Top Tips to Land a Job as an International Student

Here are some top tips you can use to boost your job search results and help you find graduate jobs.

Tip 1: Follow a proven pathway

As an international student, you have to deal with getting a work visa and the constraints from a hiring bias. Many people will use the “trial and error” approach until they crack the job code, i.e. they will apply to 100s of jobs until they find one that works out. You’ll be happy to know that there is a shortcut that you can use.

Here’s the process:

Step 1. Search time – International students who have landed the job or internship you want already – Search LinkedIn, company websites, ask family and friends etc.

Step 2. Target time – You can target those companies who already have international graduates working within the teams. This means the companies will be set-up to navigate the paperwork required, and also be aware of the benefits a multinational team has to offer. 

Step 3. Support time – Talk to the successful graduate students as they may have some tips on how best to approach interviews in different cultures, or equally tips on the application process. 

Tip 2: Find international student founders

Often, founders of organisations who used to be international students are more open to hiring other international graduate students. This is because they understand how difficult it can be to deal with getting a work visa after graduating, getting settled in a new country/city but also the benefits it can bring the company. 

Here’s the process:

Step 1. Find international student founders – Search LinkedIn, company websites, ask family and friends etc.

Step 2. Target these organisations directly

Tip 3: Mention international work experience on your resume

So many international students think that their international work experience doesn’t count. This couldn’t be further from the truth. By selling your international experience, you can boost your chances significantly.

So that’s it! Top tips you can use on top of an already solid job search strategy to increase your success as an international student.

Advice provided by GradJobs