required as part of an established curriculum to participate in an internship or temporary employment to gain practical experience in their field of study.

CPT is issued for the following 3 academic circumstances only, with support of the Academic Advisor. Required: An internship (paid or unpaid) that is a required course in order to

complete a degree program. Degree Credit: An internship (paid or unpaid) that will count toward degree credit

and not delay graduation. Research: Completion of dissertation or thesis research, when CPT is

required to complete the thesis or dissertation and results will be published in the final version.

ALL CPT has many restrictions and must be approved and by the Academic Advisor, International Advisor and DHS before starting employment.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Immigration Restrictions for CPT: F-1 for 1 Year: Must complete 2 semesters at UIW before eligible to apply. Registration Deadline: Application must be submitted to ISSS no later than the last day of

registration. You must be enrolled in a corresponding course to apply. Reapply: Only valid to one semester at a time and one class at a time. Within the Semester: Start and end dates must be WITHIN the semester start and end

dates. CPT internships will not be authorized with a start date prior to the first day of the semester or after the last day of the semester.

FULL TIME Enrollment: Must enroll in and complete FULL TIME enrollment during the Fall and Spring semester (12 hrs - undergrads, 9 hrs –grads, 6 hrs - doctoral students). 

20 Hour Limit: CPT is not allowed in conjunction with on campus employment if the total number of hours worked in the Fall and Spring semester exceeds 20 hours per week.

Summer only: Full-time CPT (20+ hours a week) is allowed only during the Summer semester, with very few exceptions.  The purpose of the F-1 visa is not to facilitate off-campus employment, but to pursue a degree full-time. Full time CPT may disqualify you from applying for OPT after you graduate.

On Time: No I-20 extensions will be granted based on degree completion delays caused by CPT internships.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Summary

Can be used for paid or unpaid internships but ONLY if it is required for a class and to complete your degree

ASK early on in your program if you are eligible so you can plan ahead. Talk to your Advisor and the International Office.

Apply for CPT with the International Office semester BEFORE starting the internship.

Working at an internship (paid or unpaid) without authorization or exceeding the hours or dates authorized has SEVERE immigration consequences, such as deportation and denial of any future US visas.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Key word is OPTIONAL OPT is temporary employment requested by

ISSS and authorized by USCIS (Citizen & Immigration Services)

OPT is practical training directly related to your major area of study. You are responsible to provide evidence of the direct relation.

Can be granted during the summer, part-time during Fall and Spring, and after completion of your program.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

All OPTTakes at least 3 months to authorize.F-1 for 1 Year: Must complete 2 semesters at UIW

before eligible to apply.12 month total for each ascending level (Bachelors

Masters Ph.D)Possible extension for some H-1B applicants (Cap-

Gap) and STEM Fields (STEM Extension) $380 application fee to Department of Homeland

SecurityCannot be cancelled once you apply.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Pre-Completion OPT vs. Post Completion OPT Pre:

○ Can only be part time in Fall & Spring (full time for Summer)○ Can be used to do an internship if not eligible to CPT○ Only recommended if student has a job offer○ Must plan ahead (at least 3 month) ○ Will subtract time from Post Completion (remember, you only have 12 months

total)○ 20 Hour Limit: OPT is not allowed in conjunction with on campus employment

if the total number of hours worked in the Fall and Spring semester exceeds 20 hours per week.

Post:○ Can start the day after graduation up until last day of 60 day grace period○ Should apply 90 days before graduation date (applying late will subtract

months)○ Must be full time○ Must find a job within 90 days of start date○ Cannot be enrolled in classes while on Post Completion

Work Authorization

Questions?

If you have in-depth questions, please make an appointment with International Student & Scholar Services.

Finding Employment & Job Outlook

• The economy is showing signs of growth from fall in 2011-2012

• The hiring outlook for 2013 is positive in all regions of the U.S. with employers expecting to increase hiring from last year (24%) of international students.

• This percentage is up over the past two years.

• International Student hiring is still weak, in part due to visa requirements

International Hiring Plans By Year

International Hiring Plans By Industry

Hiring by Region

Challenges• Perceived Hiring

Complexities• Communication skills• Employment Restrictions

– H1B Cap• 65,000 in 2012• 65,000 in 2011• 65,000 in 2010• 195,000 in 2003

Steps to an Effective Job Search

1. Begin with the end in mind

2. Do your research

3. Prepare

4. Contact Employers

Begin with the end in mind– Choose your major

wisely (Engineering and Information Technology 2012)

– Develop technical skills• Computer• Quantitative• Scientific

– Gain relevant experience– Develop strong

relationships with department and faculty

Do Your Research• Understand immigration laws & employment eligibility

• Research companies who hire international students and sponsor H1B visas

• Target organizations that do business abroad (especially with your home country)

• Pick up a “Employing

International Students

Basic Information for

US Employers” Handout

International Student Office.

Get Off Campus

- Contact Professional

Associations

- In Your Field

- Locally

- Attend Networking

Events

- Use your UIW Alumni

Network (it’s all over

the world)

- Seek Certifications or Designations

- Publish in Professional Journals

- Meet with Professionals in your field

- Attend/ Present at Conferences

Going Global

Going Global Going Global USA

Prepare

• Resume• Cover Letter• Interviewing Skills• GO TO CAREER

CENTER!

Resume Tips

• Resume should be BRIEF

• Explain your skills:– Language– Working/living abroad– Ability to adapt to various cultures– Communication (presentation, translation)

• Translate educational experiences (GPA)

• Provide a frame of reference for unfamiliar accomplishments– Ex: Attended #1 research institution in China

• Highlight English/Communication courses completed

• Emphasize cultural background, if relevant to the company

Resume TipsOn your resume, do NOT include:

– personal information • Age, marital status, social security

number, religion, birth date, or personal photo

– TOEFL Scores– Employment status

• Include in cover letter

– irrelevant information

DO NOT– Use a generic template– Make the resume too long– Make your resume hard to read

Interviewing Tips

• Do your homework! • Be aware of cultural barriers• Be ready to educate the employer on visa requirements &

how to renew it• Be ready to explain the advantages to hiring you & why you

are the best candidate for the job• Do not divulge personal information such as marital status or

age in an interview• Be aware of “behavioral interview” traps

InterviewingTips

• Non-verbals are critical:– Eye-contact– Physical Distance– Appearance/Dress– Manners (handshake,

posture, etc)

• Follow up – Hand-written thank you

note

• Practice makes perfect!– Sign up for a mock

interview with Career Services

Contact Employers

• UIW Career Services and Professional Development EVENTS (Job Fairs, Mock interviews, resume help) - http://sites.uiw.edu/career/events/

• Going Global Country Career Guide -https://online.goinglobal.com/

• Going Global USA/Canada Cities Guide - http://online.usacareerguides.com

Job Search Tips• Market yourself positively• Understand the visa process• Expand your job search and be

flexible– Location: larger firms more

willing– US firms with branches abroad– Opportunities in your home

country• Improve your communications skills

– Take communication classes– Join English Conversation Groups– Accent Training– Joining a student organization

• Network with faculty, friends, and alumni to hear of opportunities

– Join a professional association

Common Cultural Barriers• Self-promotion• Directness in communication • Self-Disclosure• Career Self-Awareness • Individual responsibility in

finding employment• Informality in the Interview

Process• Punctuality• Effective letters of Application

and Resumes• Individual equality • Knowledge of organization prior

to interview

Frequently Asked Questions• Should I include my

visa status on my resume?

• If a company says they don’t hire international students, should I even apply?

• What questions are illegal for an employer to ask?

Online Resources

• UIW Career Services and Professional Development – http://sites.uiw.edu/career/students/

• Links:– www.internationalstudent.com– www.istudentcity.com– www.ihipo.com

UIW is here to help!

For additional information

please contact:International Student and Scholar Services

ICC, Room 200

Phone 210-805-5705

intl@uiwtx.edu