B1 and looking for job

[Postdoc0314]

Hello,

I am currently in my OPT extension and it will expire on January 24, 2014. I have pending job applications for faculty positions here in the US and most of them has a start date of Fall 2014. Can I request for a change of status from F-1 to B-1 so I can stay longer than 60 days after Jan 24 in order to wait for the results of my faculty job applications. Also, would it affect my H1-B petition in case I get hired as a faculty.
Another question, can I stay longer than 60 days after my OPT expiration if my H1-B is filed within the 60 days grace period?
What would be the consequences if I stay out of status in case I get a faculty job and the university files for my H1-B.
Thanks a lot.

Postdoc0314

[peace999]

Whatever you do,do not go out of status. Once out of status, you will be ineligible to apply for a change of status, even if your H1b is approved.
You could try to change to B1 now but that takes several months to process.

Going back home at the end of your OPT and applying for an H-1b at home is not a bad idea. An H-1b stamp is always better than a changed
status to H-1b. the only downside to that could be getting caught up in 221g at consulate abroad.

My recommendation is talk to a good attorney about this. They know the success rate of OPT to B1 and then back to H-1b.