If you are new to the U.S. as an international student, the job search process can feel intimidating and beyond complicated, especially when you are also learning a new campus and a new culture. I came to the United States in 2018 for my undergraduate studies. Since then, I’ve worked in a variety of roles, both on-campus and off-campus. So I want to share a few tips to help you navigate international student employment here at St Kate‘s.
Let’s Start With the Rules
On-campus employment is the most common and relatively easy way for international students to get started, but it is still important to check a few things before we start applying for jobs:
- Make sure you are maintaining your F-1 status (for example, being enrolled full-time in an academic program).
- Make sure you are actively communicating with your DSO. Currently at St. Kate’s, Kim is our PDSO at the Center for Intercultural Development.
- In general, the work hour limit is 20 hours per week during the semester, and up to 40 hours per week during university breaks (always confirm your specific situation with your DSO).
- Make sure you have a bank account set up and have your direct deposit information ready.
- Understand the Social Security Number (SSN) application process. Your DSO can help you with this.
For more information, visit St. Kate’s International Student Resources page, which includes helpful guidance on the SSN application process and other important topics. Staying compliant protects your student status and future work eligibility, so when in doubt, reach out and ask first.
Now We Search!
Once you understand the rules and have confirmed your employment eligibility with your DSO, you can start searching for jobs.
At St Kate’s, all on-campus jobs are posted on Handshake. As the jobs are posted throughout the semester, it would be a good idea to set up job alerts so you would get notified when new jobs are posted! If you have any questions along the way, the Career Development Office is here to help. Pick a few positions that interest you, and we can support you as you prepare your application materials.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- Make sure the job is truly an on-campus position. Some on-campus employment opportunities may be physically located off campus but still qualify as on-campus employment if they are educationally affiliated with the university. Please confirm with your DSO if you are unsure.
- Make sure it is not an off-campus position that requires CPT or OPT.
Time to Apply!
Once you find a few on-campus jobs on Handshake that interest you, the next step is to apply strategically.
You will need a resume to apply for any on-campus position. Resume formatting in the U.S. may look quite different from the resumes you may have used in your home country. Don’t worry! Our Katie Career Virtual Center offers great resume templates to help you get started.
Some tips to increase your chances of getting a job:
- Apply to multiple positions. Do not wait for one job posting to respond before applying to others.
- Have your resume reviewed by one of the career coaches to make sure it’s strong.
- Highlight relevant experience. Your experience from your home country is valuable and absolutely counts. Those experiences probably have taught you soft skills such as teamwork, customer service, and communication.
- Technical (hard) skills are important too. These are usually listed in a dedicated “Skills” section on your resume. Examples include being multilingual, using software, and other technical abilities.
- If you are not sure what to include or how to present something on your resume, schedule an appointment with us and talk with one of our career coaches!
Yay! You are Invited for an Interview!
Interviews can be stressful, especially for international students who are new to the U.S. and are navigating so many new things at the same time. The good news is that interviewing is a skill you can practice, and we are here to help you prepare. Check out our interviews page.
Coming from a different cultural background brings new perspectives, and that is a strength. We also offer mock interviews to help you familiarize yourself with common interview questions.
Congrats! You are Hired!
You did great! Now let’s walk through a few important next steps, especially for international students.
After you receive an on-campus job offer, here are a few things you may need to complete:
- Accept the job offer and confirm your start date, schedule, and supervisor contact information.
- Complete any required hiring paperwork through the university’s Human Resources office.
- Set up direct deposit for payroll.
- Apply for a SSN if you do not already have one. Many F-1 students apply after receiving an on-campus job offer. Your DSO can guide you through the process.
- Keep important records for your files (offer letter, pay stubs, and tax documents such as your W-2).
If you have questions at any stage, it is always okay to ask your supervisor, HR, or your DSO. The Career Development Office is also here to support you!
What’s Next?
At some point, you will start looking for opportunities off-campus. Unlike on-campus employment, off-campus work usually requires additional authorization and paperwork (such as CPT or OPT) and must be planned carefully to protect your F-1 status.
In the next post of this series, we will break down the basics of off-campus employment for F-1 students, including CPT vs. OPT, how to know what you may be eligible for, and what steps to take before and after accepting an off-campus opportunity. Stay tuned!
