Get Hired: US Job Search Tips for International Students

Recorded: September 20, 2025 · ~54 minutes · Panel discussion

Summary

Recorded in September 2025 as students were starting the school year, this Seyi Odewale Foundation webinar brings together three professionals — including two former international students — to demystify the US job hunt. The panel covers what to do in your very first semester, how to network authentically, how to craft a compelling elevator pitch, and how to navigate cultural differences and interviews with confidence.

Key Takeaways

Start in your first semester: hold informational interviews with people in roles and industries that interest you, and catalog your work experience into a reusable “resume library” you can draw from for internships and applications.
Treat your campus as a networking hub — attend employer coffee chats and info sessions, and treat every interaction as a mini-interview by bringing a concise 30-second elevator pitch about who you are and what drives you.
Your network starts with the people closest to you — family, friends, classmates, professors, and colleagues — so don’t overlook them while chasing distant contacts.
On LinkedIn, reach out broadly (for example, 30 people at target companies); most won’t reply, but respect the time of the few who do, find common ground, and be clear about what you’re hoping to learn.
Practice your elevator pitch relentlessly — record yourself on your phone every other day until it flows naturally, cut the filler words, and tailor it to each conversation.
Adapt to the culture without losing yourself: speak up, give constructive feedback, challenge the status quo, and pick up small talk — “close mouth, don’t get fed.”
For interviews, research the company and industry beforehand (AI tools can accelerate this) and demonstrate intellectual curiosity and coachability — hiring managers weigh “will” over current “skill,” and soft skills are what get you through the door. Use the SOAR framework (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Results) for behavioral questions.

Chapters

  • 00:00 — Welcome & Seyi Odewale Foundation introduction
  • 02:30 — Meet the panelists
  • 15:54 — First-semester game plan: what to do right now
  • 21:03 — Your elevator pitch: a 30-second marketing speech
  • 23:31 — Building your network, starting with people around you
  • 34:47 — Cultural pitfalls to avoid: speak up and own your story
  • 42:40 — Interview prep: research, will vs. skill
  • 51:37 — Practice tools (theforage.com) and closing advice
  • 53:14 — Thank-yous and wrap-up

Speakers

Kunle Aromire — Vice President of Market Strategy at TransUnion; came to the US as an international student, earned an MBA, and built his career through Deloitte Consulting and Allstate.

Joan Odebiyi — Lead Product Manager at DocuSign with 15+ years in the corporate world; moved from Nigeria to the UK for postgraduate study before transitioning her tech career to the US.

Dr. Tunji Sangoleye — Industrial-organizational psychologist who lectures international students on career development and US workplace integration at the Stuart School of Business, Illinois Tech.