How to find a job in America..?

[Paul73]

Hi there,

My name is Paul and im a 33 year old male, living in Preston (just north of Manchester) here in the UK.

For the last 12 months i have been actively working onto secure a visa into America. It has not been easy.

I understand that the visa i require is the E-3 employment visa.

I have a Law Firm in place ready to assist any potential employer (sponsor). The problem i have is finding a job offer. I understand the current waiting time for processing my visa is approx 2-3 years.

I have recently found an employer listing that has historically recruited from oversea's. I think there are 65'000 American employers on this listing. So im going to do through each one and send off my letter and resume.

Any help would be great.
Especially on the following.....

Cover letter
Resume
Which employers to select
What i need to be aware of

My skills and work experience is with engineering and manufacturing, where i have 16 years experience. Most notably in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Im educated with national vocational studies and im currently studying a diploma in business.

So there you have it.

Can anyone please help me?

All i need is a job.

Preferably in Chicago or LA.
But to be honest i will move to anywhere in the USA.

I've just go to get out of here!

Thanks for reading my thread.
Hope someone can offer some advice.

Regards,

Paul
:)

[Kriz1]

I've always found its not what you know but who you know....network network network....do you have any old workmates who made it to the USA....do you have friends who have friends over here in your field of work....
Can you pay your way over...companies may look at you more if they don't have to pay out a lot to resettle you...
Don't give any agents any money.....a lot of companies in aerospace need you to be an American...but they are now taking on greencard holders...
Its all down to never giving up...and that piece of luck....

[InnVic]

try approaching US companies in the UK - a friend of mine worked for Motorola and got a transfer to Chicago within a year.

[britcan]

Hi there,

My name is Paul and im a 33 year old male, living in Preston (just north of Manchester) here in the UK.

For the last 12 months i have been actively working onto secure a visa into America. It has not been easy.

I understand that the visa i require is the E-3 employment visa.

I have a Law Firm in place ready to assist any potential employer (sponsor). The problem i have is finding a job offer. I understand the current waiting time for processing my visa is approx 2-3 years.

I have recently found an employer listing that has historically recruited from oversea's. I think there are 65'000 American employers on this listing. So im going to do through each one and send off my letter and resume.

Any help would be great.
Especially on the following.....

Cover letter
Resume
Which employers to select
What i need to be aware of

My skills and work experience is with engineering and manufacturing, where i have 16 years experience. Most notably in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Im educated with national vocational studies and im currently studying a diploma in business.

So there you have it.

Can anyone please help me?

All i need is a job.

Preferably in Chicago or LA.
But to be honest i will move to anywhere in the USA.

I've just go to get out of here!

Thanks for reading my thread.
Hope someone can offer some advice.

Regards,

Paul
:)
Take it from someone who tried for 15 years to get into USA. Go to Canada first, get Canadian Citizenship and then apply under the TN visa, or e2 visa if you have enough $ to buy a business.

My husband has a degree in Microelectronics and computing, he went to many job fairs and was offered jobs on the spot in the USa, however, even if you have a lawyer, the US companies do not want to know. They just clam up when they hear the words 'immigration lawyer'.

We came to Canada in 2002, got our citizenship 2006(April), found a wonderful franchise that my husband feels happy with, and in Sept 2006 applied for E2 visa via Toronto as Canadians. We just got visa this week, for 5 year stay. I wish you luck, but don't get old trying,take it from someone who has been there. We are both 47/48 now, we started looking to go to the USa in 1988.

Good luck..

[Kriz1]

I agree with britcan its very hard to get into the USA through work...and we've been told for years we would not be able to do it.....but we did....it took from age 23 when we first thought about it till 40 to do it...but we are living proof everything comes to he that waits....

[InnVic]

Take it from someone who tried for 15 years to get into USA. Go to Canada first, get Canadian Citizenship and then apply under the TN visa, or e2 visa if you have enough $ to buy a business.

Good luck..

Why go to Canada first? - you can get E2 from the UK - your processing wasn't any faster - although the 5 year visa is nice. But to get to Canada it takes a good 4 years to get citizenship.

[DavidL]

I understand that the visa i require is the E-3 employment visa.

I understand the current waiting time for processing my visa is approx 2-3 years.

What i need to be aware of

My skills and work experience is with engineering and manufacturing, where i have 16 years experience. Most notably in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Im educated with national vocational studies and im currently studying a diploma in business.

:)

Advanced apolgies if I sound a bit 'picky'
E-3 employment visa is for Australian nationals. If you are not an Australian citizen, then you have incorrect info. If you are Australian, then gday sport!!
From the processing time you mentioned, it sounds like you are referring to category EB-3 which is an employement based category. Depending on your nationality, if you are EB-3 world wide, i.e you are not Indian, Chinese, Mexican or another place (which I have forgotten) then at the moment you have a 4 .5 yr wait i.e they are only allowing people to file for adjustment of status if they have been 'in line' since Aug 2002. In order to get this far, it sounds like you will need to get a Labor Certification i.e prove that there are no willing or able Americans who can do the job that you want to do! You need to go through a set procedure of advertising etc. Currently, a Labor Certification can take anything from 2 days to more than a year to be 'certifed' (this is once you have spent the time avertising and waiting)
It is important to note that it is the job offer/position which determines the EB category.
I'll be blatantly blunt- you stand little or no chance of getting a job offer 4500 miles away, you need to be actively knocking on doors here unless you know of someone in the aerospace industry who is senior enough to sponsor you.

Alternatively, you could try the H1B non-immigrant visa route to get here, but the annual cap of visas soon gets depleted.

[Susie]

Hi Paul and welcome

you could try www.monster.com

It is hard to get a job offer but not impossible.

Maybe you could post your CV you never know one of us business owners could be looking for someone !

Is it possible for you to purchase a business and get E visa?

[britcan]

Why go to Canada first? - you can get E2 from the UK - your processing wasn't any faster - although the 5 year visa is nice. But to get to Canada it takes a good 4 years to get citizenship.
True but once you are a permanent resident(green card equivalent), then you can travel pretty freely between USA and Canada, e.g. driving from Ottawa to Rhode Island is 8 hours, do able for the purposes of research into business, for us it was easier and less expensive to travel this way and gave us the time we needed.
The US seem to have a different relationship with Canada.

[britcan]

Why go to Canada first? - you can get E2 from the UK - your processing wasn't any faster - although the 5 year visa is nice. But to get to Canada it takes a good 4 years to get citizenship.


Just a little correction re the 4 year thinking re citizenship- actually its not that at all. You have to be in Canada for 3 years without any days out of Canada, then you can apply for Citizenship, which takes about 10-12 months to come through.

[Paul73]

Thanks for all those replies.

Sorry for the delay in getting back. It's quite busy over here.

Ok i get the picture. What you are telling me is pretty much what i knew already. A bit disappointing to be honest. I was kind of hoping for a bit of hope. I guess im just going to have to keep on trying.

Here is the status.....

Im registered with Monster Jobs USA
Im registered with numerous American organisations via the web (GM Motors, Boeing, etc....)
I have in my possession, a listing of American employers who have historically recruited from the UK. There are 65'000 American companies. Im going to target several at a time and send my resume and covering letter in the post.

And that's it really.

I have friends in LA, Chicago and Memphis, but none of them seem capable or able to help.!! All i need is a 'Job Offer'. Thats all i need. Just a contract of employment with salary, job description and the usual. Im certain it won't cost the employer 'sponsor' anything.

So any help would be great!

Like i said i just need a 'Job Offer' and then i can sort out all the legal side. The current price for processing my Visa is $5000 USD ! No ****!

So as you can see, it ain't easy!

Thanks again for all your comments!

Cheers!

[fatbrit]

Like i said i just need a 'Job Offer' and then i can sort out all the legal side.

With employment based visas, the job and the visa come together. You cannot separate the two. Getting a job is not a problem (fries with that, sir?); getting a job where the company will sponsor you is.

[DavidL]

[QUOTE=
Like i said i just need a 'Job Offer' and then i can sort out all the legal side. The current price for processing my Visa is $5000 USD ! No ****!

Cheers![/QUOTE]

Sorry, but it's not that simple. The sponsor (sole trader, partnership or corporation) must be able to prove that they can pay you the prevailing wage rate and are willing to be your partner for the next 4-5 years possibly. The company and you are both scrutinised at the I-140 stage. The 'going rate' for a PERM application is anywhere from $3000-$5000. In addition, there will be advertising costs (another $500-$1000) and then if this is certified, there will be the I-140 attorney costs plus USCIS fees and then I-485 costs plus USCIS fees plus more.....I don't think you'll see much change from $10k.

Oh and then there are attorneys and there are attorneys..............

[InnVic]

Just a little correction re the 4 year thinking re citizenship- actually its not that at all. You have to be in Canada for 3 years without any days out of Canada, then you can apply for Citizenship, which takes about 10-12 months to come through.

The wait time for a visa to anada is 48 months
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/times-int/03a-business-fed.html
- we looked at it but couldn't do the wait - we may still apply and if things don't work out here with E2 then we only have to drive four hours north!

[floridapete]

"I have friends in LA, Chicago and Memphis, but none of them seem capable or able to help.!! All i need is a 'Job Offer'. Thats all i need. Just a contract of employment with salary, job description and the usual. Im certain it won't cost the employer 'sponsor' anything."

You seem to have the idea that employing you won't cost the sponsoring employer anything apart from offering you a job. ? You are very wrong in that assumption I am afraid to say.

No US employer will embark on the long and expensive path to H1b LABOR CERTIFICATION unless you are absolutely vital to their business and they can't find anyone with your skills or expertise from the US labor market.

Proving that to the satisfaction of the USCIS is very expensive to the employer and involves 'baring their breast' (opening their books) to many government agencies including the IRS. Few employers are willing to do this when they don't need to.

[DebbieM]

Hi Paul

For those of us who are able to work, I think we would all like to get that job offer but even being here in the US it is almost impossible. This is evident by how many people on here who continue to struggle with visa issues.

If you want to work in the US, no matter how you get here be prepared for a huge struggle and a very long wait. There are no short cuts that wont end you up in hot water and make sure you use an attorney who has your interests at heart.

Sorry to sound so negative but remember all good things come to those who wait.

Debs

[Dette]

We never even thought about moving to the US until DH was transferred. Even though he had a job it has not been easy.

The hoops the company had to jump through - proving that an American could not do his job, they even had to advertise his job and hold interviews - it was ridiculous. It is also not a cheap way to bring employees over - so I would be very surprised if you found someone willing to do that for a total stranger they found on the internet job hunt sites (no offence intended).

I would get yourself as job with an American company in the UK and then look at moving here.

We have been here 9 years and filed for PR three years ago. We are still waiting with no end in sight. Our kids have lived here half their lives and still cannot get so muchas a part time job legally.

Moving to the US sounds rosy but in reality it is a long, frustrating struggle. I hope you find your way but be prepared....

[fatbrit]

We never even thought about moving to the US until DH was transferred. Even though he had a job it has not been easy.


I find most non-E2er Brits moved here by accident rather than design.

[sunnyLin]

Hello Paul. I have a B1 visa and spend the winters in Florida, My daughter & son -in -Law tried to get to Florida, he got loads of job offers but no employer wanted the immigration hassle, they are now living VERY happily in Australia, if you have the right qualifacations you can go to oz without a job offer, (you can get one when you get there) the best thing is as soon as you get there you get Permanant status, (NO MORE IMMIGRATION HASSLE). It's a great country for families.. GOOD LUCK.

[Kriz1]

I know a lot of people who have moved to Oz in other forums who have had loads of trouble finding work after spending all their money getting there...moving country is not easy for everyone... just the lucky few....

[Jax]

My inlaws all live in Oz and my brother in law has become an Aussi citizen but if we wanted to live there he would still have to sponser us due to our age and our work skills.My husband only has his family in Oz but its not easy to move to any country.We have our business here lifes ok and weathers good

[sunnyLin]

Immigration is never EASY... But at least with oz ,if you have a trade (And can pass the medical and have no criminal record) at least you don't need to be sponsored. and you can do any job you like when you get there, you don't have to stick too the occupation you were given the visa for.my son in Law is a Machine operator (CNC) , but he can do any job now he's there.. and he's not tied to any one employer. they have had there share of problems in oz too,but at least they were not immigration problem's. I.E constant Visa renewal...they would have liked to come to Florida, but it's even harder and more unsecure.

[sunnyLin]

When I say you don't need to be sponsored in Oz , I mean by an employer, As long as you have the right skills. (You must be on the occupational skills list).. I would like to go to oz, but as we are in our 50's. we can't go. and our daughter can't sponsor us .as we don't pass the "FAMILY BALANCE TEST" need more kids in oz, than the uk.. stupid rule... so we have our winters in Florida, but would like to be in Florida all the time, but we sold our UK business 7 years ago, so we don't want to open up a business here. we make do with our 6 months a year.does anyone know if a retirement visa for the USA will ever happen ?????

[Kriz1]

It can be hard for many even with a trade in OZ...maybe the immigration problem's are a little easier for more people...but if you read many ex-pat forums you'll see that finding a job and the cost of permits to work can send many back home to the UK broke....

[Susie]

I've always found its not what you know but who you know....network network network....do you have any old workmates who made it to the USA....do you have friends who have friends over here in your field of work....
Can you pay your way over...companies may look at you more if they don't have to pay out a lot to resettle you...
Don't give any agents any money.....a lot of companies in aerospace need you to be an American...but they are now taking on greencard holders...
Its all down to never giving up...and that piece of luck....




Very true,

It's not always what you know but who you know

And if thats dos'nt work a heafty $$ back hander, lol,

[Susie]

When I say you don't need to be sponsored in Oz , I mean by an employer, As long as you have the right skills. (You must be on the occupational skills list).. I would like to go to oz, but as we are in our 50's. we can't go. and our daughter can't sponsor us .as we don't pass the "FAMILY BALANCE TEST" need more kids in oz, than the uk.. stupid rule... so we have our winters in Florida, but would like to be in Florida all the time, but we sold our UK business 7 years ago, so we don't want to open up a business here. we make do with our 6 months a year.does anyone know if a retirement visa for the USA will ever happen ?????



I do hope so, one day

My immigration attorney did assist in writing leglislation for a retirement visa but could not get it passed into law, Expatsvoice will be looking into this once we achieve our current goals