1. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com1 Practical Job Search Strategies for International Students Fred (Prakash) Kollaram, BSEE, MSEE. President, h1visajobs.com SUNY Institute of Technology Utica, NY April 6, 2004

2. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com2 Speaker Originally from India. Naturalized US citizen. BSEE from India, MSEE from USA. F-1  OPT  GreenCard  US Citizenship. Software Engineer/Project Mgr. (20+ yrs.). Immigration Researcher / publisher. Employed/Sponsored Students on F-1 OPT. Sponsored H-1B, H-1A, Green Card.

3. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com3 Students From CS/IT/MIS? From Business? From Engineering? From other disciplines? Currently on OPT? Will be on OPT in Spring 2004? Will be on OPT beyond Spring 2004?

4. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com4 Reality. How Jobs get filled? Free & Comfort Zone. Resumes On File. Transfer/promote, Referrals. Fee $$ Referral Program ($1000) Fee $$$$$$ Advertisements ($3000+) Key: Your resume must be with hiring manager while job opening is still hidden.

5. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com5 Reality. Hidden Job Market. 70% jobs filled without advertisements. How jobs are created? - Resignation - Long leave - Promotion - New Projects - Busi. Expansion - Busi. Relocation Who knows first? - Management - Employees - Business Associates

6. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com6 Reality. Why Hire You? Companies hire int’l students for their own reasons. - Shortage (+) - unattractive location (+) - small company (+) - unattractive benefits package(+) - minority ownership (+) - low salary (+) - urgency (+)

7. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com7 Strategy for Success Uncover Hidden Job Market Network – With Students - If you are not selected in job interview. - If you do not like job opening. - After you join. Network – With All - Professors - Friends - Relatives - Neighbors - Religious Gatherings

8. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com8 Exercise 1: Networking Strategy (2 Minutes) List 10 people that you can network with. (Professors, classmates, friends, relatives, neighbors, etc.) 1.Fred Kollaram, h1visajobs Online Databases 6. ___________________ 2. ________________________ 7. _____________________ 3. ________________________ 8. _____________________ 4. ________________________ 9. _____________________ 5. ________________________ 10. _____________________

9. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com9 Strategy for Success (Continued). Already in the US (+) Do - Focus on local employers OPT in hand (+) Sell - No paperwork needed Sell - You can start working right away OPT not in hand (-) Do: Get OPT in hand. US Economy is growing.

10. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com10 Strategy for Success (Continued). J-1 visa - home return restriction (-) Do - Obtain waiver. J-1 visa - no home return restriction (+) Sell - No paperwork needed. No industrial experience (-) Do - Learn opening/company’s line of business. Sell - Sell projects and thesis as experience. Sell - Independent study you have done.

11. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com11 Strategy for Success (Continued). US educated (+) Sell: My school is one of the best on the East Coast. Sell: Done several advanced hands-on projects (in employer’s area of interest).

12. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com12 Strategy for Success (Continued). I speak good English (+). Sell: All education in English. Sell: I did over 10 presentations in school to over 100 people. Sell: Active member of …. association Sell: I possess good inter-personal skills. Sell: I possess excellent communication skills. No one expects you to talk like an American.

13. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com13 Strategy for Success (Continued) Why hire you? Comfort zone / Compatibility Sell: Give personal assurances. Do: Focus on firms with owners from your country. Owner’s name? Do: Focus on companies that export to your country. Site: http://www.imex.com/membership/country.h tml http://www.world-exchange.biz/ http://www.alibaba.com http://www.imex.com/membership/country.h tml http://www.world-exchange.biz/ http://www.alibaba.com

14. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com14 Strategy for Success (Continued). Why should a company hire/ sponsor you? Size / Location Do: Focus on small companies in your city and surrounding small towns / rural areas. Don’t: Keep away from large cities (Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, etc.).

15. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com15 Strategy for Success (Continued). Why should a company hire/sponsor you? Lower Salary Budget, Cannot find US citizens/permanent residents Do: Accept lower (reasonable) salary unless you have other offers. Sell: I can start working right away. Sell: Looking for long term relationship.

16. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com16 Exercise 2 (2 Minutes) Give 5 reasons why an employer “should” hire/sponsor “you”. What makes you better than your competition? Do not list “I have a BS/MS Degree.” Do not list: “I am a good team player’ Be specific. 1. ___________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________ 4. ___________________________________________ 5. ___________________________________________

17. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com17 Resume Tips Sell, Sell, Sell, Sell, Sell, Sell, … Must have a buyer Purpose of resume - get interview Purpose of interview – get job Should be concise, well laid out. No spelling or grammatical errors Objective – Very important.

18. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com18 Resume Tips (Continued) State positive things; not negative. Emphasize on hands-on experience not on courses taken. Use “verbs”- past tense: planned, analyzed, identified and prioritized tasks, sized work efforts, designed, implemented, experimented, ….

19. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com19 Resume Tips (Continued) Reviewer has 10 seconds to determine if he/she should move on to next resume. Bullets are easy/quick to read. Do not say: - no experience - recent graduate - need sponsorship - will take any job - looking for job in … city only.

20. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com20 Resume Tips (more) If you have industrial experience: Sell: I have worked in the industry for n number of years, went back to school for further specialization in xyz area. Getting back to industry. Show education at the beginning or end of the resume. Do list courses taken, do say “Deans List.”

21. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com21 Resume Tips (more) If you have no industrial experience Show education at beginning of the resume Show experience you gained while working in lab, projects, thesis, research, programming, testing. Use bullets and past tense. (See example) Show Dean’s list, assistantship, awards, rewards, memberships.

22. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com22 Exercise 3 – Transferable Skills. 5 Min. Circle all your transferable skills Communication Skills: The skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas. Words for your resume Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating Persuading Reporting information Editing

23. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com23 Exercise 3. Transferable Skills (Continued) Circle all transferable skills you possess. Research & Planning: The search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs Human Relations The search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs. Forecasting, predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imaging alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies Developing rapport Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings, situations Asserting

24. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com24 Exercise 3. Transferable Skills (Continued) Circle all transferable skills you possess. Organization, Management & Leadership The ability to supervise, direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival: The day-to-day skills which assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction. Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions

25. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com25 H1visajobs.com Online Database CS-H1B (Information Technology) PLATEAU SYSTEMS LTD 671 NORTH GLEBE ROAD ARLINGTON, VA 22203 Contact Name: ED AYYASH Title: HUMAN RESOUCES MANAGER Phone No.: 703-292-0200 Ext: Salary: 63000.00/Year Job Code: 033 Job Title: QUALITY ASSURANCE ENGINEER US DOL Case# I-03246-0694823 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: ARLINGTON, VA POLARIS SOFTWARE LAB (INDIA) LTD. Woodbridge Place Iselin, NJ 08830 Contact Name: BALAJI VENKATESH Title: Head of HR & Management Services Phone No.: 732-404- 1199 Ext: Salary: 55000.00/Year Job Code: 030 Job Title: Programmer Analyst US DOL Case# I-02326-0322843 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA PRITHVI INFORMATION SOLUTIONS LLC 425 North Craig Street, Suite # 202 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Contact Name: MADHAVI VUPPALAPATI Title: President Phone No.: 412-682-4025 Ext: Salary: 50000.00/Year Job Code: 030 Job Title: Software Engineer US DOL Case# I-03008-0366649 To sponsor 008 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA PYRAMID SYSTEMS, INC. 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 209 Arlington, VA 22202 Contact Name: TUNG DU Title: Human Resources Manager Phone No.: 703-553-0800 Ext: Salary: 35000.00/Year Job Code: 030 Job Title: Programmer Analyst US DOL Case# I-03070-0444135 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA

26. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com26 H1visajobs.com Online Database BUSI-H1B (Business Administration & Management) ASHOKA 1700 N. Moore St. Arlington, VA 22209-1929 Contact Name: LUCY PERKINS Title: Vice President Phone No.: 703-527-8300 Ext: Salary: 60000.00/Year Job Code: 187 Job Title: Desk Officer for Latin America US DOL Case# I-03155-0561069 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA BLUE RIDGE PARTNERS, INC. 2717 No. Pershing Drive Arlington, VA 22201 Contact Name: ROLAND T BUTLER Title: President Phone No.: 703-528-8320 Ext: Salary: 29900.00/Year Job Code: 185 Job Title: Intrnational Trade Consultant US DOL Case# I-03195-0619773 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA CAPITAL INVESTMENT GROUP LLC 1590 N. Colonial Terrace Arlington, VA 22209 Contact Name: CHRISTY SALAM Title: Assistant General Manager Phone No.: 703-412-3750 Ext: Salary: 42.30/Hour Job Code: 187 Job Title: President & General Manager US DOL Case# I-03094-0477735 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA CVENT, INC. 200 N. Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22203 Contact Name: THOMAS G KRAMER Title: CFO Phone No.: 703-226-3500 Ext: Salary: 40500.00/Year Job Code: 189 Job Title: Senior Product Consultant US DOL Case# I-03210-0644041 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA E-SATISFY COM, INC. D/B/A TARP 1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22209 Contact Name: MARY CAZALAS Title: Corporate Secretary Phone No.: 703-524-1456 Ext: Salary: 77000.00/Year Job Code: 186 Job Title: Measurement Manager US DOL Case# I-03195-0620327 To sponsor 001 worker(s). Job Location: Arlington, VA

27. April 6, 2004h1visajobs.com27 Useful Resources Handouts Visit http://www.h1visajobs.com - BUS, CS, ENG. Username: users@sunyit.eduapr2000http://www.h1visajobs.comusers@sunyit.eduapr2000 Password: users Online Database of American Employers for International Professionals. One-on-one counseling. Questions to: Robert Palazzo or David Garrett