Job Search Tips for International Students

The International Student and the Internship & Job Search While many of the tips and strategies for conducting an internship and job search presented in Chapter 4 are relevant for all job and internship seekers, international students may face some additional challenges. One of the most pressing challenges is to learn and feel comfortable with the hiring culture and practices in the U.S. and how they differ from your home country. Review the roles of the U.S. employer and international student in the employment process to acclimate and prepare yourself for the differences and to show potential employers you are prepared to work in the U.S.

The U.S. Employer’s Role in the Job & Internship Search Many employers restrict hiring to U.S. citizens or permanent residents because they assume it is complicated, expensive, and time-consuming to hire international students (especially for full-time positions), or they have a federal government contract. Additionally, many employers use internships to recruit for full-time positions. Although it is a less complicated process for employers to hire international students for an internship, they prefer U.S. citizens whom they could easily convert to full-time employees. The employer’s role is to...

Use various approaches to locate potential employees for internships and full-time employment:

» Career and internship fairs or community job fairs

» On-campus recruitment

» Employment agencies (“headhunters”) » Employee referrals » Job announcements on company websites, job boards, major newspapers, trade publications, or professional associations » Regional and national professional conferences •  Seek people who are the right fit for the organization and the position for which they are recruiting.

* Note: Individual equality in the U.S. is important; thus, legally, factors like age, gender, and race cannot be considered in the interview process. • Provide applicants with an opportunity to explain their credentials and the reasons they are suitable for a position.

GoinGlobal provides career information which assists you in pursuing global career paths. This resource is available to current students.

Log into your Rutgers Handshake account to

get started.

The International Student’s Role in the Job & Internship Search As an internship or job seeker in the U.S. your responsibility is to pursue and apply for opportunities. It is also your responsibility to become aware of the process and paperwork necessary to be eligible to work in the U.S. Rutgers Global offers monthly workshops on post-completion, off-campus, and on-campus employment. You can also meet with your international student advisor who can help you complete any necessary forms and inform you of costs associated with working in the United States. When invited for an interview, be prepared to explain to the interviewer what is involved in the process for work authorization and hiring an international student for a job or internship opportunity. Employers might be interested in hiring you if you demonstrate that you are the best-qualified candidate and if no U.S. citizens can be found with the skills they seek. The international student’s role is to...

Strategies

Become aware of the process and paperwork to be eligible for employment in the U.S. through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/ or Optional Practical Training (OPT) Create and research target list of employers for your internship and job search, based on your career and industry cluster, including U.S. organizations doing business in your home country and organizations that have sponsored H1B Visas in the past 12 months.

Develop personal and professional relationships via networking. Inform as many people as possible about your job search and your field of interest.

Prepare your resume/curriculum vitae (CV) before applying for a job/ internship in the U.S. Note: Do not include personal information such as age, gender, marital status, or religion. Refer to Chapter 3 for detailed information regarding resume development. Communicate your skills and experiences through your resume and the interview. Speak with confidence about your skills, strengths, accomplishments, and education as they relate to the jobs you are seeking in interviews.

Be prepared to explain in interviews what is involved in hiring an international student for employment opportunities using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Strengthen your English language skills.

Resources

Attend pre-and-post-completion workshops for on-and-off-campus employment offered by Rutgers Global and meet with an international student advisor to complete necessary forms.

1. Access GoinGlobal, Rutgers Handshake, Vault – Industry Guides, and employers that participated or will participate in RU career & internship fairs from the Career Exploration and Success website. 2. Use your LinkedIn and other social media networks and resources. 3. Join and/or access professional associations and community organizations. 4. Speak with employer representatives during Employer Information Sessions. 5. Explore additional resources: Riley Guide International, EscapeArtist.com, EuroGraduate Live,

International Chamber of Commerce, Overseasjobs.com, World Policy jobs, InterAction, Change.org.

Use these resources to connect with alumni to conduct informational interviews: 1. Student-Alumni Career Connect – an online database of Rutgers alumni accessible from your

Rutgers Handshake account. 2. Rutgers Clubs – accessible through the Rutgers Alumni Association. 3. Rutgers Global – Your international student advisor may be able to refer you to current students and alumni who have been successful in gaining employment in the U.S. Have a career advisor critique your resume/curriculum vitae (CV).

Attend workshops on resume/CV writing, interviewing, and other job search-related topics.

1. Attend the “Preparing for the Behavioral Interview” workshop. 2. Access InterviewStream, a virtual mock interview module from your Rutgers Handshake account to practice your interviewing skills. 3. Schedule a meeting with a career advisor to review and discuss your mock interview. Attend workshops offered by: 1. Rutgers Global (i.e., on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & Optional Practical

Training (OPT)). 2. Career Exploration and Success (i.e., interviewing skills, mock interview, career fair preparation).

1. Join student organizations, graduate student councils or government. 2. Participate in programs such as the International Friendship Program sponsored by Rutgers Global.

* For additional assistance in planning your career and searching for internship and job opportunities, you can schedule an appointment via your Rutgers Handshake account and/or visit careers.rutgers.edu/events for a list of programs and events.