Career Resources for International Students
University Career Services is dedicated to ensuring equitable access for all our students. We stand firmly against all types of racism, inequality, and discrimination. Our team stands together as one that believes inclusivity and belonging are especially critical in the work we do with the diverse student population that we serve.
The curated list of resources below is intended to support our students’ ability to bring their whole self to work through an appreciation that embracing what makes us diverse promotes innovation, understanding, and overall success in the workplace. This list, while extensive, is not complete. We invite our students and alumni to contact us to provide any resources you believe are missing or would like to see featured.
Transitioning to the U.S. and job-hunting as an international student can be difficult, especially when understanding the differences in cultural and employment norms across cultures.
University Career Services works collaboratively with the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSSO) and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) to support international students. We encourage you to build relationships with people at each office to learn about our services and resources and to understand how your visa status influences your career search.
Terminology Defined: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Before beginning your internship or full-time job search it is important that you understand the options for employment available to you and the terminology associated with them. For a comprehensive overview click here.
Acclimating to the United States Job Market
- International Student and Scholar Services (ISSO)
- The ISSSO assists international students and scholars with every aspect of life and learning in the US, whether it is applying for a US visa or a New York State driver’s license, or getting an I-20 or DS-2019.
- Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)
- The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) strives to foster a more inclusive and culturally competent campus environment where students feel a strong sense of belonging and where their similarities and differences of identity and experience are acknowledged, understood, valued, and celebrated.
- Conversation Partners Program
- The Conversation Partners Program is an opportunity for you–international students whose native language is not English–to practice conversational English in a relaxed, friendly environment.
- University Learning Commons
- University Learning Commons (ULC) provides FREE academic support through peer and professional tutoring in many subjects. Services are offered both in-person and virtually!
- University Writing Center
- The Writing Center supports your writing process in one-on-one consultations with student writing consultants. From brainstorming research topics to polishing a cover letter, we’re here to collaborate with you, in person or online.
What is an Internship?
An internship can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid. What distinguishes an internship from a part-time job or volunteer work is the intentional “learning agenda.”
It is up to you to establish a learning plan with your supervisor and faculty advisor that meets your learning goals while completing the required work for the position. All academic internships require pre-approval by your academic advisor.
What are the benefits of an Internship?
- Gain valuable experiences that are in your major while exploring your field of interest.
- Build professional experiences that strengthen your resume.
- Strengthen your candidacy for employment in the U.S., abroad or in your country of origin.
- Increase your network of professional contacts.
What are the requirements to receive academic credit for an Internship?
Each college and academic program has different requirements regarding the registration for and obtaining of academic credit. Be sure to connect with your department chair and/or program advisor for details.
** PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU CANNOT START YOUR PAID INTERNSHIP UNTIL THE ISSSO HAS AUTHORIZED YOUR EMPLOYMENT ** Please read more on the requirements found here.
What steps should I take to prepare to apply for an Internship?
You will need a strong resume to apply for an internship. The first step is to review the Create a Resume Online Guide. You are also strongly encouraged to make an appointment with your Career Advisor to review your resume. If you apply for an internship through On-Campus Recruitment jobs on Handshake, most of these internship opportunities require that you have your resume reviewed and approved by your Career Advisor before you can apply for the On-Campus Recruitment position.
When do I search for Internships?
Begin your search for an internship several months in advance of the time you would like to start the internship. Application deadlines for many companies are 3-6 months or 1 year prior to the start date. Research your major and industry to identify companies/opportunities. Also, be sure to apply for internships that accept applicants with an F-1 Visa status.
Develop your class schedule to include time and availability for an internship before you begin your search. Internship opportunities occasionally may last longer than one semester.
When do I search for full-time job opportunities?
Begin your search for full-time job opportunities several months in advance of when you will complete your degree program. Application deadlines for many companies are 3-6 months or 1 year prior to the start date. Research your major and industry to identify companies/opportunities. Also be sure to apply for job opportunities that accept applicants with an F-1 Visa status.
You will need to apply for OPT through ISSSO’s website found here approximately 3-4 months prior to graduation.
What steps should I take to prepare to apply for a full-time job?
You will need a strong resume to apply for an internship. The first step is to review the Create a Resume Online Guide. You are also strongly encouraged to make an appointment with your Career Advisor to review your resume. If you apply for an internship through On-Campus Recruitment jobs on Handshake, most of these internship opportunities require that you have your resume reviewed and approved by your Career Advisor before you can apply for the On-Campus Recruitment position.
Key differences between US culture and other cultures for internship and job search
| Skill & Knowledge Required | U.S. Employer Expectations | Possible Differences with Other Cultures |
| Self-Promotion | Openly discuss your achievements in resume, when networking, interviewing and following-up. | Citing achievements is boastful. |
| Initiative | Take ownership of your internship or job search. | Find jobs through family or government. |
| Direct Communication | Share your opinion and provide examples or facts. Be curious and ask questions. Maintain good eye contact. | Be direct and making eye contact is disrespectful. |
| Relationship-building | Taking an interest in the person you are speaking with is an important part of building relationships with potential employers. | Be polite and passive. |
| Research Industry and Company | Demonstrate interest in the company you are interested in by learning about the organization’s industry, products, services, locations and competitive landscape. | Research may indicate undesirable initiative or independence. |
Job Search Tips for International Students
Be resilient, patient positive and committed
- This is often a long process. Make a plan for your search and stick to it.
Understand your value as an international student
- International students bring a wealth of different cultural, business and experiential skills to a U.S. Employers. Develop an understanding of your unique value propositions and learn how to express it to potential employers
Target international companies
- International students are valuable to international companies due to your language skills, diversity, overseas knowledge and multicultural approach
Become fully conversant in discussing your visa status
- This is a very sensitive topic, and really is a case by case situation. As mentioned, do not list this on a resume or cover letter, unless asked. If requested in a cover letter, articulate the value you bring as an international student. Once the interview process begins, most likely the employer will ask the question. You should strive to get past the initial prescreening interviews before initiating any conversation about your non-immigrant status. However, be sure to bring it up as the employer begins to spend significant time and/or money on you. In all cases, discuss your non-immigrant status at time of offer. Practice the conversation with your Career Advisor.
Should I include my visa status on my resume?
- No, your educational background and previous experience will most likely identify you as an international student. Never lie about your status, but given the fact that some employers are hesitant or unsure about hiring international students, there is no need to highlight your status.
Be sure your Resume and Cover Letter are in US Style format
- Sharing personal information (i.e. birthday, marital status, or attaching a headshot) is not necessary unless relevant to the position. This helps protect candidates from discrimination as prohibited by federal laws and fraud.
- Review the Create a Resume Guide where you will find U.S. formatted resume templates, a section-by-section organization guide and tips on writing effective bullet points.
Develop your networking skills
- Networking with professionals can have many benefits regardless of where you are in your career journey. You can begin to build your American based network through attending events and connecting with alumni/professionals on LinkedIn.
- Access the Online Networking Guide for tips and tricks to expand your professional network.
Get Involved
- US employers expect students to have achieved more than just good grades. Students, who have been involved in extracurricular activities, volunteer and service activities, and internships, gain more than just experience and skills. You achieve a competitive advantage over your completion.
- Participate in Virtual Work Simulations through Forage to upskill and gain virtual experience in your field of interest… and the best part? You do not need CPT eligibility to participate in Forage!
Fraudulent Postings
- Never pay a recruiter or an employer for a job
- Never supply bank account, social security number or credit card information
- If the job sounds too good to be true, it probably is (examples, “no experience necessary” “earn money fast”)
- When you are in doubt, ask a Career Advisor in University Career Services or Google the company name with the word “scam.”
- US employers value the interaction of a personal interview, often more than superior grades and previous experience. Work with career services to develop the ability to ace any interview (on-line, phone, and skype, in person, group and so on).
- How you present yourself is very important when engaging with employers. Make direct eye contact and offer a firm handshake as these can demonstrate respect and confidence.
- Additionally, always be friendly and courteous to everyone you meet, and remember to smile! You want to make a strong, positive first impression.
- Punctuality is extremely valued in the U.S., especially during an interview. Arrive at the interview location ten to fifteen minutes prior to your scheduled interview to avoid being late.
- Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in your chosen career field. It is important to convey passion, interest, and goals that are specific to your desires. It is common for friends and family to influence your career decision, but remember to keep it specific to yourself.
- Emphasize positive aspects of your international background. Certain employers are seeking to expand their reach to global, overseas markets. Your cultural background may be an asset to these employers.
- Utilize Big Interview, our online mock interview platform, to review common interview questions and practice your answers out loud. Recording yourself responding to prerecorded prompts and questions is a great way to get an idea of how you appear on camera in an interview settings. Avoid sounding rehearsed, but prepare your examples and discussion points ahead of time.
Employers are expected to maintain a discrimination-free environment, which protects candidates from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic which may be specified in such laws and regulations.
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you require visa sponsorship now or in the future?
Federal and New York State laws prohibit employers from asking certain types of questions and from using non-job related information in the selection process. All questions and case analyses should be job related. Questions that are designed to directly or indirectly elicit information about a candidate’s age, marital status, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity (including citizenship and national origin), derivation of name, religion affiliation or beliefs, arrest record or physical disabilities that are not related to the candidate’s ability to perform the job are not permitted.
Questions Regarding Your Name:
Q. What kind of name is _______?
Q. Why did you change your name?
The above two questions are illegal to ask in an employment interview because they are trying to divulge ancestry or marital status. An employer can ask, however, what your current legal name is and whether you ever worked under a different name (to verify employment).
Questions Regarding Sex, Marital Status, and Family:
Q. Are you married/single/divorced?
Q. Do you have or plan to have children?
Q. What does your spouse do for a living?
Q. Who do you live with?
All of the above questions are illegal. All questions regarding marital status, sexual preferences and family are illegal in interview situations. An employer may legally ask if you are able and willing to travel as needed for the job or if you are willing to relocate.
Questions Regarding Age:
Q. How old are you?
Q. When were you born?
An employer cannot legally ask how old you are. They can ask, however, whether or not you are between the ages of 18 and 70, or whether you are over the age of 18. Proof of age for insurance purposes may be required after you are hired.
Questions Regarding Address/Residency:
Q. Are you a citizen?
Q. Where were you born?
Q. How long have you lived in the United States?
Q. What foreign addresses have you had?
Q. Do you rent or own your home?
All of the above questions are illegal to ask in an interview. Employers may ask whether you are authorized to work in the United States for other than practical training purposes. Employers may ask if you are hired, if can you provide proof of your eligibility to work in the United States. “Employers may ask the place and length of your current address. Any inquiry into the place of your birth, or the place of your parents/spouses/relatives birth is illegal.
Questions Regarding Religion:
Q. What is your religion?
Q. What religious holidays do you observe?
All questions regarding religion are illegal.
Questions Regarding Disabilities:
Q. Do you have any handicaps?
Q. Have you had any illnesses or operations?
Questions about physical or mental limitations that are not job-related are illegal. Employers may ask whether the individual has a mental or physical disability that would relate to his/her ability to perform the job. And if so, what duties they would be unable to perform.
Questions Regarding Arrests/Convictions:
Q. Have you ever been arrested?
Arrests without convictions do not indicate guilt. Employers may ask have you ever been convicted of a _______?
(a crime reasonably related to the performance of the job, ex: inquiries about embezzlement convictions if a position requires financial responsibilities.)
Utilize Your Embassy: Often embassies maintain lists of contacts for employment.
Handshake: Handshake allows current students and alumni access to job, internship and campus recruiting listings; registration for Career Services programs; workshops, information sessions, career fairs and other event information; along with additional career development and employment resources. You can search opportunities by ‘work authorization optional’ to identify those that may be more open to international candidates. Access Handshake 24/7 through SignOn page of St. John’s University – click on the Handshake.
Job Boards [below]: These job boards have been vetted by the University and promote many opportunities for international students.
FirstHand Blog: 4 Ways International Students Can gain US Work Experience with F-1 Visas
U.S. Immigration Services [https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states]: This page provides a summary of employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa classifications and other categories of aliens who are eligible for employment authorization. Each classification provides a link to more detailed information on its requirements.
