tomrog50

Hi,
I currently work in the UK and am under contract until March 2014, but would like to start work in the US soon after. When is the best time to start applying for jobs, as i don't want to annoy perspective employers by applying now and being hugely ahead of the time scale.

I've also heard people saying that moving to the US first to look for work is the way forward, but how does this work? Does this mean just arriving on an ESTA and gambling that you will find work and being self supportive during the search?

Thanks, Tom

ian-mstm

The application window for an H-1B opens on April 1st of each year for work starting on October 1st of that same year. Use that as a guide. Further, it's the employer that starts the process on your behalf... you can't apply for an H-1B without an employer willing to sponsor you for a visa.

Since you've given no indication of your education (you must have a Bachelor's degree or 12 years employment in lieu) or skill set, it's pretty hard to give advice. Remember this: it's easy to get a job... it's much harder to get a visa.

That said, be honest with yourself. There are, literally, hundreds of thousands of unemployed people in the US right now... and they don't need sponsorship, and they can start work tomorrow if asked. Why would an employer spend many thousands of dollars to sponsor you when he can hire someone else at no cost? They are your competition for jobs. Determination and willingness is not sufficient to get you a visa.

Whoever told you that is an idiot. You can't move to the US without a visa that allows you to do that.


Yes... but you can't work when you're a tourist. You need a visa that allows you to work. It is illegal to enter the US as a tourist with the intent to stay.

Ian

tomrog50

Ian,

Many thanks for your reply. I am sufficiently qualified in a relevant field to seek employment, but certainly see your point about having others who are already in the country and able to work immediately.

I guess i will just have to put out some feelers and see what employers think. The recent news of a possible increase of H1B visas up to 115,000 per annum is hopefully a good sign that US employers recognise the value of foreign employees.

Thanks again, Tom

Awesome Welles

To avoid coming across like a semi-literate bumpkin, rather than an educated and valuable potential employee, learn the difference between perspective and prospective.
Your perspective H1-B sponsor might view you in an entirely different prospective.

tomrog50

Thanks for your constructive help.

Awesome Welles

Seriously, I'm trying to be constructive. You state that you are sufficiently qualified, which is great, but one of your challenges, as already indicated, is to convince a potential sponsor that you are a superior employee prospect, who, despite requiring substantial additional investment, is worth it compared to what is available in the domestic marketplace.
Having been an H1-B beneficiary and now an H1-B sponsor, I know and value the importance of projecting the highest standards of professionalism in order to stand-out for the right reasons.
Getting your words all mixed-up may project the opposite and make you stand-out for all the wrong reasons.
An H1-B employer/sponsor may have to wait a full 7 months from filing the petition to getting you on-board, so you need to be more than just an alternative to a local hire for that to make good business sense.
Networking is also essential, in my view. I would find it really difficult to hire a candidate in these circumstances (H1-B) without knowing a lot about them and their background, career history and personal circumstances - all of our H1-B hires have been known to us, prior to any employment discussions.

Bob

The number of visa's is irrelevant. It's been a few years since the number of visas have been taken within the first day. The last couple of years, it's taken till the new year period following the opening date for the visas to fill up. Having more visas isn't going to change what you have to over come.

You haven't said what you do, or even if the type of work is eligible for a visa, so you're not really going to get any meaningful advice.

Chances are, you won't get a visa, unless you're got years of experience, niche skills and have a network of people you know that can introduce you.

henryh

Nope. Last year the cap was reached in early June. Don't dally on getting those applications in.

tomrog50

Awesome Welles - Thanks for your help. I certainly understand the importance of first impressions and wrote my original post in a bit of a rush without proof reading it. It was not my impression in the slightest to come across as an semi-literate bumkin and i probably used this forum in a rather colloquial manner until now.

Bob - I am a serving British military officer currently working in logistics management with a specialisation in air logistics. I have been doing this for over 14 years and have a number of qualifications, one being a BSc in Logs Management. I have looked at the list of occupations eligible for a H1B and i believe my qualifications and experience would be suitable for any of the management/project management roles. I also served 2 years in Northern Virginia during 2009-2012 where i met a number of contacts and started to network.

Henryh - Thanks for pointing out the need for haste.

Hotscot

" i probably used this forum"

Usually when referring to oneself you would use a capital "I"

DavidLemon

Since when did this forum turn into a classroom? I don't recall the OP asking for grammar lessons, so no idea why you felt the need to be honest.

Duncan Roberts

What you believe is irrelevant, it's what the US government thinks that's important. I have no idea if you would qualify for a visa or not but on face value it seems unlikely that logistics would be a good route for an H1b visa. Maybe working for somebody like UPS or FedEx in a management role for a while and getting a transfer to the US would be a more feasible option.

Hotscot

Sorry it was just a little irony because the OP was saying in that very comment he didn't want to be seen as a bumpkin due to bad grammar...or words to that affect. Just a friendly dig

red_onion

How about if I start networking with you! 11+ experience in IT with MSc and BSc in addition to some 14+ IT certificates. I am happy to email my 'resume' forward.

Awesome Welles

We're not in the IT field, I'm afraid. Thanks for the offer though.