Introduction:

It’s the end of the year and jingle bells are already ringing. Some of us are already in the festive mood but January is coming soon. At the end of the festive season, we will all wake up to face our reality; OPT/CPT JOB on F1 Visa status. But what will you go back to as an international graduate if you don’t have a job in the States?

International students who work in the US stand to gain a lot of opportunities in the form of evolution of new skills, development of a robust professional network and acquiring vast experience in their chosen academic field.

The duration of November to December is when most graduates are looking to settle their employment and all of them are under pressure as their OPT Period is about to come to an end. Many international students are looking to accept employment in order to sponsor their visa and work on full time OPT job in the USA. So how to make the most of your job search during year end and get employed?

1. Advance contemplation/planning of your job search

It is imperative for you to start thinking about your employment at least a year before graduation for a successful job search.

Start networking with people that are in a position to aid you in your job searching. CPT internships are a great way to build a professional network in your field.

Amass information about your field, the job market as well as the skills that can propel you ahead of your competitors. Develop these skills before it is time to look for a job.

Gather information about visa processes, costs and even the documents required for application.

Apply for your OPT at least 3 months before your graduation as it usually takes months to get approved.

2. Profile Optimization

It is of paramount importance that you have an exceptional resume.

At United OPT we help you with a professional resume that is ATS friendly and keyword optimized.

This will ensure you get a good number of call backs from the hiring managers as your resume will pass the screening systems.

Hiring managers now use ATS system to screen the resumes of the applicants therefore an ATS safe resume which is keyword optimized will guarantee number of responses from the hiring managers.

3. Networking

Networking is the art of creating a professional business circle for yourself that will assist you in your OPT job search via recommendations and etc.

Networking can be done anywhere even at a grocery store as long as the person can be a connection that will be helpful.

Most international students struggle to create a professional circle for themselves due to anxiety caused by cultural bias.

This is why it is absolutely necessary to make use of your available resources provided by the career cell in your university as well as the international students’ affairs office.

Attend career fairs and workshops in order to get your skills recognized by your senior that are already working and this will improve your chance of getting employment.

Make use of social media sites and job portals such as LinkedIn in order to build yourself a large professional network.

Benefits of a good professional network:

• You can get referrals from people you know, as a good number of companies hire new employees via referral from their incumbent employees.

• You can get mentorship from seniors that are already working in your aspired field.

• You can get information on new job posts quicker as a good number of people from your network might also be on the lookout for you.

• You can get a steady emotional support when things are not going well for you.

These are just but a few of the good things that networking can bring in your job search.

4. Knowledge

Equip yourself with knowledge about your major/domain/field.

Be cognizant of the job titles you qualify to apply for.

You should know the skills required for each of the job titles you aspire to work in.

Know about the job market and when most employers seek to hire new employees from your field.

Be aware of the salary range expected of your level of experience.

Be cognizant of companies that sponsor Visa and make a list of them. Always be on the lookout for whenever they post a job opening.

5. Timing

It is crucial to know the right time to do your things when it comes to job seeking.

It is also advisable to start your job applications at least 3 months before your graduation so that when your 90 day OPT cycle starts, you would have already started getting interviews and perhaps jobs offers too.

Getting a job earlier is also a plus point in the sense that you can have more days of unemployment left which will be very beneficial in case you find yourself out of a job. You will have more time to look for jobs in such a scenario using your left-over days.

What’s more?

Over and above that, be adaptable and open to temporary or contract positions. A lot of companies hire on a project basis towards the end of the year, this provides you an opportunity to showcase your skills and it could lead to potentially transitioning into a permanent role.

Finding an OPT job at the end of the year requires a sophisticated approach, combining resume building, networking, strategic job workshops, and a willingness to look into various employment dispositions. By taking on a proactive attitude, you can equip yourself for success in the competitive year-end job market.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, the end of the year is the time when there is a loose labor market. Your prior preparation will be vital in assisting you in your OPT job search. United OPT offers services that will assist you in your job seeking endeavors. Contact us now for a smooth job-hunting process.