When you study abroad as an international student, you have the option of concurrently working for international employers!
However, how can you secure your first internship or employment in a foreign country?
Where can you obtain valuable job advice for overseas students?
Cturtle is here to assist you!
This tutorial will teach you about the variations in foreign employment, internships, the documentation required for job applications, how to approach job interviews, and long-term training choices.
Our friendly experienced career counsellors are accessible to assist international students with their professions from day one through tailored coaching, career development programs, and more.
Understanding Foreign Employment
International students can apply for a wide variety of jobs overseas, with varying expectations depending on the type of role and individual firms that interest them.
Understanding the various job categories is critical for locating the ideal work for you.
Full-Time Employment
A full-time job requires between 32 and 40 hours of work each week.
In another country, many students move on to full-time jobs after graduating from university to begin their careers. Due to the high degree of dedication and labour required by full-time jobs, it can be difficult for students to reconcile full-time work and their undergraduate university studies.
As an international student, you are normally not permitted to work a full-time job during the academic semester at your university or college.
Depending on the terms of your student visa, you may be permitted to work full time during your semester’s break, for example, during the summer (if you are not enrolled in summer semester classes).
Part-Time Employment
A part-time job normally requires 10 or more hours per week, while certain part-time employment may demand up to 39 hours per week.
Due to the wide range of time commitments, it is critical to understand what an employer wants from part-time employees as early in the application process as possible.
Many students earn money through part-time jobs.
Students may work part-time jobs to supplement their income or for personal reasons while enrolled in school.
Students typically perform part-time jobs to obtain work experience, construct their resumes, and develop contacts and references that will be beneficial when they transition to full-time employment.
As an international student, your visa allows you to work part-time during the school year, but only up to 20 hours per week.
In general, because part-time jobs require less time commitment than full-time work, they may be easier to manage alongside your studies.
Employment on-campus vs. off-campus
Bear in mind that student visas also dictate whether overseas students can work in on-campus occupations.
This term refers to any employment conducted on the campus of your institution or college that directly benefits the school or its students.
If your student visa allows you to work off-campus during specified periods, you are typically required to obtain prior approval from your university and/or college counsellors.
There are several special rules that differ according to the type of visa:
After completing one academic year of study, students on an F-1 visa may work off-campus through Curricular Practical Training or CPT.
J-1 visa students, on the other hand, are permitted to work off-campus only with the permission of their sponsor and university.
Internships
Internships are an excellent opportunity to obtain work experience, as many academic degree programs require students to complete an internship or co-op as part of their study.
Internships enable you to gain experience by providing short-term work assignments with a local business, typically as a junior-level employee and are sometimes accompanied by course credit.
Whether internships are elective or obligatory for your degree, engage with your advisors to ensure that you are in compliance with any visa work restrictions.
Virtual Internships
Virtual internships are becoming a popular option among students and employers: They can be accessed anywhere, and offer increased opportunities, especially for companies that may not have a physical location near college campuses. Virtual internships give international students the chance to gain the same experience as an in-person internship from the comfort of their home and the possibility to work at organizations far away from where they live.
Job Search Support for International Students
International students face the challenge of finding a job overseas after graduation. Here are some resources of tutorials, tips and advice to help international students find an international job.
Career Accelerators
Career Accelerators leverage technology to connect college and business, offering students real-world exposure.
After graduation, students in the program will gain a competitive edge by putting the skills they acquire in class into practise with a local firm that provides classroom time for mentoring and training.
Career Accelerators Asia
Career Accelerator Asia can help you accelerate your job hunt.
You can acquire professional skills through exclusive access to internship possibilities and resume workshops, while career development courses and services help you prepare for full-time employment.
From interview preparation to career counselling, discover how to expedite your path to global job market success.
UniAdvisor
Would you like to share your foreign student experience with prospective students? Then have a look at UniAdvisor, a site with over 33,000 reviews. What distinguishes UniAdvisor is that it offers international graduate employment outcomes data in addition to city reviews and addresses problems such as safety, cost of living, and foreign students’ access to medical and mental health facilities.
Talk Study
A robust website that contains all the necessary information for international students and graduates to maximize their potential. You can browse through all of the free blogs and articles created by professionals to learn about work opportunities. As a result, you will become better prepared and knowledgeable about the requirements of all businesses worldwide.
Creating a Resume and Cover Letter
When applying for a job or internship, you must submit a resume. A resume, like a CV (curriculum vitae), is a one-page document that summarizes your professional experiences and credentials. A cover letter is your written statement for the job for which you are applying, and it should be customized for each role and employer.
Resume Writing Advice
Due to the fact that resumes are much shorter than CVs (which are typically at least three pages long), you must condense the material presented while still highlighting your qualifications, talents, and experiences. When deciding whether to mention hard talents or soft skills, keep the job-related skills in mind.
Cover Letter Support
Cover letters should be tailored to each job for which you apply and should connect your talents and experiences to the job’s specific duties. The objective of a cover letter is to provide a more complete overview of yourself to the organization and to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the position by demonstrating how you would flourish in the organization and role.
Job Interviews
If an employer finds your job application favourable, you will be invited for an interview. An interview provides the company with an opportunity to learn more about you personally beyond the information contained in your resume.
During the interview, you may be asked about your previous experiences, your familiarity with specific software or processes, and why you’re applying for the job.
The interview enables firms to ascertain your professional presentation and your fit with the organization.
Many interviews are conducted one-on-one between you and a recruiting manager, though depending on the role, team leads or department heads may also be present.
Certain employers may need you to attend multiple interviews.
This is frequently the case for highly technical positions requiring specialized knowledge or for occupations with a huge volume of applications.
Multiple interviews are planned in such a way that each session evaluates a different talent and may even involve group interviews in which you are interviewed alongside numerous corporate representatives.
Interview Prep
Interviews are critical components of foreign student careers, and interview preparation should be done on a case-by-case basis, as each organization conducts interviews differently.
The following are some pointers to bear in mind as you prepare for an interview:
- Conduct research on the firm and become acquainted with its products or services. Consult their website for additional details.
- Dress accordingly. Certain businesses may require formal office wear (a suit and tie), while others may favour smart-casual attire. When the hiring manager contacts you for the interview, you can explain this to them.
- Prepare yourself for a variety of interview questions. Certain employers may ask primarily about your abilities and experiences, while others may focus more on your personality and self-awareness.
Several frequent job interview questions include the following:
- Tell me something about yourself.
- In five years, where do you see yourself?
- Tell us about a work-related obstacle you overcame and how you overcame it.
- What are your requirements for a new position?
- What motivated you to apply for this position?
- What causes are you particularly enthusiastic about?
Remember to be appropriately inquisitive and ask questions about the role and organization during your interview—this demonstrates your interest in the job and company. After your interview is complete, send a “thank you” email or message to the recruiting manager to demonstrate your professionalism and courtesy. This will assist you in establishing a favourable reputation for your foreign student career.
Work Visas for International Students
Work visas for international students allow international students who have completed their education in their home country to stay and work in foreign. Work visas are a safety net for students who didn’t find employment in time or who couldn’t afford to stay after completing their studies. That said, there still is a path to stay and work overseas. if you cannot get a student visa after graduating from school.
It is true that there are so many options available for international students to choose from, the hardest part is to narrow down the choices and zero in on one particular option that would serve as a stepping stone for their career.
We hope that our list of career and job resources for overseas students has assisted you in locating the information you sought. We are constantly interested in hearing about new websites that may serve our worldwide audience better.
Kindly notify us at hello@cturtle.co.
