WHY YOU?

YOUR PLAN TO GET HIRED

Nov. 6, 2018

Marcelo Barros
Founder,

The International Advantage

LOTS OF MBAs & MS STUDENTS
Why me?
 2018 BACKGROUND
Things seem a bit
tough out there
H-1B uncertainty
Trump

Students getting
Concerns about visas
Potentially fewer employers stuck
sponsor?
The race to a U.S
job is hard
 H-1B CONVERSATION
EMBRACE REALITY AND BE SMART
 GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS?
Number of H-1B Applications
240,000
236,000

199,000
180,000 190,098
65,000 H-1Bs
UNDERGRADUATES / 20,000
120,000
(U.S MASTERS OR HIGHER)
60,000

0
2016 2017 2018
source: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) web site
 PROGRAM
STRUCTURE
 BOOTCAMP STRUCTURE

ISEL TARGET SECURE MANAGE THE

LIST CONTACTS CONVERSATION
Lead with value Diversify to Connect to learn Get hired
minimize risk
1- ISEL

Communicate
Your Value
 ISEL

INTEREST SKILLS EXPERIENCE LANGUAGE

What problems are you What Skills do you What are your pre- What Language(s)
Interested in solving ? have? Mason Experiences? do you speak?
 IN DEMAND SKILLS

Technology
Cybersecurity

Data science
and analytics

Critical thinking
and
problem solving

Design/
Global
systems thinking
perspective
Cross-disciplinary
ability
Innovation
and creativity
Cognitive
flexibility
CAN I MOVE MY
ISEL TO AREAS
OF DEMAND?
 SAMPLE JOB
!!!Hot!job!sample!#3!–!data!analy3c!skill!!
SAMPLE JOB
SAMPLE JOB
 VALUE PROPOSITION STATEMENT

What unique
benefits do you
What are your What do you do
bring to an
international better than
employer?
advantages? others?

What tangible
results a Where can you
company except if have the
they buy you? biggest
impact?
 THE STORY OF YOUR ISEL

Summarize your value

proposition in 2
sentences

I help companies….
Answer, “what do you want
to do” in a tangible way. Tell
“save the day” stories
ISEL CASE STUDIES
 ISEL H-1B STUDENT SUCCESS

1 Why did he succeed?

“I” fuzzy (initially) Targeted jobs that required

Realized he wanted to data manipulation, what he
leverage aptitude with did best
numbers/data
Initially lacked the skills the
market wanted

ISEL
 ISEL H-1B STUDENT SUCCESS

2 Why did he succeed?

Wanted to get into

Marketing Leveraged bilingual
strength. A must!
No marketing background/
career transition
Made smart decision early
ISEL
 ISEL H-1B STUDENT SUCCESS

3 Why did she succeed?

“I want consulting” Refocused ISEL

Initial ISEL was weak on “E”

Undeniable FIT candidate
(Industry feedback)
Hit on ALL ISEL cylinders
No Success with plan A
Refocused job search: final
ISEL
JOBS TO TARGET?
SHARE YOUR ISEL WITH THE WORLD
 CREATE A WINNING ISEL

1. Double down on your international advantages

2. Leverage domain knowledge. E.g. Health Care + Analytics

3. Own your field!

4. Build muscle fast. Become Mr. Universe.

5. Keep your ISEL ahead of your peers

6. Applied knowledge is best. Test your skills/experience

7. Find U.S work experience, related and unrelated to major

8. Offer skills that are hard to find. What is your niche?

9. Orient your ISEL towards are of demand

10.Do something different/unusual with your education

2- CREATE YOUR TARGET LIST

Target List
POSSIBLE COMPANY TARGETS
 Create Your Target List
Prioritize when approaching employers Which firms
do I target?
Priority 1: Take immediate action Priority 2: Require focus
• Employer sponsors • Employer sponsors

• I have an inside contact who may recommend • No contact at firm

me • Potentially motivated to sponsor
• Motivated to sponsor “me” 
 “me”
(I have the best ISEL)

Priority 3: Worth your time Priority 4: Forget it

• Employer never sponsored (e.g. mid-size firms) • Employer does not sponsor
• You offer unique skills/experience • In general, forget it
• Need to coach employer on H-1B
 Create Your Target List
But Marcelo,
Focus on a vertical Rebalance as needed
I really want
Amazon…

Uncover off the beaten Pick firms that are on

path names your side

Generate your own list of

job portals. For me
Diversity to reduce risk higheredjobs.com and
www.nafsa.org. How about
for you? Use these are info
portals
 3-SECURE CONTACTS

Connect to learn

Secure contacts
 SAMPLE EMAIL MESSAGE?

Hello Marcelo. I hope you’re doing great.

I am writing to you because of your experience helping international
students get hired. I’m an international student from India and have just
started my studies at the Mason School of Business, College of William and
Mary. I was wondering if you could tell me how the international students
you’ve known over the years have dealt with the typical “sorry, we don’t
sponsor” challenge so common for internationals these days. I imagine
because of your work you have developed some unique experiences in this
area. Would you have time for a one-time 15 min. call Marcelo? I’m sure
you’re very busy but I’d be so grateful for the chance to hear your thoughts.
THE ART OF CONNECTING
4 - MANAGE THE CONVERSATION

Seek input
LISTEN TO PODCAST
 GET INFORMED
1. How do you feel about my profile? Share your ISEL!

2. Do you feel my skills and experiences will get me hired?

3. Will I be competitive? How do I compare with other students/candidates you know?

4. Do you see any gaps in my profile?

5. I feel I’d do well in roles that require deep analytical skills. Do you agree?

6. What decisions did you make during your time at the Mason School of Business that
helped you be more competitive when looking for jobs?

7. Are there specific areas or jobs you feel I could be a strong fit for?

8. I’m looking to transition to ________, a field I don’t have direct work experience in.
How can I best prepare?

9. ??
YOUR HOMEWORK

1. Create your ISEL profile. Share it with

Career Services
2. Create your target list

3. Connect with people

(2 conversations per week)

4. Manage the conversation