What Actually Worked for You on OPT? Struggling to Get Interviews

Hi everyone,

I recently graduated and I’m currently on OPT. I’ve been actively applying for jobs related to my degree, networking on LinkedIn, reaching out to recruiters, and customizing my resume for each role — but I’m honestly struggling to get interviews.

It’s been stressful because as an international student on OPT, I have limited time to secure employment, and that pressure makes the process even harder. I don’t require sponsorship right now (I’m eligible for STEM OPT extension as well), but I feel like my application might be getting filtered out or overlooked.

For those who’ve been in a similar situation:

• What strategies actually worked for you?
• Did you focus more on referrals, staffing agencies, cold messaging, or something else?

I’m open to honest advice, even if it’s tough to hear. I just want to be proactive and make better decisions instead of applying blindly.

Thank you in advance — really appreciate any guidance 🙏