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International Student Guide

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Strategies for Job Search Success in the U.S. and Beyond

 

Overview

To be successful in your job and internship search, you must have a strategy. There are several challenges international students on an F-1 visa face that domestic students do not. For example, finding companies that are open to hiring international students for CPT/OPT or that are willing to sponsor, navigating a new culture, and learning U.S. workplace and professional norms. Follow the steps in this guide to build your confidence, increase your productivity, and achieve career success!

The Career Center and the Global Engagement team work closely together, but please note that Career Center staff are not Designated School Officials (DSO) and cannot process or sign I-20s, approve internships for CPT, or perform any other function of a DSO. We also cannot provide legal or tax advice.

In addition to this guide, please explore Global Engagement's extensive list of Employment for International Students resources.

General Resources for Your Job and Internship Search

  • Meet with a Career Advisor — Schedule a 30-minute appointment with a Career Advisor on Handshake to help you put together an internship and job search strategy that includes: resume critique, LinkedIn profile, networking strategies, interview practice and salary negotiation best practices.

    Which career advisor should you meet with?
  • Attend Events — Bookmark the Career Center Events page as well as the Handshake Events page to stay up to date on upcoming career development and recruitment events.

  • Handshake — Claim your Handshake account to complete your profile, view upcoming events and internship and job opportunities.
    • In the "Jobs" section, use the “Accepts OPT/CPT” filter to find companies accepting OPT and CPT.
      In the "Employers" section, you can search for employers that have hired international SCU students by filtering by the Label "hired cpt undergrad" and "hired cpt grad".

  • Job Prep Toolkit — A comprehensive collection of resources to help you explore careers, develop your resume, practice your interviewing skills, build your network, and more.

  • VMock — VMock is our free A.I. resume review tool that you can use to create or edit your resume. Watch this 5 tips video and this VMock demo to get started.

Job Search Resources for F-1 Visa Students

  • F1 Hire - A free web browser extension that analyzes job descriptions that reveals the sponsorship friendliness of any job position posted to LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, Glassdoor, and Google Jobs.
     
  • GoinGlobal (H1B Plus) — Provides a comprehensive guide to finding an internship or job at home or abroad, specifically leveraging Department of Labor records of companies that have previously sponsored H1B visas.

  • MyVisaJobs.com — The largest employment website for foreign workers seeking opportunities in United States. Create a free account for best experience.

  • H1BGrader.com — Provides grades on companies public information regarding sponsorship history.

  • OPTNation.com — One stop destination for different CPT/OPT jobs and internships for F1 visa students.

  • Indeed Worldwide — Search for jobs and internships in any country.

  • "Job Tips for International Students" by Inside Higher Ed.

  • "Job Search Strategies for International Students" by Shorelight.

Interviewing Resources

Prepare for virtual and in-person interviews. Similar to networking, interviewing for international students is about being authentic, asking good questions, and being humble while also adequately communicating your relevant skills/experience. Like anything else, the more you practice the more confident you’ll feel, but remember that it’s not about memorizing answers to interview questions.

Networking Resources

Eighty percent of jobs are found through networking, so reach out to others. List individuals in your network (e.g., friends, SCU alumni, faculty, staff, family) that can assist you in your search. Connect with the SCU community in a positive, productive way by explaining your situation, your goals, and stating clearly what type of help or advice you need.

Self-Care and Values

Take care of your body to sustain your mental and emotional baseline. It starts with adequate sleep. Get seven to eight hours of sleep. Eat nutritious food, avoid junk food and exercise every day. These actions are central for wellbeing. Practice gratitude, be kind to yourself, celebrate small wins and have a community that supports you during the job search process.

Identify your internal and external resources. Recognize your positive core (i.e., abilities, talents, core values, interests, strengths) that makes you who you are and will help you understand how you can uniquely meet the needs of your chosen field and industry. Align your personal values with the company's mission, vision and values. Ask yourself, Why this job? Why do I feel this is a good fit for me? Learn more about values alignment in your search and work values matcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Career Center support international students?

The Career Center is here to support you during your job search by offering individual career advising, sharing career resources, hosting career events, and more. The Career Center is in your corner, but ultimately, you are responsible for your own career success. The Career Center does not place students into jobs.

Do I need to create a plan for my internship and job search?

Yes. Consider your job search as a full-time job. Set a timeline for identifying your new internship or job opportunity and focus your efforts on finding companies that will accept OPT/CPT using the “Accepts OPT/CPT” filters on Handshake.

How should I answer the question, “Will you now or in the future require sponsorship?”

You should answer “Yes”. Even though you may be authorized to work without sponsorship through CPT or OPT, you will eventually require sponsorship to stay in the U.S. We understand this is frustrating because it sometimes means your application will automatically not be considered, but you must be truthful about your visa status and need for sponsorship.

The employer I am interviewing with seems hesitant about hiring an international student. How can I educate them on CPT and OPT authorization?

Encourage the employer to visit the Employment for International Students website to learn more about CPT and OPT. For CPT, showing them the CPT Cooperative Agreement will also likely be helpful. You are also welcome to introduce the employer directly to your International Student Advisor.

If an employer has previously sponsored international students before, can I rely on them to do it again?

No. There is no guarantee that an employer will sponsor international students even if they have done so in the past. It will depend on the type of talent that they are looking for and the depend on the number of H-1Bs that the company is allowed to obtain.

How can networking get me a job?

Because 80% of jobs are found through networking, then you absolutely must include networking as part of your job search strategy. Personal and professional connections will help elevate or fast-track your candidacy for a job. When you have connections with people in your field they can help let you know about jobs that aren't yet posted, refer you for openings, or recommend you to the recruiter or hiring manager.

How many job applications should I submit in order to get an interview?

It is not uncommon for students to submit 100-200 applications before landing a job or internship. However, it's important that you be strategic and intentional about the applications you submit. Invest time in introducing yourself to Santa Clara alumni or others who work at companies you've applied to. And remember to follow up on every application you submit.

I’m not getting any interviews—is there something wrong with my resume?

Resumes get interviews and interviews get jobs. If you're not getting any interviews, then your resume may be the problem. We recommend that you upload your resume to VMock for an A.I. review, or review your resume with a career advisor. 

What can I do to increase my chances once I get an interview?

Research the company and the people with whom you will be interviewing. Decide in advance what to wear and make sure you know where you are going. Pull the job posting and practice answering common interview questions. Identify three clear reasons for why they should hire you.

How do I ask for a referral for a job?

The best person to ask for a job referral is someone you already know and who can certify your work. It could be a faculty member, former manager or client, friend or a family member.

When should I start job/internship searching? How long does it take to find a job/internship?

The hiring and interviewing process can take several months, usually 3-6 months. Meet with your international student advisor to understand your visa restrictions and the process that you need to follow for CPT/OPT so you can start applying for internships and jobs as soon as possible. 

Does the Career Center provide legal or tax advice?

No. For legal advice, we recommend you consult an immigration attorney. (Nadia Yakoob & Associates has an informative podcast on immigration law.) For tax advice, we recommend you consult a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or explore resources like Sprintax.

Job Prep Toolkit

Visit our Job Prep Toolkit for more resources.

  • CPT / OPT Jobs and Internships

    Explore hundreds more opportunities in Handshake

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