International Student Job Search

Job search

 

Remember that if you are currently on an F-1 or J-1 student visa, you have options to obtain work authorization without needing any additional visa sponsorship from an employer. If your F-1 or J-1 work authorization is set to expire, then you will need direct sponsorship from the employer, which in most cases means petitioning for the H-1B visa status. Not all employers are familiar with the H-1B visa status and they might not be aware that it is the employer’s responsibility to sponsor the H-1B. 

Make sure that when the topic arises, you’ll want to demonstrate some knowledge about work visas and/or work permission (CPT, OPT or Academic Training).  

As you’re working toward gaining a job opportunity, you must remember to seek work authorization. If you are hoping to gain CPT, OPT or Academic Training authorization, advisors in ISSS can provide guidance regarding these procedures. You’ll want to know how long the processing time for authorization is so that you can negotiate an appropriate start date with your employer. You don’t want to make an employer wait for the authorization to be complete, but it is very important that you obtain work authorization prior to beginning work. 

Organizations that Hire International Students 

As an international student, there are always concerns about which organizations and companies are willing to hire you. Networking is an excellent way to find potential employers. Then look for organizations that have hired international workers in the past. These are just some of the resources to help research companies, target a search or focus your networking. 

Handshake

Filter jobs by employers that accept students with CPT or OPT authorization as well as organizations that sponsor international students. However, employers that don’t show up may still be open to hiring international students, they just haven’t checked those boxes.

GoinGlobal

GoinGlobal has approximately 500,000 records of companies that have applied for H1B visas. Look up these companies by industry, job title, state and/or city. Open the link first while on campus, then set up your profile. You’ll be able to access it from anywhere, for free, for three full months. Career Services pays the subscription so you can use it for free! 

Note: To access when you are not on campus, please log in via Handshake > Career Center > Resources. 

E-Verify

E-Verify is an online program run by the U.S. government that is used mostly by employers to check employee records and eligibility. Search for employers that provide work authorization and sponsorship.

H1 B – US Department of Labor

Visa information and a job search tool.

My Visa Jobs

Find the top 100 employers who offer visa sponsorship. Check out the top 100 industries that have international workers in the United States, as well as the top 100 green card sponsors. 

International Career Fairs and Forums

MIT brings together native European and European-interested students and businesses at one of the largest annual career fairs, European Career Fair. 

DISCO International organizes English-Japanese bilingual career forums, with one of its largest fairs taking place in Boston each fall. They also hold forums in Los Angeles, New York, London, Sydney and Tokyo. 

Career Fair

Job Search Resources 

The key to getting positions at your most-desired companies is to sell your skills and experience first; you need to show them what you can give them before trying to get something from them (aka visa sponsorship, if applicable). If they can see your talents first or find you to be a good fit for their company culture, then they will probably be more willing to discuss sponsorship with you in the future. Be sure to check out these resources: 

Networking 

Networking is based on making meaningful connections that are mutually beneficial, which can be achieved through clearly communicating some combination of your interests, skills, goals and experiences. In the U.S. it is very common to contact someone who is currently working in your area of interest and speak with them to ask for advice. This directness in communication is valued in the U.S.

The resume and cover letter are the most basic components of every application you submit. For graduate applications and other specialized fields, you may also want to read about a similar document, the curriculum vitae (CV). For helpful tips on writing a resume/CV for various countries, check out the country guides on GoinGlobal. 

After you have submitted your resume, cover letter and any other application materials, an employer who finds you favorable will contact you for an interview. Interviews can be nerve-wracking and can be more difficult if you are conducting them in a non-native language. Career counselors are available to assist you with preparing for interviews. For helpful tips on interviewing skills for various countries, check out the country guides on GoinGlobal.