Understand Networking Behaviors

Become familiar with common U.S. networking behaviors by reviewing eDiplomat

• Typical networking behaviors include making eye contact, starting conversations, speaking confidently about yourself, and engaging in light or informal small talk.
• Attending a networking event—even just to observe—can help you see these behaviors in action and feel more comfortable with them. If that feels overwhelming, you can begin by practicing with a career adviser, getting involved in student clubs, and attending smaller events on campus.
• If English is not your first language, it is very normal to feel nervous about grammar or vocabulary mistakes. With practice and repeated exposure, these worries usually decrease and your confidence will grow.

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Resume & Interview Best Practices in the U.S.

Resume

As you apply for U.S. job opportunities, it is important to convert your resume to a U.S. format. You can Use the BCC resume builder to start your draft resume:   https://www.bcc.cuny.edu/campus-resources/career-development/cd-services/#clrw and then make an appointment with your Career Specialist to finalize your resume.

Additional tips to market yourself and your unique experiences:

• Use both your legal name and the name you prefer to be called so employers know how to address you clearly, for example:  Minh “Claire” Nguyen.
• Be sure to feature any additional languages you speak beyond English, as many employers see multilingual skills as a strong asset.
• Leave out personal details that are not relevant to the job and could introduce bias, such as your date of birth, age, gender, ethnicity, Social Security number, visa type, political or religious affiliation, or a photograph.
• Do not include TOEFL or other language test scores on your resume.
• If you studied outside the United States, list the GPA used by your institution and, when possible, add an approximate U.S. GPA equivalent so employers can more easily interpret your academic record.

Interviewing for U.S. Companies

While expectations for interviews in the U.S. can vary by region, culture and industry, the guidelines below are broadly useful for both remote and in‑person interviews.

• Aim to be on time: arrive 10–15 minutes early for in‑person interviews and about 5 minutes early for virtual ones.
• Demonstrate confidence by talking about your career goals, long‑term interests, achievements and strengths.
• Expect questions about your background and abilities and be ready to describe your specific contributions in previous jobs, classes, or projects.
• Maintaining appropriate eye contact with the interviewer helps show confidence and engagement.
• In many U.S. settings, it is standard to greet your interviewer with a handshake; if that conflicts with your religious beliefs, you may respectfully decline.
• Learn about the organization in advance so you can explain why you are interested and how you might add value there.
• Be prepared for different interview formats: some interviewers begin with casual conversation, others with direct questions, and some may speak more while others expect you to do most of the talking.
• Toward the end, it is appropriate to ask where they are in the hiring process and when you might expect an update.
• In the United States, employers are not allowed to ask interview questions about protected characteristics such as your age, race, sex, or marital status.

Finding “International-Friendly” Employers

One challenging aspect of the U.S. job search is determining which companies hire international students for full-time jobs after graduation.  Looking through job postings on national and local job boards can prove to be frustrating and time consuming.

Resources for Identifying “International-Friendly” Employers

Goinglobal: A database of organizations that have applied for H-1B Visas on behalf of previous

candidates, and other resources including U.S. City Guides and International Country Guides.

Myvisajobs:  A searchable H-1B visa database with a job board that posts international student-friendly

job openings.

Networking:  Talk with your friends and classmates about their job search and experiences with different employers; these conversations help you build social capital and can reveal opportunities or organizations you might not have considered.

Understanding U.S. Job Offers & Negotiating

Offer Letters

In the U.S., employers may make job offers either verbally or by email. When you receive an offer in either form, ask for a formal written offer letter before you accept, so you can confirm that the details match what you discussed with the employer and have the documentation you need for processes like CPT or OPT.

A written offer letter typically includes:

• Company name
• Position title
• Start date
• Job responsibilities
• Starting salary
• Benefits (for example, health insurance, vacation, retirement plans)
• Any employment eligibility or immigration-related requirements
• Depending on the role, the letter may also describe bonuses or commissions, relocation support, tuition benefits, stock options, or other specific terms.

Negotiating Job Offers

Before accepting a job offer, take time to review all details carefully, including salary, job duties, schedule, start date, benefits and any information related to your work authorization or future sponsorship.

It is acceptable in the U.S. to ask clarifying questions about the offer and to request small changes, such as a slightly different start date, a modest salary increase supported by market research, or funding for training or certifications.

As an international graduate, think about how the role aligns with your OPT (and possible STEM OPT) timeline and whether the employer might be open to sponsoring you in the future.

When you are ready to negotiate, thank the employer for the offer, express your excitement about the position and then politely ask if there is any flexibility in the specific areas you want to discuss.

No matter the outcome, approaching the conversation professionally can strengthen your relationship with the employer and help you feel more confident in your final decision.