Career
Strong school, strong grades, and my first internship interview still came from application number 400. Here's what that taught me about job hunting in the U.S.
Four hundred. That's how many applications I sent while looking for an internship, and my first interview came from the last one.
I kept applying after that, too.
Is it hard to find a job in the U.S.? Yes. But it's the kind of hard you can prepare for.
A good school doesn't guarantee a job
That's true anywhere. In the U.S., though, people get cut quickly, and that makes an achievements-first mindset feel out of date.
A strong school and strong grades are a great start. What matters more is showing what you can actually do: how you think, how you solve problems, how you communicate, how you interview, and the rest of the soft skills.
Internships matter. A lot.
This is just what I've seen, but about 90% of the people I know, from bachelor's to PhD, American-born or international, landed their job offers through an internship.
Fifty applications, no replies
If this is your first real job search, it can feel overwhelming. Plenty of people lose heart around 50 applications with no response.
Fifty is early. My first interview came at 400.
Working next to very talented people
I've worked with a lot of talented people in the U.S., both American-born and international, and I've learned a ton from them. Being around people that sharp pushes you to get better, too.
It also means people get cut fast. If you can't do the job, someone else will step in.
I never thought American was the place for people who want stability.
If you'd like mentoring on your own job search, get in touch.
