A proven strategy for international students to find a job in the US

Navigating the complexities of a job search as an international student in the United States can be daunting, but with a structured and strategic approach, the journey can lead to successful outcomes.

This step-by-step guide is tailored to enhance your job-seeking experience as an international student, ensuring you follow the correct steps to find a sponsor. With this checklist, you can systematically track your progress, covering essential aspects from legal considerations to effective networking.

Steps before you start looking for a job:

1. Have an initial consultation with an immigration attorney

   1. Learn what immigration process fits you best

   2. Receive guidance to explain the process to a potential employer in simple terms

2. Learn how to answer questions about sponsorship

   1. Understand how to handle the most common objections about sponsorship.

3. Resume Preparation

   1. Tailor your resume for the U.S. job market.

   2. Consider adapting your name for cultural familiarity, if necessary.

4. Get a Social Security Number (if you can)

   1. Obtain a SSN, preferably before graduation, through on-campus employment.

Steps when you are actively looking for a job:

1. Allocate Time Efficiently

   1. Invest 80-90% of your job-seeking time networking and building relationships.

   2. Dedicate the rest of your time (10-20%) to applying for jobs online.

2. Start Building your Network

   1. Connect and sustain relationships with 5 alumni through your school’s alumni association.

   2. Find 3 trade associations related to your degree or desired career path and contact and engage 2 members at each of these trade associations.

   3. Find 2 chambers of commerce in your region and contact and engage 2 members of each chamber.

   4. Attend 2 networking or trade events and engage 5 people at each event.

   5. Find and engage 3 parents of your American friends who work in a field related to your degree or desired career Path.

   6. Find 2 faith-based or non-profit organizations and find 1 volunteering at each one. Engage 3 people during each volunteering opportunity.

3. Apply for jobs online

   1. Create a user account on 3 online job boards.

   2. Set up at least 1 automated email notification on each job board. Make sure you make the triggers on these notifications very specific to your skills and desired career path.

   3. When you find a position that conveys a perfect match with your skills and experience, contact and engage 2 employees at the company.

4. Target Suitable Employers

   1. Focus on medium and small-sized businesses.

   2. Target industries where work visa applications are more common.

   3. Find companies that have a history of doing sponsorships.

   4. Ask your school’s career development office to provide a list of companies that are known to do sponsorships.

   5. Ask your school’s international student office to provide a list of companies that have already sponsored your peers in previous years.

Find Sponsors