Looking For A Job While Being An International Student.

As if the job hunting wasn’t hard enough…

There is no phrase that makes recent college graduates shiver with fear as much as “Job Hunting” does. Whether you’re busy revising the 19th version of your resume or going interview after interview without getting any results, looking for a job can be an unsavory experience that could take YEARS for some people to get any response back.

The job market today is pretty ruthless for everyone. But, I have some good news for you! If you ever feel like the odds are stacked against you, and there is no way you will ever get hired, then speak to an international student who is trying to get a job too. It will make you feel like you are the one kid whose dad owns the company they are applying for (yeah, you know the one).

Looking for a job during college

Most students want to find ways to be financially independent, so they look for a part-time job. U.S citizens can start working even before they go to college. But foreign students aren’t allowed to work until after their first year in college.

That’s 365 days depending on your parents and scholarships to pay for tuition (which some scholarships are only available for U.S citizen). In my experience, most foreign students don’t need to start working so early in college, but I’m not writing this blog for them.

I care about those students who came to the U.S with the hopes of getting enough experience to find a decent job to support themselves and their families. I have been friends with students that have to get ‘under-the-table’ jobs because their tuition increased.

Even after a year passes, most foreign students can’t seek employment because they don’t have enough school credits (yeah, employment is determined by school credits for an international student). In my university, I am only allowed to look for a job after I have 75 credits. That means I don’t get to even think about working until my JUNIOR year.

“Ok, so you wait to get 75 credits, then you are all set right?” I hear you say.

NO

Then you are only eligible to find an On-campus job. Which some universities only offer position like RA or campus tour guide (no offense to them, I love you guys). The jobs available for International students lack real-world experiences. No company will sponsor an international job applicant without the proper experience in their field, and for some students staying in the U.S is their end goal.

I’m talking about students who come from countries where they can’t go back. Student refugees are the first people that come to my mind.

So now that I have made every international student feel anxious about their chances of getting a job in the U.S…

Let me share some tips on how I was able to find a job

1. START EARLY

The most important thing you can do is to start becoming employable ASAP. If you don’t have a resume, LinkedIn, or a cover letter, then make one TODAY. The secret of getting a job is to become the ‘perfect candidate’ that companies are looking for and that requires for you to start taking positions of leadership. Join a club and become the president, learn the tools that people use in your industry of choice (read about what companies are looking for in a candidate). Try to find ways to gain experience and skills in your first year in college so that when you are ready to apply for jobs, you don’t show up empty-handed.

Remember how High school went by so quickly? Yeah, college is the same thing. So, don’t waste your time.

2. DON’T LIE

Don’t lie on your resume, cover letter, or about your skills. Dishonesty can kill your career before it even starts. If you don’t have a skill that is very important in your field, then learn it.

3. STARTUPS ARE THE WAY TO GO

You know the best thing about startups? They usually care about one thing only, getting the job done. In my experience, most startup founders don’t care where you come from, or your status in the country. They have a job that needs to be taken care of and if can do it, they WILL hire you.

4. NETWORKING IS KEY

From your teachers to friends you make throughout college. The relationships you make will be important when you start looking for a job or an internship. At some point, someone you know will need to hire a person with your skills so be ready to be the first one in line to take that opportunity. Anyone you come across might end-up becoming the most important person for your career later on.

Lastly, stay positive. If other could do it, so can you.