OPT & CPT Jobs for International Students USA_ Current Scenario and Strategies

1. OPT & CPT Jobs for International Students USA: Current Scenario and Strategies Students in the USA with F-1 visas have to rely on gaining practical work experience to see actual growth in their careers. After graduation and during their studies, students often apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) jobs that tend to give them an upper hand in the competitive job market. Through this blog, let us understand the current job market in the US, how to strategically apply for the right job, how to create the right resume, and the current challenges associated with entry-level jobs for international students. Understanding the US Job Market for OPT and CPT Students To better understand the job hiring situation in the USA, you must navigate through the current market. There are constant changes in the rules of OPT and CPT jobs that are influenced by the economic condition of the country, regulations around visas, and the fluctuating market. Let us dive into the important aspects that need to be considered by every OPT and CPT student:

2. 2 1. Current Job Market The OPT and CPT programs for students in USA and the hiring operations have seen frequent fluctuations. In the year 2024, there was a hike in job openings up to 7.744 million along with a wave of mass hiring in sectors such as professional and business services and hospitality. But soon after, the OPT and CPT jobs in USA for students saw a steep decline that reached 7.673 million. This indicated the decline in the hiring sector and the current market scenario. The current job market in the USA is a perfect example of why strategic job search is an essential element of finding the right jobs. 2. High-Paying Industries and Job Roles There are specific industries in the US that continue to offer better job opportunities for OPT and CPT students regardless of the fluctuations that take place in the US market. since the year 2024, industries such as healthcare, finance, engineering etc have been offering the most high-paid jobs, especially for the role of software developers, data scientists, healthcare administrators etc. Although the demand for OPT jobs in Californiaand other US states has been constant through the change in the market, the competition has only increased. To stay relevant through the competition, CPT and OPT students have to strategically upskill and gain relevant experience. 3. Ideal Locations Certain locations in the US including New York, Austin, San Francisco and Seattle have better CPT and OPT job opportunities for F1 visa holding students. These cities have been offering high-paying jobs to international students with better opportunities and better roles. These regions are well known for their growing presence in the field of technology, thus providing more jobs. Now that we understand the basic US market for CPT and OPT jobs for international students, let us explore some important strategies that students can implement for better results. Strategies to Search for OPT and CPT Jobs

3. 3 Here are 4 strategies to ease job search for CPT and OPT students: 1. Utilise the Resources Provided by Universities Universities often have ties with the leading job providers to refer their top-ranking students. Understanding the criteria to crack these ties and using them to your advantage is a smart way of getting a competitive edge on the job search. Universities have special sections and mentorship drives that help students understand the referral program better and work accordingly to make better decisions when it comes to applying for jobs. Through constant engagement with relevant university resources, students have an upper hand in being proactively referred to and gaining industry experience. 2. Understand the Algorithms of Online Job Providing Platforms for Efficient Use Online job portals that CPT and OPT student jobproviders use to find ideal candidates, use intelligent AI to match the requirements of the job providers with the skills of job seekers. By understanding the algorithms of such platforms, for example, LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor, international students with F1 visas can make a resume that is search-friendly. Industry keywords and the right placement of specific skills can make the resumes of international students appear in search results and witness better profile ranking. The special features of each platform, such as setting specific alerts, utilising the platform's insights and networking can improve the chances of getting a response from companies. 3. Networking with the Right People to Smartly Get Ahead Networking with the right people is often the ultimate cheat code to getting OPT student jobsthat are never advertised. With the right people and the right opportunities, students stand a higher chance of being able to land these jobs. Another great way of networking is through the university alumni who know you personally or a university staff who has ties in the industry. There are several common mistakes that students make while looking for jobs. These mistakes must be avoided and they can be executed only by connecting with the right people and knowing their real-life experiences in the same field. Recruiters prefer trusting in referrals given by someone in their network rather than looking for someone new. This places a potential job seeker ahead of others competing for the same role with zero networking. Before diving into the right strategies for huntingjobs for OPT students, international

4. 4 students need to understand the depth of the industry and give the job seekers a run for their money. High competition does not just end once the student is selected for the job, to stay relevant in the industry and see growth, they must constantly upskill and learn new things to offer more. Conclusion Landing the dream job that pays well is every international student's dream, but to make that dream come true, they must work smart and work towards the right goal. The tips and tricks mentioned above are some of the strategies that students can implement in their job search, but landing the right job is just the beginning of the journey for optional practical training jobs. To stay a valuable asset for the company, they must upskill, adapt and gain experience for a long-term career and for continued success.