Crossing Borders, Shaping Careers: How I got job offers as an International Student
Getting a job as an international student is really a difficult one.
But………. is it possible?
Yes, people have done it! 💪
Then why it’s not happening to me 😡😡😡?
Perhaps the universe is spending some time on Instagram/TikTok videos and forgetting to notice your hard work.
with no option left, we have to wait till its battery dies.
I took 12+ months of seeing everyday rejection emails and after graduation, it took 8+ months to get my first offer letter. Finally, after 8+ months of solid focus on jobs I ended up with 3 offer letters 🕺🕺🕺.
I know you might get into depression, feels like giving up but keep holding till you get it and don’t forget to celebrate yourself and gift yourself an abroad trip once you land on a job( I suggest Morocco, affordable and the best experience ), Until then try also the steps I’ve done to get job offers.
1. Having a Unique Portfolio :
If you are into development background, It’s really good to have a unique portfolio ( let people call you crazy for the portfolio, but something which is not common is always unique, a simple HTML page with no CSS is also a unique one ) 🤷♂️🤷♂️.
In my case: I had a 3D portfolio which is a gaming replica of my resume.
3D: http://pratheepwebgl.azurewebsites.net
2. Having a resume that is ATS friendly:
I’m going to use one resume for all job applications
OK, but don’t forget the universe is still binge-watching Instagram / Ticktok videos, after all these struggles do you still believe in luck?
Three Suggestions from my side
1. Creating resume with Overleaf (LateX).
2. Using a Job Analytics extension.
3. Updating resume for every applications.
1. Creating a resume using Overleaf ( LateX ) — LateX helps to produce documents that are consistent and visually appealing which helps to get a professional view.
Link: https://www.overleaf.com/
2. Job Analytics Extension — this extension helps to identify the important keywords in the application portal and helps you to compare the % match between your resume and portal.
Link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/jobalytics-resume-keyword/fkiljfkkceaopbpfgfmjdnkiejaifkgd
3. Updating resume for every application — Once you found the important keywords, try to inculcate them into your resume and check the % match with the resume. Try to get 80+ % in the resume match.
Ok now it’s time to run a recursion
def apply_for_job():
go_to_application_portal()
use_extension_to_find_important_keywords()
update_the_resume()
apply()
if application_result == "success":
print("Hooray! Finally got accepted!.
Time to pack your bags for next trip 🍾🍾!")
else:
print("Oops, got rejected again! Let's try one more time.")
apply_for_job()
apply_for_job()
3. Things to do before the Interview:
Don’t you think it will be good to have someone with us to revise 🥺🥺?
Time to introduce our best friend ChatGPT 😎.
Yes, you heard it right!! chatGPT can help us during the preparation
Utilize chatGPT to conduct an interview for you, use prompts like
Can you please conduct interview for me on the topic React (the domain you wish to prepare) , ask questions one by one, and verify my answer
Here the chatGPT will conduct the interview by asking questions and verifying your answer and helping you to give an interview experience.
Trust me, I got 90% of the technical questions which I was already prepared using chatGPT.
4. Never forget to say thanks if you got rejected:
Being it helpful or not, nothing bad going to happen by saying thanks for conducting the interview and seeking feedback if possible.
Here is the email template I used to send after every rejection
Hello, Thank you for taking the time to review my application and letting me know about the status of my job application. Although I am disappointed to hear that my application was not successful, I appreciate your prompt response and transparency throughout the recruitment process.I am still very interested in exploring opportunities with (company name) and would appreciate if you could keep me in mind for any similar roles in the future. I am confident that my skills and experience would make a positive contribution to your organization.If it's not too much trouble, could you please provide me with feedback on why my application was not successful? This information would be valuable for me to improve my future applications and professional development.In case you are interested in knowing more about my professional work, please feel free to check out my online portfolio (portfolio link) . I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about my work.Thank you again for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.
5. What to do if you got offer?
ahh, come on man! , Finally, the universe got some time to recognize your hard work. why don’t you gift yourself?
Finally, it’s going to be challenging, and it will take some time, but I always remember the wise words of a legend who once told me,
“Consistency is the key.”
So, when you write your blog about landing a job as an international student, don’t forget to embrace the wisdom of that legend who told it to you😉.
Following tricks doesn’t gonna make it done, you need hard work before following tricks. Here is my video of 100 days coding challenge I took during my master’s degree.
