International Student Insights

I know you have probably heard it a thousand times but networking is absolutely the KEY to success. Everyone I know has gotten where they are because of someone they knew.

Remember, your international background is your biggest strength [and flex ;)]. Use it! 

The most important skill I had to learn was how to sell myself best. Always tailor your skills to best fit whoever you are talking to. 

Another cliche but, don’t leave for tomorrow the little things that you can get started on today. Work on small steps every day and you are bound to get far. 

Don’t compare yourself to others. It never helps. Use them as inspiration and work hard to become a better version of yourself.  Work hard now so you can enjoy it later. Job recruiting is a long-term gratification business. Don’t give up now just because you haven’t seen the results yet.   

Handshake is your best friend. The site allows you to filter internships and full-time positions by employers that will sponsor your visa. This will save you a lot of time in the application process.

After narrowing down the employers that will sponsor your visa, network as much as possible before applications open up. This will allow you and the employer to know each other very well, even before the first interview.

Draw on your experiences as an international student in the interview process. It is very likely that your background, experiences, and perspectives are unique compared to the vast majority of applicants. Leverage that to stand out!

Go to ALL career fairs, create an Excel spreadsheet to track key details: dates, company names, recruiter names, and something memorable about them or the conversation you had with them. Companies often return for future events at IU, so use your notes to follow up and continue the conversation. This approach will help you stand out, as recruiters will remember you!

Avoid just applying to companies. Focus on quality over quantity; applying to 300 companies will not be as effective as targeting 30 that align well with your goals. The key is to secure interviews, not to simply submit applications.

Regularly update your Handshake profile and always respond promptly to recruiters who reach out to you. Remember, they are contacting you for a reason, so take advantage of these opportunities.

As an international student, there are many factors beyond your control, so you can’t let the ones you do control trip you up. Prepare thoroughly by networking early, keeping track of application deadlines, seeking out development programs, consistently updating your resume, and maintaining a list of relevant experiences for interviews.

Advocate for yourself proactively. Don’t assume your supervisors have a plan in place for your situation—engage in open discussions about your circumstances and explore all possible scenarios. Involve HR in these conversations to ensure everyone is one the same page, and document as much as you can in writing. This approach will help you make well-informed decisions.

It’s easy to concentrate solely on securing visa status as an international student, but your career encompasses much more. Explore a variety of opportunities and focus on finding a path that aligns with your overall goals and interests. Your career should be viewed holistically, beyond just visa considerations.

Regarding international recruiting, the whole experience would have been a lot more stressful had I not been fortunate to receive the excellent advice from Undergraduate Career Services to consider contingencies before signing my offer.