Job Search Support Center

F-1 international students may be legally authorized to work in the United States (through Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training). F-1 international students can only work in the U.S. after receiving authorization and with certain restrictions. F-1 international students still need to seek authorization even if an internship is unpaid. Please consult the following resources:

1. IAU’s Career Services Page F-1 Employment: CPT & OPT 
2. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
3. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
4. Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN)
5. Tax Filing Services

Utilizing these tools can help you target the specific position, work environment that best suits you. These sites provide tests and assessment tools to make career searching more productive. Each of the sites are free to use without obligation to sign-up for the service.

• Free Student Career Mentoring Sessions: https://mentorstudents.org/
• MAPP Career Assessment Site: www.assessment.com
• Ten Free Career Assessment Tools: www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-free-career-assessment-tools
• WikiJob Career Aptitude Test: https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/jobs-and-careers/career-planning/free-career-aptitude-tests
• Career Fitter: http://careerfitter.com
• iSeek Careers: www.iseek.org
• Practice Aptitude Tests: https://www.practicereasoningtests.com/practice-aptitude-tests/
• Psychometric Tests: https://www.practicereasoningtests.com/psychometric-tests/

Learn how to write a U.S. professional resume by following IAU Career Services’ tips and guidelines for Resume Building. Consider using our Resume Template to get started!

If you’d like to have your resume reviewed and critiqued by Career Services, please email it to us at [email protected]. Make sure your resume is designed in accordance with our Resume Building tips and guidelines before sending it to us! Be on the lookout for an invitation to our next Resume & Cover Letter Workshop.

View our resource on How to Write a Cover Letter, including a template provided to us by CFI (Corporate Finance Institute). Be on the lookout for an invitation to our next Resume & Cover Letter Workshop. You can also use the IAU Writing Center for assistance writing your cover letter! Right-click here to copy the Writing Center email address for more information!

Not sure where to get started on your job search? Please read our Job Search Tips! It will give you the right tools for a U.S. job search and some tips specifically for job candidates on F-1 visas. Be on the lookout for an invitation to our next Job Search Workshop.

Please review our Interviewing Tips! It will explain what to expect during the hiring process, how to prepare for an interview, how to follow-up after, and also give some tips about avoiding job scams (find out more below in Avoiding Job Scams) and how to negotiate your salary. Be on the lookout for an invitation to our next Interview MockUp Group Session.

IAU provides on-going opportunities for professional development for the growth of faculty, staff, and students. The following topics are covered by Career Services workshops and webinars:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Resume & Cover Letter Writing 
• Job Search
• Interview MockUp (Group Sessions)

Learn to recognize potential employment scams by paying attention to the following:

• An employer should never ask for an application fee to apply for a job opportunity;
• You should not have to invest any money for products or memberships when taking on a job;
• If you are invited for a group interview, it can be a sign of an MLM (Multi-Level-Marketing aka pyramid schemes);
• You should not have to receive and re-ship packages.

To report an employment fraud:

• Better Business Bureau – BBB.org/scamtracker.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 877-FTC-Help.

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – ic3.gov/complaint.