The 3 Best ways to find an Internship: for J-1 and OPT F-1 Visa Candidates by A. H. Lostocco

www.internship4america.com

The following is a list of resources that will give you and your resume the greatest exposure in the shortest time period. These three (3) methodologies use resources I have researched and identified for implementation. The first method is the passive method, the second is an active line of attackes and the third is a pro-active tactic. Each methodology adds and improves to your chances of obtaining the internship you want.

Methodology #1 Passive Method: You should go to all the sites listed and post your resume. These are the 5 best sites for posting your resume. In posting your resume make sure you answer all the questions properly and completely. If the site asks for your picture make sure you post it. Those that post their picture have a better chance of obtaining an internship. Remember a picture personalizes you. Make it just a headshot if you have one or a picture with you neatly dressed. We call this a passive approach because you post your resume and wait for an employer to contact you. Here are the best sites for posting your resume;

1. www.internshipprogram.com This is by far the most comprehensive site with over 250,000 resumes posted. Free Posting

2. www.rsinternships.com You can also search out internships that companies have listed. Free Posting

3. www.internship4america.com Along with posting you can review the internships that they are currently recruiting for.

4. www.internweb.com You can post your resume and search out current internships available

5. www.learn4good.com At this site you can post your resume and hunt for internships that are currently available. You also can find internships posted from around the world at this site.

Methodology #2 Active Line of Attack

I have researched these books and my recommendation is that you pick at least two books and use them in your search for an internship. This is an active approach because you will be contacting companies directly. There is one disadvantage to this approach and that is that thousands of others have purchased these books and are using the same approach. These can all be found on the amazon.com website.

1. Vault Guide to Top Internships, 2008 Edition

2. Best 109 Internships, 9th Edition

3. US Internships. 1st Edition

4. The interns Files.

There are many other books for you to consider on this subject. I have tried to pick the ones that you can use for your active line of attack.

Methodology #3 Pro Active Tactic

This is the most difficult approach but it can give you the best results. This approach requires work on your part. The best way to start this is first decide what field you are interested in doing your internship. Keep in mind that the US State Department will only grant you a J-1 Visa provided that your training is commensurate with your education or that you have 5-years of related work experience. In simple terms if your degree is in accounting don´t try for an engineering internship. Next thing to do is to decide on a location. Do you want to be in New York or in New Mexico? Here again keep in mind; everyone wants to go to New York City or Los Angeles. My recommendation is to pick a city that is less costly, more livable and there is less competition. Now using some of the following sources, find companies in this city that would be interested in hosting you. You can do this simply by writing to the Human Resource manager and telling them what you are looking for. The best part of this approach is, your probably the only one who will be contacting that company or hotel or business which will improve your odds drastically in finding an exciting internship where you will get a good training experience. Here are some sites you can go to start your search.

1. www.vault.com They have a large database of companies and background on companies that you can access to get information about the company and key staff members.

2. www.businessweek.com This site is good for doing research on different companies. There are some costs involved with accessing their corporate database.

3. www.monster.com This site also has a database of company profiles that you access for research.

4. www.google.com You can use this or any of the other search engines to search for types of companies within a geographical area or city or state and then research the individual company.

Let me say this again for those who do not understand or believe. You need to use all three approaches at the same time to maximize your benefit. If you are serious about your internship and you are serious about learning then you need to find the internship that will give you the maximum learning exposure.

If I can be of any other assistance feel free to contact me directly at lostocco1@internship4america.com or I can be reached at 404-531-9574.