Career Support for International Students

As an international student at Brooklyn College, there are different processes and requirements for employment in the United States. Use this page to help you with your job search in the United States.

Getting Started—The Employment Process in the U.S.

The first step in ensuring a successful job search is to understand the rules and regulations that govern your status as an F-1 student. For more information about the rules and regulations, as well as the requirements around employment during your time in college, and after you graduate, you should contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) Office.

It is important to be aware that in the U.S., the job search is self-directed. The Magner Career Center provides support through career and recruiting events, résumé feedback sessions, interview preparation, connecting you with alumni, and more. It is available to students who seek it out, but you still must take a self-directed approach! For more information about the Magner Center services, visit the services page.

Here are some suggestions to help you with your self-directed job search:

Research job and internship postings using HireBC accessible via the career tab on portal.brooklyn.edu.
Attend Magner Center events where you can meet employers/alumni and network.
Network with as many professionals as you can. You will notice that one of the BIGGEST differences between the U.S. employment market and other parts of the world is the reliance on networking.
Go to the Job & Internship Fair held each semester.
Search for companies that support the hiring of international students (we provide a list of potential companies later on this page).

Cultural Differences in the U.S. Job Search

International students sometimes experience challenges in landing jobs in the U.S. because they are competing in an environment that is culturally different from their own. Not only can written and oral communication skills present difficulties, but business cultures, customs, and expectations may vary greatly. When these are combined with an already competitive job market, students who are applying for U.S. jobs can find the job search confusing.

The list examines some of the most common cultural differences between the U.S. and other countries.

Your Job Search

There is an individual responsibility for finding employment. With this, you should use a variety of resources in identifying potential positions. Use networking, the Magner Career Center, faculty, outside organizations, and peers to seek out opportunities.
Ensure that your resume and cover letter are flawless and customized according to the job for which you are applying. These documents should demonstrate that you have the skills needed to succeed in the job, be error-free, no longer than one page, and tailored around the type of role you are applying for. Your documents should not contain either demographic information or a photo of yourself.
Follow-up with employers, send thank-you notes, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

During Interviews:

Make eye contact with the interviewer, be attentive, and ask questions if something is mentioned that you didn’t hear or don’t understand.
Discuss salary and benefits only when initiated by the interviewer or at the time of the job offer.
Ask questions about the job at the end of the interview, or when asked by the interviewer. Questions show you are interested in, and serious about, the role. We provide sample questions that you can use.
Be able to discuss short and long term career goals as well as your skills.
Arrive 10-15 minutes before an appointment or interview. Arriving early is arriving on-time.

In the workplace:

Demonstrate the ability to be self-directed.
Show professionalism and communicate clearly.

FAQs for International Students

Should I list my visa status on my résumé?

Your visa status is typically not included on your resume. In many cases, your educational background and work history will show that you are an international student. Hiring managers and online application forms ask the appropriate questions about sponsorship during the recruitment process. Questions that may be asked include:

“Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?” Yes, you are, providing you apply for and receive CPT or OPT prior to starting any job or internship.
“Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa status (ex. H-1B status)?” Yes.

How do I answer when I am asked by an employer about my work authorization as an F-1 student?

Explain that you have the legal right to work in the US for a specific time frame. You should also explain gaining OPT work authorization requires little or no work on the part of the employer, and also does not cost the employer anything. Share that your work authorization can be renewed for another 3-6 years with an H-1B work visa.

If a company says they do not hire international students, should I even apply?

It depends. If the employer is a federal agency or has a contract with a federal agency, they are not legally allowed to hire foreign nationals. But for many organizations that say they do not hire international students, it may mean that they haven’t hired international students yet. You can educate the employers about the hiring process and why they should hire international students by using the information on the Hiring International Students Employer page.

What can I do to make myself a competitive candidate in the application process?

In short, take advantage of all of the Magner Center services! These include:
- Having your resume and cover letters reviewed by a career coach.
- Participating in mock interviews.
- If needed, improving your English skills by speaking in class, giving presentations, joining clubs like Smooth Talkers public speaking club, taking courses in the speech department, and expanding your circle of native English speaking friends.
- Creating and actively using LinkedIn.
- Networking, networking, networking! Check out our tips and advice for doing so.
Other Suggestions include:
- Familiarizing yourself with regulations and benefits attached to your working status through the International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) office.
- Speaking confidently about your skills, interests, and career goals.

This webpage is based on a variety of universities’ international job search resources including SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Buffalo, Rice, Texas A&M, and the University of Virginia.