By Carl Becker, MBA ’25 | MBA Career Peers
One of my primary goals in coming to MIT Sloan from Germany for my MBA was to gain hands-on experience in Venture Capital and explore a potential transition from consulting. Navigating the job search as an international student in the United States, however, can often feel like tackling a complex and daunting puzzle. At first, it’s hard to know where to start, and with so many moving parts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You might find yourself wondering which piece fits where or how to even begin assembling the bigger picture. However, all hope is not lost. Every year, countless international students successfully navigate this process and land their dream jobs. With the right mindset and strategy, you can too.
Building Your Recruitment Staircase
The way I think about recruiting is like building a staircase that connects where you are now with where you want to go. Each step represents progress toward your goal, and the key is to take it one step at a time. To build this staircase, you first need to understand what your targeted job requires.
Step 1: Reflect. When recruiting, I always ask myself about fit with my background, abilities, and interests: What does this job look like? What abilities do I need to bring to the table to succeed in this role? For example, when I transitioned from consulting in Germany to venture capital (VC) in the US, I started by identifying what skills I needed as a venture capitalist. For me, these boiled down to four main areas: Investment thesis research, deal sourcing, investment decision-making, and portfolio company support.
Step 2: Evaluate Feasibility. Once I understood what was required and decided it was a good fit, the next step was evaluating feasibility and identifying areas I needed to focus on. To evaluate how my background aligned with the requirements of the role, I sought advice from classmates and professionals already working in the industry, and read up on what the day-to-day responsibilities typically look like. In my case, I had already worked with startups and developed my own ideas, as well as supported larger corporations—this experience covered the portfolio support aspect of VC work. Additionally, my academic and professional background in energy and climate tech gave me strong expertise for investment thesis research. However, there were gaps I needed to address. Specifically, I needed to build a network within the US entrepreneurial ecosystem and refine my perspective on investment decisions.
Step 3: Address Gaps. To tackle these gaps, I started attending events at MIT Sloan that connected me with investors and entrepreneurs. I also selected classes—primarily action labs—that gave me hands-on experience working with startups and investors. Additionally, I took all the finance classes I could get my hands on to refine my theoretical understanding.
All of this was driven by my ultimate goal: acquiring the skills required for my target job while building a compelling storyline about my career trajectory that would resonate with potential employers.
The Unique Challenges for International Students
While this process of identifying your starting point, goal, and steps applies to all job seekers, international students face additional challenges due to the US immigration system. Employers may perceive hiring international candidates as risky because of uncertainties around work authorization and visa status. For employers, losing an employee due to visa issues can be costly—not just in terms of time but also financially. Replacing an employee can cost up to a year’s salary due to recruitment expenses and potential knowledge drain. As a result, international students must work harder to stand out in a hiring market that inherently includes extra hurdles.
How International Students Can Stand Out
So how can international students compete effectively despite these challenges? The answer lies in going the extra mile.
Show Your Value: When applying for jobs, your primary focus must be more than proving that you meet the job requirements listed in the posting—there are likely hundreds of candidates who do. Instead, demonstrate your unique fit and that you add unique value above and beyond other applicants. Show potential employers that the additional value you bring is worth taking on the risks and costs associated with hiring an international candidate. For example, rather than simply writing a standard cover letter outlining how my background matches the job requirements, I would share my insights and opinions on current portfolio companies and suggest potential future investments. This approach demonstrates how I would add value in the role, going beyond just discussing qualifications.
Build Experience: To achieve this, it’s important to put in significant effort both inside and outside of traditional recruitment channels. Since regulations around in-semester internships limit opportunities for direct work experience during school terms, find creative ways to connect with potential employers and prove your worth. One excellent way to do this is by participating in Action Labs or similar programs where you work on real-world projects in collaboration with companies. These labs are invaluable for building connections while showcasing your skills firsthand. Even if the company you’re working with isn’t hiring at the moment, impressing them can lead to warm introductions to firms that are actively recruiting.
Demonstrate Expertise: In addition to action labs, it’s important to use your free time strategically by building a portfolio of work that aligns with your target role. For example, when I was recruiting for VC roles, I spent time developing investment theses on areas I was bullish about and forming opinions on startups—both those already in the portfolios of funds I was applying to and others that could be potential investment targets for them. This allowed me to demonstrate not only my expertise but also my genuine interest in their specific industry focus.
Leverage Your Network: Another effective strategy is leveraging your existing network—even connections you haven’t spoken with in years. Though this can be new or feel unusual for international students, it is a skill that can be learned and is a very effective way to convey your value beyond your resume. For example, once I identified a company I was interested in, I would scan my LinkedIn network to see if I had any connections at the firm. On one occasion, I discovered an acquaintance from my undergraduate studies who worked at the fund’s office in Germany. After reaching out and reconnecting, he offered to write an introduction and endorsement to the head of the New York office, which opened the door for further conversations. Often, people within your network may work at multinational organizations or have ties to US branches and can provide valuable introductions. A strong warm introduction can make all the difference when competing for roles, as it can help you build internal advocates at a company and get job leads.
Make Yourself Indispensable: Finally, if you secure an internship opportunity—whether during the summer or through other means—you must treat it as an extended interview. Go above and beyond during your internship by contributing meaningfully and proving that you add significant value to the team and firm. Make yourself indispensable so that your employer sees hiring you full-time as an obvious choice.
Final Thoughts
For me, following these strategies paid off: I landed an internship in venture capital and eventually received a full-time offer. It wasn’t easy—it required careful planning, relentless effort, and a willingness to go above and beyond—but it was absolutely worth it.
Recruiting as an international student may feel overwhelming at first, but it’s entirely possible with a structured approach and determination. By thinking of recruitment as building a staircase—identifying where you are now, where you want to go, and what steps will get you there—you can create a clear plan for success.
Remember that standing out as an international candidate requires extra effort: proving your unique value through action labs or projects and a clear value proposition; building a strong portfolio of work; leveraging your network for introductions; and excelling during internships. With persistence and focus on adding value at every step of the process, you can overcome challenges and achieve your career goals.
