How To Get A Job In the US

The US proves to be one of the best places in the world with multiple job opportunities. As a foreigner looking to work abroad, there are certain things you must put into consideration. In this article, we will talk about how to get a job in the US.

Factors to Consider When Seeking Employment in the US

An individual who is looking to get employed or in search of a job in the US must consider certain things. These key factors would necessarily affect one’s chances and must be carefully understood and handled.

Visa Requirements 

One of the important things an individual must consider while seeking employment in the US is the visa requirements. A foreigner must consider obtaining a work visa to be allowed to reside and work in the country; visas like H-1B and L-1 can be considered.

Alternatively, you can seek employment with companies that offer sponsorship to their employees.

Tailoring of Resume and Cover Letter

One’s resume and cover letter play a crucial role in their chances of securing a job in a specific industry. You need to work on your resume and cover letter and ensure it matches your job application. 

Ensure you showcase your most applicable skills and wealth of experience. 

Getting Ready for Interviews

An individual who is seeking employment in a specific industry must prepare him or herself thoroughly for interviews. You can research the company, practice, and develop some thoughtful questions for your interviewer.

Researching the Industry of Interest

After completing the above, you need to do personal research on the industry or company of interest. Understand the culture, benefits as well and working conditions attached to the role you are interested in.

Understanding Visa Requirements for Jobs in the US

Job opportunities are numerous in the US but taking advantage of this chance requires obtaining a work visa. The requirements mainly depend on the visa type, the job offer, and meeting the requirements for the visa category.

When it comes to job offers; if you are on a sponsorship, your employer must be willing to handle the expenses of your visa. In the scenario where you are coming to take up a specialty occupation, you would need to possess a degree to be allowed to apply for a visa.

To work in the US, one is mainly limited to two visa types which are temporary worker visas and immigrant visas. The former include H-1B for specialty and H-2A & H-2B for agriculture and non-agricultural workers.

Immigrant visas are specially for permanent residents in the country and are usually based on employment-related sponsorship.

An individual must further bear in mind that aside from the visa, there are some other requirements that you must have which include a passport, passport photograph, educational qualification, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and you would need to undergo a background check.

Types of US Work Visa

There are several types of US work visas that one can considerably apply for, obtain, and use to legally work in the country. Some of the US work visas include;

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

A J-1 exchange visitor giss enables professionals as well as students to gain work experience while learning the American culture. It’s mainly for 18 months and is also issued to non-immigrants for study. 

L-1 Visa

An L-1 visa is an intra-company kind of visa to the US. It allows a company in the US to move its employees from a foreign office to its branch in the US; it’s valid for 5 years. Under this visa type, these are some others including;

• L-1-A – for managers and executives moved to a US branch.
• L-1-B – for employees moved to a US branch.
• H-1B – a temporary work permit that allows foreigners to work in a specialty occupation.
• H-2B – a non-immigrant visa that allows workers to employ foreigners for non-agricultural work.

Immigrant Visa

An immigrant visa is mainly issued to professionals who are seeking permanent residency in the US. They would need to obtain a green card once they enter the country to show a permanent resident status.

Non-immigrant Visa

A non-immigrant visa is issued to professionals seeking temporary stay in the US for internships, business, holidays, or educational purposes. They are allowed to work without a US work permit; theirs is the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

How to Get A Job In the US

An individual who intends to get access to a job in the UK must ensure to have the needed qualifications for the specific role. Below are the best ways to get a job in the US.

Recruiting Agencies 

There are a lot of recruiting agencies in the US that one can use to get access to various job opportunities. You could consider visiting Indeed, Linkedin, or Careerbuilder for job postings.

Official Websites

In the scenario where you have a company, agency, or establishment in mind, you can visit their official website. There, you will get access to their possible vacancies and know their qualification and skill requirements.

Newspapers

Despite being considered to be an old medium of information, newspapers still play a major role in job vacancies. An individual can consider checking the latest release for job opportunities. 

Networking 

One’s network of connections can positively help in providing access to several jobs. Ensure you communicate with your colleagues, friends, and family about job opportunities.