If you are an international student in the US, this could be the most important book you ever read. The skills and knowledge you will gain here could make the difference between finding a job in the US or having to return home to your native country. This book was written specifically for you, an international student who wants to live and work in the US. I wrote it, because I believe that many of you possess the talent needed to foster growth in the American economy. The US needs you more than ever before, so that this country can succeed in a global market. You will learn about the traits that make international students more valuable job candidates, and how to present this information to employers. Konkeros 2018 will go beyond the usual responses international students get from university faculty and staff. Their efforts to help are admirable, but faculty and staff often lack the time and resources to assist you in substantial ways. For that reason, this book will offer practical ideas and specific solutions to help you attain your career goals in the US, while taking into consideration the perspective of American employers and international job seekers who have gone through this process. This book is divided into four parts: (1) Your Plan to Stay, (2) Find an Internship, (3) Find a Job, and (4) Next Steps. This book was written so that you can jump directly to any section without losing continuity. This means you can read the book in any order you want! Having said that, you are strongly encouraged to read Your Plan to Stay first. This part of the book explains the fundamental skills and knowledge you will need to take advantage of all the activities described throughout the rest of the book. For example, you will learn how to answer questions about your immigration process during an interview (which is a necessary skill when you look for an internship or a job). This book was written with all majors in mind. The information ahead will be useful, whether you are an engineering, music, science, psychology, business, or any other kind of major. So, regardless of your degree, this book is aimed at helping you achieve your career goals in the US. Several sections in this book reference a website called Konkeros.com. This is the most powerful tool you (an international student) could ask for in your quest to find a job in the US. Konkeros.com includes a business ranking system, which you can use to find and rank all the companies that are more likely to hire you. To help you rank your prospective employers, Konkeros.com provides a viability score of the companies that are more likely to hire you based on your profile and historical company data.
About the Author: Luis (Lou) Paris is the founder of Konkeros.com. On two different occasions, Lou came to the United States as an international student. The first time was to earn his undergraduate degree in Business Management, and then a second time to pursue a Master's of Business Administration. Both times, Lou possessed an F-1 student visa. From firsthand experience, Lou knows (very intimately) how difficult it is to find a job in the United States as an international student. He has walked in your shoes. During his MBA studies, Lou carefully developed a job searching strategy, which helped him take advantage of a Curricular Practical Training (CPT), an Optional Practical Training (OPT), and ultimately transition to become a permanent resident. This is precisely the reason why Lou developed Konkeros.com, to help other international students connect with jobs in the United States. Lou has eight years of experience in the workforce development system in Florida, where he developed and promoted multiple employment programs. He has also worked nearly a decade as a college professor at Stetson University. In this role, he has helped many international students achieve their career goals in the US. Lou's team at Konkeros is strictly made up of international students. He believes that everyone on his team should have firsthand experience of the hardships involved with finding a job in the US so that they can empathize with clientele and be an effective contributor to the organization. With many years of combined experience, the Konkeros team compiled a list of best practices and tools that will dramatically improve your chances of finding a job in this country.