What Every International Student Should Know about the United States Job Search?
On Wednesday, October 25, 2017, Mr. Dan Beaudry, an expert and author of “Power Ties: The International Student’s Guide to Finding a Job in the United States,” came to Boston, MA to share his skills to the Hult students.
Mr. Beaudry started his talk by stating the issue that every international student has and will have: the work permit. The sponsorship and visa are the first and biggest barriers that every international student will have in finding a job in the United States. But, he said that there is a way for us international students to tackle those obstacles.
First, let’s know the truth about sponsorship and finding jobs:
Some companies have a policy against sponsoring work visas because:
they are already drowning in job applications,
they don’t want to spend time and money,
they fear losing the visa lottery.
But, those same companies will often sponsor a visa anyway because they cannot find the skills.
Then, after graduation and having finished up your OPT, how do you get an H-1B visa?
- Talk to managers, Networks, ERP; they can be advocates to help you in getting a visa;
- Do not focus on the HR and recruiter;
- There is the hidden job market (70% of the entire job market):
Most jobs are filled without advertisements
Which is through referrals
Cheaper, reliable, faster
So, the way to tackle the sponsorship and visa barriers is through informational interviews.
Informational interview is networking with someone by asking questions that could lead to further conversations and relationship. It can be done face-to-face, or even through LinkedIn.
Informational interviews can help you:
- On how to network
- Become the “silver bullet” of job search
You gather information from inside
Conveying to that person you are trying to get a job
Transform me-vs-the-world to one-on-and one conversations
Allow you temporarily to change the world of jobs seekers
- However, don’t ask for a job
- This will make you stand out from others.
Mr. Dan Beaudry suggested to us, international students should try and go for small companies and startups rather than focus on big companies because compared to large companies, not many people go after them. Also, they have no policies against sponsorship. He said, “Give someone a reason to want you till they don’t care about your visa and sponsorship. If you hear about the visa sponsor don’t take it as a final word.” Mr. Dan Beaudry has given so many insightful advice to all of us, and remember there is no such thing as too early in networking. So, get out of your comfort zone and start networking!