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6) Career Mobility

When to switch jobs (and when not to)

In the U.S., your career is like a ladder. To get higher, you sometimes have to move your hands to a different rung. However, for international students, this ladder is attached to a very important rope: your Visa. If you move too fast or at the wrong time, you could fall. Here is how you manage your career moves while staying safe and growing your income.

Most people in the U.S. switch jobs every 2 to 3 years to get a "salary jump." But you must have a good reason.

You should move if you have stopped learning, if the company is struggling financially, or if you get an offer with a 20% or higher pay increase. Most importantly, move if your current company refuses to start your Green Card process.
Do not leave in your first year unless the environment is toxic. "Job hopping" too early makes you look unreliable to future employers. Also, do not leave if you are only 3 months away from a major visa milestone (like an H-1B lottery).

Free Resource: When is the Best Time to Change Jobs?

Resources

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