Job Search for Non-US Citizens – Is There a Difference?
December 3, 2008 by Darlene McDaniel
Filed under Jobs
Is there a different employment strategy for non-US citizens? Not if you are legally eligible to work in the US. If you are a non-citizen with a green card, you are eligible to apply and compete for the same jobs that citizens are eligible to apply and compete for. I was out on LinkedIn tonight and stumbled on a good question. Take a look:
“Hello! I am a MBA grad looking for a job in Texas. Do you have any advice as to how to go about it? Is an ad in the local paper worth a shot? Do you think foreign workers stand a chance currently anyway considering the country got hit big time by the financial crisis? I used to work for one of the top 5 worldwide IT companies, SAP.”
My response – First a question, are you legally eligible to work in this country? I ask, because I know many people who are here as students, non-US citizens, who are suppose to leave this country after completing their degree. If you are in that category, you need to abide by the stipulations of your Visa. In other words, if you are here on a student Visa, and you have completed your education, the right thing to do is to go home and come back on a different Visa. That being said, I am going to assume that you are here legally and are able to work – That you have a green card and you are eligible for employment in the US.
If that is true, than the process for finding employment for you is no different than for those who are citizens. In this crazy economy, the best option for you is networking. I would highly recommend that you network with people you know from your college/university. Professors may know people in the area of business you are interested in pursuing. Also, fellow students who have landed job opportunities may be a good option to network your way into an organization.
My second question is, what type of work are you looking for? Are you willing to relocate? These are important questions if you are a job seeker in this current employment slump. I believe you can find a job, but you must have a targeted employment strategy. Vague is not going to open doors for you. Determine what it is that you want to do, and begin to look for companies that will allow you to do what you are looking to do. Then look for people you can network with, into these organizations. And above all else, make looking for employment your full time job until you land a position. Hoping you are going to get a job will not open doors. Applying for a few jobs here and there won’t get you one either. You need to go after as many opportunities as you can. Whether you are from this country or not, if you are legally eligible to work in the US, you must compete in the same manner as anyone else who is a citizen.
Tags: Interview Chatter, Non-US Citizen, Legal, Eligibility, MBA, Job Opportunity, VISA, Employment strategy, Job, Economy, Networking, LinkedIn
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Interesting post. I actually deal with this almost daily as my firm is totally technology focused, specifically engaging professional IT folks for the fulfillment of jobs and projects. You started down an interesting path, although not the focus something I would like to comment on.
Being a non – US citizen is not really an issue. Companies are still looking for strong talent that can leverage their skills and accelerate the company’s business over that of the competition. However I do find a great deal of mis-leading in this category. As anyone knows, how one markets themselves is critical and the mere appearance of wrong doing can scorch a relationship well before they even get started.
It is often asked if someone is eligible to work in the US? Often the answer is YES, with an addendum. They need sponsorship or transfer of an H1 or other VISA. That is wrong. Most companies are looking for someone that is legal and can work without costing the company additional money in funding a VISA. People need to be upfront and not wait till the last minute to inform the company of this fact. That helps in the long run and keeps people from pain staking and time wasting activity.
To summarize, people with EADs, Greencards, or nationalized folks, really do not have any disadvantage other than there are certain clearances for government roles they cannot get.
Jason, what type of technology firm do you own/or do you work for?
I appreciate you bringing up sponsorship. I have seen this happen and I know a few people who have been in this situation with organizations. Their Visa status was expiring and they would need to leave the country unless their organization sponsors them. It is very tenuous. The few people I have met that found themselves in this situation were very stressed because there was no guarantee that the organization was going to sponsor them. I considered mentioning this issue in the post. I appreciate you bringing it up in the comments. It is certainly an issue tied to people here in the US needing employment, seeking employment and for some who are employed with a Visa that may expire in the next 30, 60, 90 days.
Thanks for your comment!!
Hi, I an Indian female into teaching and admin for the past 14 years and am actively seeking an employment in a US college/univ and I will continue to do so, will post a case study if I do. I am a non citizen of course.Read abt being a US citizen etc. not everyone is as lucky,any ideas for me?
Hi Kakoli, Thank you for visiting Interview Chatter today. I need a little more information before I comment. Check your email.
Hello Darlene,
Received your mail. Yes I am looking for an employment at a University or college in the US and I wonder how to go about it. I am applying to various coleges but I wonder about the eligibility criteria, that happens only when an employer sponsors you right?
How does one find a sponsor? all the visas seem to go to the IT guys who could be doing dome projects in US! Isn’t there a cap that out of this many H1 visas doled out annually, only a certain % can be allotted to a profession?
I am good at my job and am receiving responses from the respective colleges but wonder if they at all indulge in sponsoring candidates from outside as they could have plenty of local applicants?
thanks
kakoli
Very unteristing, guys really im badly in need for your help, i would like to work in the states and i dont have a work permit, i worked with American companies in Jordan / Middle east and i have almost 4 years experience in the fields of (procurement and the logistics), i need a sponsor to support me, and if you want to apply for the US embassy, what visa should i apply for..
Your help will be highly appreciated