How to Find OPT Jobs? A Complete Guide for International Students

The question of how to find opt jobs is the big question that faces many thousands of international students in the U.S. after their graduation. And F1 visa holders have one golden ticket that is called Optional Practical Training (OPT) and will help get your career in the U.S. started. However, there are unlimited job boards, bewildering job requirements and a lot of competition, it can get overwhelming. Don't worry--you're not alone. We can do it step by step.

What is OPT?

It would help to know what is OPT before plunging into the job hunt. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one of the work permits given to F1 students giving them the opportunity to serve 12 months in the U.S. after graduating. Depending on your field of STEM, you can also spend up to 24 months as an extension, which means that you will have three years of employment and experience.

The time frame is set to assist you in transferring classroom knowledge to real world employment, discover career interests and develop a basis to long-term OPT careers in the U.S.

Why are Ultimate Jobs in the USA so treasured?

Getting a job in USA under the landing OPT is not only a matter of a pay check- it is a matter of exposure. During OPT, you:

·         Gain practical knowledge in your specialty.

·         Connect with U.S. firms and employers.

·         Get your resume stronger to be a future H-1B sponsor.

·         Find long term opt opportunities in areas that are doing well.

·         Consider that as your stepping stone to an entire international career.

Where to Begin a Jobs Search with OPT.

The initial step in an OPT jobs search is to know where to find it. There are trusting platforms and approaches which are:

Specialized Portals - Some platforms, such as OPTnation, focus on the processes of matching employers with foreign students. They sieve positions depending on the OPT job requirement and the visa friendly firms.

University Career Centers - The majority of universities have career services that include job listings, resume workshops and career fairs.

LinkedIn and indeed - General job portals have also plenty of f1 OPT jobs provided you filter by entry-level or visa-friendly employer.

Networking - Do not undermine the strength of alumni networks, LinkedIn groups and meetups. Numerous opportunities of hiring OPT students are made available by way of a referral.

Meeting OPT Job Requirement

All the jobs have their expectations, though in the case of OPT students, there are certain things worth remembering:

Direct Relevance: This position should be based on your major. To illustrate, in case you studied Computer Science, your OPT employment must be in IT, software development or other similar areas.

Work Authorization: Before you start, your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card will have to be approved.

Timescales: OPT timelines have to be implemented within 90 days prior to graduation and 60 days after. Don't miss deadlines!

It is important that you satisfy the proper OPT job requirement otherwise your work experience might not accrue per the rules.

High-Demand work places among OPT students.

There are always powerful opportunities of OPT in certain fields. The higher ranks are taken by:

·         IT / SD - Cloud computing, AI and cybersecurity are in boom.

·         Data Science/ Analytics- Experts in big data are very sought after.

·         Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals - STEM students with an interest in biotech or clinical research.

·         Business & Finance - Accounting, auditing and consulting roles.

·    Engineering - Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering are also choices of career that are OPT friendly.

And you need a job as an OPT student, begin with these sectors - not only are they trending, but also they will provide opportunities to be sponsored in the future.

Hire at opt Careers Tips.

Locating OPT job requirement and careers does not need to be a stressful event, provided you plan it:

Customize Your Resume - U.S. employers prefer succinct and results oriented resumes. Emphasize skills, project, and internships.

Prepare in Advance - Do not wait until you have your EAD. Apply well before the time you are supposed to have an interview so that when you are given the green light, you are ready to interview.

Practice Interviews - A good number of international students find it hard to cope with the U.S style interviews. Ask behavioral open-ended questions to gain confidence.

Follow Up - You should send friendly follow up emails after applying or interviewing. It shows professionalism.

Include OPT-Specific Agencies - Sites such as OPTnation can optimize your search of the OPT jobs requirement by offering you only those employers that consistently hire international graduates.

OPTnation Role in OPT Job Search.

As far as the OPT students particular job boards are concerned, the OPTnation has turned out to be a popular destination amongst the students. It:

·         Offers changes of visa friendly employers.

·         Refines job listing by OPT job requirement.

·         Offers is a marketing service that markets your profile.

·         Saves you time because it links you with the recruiters who are already aware of the process of OPT.

In case you need to know how to get the best jobs of the OPT quicker, resorting to the help of the specialized services like OPTnation can make a definite difference.

The most frequently made errors in OPT careers Jobs Search.

A lot of students are wasting a lot of time and opportunities due to mistakes that could have been avoided. To avoid the following are some:

Waiting too long: Submit at least 3-4 months to graduation.

Applying randomly: Do not spend much time on applying to a job that is irrelevant to your degree.

Neglecting paperwork: Do not forget to update your I-20, EAD and employer information.

Not networking: Job boards are helpful, yet personal contacts usually score the most desirable f1 OPT occupations.

Final Thoughts

The process of discovering how to discover OPT jobs could seem a challenging task, yet with the necessary strategy, it is certainly possible. Target high-demand industries, browse sites such as OPTnation, fulfill all the job criteria of the OPT and avoid shyness in networking.

Your OPT is no ordinary work permit- it is the launchpad to bigger and brighter opt careers in the U.S. The more proactive and strategic approach you take the sooner you will get the ideal job as an OPT student and be able to position yourself to succeed in the long-term.