How to find OPT Jobs for International Students in the USA?

We are sure that most of the job seekers will agree with the statement that finding the best OPT job in your desired field is like finding a needle in a haystack. Moreover, adhering to strict timelines can make your task even more difficult. Therefore, we have provided you with an extensive list of tips using which you can make your job search more productive.

Follow these tips for finding OPT Jobs in USA?

Important Notes: For pre-completion OPT, you can start applying after completing 9 months of enrolment in an academic program. But you cannot start working until and unless you complete 1 year of enrolment.

For post-completion OPT, you must apply up to 90 days before the completion of your academic program or within 60 days of the completion of your program.

The the time period of all your pre-completion OPT jobs will be deducted from the total OPT period of 12 months granted to you for determining the post-completion OPT the period you are eligible for.

Understand the job market to improve yourself :

Every F1 the student visa holder is aware of OPT jobs, CPT jobs, and other employment opportunities available to them as a result of their visa status. So, it’s prudent behaviour not to wait until the end of the the first year or the study program for determining your worth.

You should focus on all-round development by enhancing your knowledge, enriching your personality, and standing out from the rest.

• Study well and score excellent marks in every subject.
• Participate in extra-curricular activities in the college.
• Cultivate interesting, creative, and productive hobbies.
• Refine your communication and English language skills.
• Boost your self-confidence and gain emotional security.
• Increase your interest in reading good and useful books.

Apply on all job portals with complete attention:

You should apply on all the job portals and not just the popular ones as a lucrative offer for OPT jobs in USA can come from anywhere. As you can seek authorization from the university and USCIS for commencing employment under OPT before getting any job offer, you have enough time until you get an EAD card.

You should utilize this time efficiently by applying to as many jobs as possible. You can even follow the conventional route of finding job advertisements in newspapers.

• Search for jobs using relevant keywords for job title, educational qualifications, skills, and location.
• Apply for jobs posted by both employers and staffing agencies with an updated resume and cover letter.
• Read the job advert properly before applying to ensure that OPT candidates are eligible for applying.
• Apply unhesitatingly even if you feel that you are not the right fit for a position that interests you.
• After applying for jobs, stay alert as you might get a call or email from the employer at any time.
• Feel free to approach the employer or staffing agency if anything in the advert seems unclear to you.

Engage in Networking to create fruitful relationships:

Whether it’s personal life or professional life, people with whom you share a strong bond can help you to achieve your goals. Therefore, you should build as many connections as possible on campus as well as outside campus. Connections are not limited to physical connections as you can also establish digital connections.

No need to feel reluctant while discussing your job search journey with the people you know. But make sure to befriend only those people who are reliable.

Following are the sources of networking:

• Classmates, seniors, and alumni members.
• Professors, sports coaches, and librarians.
• Student organizations and community.
• University placement department.
• Relatives and friends in the USA.
• Public libraries and book clubs.
• Job fairs and career guidance events.
• LinkedIn, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

Avail paid services from professional consultants

Studying in the USA is quite expensive, and so, many international students form a tendency to save money wherever possible. But paying money for availing services from career consultants and placement firms should be considered as an investment.

Get assistance in searching for OPT jobs for international students by approaching a reputable staffing agency. Choose the agency after checking their past track record and affordability.

• With resume writing services, you can get a well-crafted resume and cover letter.
• With resume marketing services, you can increase the visibility of your resume.
• With training and placement services, you can get 100% assurance for a job.

Final Takeaway:

While searching for post-completion OPT jobs in USA, keep in mind that you cannot remain unemployed for more than 3 months in a 12-month period of full-time OPT granted to you. You should leave no stone unturned in increasing your chances of finding OPT jobs in USA.

If suitable opportunities are not available in your city, you can search for OPT jobs in other cities as well. But don’t include fake experience in your resume at any cost. Remember to apply for a social security number (SSN) on time. In the end, we will just like to say that you should try to become a better version of yourself every day.

Greetings, I’m Nancy Christian I’m a Content Creator living in the USA. She likes reading about motivation and psychology. I like Writing Content related to OPT, Jobs, OPT Resume, F1 Visas and companies that hire opt students helping topics.