OPT Entry Level Jobs
Entry-level roles are the most common starting point for OPT students, and a growing number of employers actively recruit new graduates specifically because the OPT period gives both sides time to evaluate fit before long-term sponsorship becomes a conversation. Targeting companies with established new graduate programs and a history of H-1B visa filings gives you the clearest path from your first role to long-term work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Actalent connects passion with purpose and our vision is to impact millions of lives through engineering and sciences efforts. We’re looking for a highly motivated Entry-Level Recruiter | Sales Trainee to join our team and help us advance the careers of skilled professionals doing impactful work. Building trusted relationships with our network of engineering and sciences consultants under our Actalent brand, or corporate professionals under our Aston Carter brand, is a key part of our company strategy. If you’re enthusiastic about partnering with bright and sharp individuals, understanding what makes them tick, and helping them achieve their career goals—keep reading, we might be a great match!
ABOUT ACTALENT
With global headquarters outside of Baltimore, MD, Actalent has an existing network of almost 30,000 engineering and sciences consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Europe, including many of the Fortune 500. We give clients access to specialized experts that drive scale, innovation, and speed to market, supporting engineering and science initiatives that advance how companies serve the world.
Our Aston Carter brand provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies.
YOU WILL
You will own the full recruiting lifecycle, including:
- Meeting with hiring managers to understand their needs
- Sourcing qualified professionals through various recruiting tools
- Screening potential consultants through interviews and reference checks, while learning about their goals, skills, and interests to ensure alignment
- Communicating work opportunities and preparing consultants for starting their new roles
- Performing critical relationship-building activities, including coaching your consultants for interviews, checking in on their first day of work, and keeping in touch throughout their employment to ensure their satisfaction and engagement
- Maintaining a network of consultants that align with top industry-specific skill sets
- Building trusted relationships with your network of professionals to ultimately be seen as a partner in helping them advance their career
WE WILL
We commit to providing continued education and training throughout your career to keep your skillset sharp and competitive:
- You’ll take part in a comprehensive, structured training program to prepare you for your role, including role plays, job shadows and teach-backs to create camaraderie and ensure you become a subject matter expert within your industry.
- Throughout your career at Actalent, you will engage in both formal and informal mentorship programs to progress toward your personal and professional goals.
- At every step of the way, you will be surrounded by a positive and supportive culture that encourages everyone to help develop themselves and others.
- Actalent promotes almost exclusively from within. Employees have the opportunity to develop and advance into leadership, management or explore other opportunities across our business.
OUR QUALIFIERS
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Experience in customer service, leadership, or sales a plus
- Experience collaborating in a team-oriented environment
- Interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Desire to work in a performance-based environment
OUR PERKS
- Unlimited commission potential
- Paid 13-week training period to start
- Initial base salary of $45,000 after hourly paid training period, increasing to $55,000 after one year of employment
-
Our top 10% of recruiters earned an average of $68,000 in year one, $130,000 in year two, and $195,000 in year five (2021 data)
-
Performance-based incentives
- Quarterly bonuses
- All-expenses-paid annual trip for top performers
-
Company-funded investment plan with paid dividends
- Healthcare, dental, vision, and 401(k)
- 20 days paid time off (accrued per year)
- Cell phone allowance after first year
- Employee discounts
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Monthly wellness calls
Benefits
OUR CULTURE
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage all employees to bring their most authentic selves to work. To achieve these goals, we offer a range of community groups and service opportunities for all employees.
Allegis Group Foundation
The Allegis Group Foundation is a central part of our commitment to giving back to the communities in which we work and live. Did you know that the Allegis Group Foundation can accelerate your efforts to create meaningful change in our communities? Incorporated in 2000, this philanthropic arm of our business awards direct grants to nonprofit organizations and provides additional financial support through our Employee/Office Match Program.
We form strategic alliances with national organizations for the contributions they make to the communities we serve, their ability to help our organization make an impact in the marketplace, and the development offerings they have for our internal employees and consultants.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
LOCATION
Telecommute: No
INTRODUCTION
Actalent connects passion with purpose and our vision is to impact millions of lives through engineering and sciences efforts. We’re looking for a highly motivated Entry-Level Recruiter | Sales Trainee to join our team and help us advance the careers of skilled professionals doing impactful work. Building trusted relationships with our network of engineering and sciences consultants under our Actalent brand, or corporate professionals under our Aston Carter brand, is a key part of our company strategy. If you’re enthusiastic about partnering with bright and sharp individuals, understanding what makes them tick, and helping them achieve their career goals—keep reading, we might be a great match!
ABOUT ACTALENT
With global headquarters outside of Baltimore, MD, Actalent has an existing network of almost 30,000 engineering and sciences consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Europe, including many of the Fortune 500. We give clients access to specialized experts that drive scale, innovation, and speed to market, supporting engineering and science initiatives that advance how companies serve the world.
Our Aston Carter brand provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies.
YOU WILL
You will own the full recruiting lifecycle, including:
- Meeting with hiring managers to understand their needs
- Sourcing qualified professionals through various recruiting tools
- Screening potential consultants through interviews and reference checks, while learning about their goals, skills, and interests to ensure alignment
- Communicating work opportunities and preparing consultants for starting their new roles
- Performing critical relationship-building activities, including coaching your consultants for interviews, checking in on their first day of work, and keeping in touch throughout their employment to ensure their satisfaction and engagement
- Maintaining a network of consultants that align with top industry-specific skill sets
- Building trusted relationships with your network of professionals to ultimately be seen as a partner in helping them advance their career
WE WILL
We commit to providing continued education and training throughout your career to keep your skillset sharp and competitive:
- You’ll take part in a comprehensive, structured training program to prepare you for your role, including role plays, job shadows and teach-backs to create camaraderie and ensure you become a subject matter expert within your industry.
- Throughout your career at Actalent, you will engage in both formal and informal mentorship programs to progress toward your personal and professional goals.
- At every step of the way, you will be surrounded by a positive and supportive culture that encourages everyone to help develop themselves and others.
- Actalent promotes almost exclusively from within. Employees have the opportunity to develop and advance into leadership, management or explore other opportunities across our business.
OUR QUALIFIERS
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Experience in customer service, leadership, or sales a plus
- Experience collaborating in a team-oriented environment
- Interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Desire to work in a performance-based environment
OUR PERKS
- Unlimited commission potential
- Paid 13-week training period to start
- Initial base salary of $45,000 after hourly paid training period, increasing to $55,000 after one year of employment
-
Our top 10% of recruiters earned an average of $68,000 in year one, $130,000 in year two, and $195,000 in year five (2021 data)
-
Performance-based incentives
- Quarterly bonuses
- All-expenses-paid annual trip for top performers
-
Company-funded investment plan with paid dividends
- Healthcare, dental, vision, and 401(k)
- 20 days paid time off (accrued per year)
- Cell phone allowance after first year
- Employee discounts
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Monthly wellness calls
Benefits
OUR CULTURE
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage all employees to bring their most authentic selves to work. To achieve these goals, we offer a range of community groups and service opportunities for all employees.
Allegis Group Foundation
The Allegis Group Foundation is a central part of our commitment to giving back to the communities in which we work and live. Did you know that the Allegis Group Foundation can accelerate your efforts to create meaningful change in our communities? Incorporated in 2000, this philanthropic arm of our business awards direct grants to nonprofit organizations and provides additional financial support through our Employee/Office Match Program.
We form strategic alliances with national organizations for the contributions they make to the communities we serve, their ability to help our organization make an impact in the marketplace, and the development offerings they have for our internal employees and consultants.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
LOCATION
Telecommute: No
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Get Access To All JobsEntry Level OPT Job Search Tips
Look for structured graduate programs at larger companies
Large companies with formal graduate hiring programs are often more experienced with OPT students than smaller employers. These programs typically have dedicated HR teams who understand the EAD, E-Verify, and STEM OPT extension process.
Be upfront about your OPT authorization in applications
Employers at the entry level sometimes confuse OPT with visa sponsorship. Clarifying early that OPT is an existing work authorization and doesn’t require any action from them removes a common barrier and speeds up the hiring process.
Prioritize E-Verify employers for long-term flexibility
Entry level roles at E-Verify employers keep your STEM OPT extension option open. That extra 24 months can make a significant difference in your path to H-1B visa sponsorship and long-term career stability in the U.S.
Factor in your OPT start date when negotiating start dates
If you haven’t yet received your EAD, coordinate your offer timeline carefully. Most employers will wait a reasonable amount of time for authorization to come through, but it helps to set expectations early and keep them updated.
Target industries with high OPT hiring rates
Technology, engineering, finance, and healthcare are among the sectors that hire the most OPT students at the entry level. These industries also tend to have more employers who are familiar with the OPT process, which makes for a smoother onboarding experience.
Ask about the company’s H-1B history if you’re planning to stay long-term
Entry level roles can lead to H-1B sponsorship, but only if the employer has done it before. Companies with a track record of filing H-1B petitions are more likely to support you through that process when the time comes.
Entry Level OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
What entry level jobs are most accessible for OPT students?
Technology, finance, consulting, and engineering have the highest volume of entry-level roles with employers experienced with OPT hiring. Software engineering, data analysis, financial analysis, and business analyst positions are among the most commonly filled by new OPT graduates. Industries with persistent talent shortages, including healthcare technology and cybersecurity, are also strong areas for entry-level OPT hiring.
How early should I start applying for entry level jobs on OPT?
Starting your job search three to six months before your OPT start date gives you the best timeline. USCIS processing for the EAD card can take several weeks, and many employers need lead time to complete hiring before your authorized start date. Applying early also means you have time to be selective rather than accepting the first offer under time pressure.
Do entry level employers care that I will need H-1B sponsorship later?
Employers with established OPT-to-H1B conversion programs factor this in from the start and plan ahead. The key is targeting employers who have sponsored before, since they understand the timeline and are not caught off guard when the H-1B registration window approaches. Smaller employers without prior sponsorship experience may be willing but need more time to prepare, so having that conversation early in the process is always better than late.
Can I negotiate salary at an entry level OPT job the same as any other candidate?
Yes, your visa status does not limit your ability to negotiate. On STEM OPT, your employer must pay you wages commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers, which means there is a fairness standard built into the arrangement. Researching market rates for your role and location before negotiating puts you in the same position as any other entry-level candidate.
What happens if I can't find a job before my OPT unemployment limit?
On standard post-completion OPT, you are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment before your F-1 status is at risk. Staying proactive, applying broadly across your qualifying field, and working with your DSO on options gives you the best chance of staying within the limit. Some students use this window to accept internships, part-time roles, or volunteer positions in their field to maintain compliance while continuing their full-time job search.
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