When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
Hello, everyone,
I should hopefully be in receipt of my CR-1 visa next month, and able to fly out to join my husband in PA in mid/late November.
I have read several accounts of people in my position who have had jobs lined up for when they arrive. Please could I get some tips?
I have been a frequent, curious visitor to various job sites over the past few months, and at the moment there are two jobs advertised that are of great interest to me. I would like to apply for them, and I can provide most required details (American address, phone number (my husband's), etc.), but there are some questions that I'm cautious to answer 'yes' to - 'Are you legally eligible for employment in this country?', for example - because, right now, the answer is obviously 'no', and I don't want to lie and potentially have it jeopardise my chances with the company for future applications; at the same time, I don't want to answer 'no' and be perhaps then be rejected immediately, when I will be eligible to work there in a month or so.
Is it acceptable to fill out applications as though I were already in the country, and include a cover letter to explain why? These two application forms allow space for such. Is that what others have done?
I'm fairly confident that I could find work quickly when I get to PA, but it's not been often that I've seen jobs like these ones come up, so I'm keen to not miss out. At the same time, I don't want to act prematurely and then not be eligible to apply for jobs at the same company for another six months, as is often the case here in the UK, as this is one of the larger, decent employers in my area.
Any tips whatsoever on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
I should hopefully be in receipt of my CR-1 visa next month, and able to fly out to join my husband in PA in mid/late November.
I have read several accounts of people in my position who have had jobs lined up for when they arrive. Please could I get some tips?
I have been a frequent, curious visitor to various job sites over the past few months, and at the moment there are two jobs advertised that are of great interest to me. I would like to apply for them, and I can provide most required details (American address, phone number (my husband's), etc.), but there are some questions that I'm cautious to answer 'yes' to - 'Are you legally eligible for employment in this country?', for example - because, right now, the answer is obviously 'no', and I don't want to lie and potentially have it jeopardise my chances with the company for future applications; at the same time, I don't want to answer 'no' and be perhaps then be rejected immediately, when I will be eligible to work there in a month or so.
Is it acceptable to fill out applications as though I were already in the country, and include a cover letter to explain why? These two application forms allow space for such. Is that what others have done?
I'm fairly confident that I could find work quickly when I get to PA, but it's not been often that I've seen jobs like these ones come up, so I'm keen to not miss out. At the same time, I don't want to act prematurely and then not be eligible to apply for jobs at the same company for another six months, as is often the case here in the UK, as this is one of the larger, decent employers in my area.
Any tips whatsoever on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Last edited by KK85; Oct 14th 2017 at 9:53 am.
#2
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Cascade Mountains, WA
Posts: 1,089
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I bypassed the online forms because they weren't really appropriate for my situation. Instead I contacted the HR manager directly (after seeing a job posting online) and explained my situation. Fortunately the HR manager knew all about the CR-1 visa and what my status would be on arrival. As it happens, I work with 4 other foreign spouses of USCs who arrived here under the same circumstances. I would imagine a large company in a big city would have experience of your situation, less so for a small firm in a more rural location.
#3
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I bypassed the online forms because they weren't really appropriate for my situation. Instead I contacted the HR manager directly (after seeing a job posting online) and explained my situation. Fortunately the HR manager knew all about the CR-1 visa and what my status would be on arrival. As it happens, I work with 4 other foreign spouses of USCs who arrived here under the same circumstances. I would imagine a large company in a big city would have experience of your situation, less so for a small firm in a more rural location.
I worked with a recruiter who was familiar with the K-1 process and had an interview with a Brazilian manager who had been down the same path. Got my EAD expedited based on this and joined 2 other Brits, a bunch of Brazilians and some weird accented Americans.
Again, large company so more chance of this being the case.
#4
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I used a recruitment agent, and she got me multiple interviews based on my resume - and that meant a very intense visit to New York with five interviews between Monday 18/8/2001 and Wednesday 20/8/2001 morning. On Wednesday afternoon we went to the top of the World Trade Center.
That was ahead of my visa interview on 10/9/2001. I received three job offers and took up the one that suited me best, starting on 12/11/2001, six days after I landed.
That was ahead of my visa interview on 10/9/2001. I received three job offers and took up the one that suited me best, starting on 12/11/2001, six days after I landed.
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 14th 2017 at 1:12 pm.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 60
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I have been a frequent, curious visitor to various job sites over the past few months, and at the moment there are two jobs advertised that are of great interest to me. I would like to apply for them, and I can provide most required details (American address, phone number (my husband's), etc.), but there are some questions that I'm cautious to answer 'yes' to - 'Are you legally eligible for employment in this country?', for example - because, right now, the answer is obviously 'no', and I don't want to lie and potentially have it jeopardise my chances with the company for future applications; at the same time, I don't want to answer 'no' and be perhaps then be rejected immediately, when I will be eligible to work there in a month or so.
Is it acceptable to fill out applications as though I were already in the country, and include a cover letter to explain why? These two application forms allow space for such. Is that what others have done?
Is it acceptable to fill out applications as though I were already in the country, and include a cover letter to explain why? These two application forms allow space for such. Is that what others have done?
#6
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I'm assuming the OP doesn't yet have a social security number?
#9
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I don't think I have ever been asked for my SSN during a job application process. .... No, make that "I am certain I have never been asked."
#10
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and tips - they have all provided great food for thought. I've decided to email the recruiter directly before filling out the application, to explain my circumstances and ask if it's worth my while applying now. I figure it'll show a bit of interest/keenness too, so win-win, hopefully!
It's a large company, so I imagine Twinkle and Tom are onto something when they suggest the HR department might already have some familiarity with the CR-1 visa.
It's a large company, so I imagine Twinkle and Tom are onto something when they suggest the HR department might already have some familiarity with the CR-1 visa.
#11
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
Unfortunately I wouldn't bet much on that being true. I believe I lost out on a job transfer within a large multinational corporation because HR in Chicago didn't understand that they didn't need to participate in my CR-1 process. Any mention of "visa" just killed the deal dead.
#12
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
That's a theory that I have also seen mentioned quite commonly across this forum. Must have been very frustrating for you at the time! In line with iarnell's comment, I can imagine many applications get ignored/discarded at the first whiff of a visa, which is a shame.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,132
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
Unfortunately I wouldn't bet much on that being true. I believe I lost out on a job transfer within a large multinational corporation because HR in Chicago didn't understand that they didn't need to participate in my CR-1 process. Any mention of "visa" just killed the deal dead.
#14
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
* I can tell when someone is using a relative's address, or a mail box at the UPS Store, and will give them the benefit of the doubt so long as they are otherwise a good candidate for the role, which is why I know it happens and I have often recommended using a mail box and using #Apt #" or "Unit #" and the street address of the UPS store, as a tip to avoid the filter if the hiring manager is only looking for local candidates.
#15
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
Re: When can/should I start applying for jobs? (CR-1 visa)
I emailed the HR department of this particular recruiter and asked if it would be acceptable to tick 'yes' to the eligibility to work question, and the response was: 'You can answer ‘Yes’ to that question since you would be eligible if/when hired.' So there we go! Off I go to perfect an American-style résumé...