Suggestions regarding your OPT job search and job

Right now, many of you are either still looking for an OPT job, have started or will soon start such a job. To the first group, I wish you success, and to the others, I say congratulations. All of you, though, might be interested in what I have to say below.

-          Resumé suggestions

Consider whether to really show your home address

You were probably told, by your school’s international student office or by their career office, to put your home address on your resumé. Doing so, however, creates a potential privacy and security issue for you. This practice hearkens back to the “old days,” when (believe it or not) people DID NOT HAVE EMAIL! Rather, in order to get documents to someone, a person had to use the US mail. Today, however, with email and cell phones, an interested employer can reach you these ways, without needing to know your physical address.

For this reason, you might consider omitting a home address from your resume. Later, though, should that employer really need your address, you can give it separately from your resumé.

On the other hand, omitting an address might possibly be a "turn-off" to a potential employer.

As I write this section, I think about a former student with whom I still keep in touch. I noticed, at the end of her email, an address that looked like an apartment number. Curious about it, I asked if it was her office address or the department office at her university. I then wrote that I hoped it wasn't her home address.

She replied that yes, it was her home address.

Boy did I ever freak out at her. In 48 point type, I wrote to her, REMOVE  THAT ADDRESS!!!  NOW!!! LOL.

I explained to her, after I calmed down, that she has no idea what her recipients are doing with her email, in particular, to whom these recipients might be forwarding her mail. In other words, I said to her, people she might not even know might have her home address.

The same principle applies to your resume as to her email signature. 

If you really feel you must include an address, then consider renting a US post office box or private mail box, such as Mail Boxes Etc. or the UPS Store, and use that address rather than your home address. Or if you are still in school, and doing so is ok with school, use a departmental office address.

Be sure to include an objective

I realize that you will include a cover letter with your resume, and the cover letter will explain your job objective. Just the same, in case the two get separated, having an objective on your resume will make it stronger. Also, having such an objective in mind, while preparing the resume, will help you keep it focused.

Integrate school-related awards and honors into your “education” section

I have seen many resumes, and they have an “education” section, followed by an “honors and awards” section. Often, the latter will include items associated with a school, such as “Outstanding student in ‘Principles of Marxism.’” In such a case, I suggest that the student remove this item from the “awards” section and instead include it with the school information. Doing so gives a more complete picture of the education years.

I am not saying to get rid of the “honors and awards” section. Rather, reserve this section only for items not connected with the school, such as a community or service organization award.

-          Remember the 90 day/120 day unemployment rule

If you do not have a job the day your OPT begins, then remember that the “clock is ticking.” You are limited to 90 days of unemployment during a regular OPT, and 120 days if you have chosen a 17-month STEM extension. If you can work only part-time, then you must work at least 20 hours a week to be considered “employed.”

-          No IMMIGRATION LAW requirement that OPT job be paid

I often get questions about whether an OPT job needs to have a salary. I reply that the answer involves two issues: immigration laws and regulations, and also federal, state and local labor laws.

Unlike H-1B status, or labor certification green cards, OPT employment has NO requirements, from an IMMIGRATION LAW perspective, that a job meet any minimum salary amount, or that job be paid at all.

On the other hand, any OPT job still must comply with federal, state and local labor laws. The most common example (but not necessarily the only one) is a minimum wage law. So, therefore, even though a potential unpaid OPT job might pose no immigration law issues, it still might pose labor law issues. For this reason, you and your employer need to look carefully at any potential unpaid OPT job.

-          Think about when to have “the H-1B talk” with boss

Remember that your OPT time is limited to either one year or 17 months. In the former case, particularly, remember the Kenny Chesney song, “Don’t Blink.” 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f0p5KqdU9U  In this song, Mr. Chesney reminds us that “a hundred years goes by faster than you think.” In your case, one year goes by faster than you think. If we have another &$#@!&^  H-1B lottery, then your petitions must have been filed by no later than April 5. For this reason, if you wish to remain at your OPT job, you will need to plan a time to have “the H-1B talk” with your boss or human resources department. Please see this link for helpful tips: http://yi2min2.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-talk-with-your-boss-about-h-1b.html

Now I am upset. Thinking about it, I don't recall hearing Mr. Chesney perform this song in Philadelphia on June 8 lol.

I wish you well in your OPT.

“This information does not constitute legal advice.”

csun@calvinsun.com, 610-296-3947, 215-983-3723