International Student Careers - Page 2 of 3 - Advice for the international student job search

How to find jobs in Canada as an international graduate

Nicolle on January 7, 2018

Finding companies that sponsor F1 visa international students is going to get harder in 2018. While nobody knows for sure what will happen with H-1B, employers don’t like risk and uncertainty. It’s already difficult for international students who want to work in the US after graduation.

A lot of international students studying in the US are now looking at working in Canada as an option. Finding jobs in Canada as an international graduate similar to the US; you still need a job offer from a Canadian company. But the visa process is smoother and less restricted. There is no lottery process for the H-1B. Instead, they have a point allocation system. In places like Vancouver, they’ve introduced a Global Skills Strategy that fast tracks visas, some in as little as two weeks, for highly skilled technology workers.

If Canada interest you here are a few resources to help you get started if you are thinking about moving to Canada.

Informational interviews: How to email strangers

Nicolle on January 6, 2018

As an international student your job search requires a lot of informational interviews. Speaking with people inside of companies helps you understand American business culture. It also helps professionals learn about you. Informational interviewing is intimidating when you first do it. Emailing someone you don’t know to ask for their time without an introduction might feel uncomfortable. Fortunately with a bit of training you can get comfortable with it. You can learn to be successful at it. All you need is an email template and a bit of motivation.

Elevator pitch for international students: Create your story

Nicolle on January 3, 2018

Employers want to learn about you. They are curious about your background and interests. Most American students learn how to give an elevator pitch during their studies. An elevator pitch is a short, professional introduction to use at career fairs and interviews. Job seekers share their elevator pitch to help employers get to know them.

But…

Elevator pitches suck

GPA isn’t the most important part of your search

Nicolle on December 27, 2017

International students often focus on GPA in the job search. I hear a lot of questions like:

Does GPA matter for engineering jobs?

Do employers look at your GPA?

How important is GPA in the job search?

The truth is that GPA isn’t nearly as important in your job or internship search as you think. Companies that hire international students and sponsor h1b aren’t looking for a good GPA. They’re looking for experienced students with specific skills. Even entry level OPT jobs for students require more than just a GPA.

engineering companies that hire international students

Job Search Basics: Engineering jobs for International Students

Nicolle on December 23, 2017

Most international students studying in the US are in engineering programs. With a limited amount of companies sponsoring international students the search for engineering jobs is competitive. Most students start by searching for engineering companies that hire international students. But that’s not the only step. Engineering students need to learn how to differentiate themselves from other international student job seekers. Before you begin your engineering internship or job search get the basics.

Want to work in the US? Start hanging out with Americans

Nicolle on December 21, 2017

If you plan to work in the US during an internship or full time, you need to understand American culture. The classroom is a start. But that’s structured learning. You also need unstructured learning. This type of learning happens outside the classroom.

If you want to be hired by an American organization, you need to be comfortable interacting with Americans. Comfortable means more than speaking good English. It also means being able to engage in small talk. It means understanding humor, showing enthusiasm at appropriate times, respecting personal space and boundaries, learning about popular movies, music, tv shows, and other elements of American culture. Hanging out with Americans helps you learn the nuances of American culture. It allows you to interact, observe, learn, and try new things.

Searching for entry level OPT jobs? Build a target list

Nicolle on December 20, 2017

Whether you are searching for entry level OPT jobs or companies that sponsor H1B for experienced hires, you need to start with a target list. A target list is a list of companies where you want to work. It’s one of the most important tools in the international student job search.

Creative cover letter international students

Why you must write creative cover letters

Nicolle on December 15, 2017

Writing cover letters is a stressful process. There are many revisions. It’s easy to get the flow wrong. And even small mistakes can disqualify you. If English isn’t your first language mastering the persuasive tone is even harder.

It’s understandable that most people hate writing cover letters. But there’s a very good reason to write them: they are a persuasive tool that when done correctly can help you stand out to employers.

It’s getting harder for international students to get hired in the US

Nicolle on December 13, 2017

Finding international friendly companies just got harder for international students studying in the US. The H-1B process has been under review this past year. This changes are affecting many F1 visa students who are searching for opportunities beyond OPT jobs.

Job Search Basics: Business Analytics jobs for International Students

Nicolle on December 7, 2017

The career path for international students in MS Business Analytics programs is filled with opportunity. Though finding jobs for international students after the MS degree is always challenging due to changing H-1B rules, data analysts are in demand. Jobs in business or data analytics are in demand in the US and are expected to grow 27% in the next 10 years. Currently there are 7,238 openings for business analysts on LinkedIn.