Searching for a job can be an intimidating experience, especially when you are going through the process in a foreign country where there are different employment rules and customs. Although securing a job you love may not be easy, we have tips that will help increase your chances of finding a job after college.

Read the following five tips to find entry-level jobs and know how to properly go about your job search:

Start Early

Even if you have just landed in the U.S., it is never too early to start thinking about your career and prepare for the future. Identify professors in your department who have large networks, get to know other students who already have work experience, and attend local professional events in your field.

Another way to get a head start on finding a job after graduation is volunteering or getting a part-time internship while in school. You never know what opportunities these positions, even unpaid, will provide you with in the future.

Get Digital

Most employers today will search your name on the Internet, and if they cannot find anything, it raises a red flag. This is especially the case if you are looking to pursue a more digitally focused career. In this instance, being “off the grid” is not necessarily a good thing. It is beneficial for you to have a few social profiles, particularly a LinkedIn profile.

Furthermore, be sure that the content displayed on your public website and social profiles is up-to-date, clear, concise, and contains content that would be appropriate for an employer to see.

Related article: LinkedIn Tips for Students and New Graduates

Use School Resources

Part of your tuition goes toward funding university resources, such as career services and international student services. Take advantage of these resources by attending any job fairs your school hosts, have your résumé reviewed by career professionals, and take advantage of any student-work partnerships your university may have with other organizations. When it comes to finding a job after graduation, use your school to jumpstart your search.

Do Your Research

Before beginning your job applications, do some research beforehand. See which companies are the most influential in your industry and who is hiring. Be flexible about where you want to work and research the best areas or cities that are hiring people in the profession you want to pursue. Here are some common job search sites you can take advantage of to search for positions:

• LinkedIn Jobs
• Indeed
• H1Base
• MyVisaJobs
• Glassdoor
• CareerBuilder

Implement Job Search Best Practices

When searching for work, there are certain methods and best practices that will help land you the position. Here are some of them:

• Do not apply for everything: Instead of applying for hundreds of jobs and hoping one of the companies will get back to you, find a few jobs whose qualifications fit you well, and take the time to adjust your résumé and cover letter for each position.

• Practice interviewing: This is a very important part of the application process. You will need to learn how to be comfortable in an interview setting in order to make a good impression on employers. Practice with friends, or inquire with your school to see if you can set up mock interviews.

• Use proper correspondence etiquette: When speaking with and emailing employers, be sure to use proper language (avoid casual texting language) when corresponding via writing. After an interview, you should always send a follow-up email to thank the interviewer for his or her time.

• Contact your references: A good reference can be one of the most important parts of your job application. Be sure to ask your contact for permission to list them as a reference and keep them updated on when they might be contacted and by whom.

We hope these tips for finding a job after graduation will be helpful to you in your job search and give you insights into what employers are looking for in a candidate.

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