Job Searching as an International Student
06.04.2026 | Blog
Hi everyone!
I’m Ayane (Anna) Kono, the new recruiter here at Bond Consultants. I would like to share my journey and some tips for job searching as an international student. I recently graduated from Beloit College with a Cognitive Science degree and secured a job in the U.S. through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduation. However, as most recent graduates would experience, the process of seeking employment was not the easiest. Especially with OPT, there are specific timelines we need to consider and some limitations to know about.
In terms of timelines, students may apply for OPT 90 days before graduation or within 60 days after graduation. The OPT begin day can be anytime between the completion of study and 60 days after that, and students are allowed to have 90 days of unemployment per 12 months of OPT. As for limitations, students are allowed to take multiple jobs at the same time or switch jobs between the OPT period, but the total hours must be more than 20. Moreover, the job needs to relate directly to your major.
For my case, I already knew I wanted to stay in the U.S. after I graduate to prepare myself for grad school in the future. I want to keep using English and improving on it, and living in the U.S. allows me to stay motivated. Therefore, I applied to OPT as soon as the application opened. One of the biggest challenges for me is to find out what day is the best day to request OPT start date. I wanted some days after graduation to focus on job searching without risking the unemployment days to be counted towards the 90 days, so I picked a day about 3 weeks after graduation. However, I didn’t think it thoroughly to realize I won’t have income for those periods. It was a struggle to find a place to stay after graduation, when I still haven’t figured out where I’ll be working nor how much I will be earning.
I have few tips to share if you are an international student. Firstly, it is important to plan wisely. Before you apply for OPT, think about how you want to spend the week right after graduation. Do you want to start working immediately? Or do you want to dedicate that time to job searching? If so, how much savings do you have to live without an income? At first, it is overwhelming to think about such things when you are still unsure about your future. But thinking through those things reduces your stress significantly after graduation. Secondly, it is okay when things don’t go as you planned. Make sure there is a support system around you who can help in case of emergencies. Try not to stress too much about it and take actions step by step. With enough preparation and adaptability to the situation that comes along, you will be able to succeed.
Luckily, I was able to stay on campus for extra days and get a job here at Bond Consultants soon after graduation. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and am excited to connect candidates and companies. I wish to help as many people as possible who struggle to find a job, including international students like me.