How long to find a job on OPT

Career Hub
1
  1. if i’m on opt, should I answer “yes” or “no” when being asked, “do you need sponsorship”? Same question applied to CPT as well…technically, the company doesn’t have to pay for my work authorization if I’m on OPT or CPT, but they’ll have to accept them. Does this count as “need sponsorship”? 2. how long did it take you guys to land your first interview after start sending resumes?
2
  1. it’s better to answer “yes.” Some companies may ask you again later in the process, and if you say “no” and end up getting an interview, it could waste time for both sides.
  2. 1–2 weeks
3

well do you want h1b or not? if not, select no

4

yo good question, this stuff confused me too when I was first applying.

if you’re on OPT or CPT right now you can say “no” to “do you need sponsorship to work in the US”, because the company doesn’t need to do anything for your current work authorization. BUT if they ask something like “will you need sponsorship in the future” — that’s where you should be honest and say yes, since after OPT/CPT you’ll need H1B or other visa.

just be super clear so you don’t get stuck later in the process.

for your second question — took me about 3-4 weeks to land first interview, sent out like 50+ apps. some friends got lucky faster, others took a couple months. depends a lot on timing, industry, and ofc luck. just keep at it and don’t get discouraged if it feels slow in the beginning

5

also your question and title don’t match lol

6

no. I don’t have h1b. but I may leave after my OPT or CPT is over. I may not need h1b…like…what counts as sponsorship?

7

I would put “no” then bc you basically already have work authorization

8

When you’re on OPT or CPT, the question “Do you need sponsorship?” can feel tricky. Technically, the correct answer is “No, I do not need sponsorship right now,” since your F-1 visa allows you to work legally without requiring the employer to initiate or pay for anything immediately. However, it’s important to be transparent and clarify that you will need sponsorship in the future—such as an H1B or another work visa after your OPT period ends. This distinction matters because some companies ask to screen for long-term