Job & Internship Search Strategies for International Students
We are here to support your global career endeavors. As for any student, a successful job or internship search comes down to your search and your self-marketing.
Read on to learn how to conduct a winning campaign that accounts for additional hurdles you may face as an international student.
Read our full advice in our Job & Internship Search for International Students guide.
Self-Marketing: Know Yourself
Employers are looking to hire individuals who know and use their strengths well. In addition to job-specific technical skills, be mindful of which career-ready skills you demonstrate.
The following competencies that employers desire in new hires are based on data collected by the National Association of College and Employers.
Ask yourself:
- When did I use any of these competencies to go above and beyond a project/job requirement?
- When did I improve an outcome by demonstrating leadership?
- Have I ever demonstrated professionalism during a stressful situation?
- When have I helped a teammate experience belonging and purpose?
By considering questions like these, you will be prepared to show employers how you are career-ready for the U.S. workforce.
Self-Marketing: Sell Your Skills
Express your skills clearly when communicating with employers. Keep in mind this begins when you first submit your resume in an online application.
The goal of your resume is show employers how exactly you are a fit for this particular job. The goal of the resume is NOT to show everything you have ever done. Keep your resume focused so that it is easy to see how you are exactly the right candidate for the job.
Learn more about writing resumes.
Learn more about interviewing.
The Search: Know Your Environment ( isso etc)
Stay informed on U.S. visa regulations. Different visa statuses have different requirements.
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is a solid resource that provides general information as well as individual advising sessions.
The Search: Use Your Resources
70% of international students get hired from the Top 500 H-1B-providing companies. Interstride lets you use the filters in the job database to sort by companies that have historically sponsored visas.
Additionally, take advantage of the global job boards—search for jobs in the U.S., back home, and any other country that you may consider.
The Search: Apply and Create Backup Plans
Take advantage of Interstride’s global job boards. Search for jobs in the U.S., back home, and any other country that you may consider.
Nervous about the lottery system? Consider applying for cap-exempt jobs. These roles, typically found within higher-ed or nonprofit organizations, are not subject to the visa lottery process. Although nonprofits and academic institutions are not always able to compensate as highly as other corporations, they typically provide meaningful work and vibrant workplaces.
Other job platforms to consider are Handshake, Indeed, and LinkedIn. Read more on using LinkedIn and networking well.
