An article from the Business Insider urges international students to “cultivate deep friendships with Americans.” These friendships help them succeed in finding jobs while studying in the United States. International students have unique life experiences and knowledge of other languages. Both are desirable qualities to employers, but those same international students can still struggle to find jobs while in the United States. The author suggests that forming true friendships with U.S. classmates can lessen this problem and offers two reasons why they are important for job search success:

• Networks – Befriending U.S. students gives international students a larger group of people to help in the job search. The more people you know, the more access you have to information regarding opportunities and who is hiring.
• Recommendations – In addition to an increased exposure to job opportunities, American friendships can provide references; people who are willing to speak positively on your behalf. A personal recommendation may be almost as important as a résumé to many employers.

To work in the United States, international students must have the proper authorization. The U.S. government takes working illegally in the United States very seriously. If you are interested in working in the United States, you can learn more from our Working in the United States;page or by speaking with your designated school official.

Source:

• International Students: Don’t Make This Job-Search Mistake; Business Insider