1. Identify what you are good at and what you are passionate about.
   • Take the STRONG Interest inventory to help you identify rewarding career fields.
   • Review What can You Do with Your Major?
   • Complete your SU Handshake profile and create a SU FirstHand account to explore career options.
2. Find international talent-friendly employers
   • Review resources and identify employers
     • Top 200 Employers for OPT and STEM OPT Students
     • Top 200 Employers for CPT Students
     • Top H-1B visa sponsors by industry, occupation or job title at myvisajobs.com
     • GoinGlobal H-1B Plus database
   • Identify at least 10 international talent-friendly employers that match your skills set and career goals. Network with those employers before applying for any job. For example, connecting with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and send them a personalized note. Get connected to SU alumni who work for those employers via Arts & Sciences and Maxwell Alumni Program. SU alumni are always willing to help oranges.
3. Prepare yourself during the undergraduate study
   • Strategically plan your academic major(s) and minor(s).
   • Earn micro credential(s) to enhance your resume.
   • Accumulate experiential learning experiences starting Year 1 from the following:
     • Campus Job (F-1 students are permitted to work on campus for 20 hours per week.)
     • Internship (F-1 students are permitted to have Curriculum Practicum Training (CPT) after one year of academic study.)
     • Undergraduate research
     • Student leadership
     • Community engagement/Volunteerism
     • Study abroad
     • Career immersion trips
   • Start professional networking from Year 1
     • Meet company recruiters at networking events, career fairs, and information sessions.
     • Reach out to SU alumni via Arts & Sciences and Maxwell Alumni Program.
     • Explore American work culture.
   • Familiarize yourself with CPT and OPT for F-1 Students and relevant immigration regulations .
   • Have your resume prepared in the Year 1.
4. Prepare for job interviews
   • Develop a job search plan.
   • Meet with your Academic and Career Advisor to polish resume and cover letter.
   • Practice your interview .
   • Participate in an in-person mock interview (TBD).
   • Optimize your LinkedIn headline and summary.
     • Use key words focused for recruiter searches.
     • Show personality and brand yourself like an elevator pitch, in the first person.
   • Embrace your value as an international talent to the U.S. job market and highlight why you are irreplaceable to the future employers. Unique skills and knowledge you should demonstrate to your future employers as an international student are:
     • Creativity and new perspectives
       • Internationally diverse workforces bringing new ideas and skills, recipe for continued innovation.
       • Boosting team creativity
     • Foreign language and knowledge
       • Instrumental for global market
       • Better understanding of foreign consumers
       • Upgraded customer service
     • Enriched workplace culture
       • Creating a diverse and global-minded workplace
       • Forming a positive company reputation and attracting new talents
     • Enhanced branding
       • Talented team from various backgrounds
       • Greater competitiveness

1. How may an employer ask me about my work authorization? And how do I answer (F-1 student)?
   • Are you eligible to work/ legally authorized to work in the U.S.?
     • Yes, I have legal authorization to work in the U.S. for 12 months (or 36 months for STEM majors) (after your F-1 OPT is authorized).
   • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa?
     • My work authorization can be renewed for another six years with an H-1B working visa if I decide to work in the U.S. after OPT (please review How do I explain to future employers about my work authorization?)
2. When and how should I tell a prospective employer that I am an international student?
   • You do not need to draw attention to your F-1 visa status before an employer asks, given the reservations some employers may have about hiring international employees. It is recommended that you address your work authorization in the second interview once you have had an opportunity to draw employer’s interest in hiring you.
   • You need to communicate with an employer about your F-1 visa status clearly and confidently. You can start by explaining to your potential employer that you have a 1 year OPT work authorization (or 3 years for STEM majors) which do not need any employer sponsorship.
   • You must have accurate knowledge of F-1 OPT and H-1B and convince your employer they do not need to spend time figure out those things for you.
3. Should I list my visa status and/or work authorization on my resume?
   • No, you are not required to disclose it. However, if you were asked, you should never lie about your visa status.
4. What resources exist to support international students who pursue Pre-Med and MD degree?
   • F-1 Doctors is a peer-to-peer mentorship platform for international applicants to the U.S. health professional schools (M.D, D.O., Dental school) as well as the U.S. residency programs.

Arts & Sciences and Maxwell Career Advising

Syracuse University Career Services Center

International Student Career Immersion Experience