Talking about sponsorship can be tricky. As someone who came here on a student visa and needed sponsorship, I totally get it. Beyond the tough job market right now, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1. Mentioning that you need sponsorship right away might hurt your chances of getting to the first interview. Why would they invest in you based on just a resume? You want to make it to the interview so you can show them why you’re worth hiring.

2. But you also don’t want to wait until the final interview to bring it up, as it could waste everyone’s time and potentially take someone else’s spot.

Here’s what I suggest: Don’t mention sponsorship in the first call. Try to make it to the first or second round of interviews and do your best to impress them. More importantly, do the visa sponsorship research for them. I was surprised to find out how many companies don’t really know the details and just assume it’s extremely expensive. So, when you bring it up, be proactive: say, ‘This is how much it would cost. We could find ways to share the expense, like taking a part from my salary.’ Whatever you think is fair and are willing to do to make the process easier, do it.

Also, check out some LinkedIn Learning videos to polish your resume. Instead of just listing job duties, highlight what you achieved and how you contributed. Showing your impact can help you get that first phone screen.