Getting a fulltime job after finishing your graduation is not as easy as it sounds. It includes a lot and a lot of struggle to get one. And if you are an international student seeking a fulltime job in the USA then you might face a lot more difficult than the USA students.
You need to apply for OPT if you are an international student. OPT is an optional training program which is a twelve-month working period given to F1 visa holders who are graduate or undergraduate students or who have studied in the USA for more than twelve months. During graduation OPT students can work in there area of expertise and even get paid but only for 20 hours a week during a course. But if you are planning to work full time in the USA post graduation then you should apply for post-completion OPT and get a job in your area of expertise. This will allow you to work 40 hours a week.
A lot of international students return to their home country after completion of there graduation due to a lack of job opportunities available for international students in the USA. Jobs for OPT students are limited due to some policies of the government benefiting the USA citizens. But if you are willing to get a full-time job post-graduation, then you need to plan and work accordingly. Having things planned well in advance make so many things simpler. So is getting a full-time job in the USA.
For the start, you need to put a lot of effort to get a full-time OPT job. Nothing comes easy so try from the very beginning and be firm on your goals. Don’t let the new life of the USA distract you because there are very few jobs for OPT students after graduation. And if you are planning to get one, follow these steps as you start your journey as an OPT student.
- Check rules and regulations: There many rules and regulations for getting a full-time OPT job. Go through the eligibility criteria and then plan how and what you will do to get yourself the perfect full-time job on OPT.
- Focus on your grades: If you are someone scoring Grade B or Grade C, there are chances you might lose your chance to get a full-time job in the USA. Make sure from the very beginning to score A grade as your grades will talk louder than all your efforts to get a job. Entry-level candidates are hired by top companies only when they have good grades. So no matter how difficult the life of the USA is for you make sure you don’t let your grades suffer at all.
- Research well: You should be aware of the top companies that hire freshers OPT students. Don’t wait for your graduation to get over to start your job hunt. Even while you are still pursuing your course you should know which company you wish to apply, once you are graduated. Know about their job criteria, area of expertise, their clients, company goals, etc as this will all help you to plan accordingly.
- Apply in advance: Most of the students graduate in spring and some in June. So if you graduate in June you will have more competition. So don’t wait for your graduation to get over. Start applying for jobs month before you finish your graduation. You won’t get a job directly but you can at least have already jobs applied. You also can apply for an internship while you are still pursuing the course as this will add up in your resume. The companies look for at least such small experiences while hiring employees.
- Plan your joining date: Make sure you are not leaving the country or have a vacation plan after your graduation if you wish to work in the USA post-graduation. So have a plan well in advance while you apply for jobs and then apply for post-completion OPT.
- Build connections: Even while you are still studying you should start working on your job plans. You can attend various events or volunteer at places where you can meet professionals from your field. Don’t shy away while asking for help to get you a job. You can lose nothing when people don’t know you. This will help you get a good job once you complete your graduation. If you are still confused you can visit various job portals as it will help you figure out various vacancies around you in your field of expertise. OPT job search isn’t easy but job portals make it quite simpler to get an interview. You can create a profile on LinkedIn and follow various companies that you wish to work for. This will keep you updated about the companies activities and job openings.
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- Create your resume and start sending: a creative resume will help you get a good job. To create a good resume listing all of your skills and achievements chronologically. There are different types of resumes so choose that suits your criteria. For example, if you are a fresher you can create a functional resume as you can list all your skills well. And if you have a long work experience you can use a chronological format for your resume. You should always list all the appropriate information in your resume to avoid unnecessary trouble. Give your contact information correct so that you don’t miss out on any opportunity. As you already know where you want to apply start sending you resumes. Don’t limit your applications only to companies you wish to work with. Apply for all the places that are hiring candidates because the more jobs you apply the more chances you have of getting a job and picking on the best one.
- Make the best use of your social media: Social media can be a great help while you are looking for jobs too. Yes, you read that right. This is a digital age and so many of the companies have their social media accounts. You can connect with them through social media and get to know about the happenings. Ask them how you can apply to work with them. Mention your interest to work with them through comments and replies to there post but make sure to not overdo that. Your actions should not be too desperate.
- Interview accurately: When you get a call for the interview make sure you are prepared well for it. There are chances you being anxious or nervous don’t let it show up on your face. You need to be confident about all that you have learned throughout the course and now it’s the time to exhibit well. A good resume can get you an interview but only a good interview will get you your dream job. So research well about the company, its clients, its economic conditions, etc before going for an interview. You should always be aware of what you are applying for. So get as much information as you can about what you will do once you that job.
Following these tips while you begin your carer in the USA will help you get a full-time OPT job. Trust yourself and never lose hope. There are chances you might not get a chance right away. Getting a job isn’t easy at all. Now that you are an international student it will be more difficult for you. You will often face rejection but that doesn’t mean you should stop applying for new jobs. You will get a job not as soon as you graduate but after a little while. So keep applying till you have your visa. With good grades and a perfect resume, you will surely get one.
