International Student Resources
Navigating Employment Guidelines
Many international students have F-1 or J-1 visa status and these visas have different on-campus, off-campus and post-graduation requirements. You are strongly encouraged to visit the International Students & Scholars (ISS) office and review the U.S. Employers Guide to Hiring International Students (PDF) before seeking any form of employment (paid or unpaid) and remain aware of any applicable restrictions, requirements and deadlines. Working without authorization or working more hours than authorized could jeopardize your immigration status.
Contact ISS
International Students and Scholars309 Wes Watkins Center, Stillwater, OK 74078(405) 744-5459iss@okstate.edu
Job Search Strategies
Identify Your Options
Do you have a strong understanding of your interests and skills? Have you taken the time to think about your career goals and career needs? Do you know common job titles for your target industry? Take one of our career assessments and find the answers to your questions.
Start Your Job Search Early
It typically takes the average job seeker six-nine months to find a new opportunity and for international candidates, this can take even longer. Many employers engage in campus recruiting in the fall for spring and summer hires. This means you might be applying for a position in September that doesn't begin until after graduation in May.
Research Employers
Many international students looking to stay in the United States after graduation have found looking for CPT and OPT positions with a company that might sponsor their H1-B visa a good starting point. Using the H1-B employer list on GoinGlobal is a good reference point.
Build Your Network
It is important you start to build a network in the U.S. and in your industry. You can also utilize LinkedIn for making connections. Reference our LinkedIn Guide (PDF) for tips in leveraging this resource.
Prepare For Your Interview
Preparing for an upcoming interview is an important step of the job search process. There are several resources that can assist with your interview preparation, such as InterviewPrep and the LinkedIn Interview Prep Portal that allows for you to video your interview practice and review your answers.
Recognize Your Value
As an international student, you have handled many cross-cultural situations and bring a global perspective to your future organization. You have ambition and drive, and have learned to be flexible and adaptable. If you need assistance with how to express yourself and the experiences you bring as an international student, contact our office.
Understand Your Immigration Details
The information around international student eligibility and requirements is important and dynamic; do your due diligence to stay aware of any changes.
- Familiarize yourself with U.S. employment authorization based on your visa status.
- During your job and internship search, it is important to understand the processes associated with your visa.
- Be completely transparent about your immigration status to employers. Employers may be willing to petition an H1-B and then later a Green Card, but this process becomes difficult when the employee is not upfront about their situation or withholds this information.
- Employers may have false assumptions about visa limitations, costs, processes, etc. It is your responsibility to advocate for yourself when it comes to your immigration and visa.
For more specialized assistance in your search, schedule an appointment with a career coach.
Fast Track Using GoinGlobal Resources
H1B Plus
Instant access to thousands of visa petitions from U.S. employers seeking to hire international talent.
- Search by location, job title, occupation or company name.
- Customized search engine provides access to all 400,000+ visa petitions from the U.S. Department of Labor.