From The International Advantage. For International Students Seeking U.S Jobs or Internship

Some international students do make the job search process harder than it needs to be. Obviously it’s not their intention to make an already difficult journey any longer. But sometimes job seekers (unwittingly) do things that work against them. This happens to American job seekers as well.

So, if your search has dragged on longer than you’d like, don't immediately assume that COVID or Trump as the ones to blame. See if one of these reasons below might be the culprit, and contribute to your lack of results. While the scenarios below may look basic, they often prevent international students from achieving bigger job search results. Just know that before you start reading that all of these behaviors are totally fixable once you identify them.

1. You Keep Your Search Between You and Your Laptop

Getting a job is a team sport, and savvy people build teams of advisors who work to help them succeed through support and advice. For example, some people are best at helping you identify strengths and weaknesses. They can review your resume, make introductions, and provide honest feedback.

Others will encourage you when you’re ready to throw in the towel. So, don’t let your computer be your only confidant. Reach out to your network often for help and support. There's probably great help around you you're not maximizing.

2. You Only Apply Through Traditional Means

Whether you’re targeting smaller firms or big brands, don’t forget that many companies pay a referral fee to employees who find the next hire—meaning there’s something in it for everyone when you get referred. And, it’s the best way to get hired.

So, don’t be afraid to ask friends, relatives, and contacts you may already have to refer you to open positions where they work. So long as you’ve done your due diligence beforehand and you’re considerate about it, they’ll likely help you out if they can. Just make sure you can briefly explain to your contacts why you feel pretty confident that you are a good fit for a job opening at their firm.

3. You’re Only Going After Big Companies

If you cannot name five up-and-coming organizations in the industry you’re targeting, you don’t really know the sector you're interested in well.

Lesser-known companies may not be as sought after as the Google’s and Microsoft’s of the world, but they may just have a culture where you’ll thrive and the opportunity you’re looking for. An additional benefit is that smaller firms are sometimes less rigid with sponsorship rules. If they like you, they may just take a chance on you and file for your H-1B visa. If you’re pursuing big-name firms because they’re all you know, you do need to expand your search.

4. You (Always) Communicate Assertively

Many people strive to project a sense of control and competency. That makes sense because in order for others to have confidence in you, you need to have confidence in yourself.

However, if you overdo it, you can turn people off. Even people outside of the hiring world seem to realize that this is not the easiest time to be an immigrant in the United States, particularly if your goal is to stay and work in the U.S after graduation. Allowing yourself to be honest and vulnerable—when networking, for example—can help others connect with you more easily. Forget about the need to sell yourself to others. This is such a 1980s concept that simply does not make sense in today's world anymore.

Nobody wants to be sold anything, and most people are not impressed by bravado. Remember that being vulnerable from time to time may be one of the best things you can do for yourself as an international job seeker who may lack a strong base of U.S contacts at firms that firm.

5. You Doubt Yourself

Being humble does not mean you doubt yourself. Yes, when things get tough, many international students spend precious emotional energy assuring themselves that the hunt is taking as long as it is because they simply aren’t good enough, or don't have enough work experience compared to their peers. When you stop believing in yourself, you’re in trouble.

Don’t rush into a decision like taking a position you feel uneasy about or rushing to head back to school to get Masters degree you don't need just to maintain your immigration status. Instead, remind yourself of all the reasons you might not be getting a call back for an interview that have nothing to do with you (like if you’ve been applying to roles you truly aren’t qualified for). Yes, there are some factors in play that are outside of your control. Just don't immediately start troubleshooting your lack of results through these.

6. You Don’t Play to Your Strengths

The other day I worked with an international student from China who had unbelievably strong mental agility for numbers, yet the roles she had applied for only marginally allowed her to use her unique talent. While talking with this student, I asked for some help with an excel file that had been bothering me for quite a while. Well, this student listened to my concerns and dilemma and she created an excel macro that solved my problem and changed my life. And she did that in less than 10 min! This was a problem I had been trying to fix for over a year, and others had tried to help me too. I felt she was a magician! But while she had a skill that greatly differentiated her from others, she wasn’t targeting jobs that allowed her to demonstrate what she did best, on a daily basis.

Ask yourself what it is that you excel at, and don’t be scared to use these attributes as a starting point. Target roles that would maximize your talents: You’re more likely to get a call back—and achieve greater job satisfaction and career success after you’re hired.

7. You Never Break Rules. Never Do Anything a Bit Crazy

Are you a status quo job seeker—someone who’s afraid to be bold? The time may have come for you to take some chances when job searching. What's the worst that can happen? Be creative. Embrace your fears, and go for it. Generate big breaks for yourself by going against the norm, and trying what has not been done before. And above all, sidestep these common mistakes, which are only getting in your way.

_______________________________________________________

An Invitation: Join Our Get Hired Webinar on July 28th, 2020

During this webinar I will review details about our new "Get Hired Job Search Video Course" for international students. Link to register is below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q6Nd_onZSRyoyP_9b9uWIQ

Sincerely,

Marcelo Barros, Founder, The International Advantage