American Job Search as an International Student: Where to Start?

📖 9-minute read

I was once an international student like you, and I went through the American job search process just a few years ago.

“Job searching” was one of the most daunting experiences that I have encountered over my time as an international student in the United States. Being an international student on a visa certainly complicates things and elevates this process to the next difficulty level.

It took me 6 months of hard work to secure a post-graduation full-time job as a non-STEM major, and I was fortunate enough to secure a position with an employer who was willing to sponsor my H-1B work visa. During the 6 months, I was also working part-time at both my graduate assistantship and practicum sites and enrolling in full-time graduate coursework. To say that job searching is another full-time job on top of other academic and career commitments is an understatement.

As a former international student, I would not tell you that a job search in the US as an international student is easy. However, it wasn’t easy for my peers to navigate the job search as domestic students, either. It takes extra work for international students to navigate the job search process—especially if you have plans to secure a position with an employer willing to sponsor your work visa down the road.

I know it is hard, but NOTHING CAN STOP YOU WHEN YOU HAVE A DREAM.

REFLECT AND REVIEW 

As an international student, I knew by heart that I must work extra hard to be on the same starting line as my domestic peers. Some people would be location-bound when they start looking at jobs. Others might have specific functional areas they would like to enter as they graduate. Before starting your American job search, I recommend taking some time to reflect on what you are looking for in your next chapter in life and review job postings available in the market. Having a focus in a search makes the process slightly more tolerable. New postings are posted online every day, and the only way not to get overwhelmed is to have at least an idea of what you want to do in your first “big-boy/big-girl” job after you graduate. What are your criteria for selecting a new job? How does your search plan look?

Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

  • What are you most passionate about in your major and/or field of study?
  • What are the non-negotiables when it comes to the work environment you want to be a part of?
  • Do you have relevant professional experiences working in the areas you are interested in entering?
  • How are you going to discuss the transferrable skills that you have attained during your study abroad experience (and work experience outside of the US)? How can these unique experiences make you the best candidate for your dream position?
  • What do you see yourself doing in a few years after you graduate?
  • What makes you smile at work, and what do you enjoy doing the most in a work capacity?

The more you go through job postings and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, the more informed you will be on how to construct a targeted resume and cover letter for your dream job; the more you prepare yourself, the more confident you will be. Reminders like this may sound cliché, but these words should be your all-time motto throughout your job search process. Not only do you need to finish strong by acing your final coursework, but you also have other responsibilities to fulfill outside of academics. How can you keep yourself motivated in the job search process when you know your plate is almost full?

RESEARCH 

You want to be attracted to a new job because of the job nature, workplace culture, pay, and benefit packages. To do so, you must understand the type of company you want to work for. You should carve out time to research the mission and vision of a company and understand its goals and values. Further, learn about their employee benefits, employee resource groups, leadership, and business operations. Search for news, business journals, and social media posts related to the company and identify potential red flags. If you have connections in the company, schedule an informational interview to ask for their opinions and experience as a part of the company.

Don’t know where to start? Below are four articles that we have put together summarizing a list of companies that have previously hired UB international students and alumni:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT:

Further, I’d encourage you to spend some time looking into the following:

After completing thorough research, the next step would be to create your target list strategically and begin your prospecting process. Consider including the following on your target list:

  • 1-2 start-ups and/or small firms
  • 5-6 mid-size companies
  • 7-10 companies that are known for hiring internationals

SUPPORT 

Photographer: Douglas Levere

Don’t be afraid to talk to your mentors and peers about your job search process. A mentor can not only support you in your job search process by giving you encouragement and affirmations, but they can also connect you to professionals in their network. I was fortunate that I have a couple of seasoned professionals as my mentors, and they have been so helpful and supportive throughout my job search process. Not only did they give me comments on my resume, guide me to write strong cover letters, and also prepare me for interviews, they have also gotten in contact with their friends and colleagues in the field—in companies that I have applied to—to recommend me early on in the job application process. Peers, on the other hand, should be those who help to keep you afloat when you are about to be drowned in the sea of school and work. I was fortunate to be in a cohort-based graduate program, where we treated each other just like extended family members. We shared job postings, discussed our job search struggles together, and (most importantly,) encouraged each other to go out for a night out when stress was about to take over our lives.

And, don’t forget, your family always has your back as well—even though they are miles away. I used to get annoyed when my mom called from home. She would often start the conversation by asking how my job search was going—as if she had no clue how stressful that was to me while I was trying to juggle two part-time jobs, graduate school coursework, comprehensive exam, and job search all at the same time. Yet, whenever I had the chance to think back to it, I realized my mom was trying to show her love and care in a way that might not click—especially when life was overwhelming. Just remember back in your mind that they will always be your rock to keep you grounded.

PERSIST 

Student studying in the Health Sciences Library on South Campus.

Photographer: Douglas Levere

Don’t stop until you are content with where you are. We all know that it is not easy to be an international student studying abroad miles away from home in a foreign land. Be the dreamer you will be proud of after the process is over. Be the role model that you want people to look up to. There are days when the devil’s voice in your head would tell you everything you are trying to do is not worth the hassle. When you are down, keep reminding yourself how impactful your work is. Pull out that heartwarming email that you have received from one of your mentors, professors, or supervisors. Think about how much they have enjoyed working with you. Recall the moment when they acknowledged your hard work and how they would like you to continue to shine like a star. The only way to get through this dreadful job search process—at least for me—was to learn how to celebrate little victories. This is how you accrue self-confidence even when the job search process is trying to beat you up.

EVALUATE 

Treat the entire job search process as a learning experience. Not only should you learn from the application, interview, and networking process, but you should also learn from yourself. The process is supposed to help you know more about yourself and what you want for your next chapter in life. Don’t be afraid to review your search plan and change your direction. Take some time to sit down and evaluate your performance along the way. Be proud of every step that you take. Take every rejection and denial as a sign that something better is waiting for you just right around the corner. You will end up where you are meant to be.

You have come this far on your study abroad journey. We are so proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself too. I know this journey has not been easy, but this is not the time to give up. Instead, this is the time to unleash your potential and show the world who you truly are. This is the time to make your dream come true. Keep persisting—because all of us in the Career Design Center have faith in you that you will do great things. We will always be your biggest cheerleader every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance and guidance—we are here for you!

 

Vicky Lee serves as the Global Career Consultant at the University at Buffalo’s Career Design Center. A former international student born and raised in Hong Kong, Vicky graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development & Family Studies from Michigan State University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Adult Education at SUNY Buffalo State College. Before joining the Career Design Center at UB, Vicky was an International Student Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator at Michigan State University’s Office for International Students and Scholars.

 

 

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By Vicky Lee
Vicky Lee Global Career Consultant