What is the best option for me
Mar 4th 2013, 6:43 pm
#1
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4
What is the best option for me
Hi all,
I've posted something similar to this in the working abroad forum, but here I am looking for you guys to give me some information on what is the best course of action for me.
Below is what I have put in the other forum seeking work:
I was wondering if my current plan of applying to jobs on line and sending my CV to prospective employers in the United States from here in the United Kingdom will get me anywhere, or would it be more prudent for me to simply come for a "long holiday" and take my chances in person with employers? I'd like to know if this is a good idea or not as I am not stateside to gauge interest yet.
I also do not know much about the Visa or Permanent Resident process for the United States of America, so would I be an acceptable person (qualifications wise) to obtain a Green Card?
Thank you so much for your help in advance.
Kindest regards,
Ryan
I've posted something similar to this in the working abroad forum, but here I am looking for you guys to give me some information on what is the best course of action for me.
Below is what I have put in the other forum seeking work:
Spoiler:
I was wondering if my current plan of applying to jobs on line and sending my CV to prospective employers in the United States from here in the United Kingdom will get me anywhere, or would it be more prudent for me to simply come for a "long holiday" and take my chances in person with employers? I'd like to know if this is a good idea or not as I am not stateside to gauge interest yet.
I also do not know much about the Visa or Permanent Resident process for the United States of America, so would I be an acceptable person (qualifications wise) to obtain a Green Card?
Thank you so much for your help in advance.
Kindest regards,
Ryan
Mar 4th 2013, 6:59 pm
#2
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: What is the best option for me
Civil engineering is a good field to be in, so that's a good start. That said, I am not sure it will get you very far having only a Bachelor's degree. You'll probably get further interest if you have a Master's degree, especially from a US University.
As for job hunting, it's more about networking and who you know, rather than randomly sending out resumes. That's also why getting a higher degree in your field within the USA works in your favor...gives you a chance to network in person in the USA, make the contacts you need, work for a year on OPT, and gives you time to find an employer willing to hire you and sponsor your work visa.
Also gives you time to meet a nice American girl and settle down here, if the work visa doesn't pan out.
Rene
As for job hunting, it's more about networking and who you know, rather than randomly sending out resumes. That's also why getting a higher degree in your field within the USA works in your favor...gives you a chance to network in person in the USA, make the contacts you need, work for a year on OPT, and gives you time to find an employer willing to hire you and sponsor your work visa.
Also gives you time to meet a nice American girl and settle down here, if the work visa doesn't pan out.
Rene
Mar 4th 2013, 7:16 pm
#3
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: What is the best option for me
So many threads on the job hunt.
Sure it's better to be in person, but really, you need to network and have people who'll help get you past the HR line up, so LinkedIn is a good tool.
Then you've got to figure out why a company would spend thousands to sponsor you for a visa where if they applied in April, you wouldn't be able to start in October, over someone who could start tomorrow. That would be the H1 route.
Best option is a company transfer, which would be L1 route. The wiki above has a good listing of the various common ways in.
Though saying that, if you found a outfit that understood what a ISO standard was, you'd be doing pretty good
Sure it's better to be in person, but really, you need to network and have people who'll help get you past the HR line up, so LinkedIn is a good tool.
Then you've got to figure out why a company would spend thousands to sponsor you for a visa where if they applied in April, you wouldn't be able to start in October, over someone who could start tomorrow. That would be the H1 route.
Best option is a company transfer, which would be L1 route. The wiki above has a good listing of the various common ways in.
Though saying that, if you found a outfit that understood what a ISO standard was, you'd be doing pretty good
Mar 4th 2013, 7:22 pm
#4
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Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Re: What is the best option for me
There are primarily two possible routes. Normally most come to the US on a company transfer (L-1 visa) or hired on a skilled visa (H-1B visa). Later the company can sponsor you for a green card and once you have the green card, you can then work for any company at any job that is desired.
If you have the education and skills, normally the easiest route is to apply with an international company in your home country that has offices in the US with the hope of a company transfer (you must work with that company for at least 1 year to be eligible for a L-1 visa).
Currently there are 65,000 H-1B visas annually available for people from all countries. Applications are made by sponsoring companies for potential employees and should be in by April 1 for work starting no earlier than October 1. During the first half of the recession, the quota wasn't filled until late December so getting a H-1B visa was not much of a problem if you had the qualifications and could find a company to sponsor you but last year the quota was filled by mid June and will likely fill by not much after April this year (normal years it is filled shortly after April 1).
Unfortunately the H-1B visa costs the company several thousands of dollars for lawyer and visa fees and employers want an employee now and not in 6 to 9 months. Therefore a lot of the visas (probably 2/3rds or more) go to outsourcing/consulting companies and employers use those companies to contract personal. Also unless your skills are in high demand and can't be satisfied by the local market, it is unlikely that an employers would go through the process, expense, and time of sponsoring a foreigner. As the job market gets tighter, it is generally easier to get a company to sponsor employees for a visa but then it is harder to get a visa due to over subscription of the H-1B visas.
If you have the education and skills, normally the easiest route is to apply with an international company in your home country that has offices in the US with the hope of a company transfer (you must work with that company for at least 1 year to be eligible for a L-1 visa).
Currently there are 65,000 H-1B visas annually available for people from all countries. Applications are made by sponsoring companies for potential employees and should be in by April 1 for work starting no earlier than October 1. During the first half of the recession, the quota wasn't filled until late December so getting a H-1B visa was not much of a problem if you had the qualifications and could find a company to sponsor you but last year the quota was filled by mid June and will likely fill by not much after April this year (normal years it is filled shortly after April 1).
Unfortunately the H-1B visa costs the company several thousands of dollars for lawyer and visa fees and employers want an employee now and not in 6 to 9 months. Therefore a lot of the visas (probably 2/3rds or more) go to outsourcing/consulting companies and employers use those companies to contract personal. Also unless your skills are in high demand and can't be satisfied by the local market, it is unlikely that an employers would go through the process, expense, and time of sponsoring a foreigner. As the job market gets tighter, it is generally easier to get a company to sponsor employees for a visa but then it is harder to get a visa due to over subscription of the H-1B visas.
Mar 4th 2013, 8:36 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 8,106
Re: What is the best option for me
Or alternatively make sure you know the US equivalents, ASME etc. Also look at the respective state licensing regulations for civil engineers.
Mar 4th 2013, 9:06 pm
#6
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: What is the best option for me
I'm also not entirely joking about the ISO comment...just looked at some plans from an engineers office for a local school and the scale used was 3/4"=1.5'
Utterly barmy that
could be worse, one place had metric and imperial measurements all mixed up on the same schematic, including for inside/outside diameter on some piping. That was fun 
Mar 4th 2013, 9:08 pm
#7
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: What is the best option for me
Realistically you are unlikley to be offered a job without you having a visa, and most visas (L's and H's) require that you have a job to get a visa!
It seems to me that there are three main strategies you could follow: (i) try to work your way into a position in an international company and persuade the company to relocate you, (ii) come to the US to do a MSc, and leverage that degree and being here "on the ground" as an opportunity to find work, or (iii) find yourself a nice American girl to marry. Note: persuing strategy (ii) may also facilitate strategy (iii)!
Last edited by Pulaski; Mar 4th 2013 at 9:13 pm.
Mar 5th 2013, 2:52 am
#8
Account Closed
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Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: What is the best option for me
Ian
Mar 5th 2013, 7:34 am
#9
Just Joined
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4
Re: What is the best option for me
Hi all,
Thanks a lot for replying! By long holiday I mean the maximum amount of time I am allowed to stay on my UK Passport which is 90 days.
Would it make a difference to employers if I was to simply say up front that I will pay the fees for them? If it is below $10,000.00 I can do this easily.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thanks a lot for replying! By long holiday I mean the maximum amount of time I am allowed to stay on my UK Passport which is 90 days.
Would it make a difference to employers if I was to simply say up front that I will pay the fees for them? If it is below $10,000.00 I can do this easily.
Thanks,
Ryan
Mar 5th 2013, 8:28 am
#10
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: What is the best option for me
You cant do that, legally the fees must be borne by the employer.
Mar 6th 2013, 5:20 pm
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Malibu, CA
Posts: 921
Re: What is the best option for me
Another dirty Scotsman here who has successfully hacked out the path it looks like you want to follow.
In my opinion, in engineering/science, the key to moving out here is specialisation.
You need to establish and prove niche skills that would make it worthwhile for an employer to go to the hassle and cost of hiring you. In addition to the fees, it takes a while to get a visa processed. For an employer to endure all that, you need to be a little bit special!
At this stage, you need to leverage your network. It sounds like you are still young and in the early stages of your career. Judicious project choices could help you attain the specialization you will need in order to make the jump.
Good luck!
In my opinion, in engineering/science, the key to moving out here is specialisation.
You need to establish and prove niche skills that would make it worthwhile for an employer to go to the hassle and cost of hiring you. In addition to the fees, it takes a while to get a visa processed. For an employer to endure all that, you need to be a little bit special!
At this stage, you need to leverage your network. It sounds like you are still young and in the early stages of your career. Judicious project choices could help you attain the specialization you will need in order to make the jump.
Good luck!
Mar 7th 2013, 12:35 am
#13
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: What is the best option for me
Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage for the job offered under the H-1B and deductions for things like attorney fees for the filing of the visa are not allowed. Other deductions are also not allowed if it pushes the wages below the prevailing rate. Given that many H-1B visa holders are already on the low end of that scale, there isn't much room to maneuver.
More detailed breakdown here:
http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/PassingOnH1bCost.htm
More detailed breakdown here:
http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/PassingOnH1bCost.htm
Mar 7th 2013, 12:38 am
#14
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 0
Re: What is the best option for me
Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage for the job offered under the H-1B and deductions for things like attorney fees for the filing of the visa are not allowed. Other deductions are also not allowed if it pushes the wages below the prevailing rate. Given that many H-1B visa holders are already on the low end of that scale, there isn't much room to maneuver.
More detailed breakdown here:
http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/PassingOnH1bCost.htm
More detailed breakdown here:
http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/PassingOnH1bCost.htm
