The International Student and the Internship & Job Search

While many of the tips and strategies for conducting an internship and job search presented in Chapter 4 are relevant for all job and internship seekers, international students may face some additional challenges. One of the most pressing challenges is to learn and feel comfortable with the hiring culture and practices in the U.S. and how they differ from your home country. Review the roles of the U.S. employer and international student in the employment process to acclimate and prepare yourself for the differences and to show potential employers you are prepared to work in the U.S.

The U.S. Employer’s Role in the Job & Internship Search

Many employers restrict hiring to U.S. citizens or permanent residents because they assume it is complicated, expensive, and time-consuming to hire international students (especially for full-time positions), or they have a federal government contract. Additionally, many employers use internships to recruit for full-time positions. Although it is a less complicated process for employers to hire international students for an internship, they prefer U.S. citizens whom they could easily convert to full-time employees. The employer’s role is to...

• Use various approaches to locate potential employees for internships and full-time employment:
  • Career and internship fairs or community job fairs
  • On-campus recruitment
  • Employment agencies (“headhunters”)
  • Employee referrals
  • Job announcements on company websites, job boards, major newspapers, trade publications, or professional associations
  • Regional and national professional conferences
• Seek people who are the right fit for the organization and the position for which they are recruiting.

* Note: Individual equality in the U.S. is important; thus, legally, factors like age, gender, and race cannot be considered in the interview process.

• Provide applicants with an opportunity to explain their credentials and the reasons they are suitable for a position.

As an internship or job seeker in the U.S. your responsibility is to pursue and apply for opportunities. It is also your responsibility to become aware of the process and paperwork necessary to be eligible to work in the U.S. Rutgers Global offers monthly workshops on post-completion, off-campus, and on-campus employment. You can also meet with your international student advisor who can help you complete any necessary forms and inform you of costs associated with working in the United States.

When invited for an interview, be prepared to explain to the interviewer what is involved in the process for work authorization and hiring an international student for a job or internship opportunity. Employers might be interested in hiring you if you demonstrate that you are the best-qualified candidate and if no U.S. citizens can be found with the skills they seek. The international student’s role is to...

* For additional assistance in planning your career and searching for internship and job opportunities, you can schedule an appointment via your Rutgers Handshake account and/or visit careers.rutgers.edu/events for a list of programs and events.