beating social anxiety

how to thrive in your job search as an international student

Author

Abigayle Peterson
October 09, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

TW: school bullying, not fitting in

🦄 Andrew’s perspective (son of immigrants):

Job hunting as an international student?

Between visa status, culture shock, and the struggle to decode local social norms, it can be very frustrating. 

In fact, when I started networking & interviewing, I felt hopeless!

“I’m so awkward. I’m so bad at talking to people.” I’d tell myself.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

🦄 Abigayle’s perspective (China adoptee):

I often felt like I didn’t belong.

As the only Asian kid at my school AND whose parents didn’t look like me

it was easy to fall in the trap of claiming I was alone.

Plus, being bullied constantly compounded these beliefs.

Beating the lies and allegations about my identity acted as the driving force to winning in my professional and personal life.

🎆 Inside-Out Job Search Strategy

  1. Identify the fears holding you back

    1. Are you afraid of recruiters judging you?

    2. Are you afraid of more senior employees rejecting you?

    3. Are you afraid of not being enough?

  2. Create a “Free Trait Agreement” by renowned professor 

    1. Even though you may prefer to stay hidden and shy, you need to stretch yourself if you want the job that you deserve

    2. Create a you-centered terms and conditions

      1. How many outreach messages will you send so you can relax afterwards?

      2. How many recruiters will you talk to at this career fair?

    3. Abide by this agreement by achieving your goal. After that, you can reward yourself ❤️ 

  3. Get career support

    1. The top 1% in life have a secret: mentors.

    2. Having an accepting mentor to encourage and challenge you will help you grow to the top 1%.

    3. Andrew and Abigayle invite you to become our mentees by joining our mentorship program

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To your success,

Abigayle and Andrew 🦄