How to Quickly Find a Job When Moving to the USA (5 Tips and Hacks)

The United States is a prime destination for many immigrants in search of a better life. Many of those immigrants often struggle to get started in their new home, however. New environments always present new challenges, especially in areas like employment. As a result, newcomers may need help finding a job as they begin to build a new life in the U.S. We have put together a list of tips and hacks that can help you in your quest to find a job when moving to the USA.

Preparing a Resume When Moving to The USA

It’s important to understand the resume process when moving to the USA. When searching for a job, your resume will be your primary tool for capturing a hiring manager’s attention.

Do Not Use a CV 

If you’re applying for a position in the United States, you will be sending a resume 99% of the time. A CV which is more in depth than a resume is primarily used in the US when applying for teaching or research opportunities.

Many immigrants moving to the U.S. (Especially from Europe and India) need to reformat their resume from a CV to a resume. Remember to also align credentials and terminology that match U.S. standards. Look through the job description to see what experience/skills employers are looking for as they may be different from what's listed on your resume.

(We wrote a post here on how to write a good resume for the Canadian job market)

That means that you need to know how to create a resume that can properly showcase your potential value for an employer. Your resume should contain the following sections:

• Personal contact information

• A summary statement highlighting your skills and ability to meet the company’s needs.

• Job experience

• Education and career development

• Other sections for additional skills, etc., as needed.

We have many different instructional articles on our site that can assist you with your resume. For example, check out our great post, Resume Writing Instructions and Checklist for a Good Resume. It provides vital tips about keyword usage to help your resume get past those Applicant Tracking Systems, the proper use of action verbs, and how to properly use your achievements to showcase your value as a potential employee.

Here is a good example of a chronological resume which is standard in the U.S:

Top Job Search Sites When Moving to The USA

There are a whole host of job search sites for newcomers moving to the USA. In fact, the internet has become one of the main ways foreigners can find jobs in the USA. We have compiled a list of the top job search sites to help you in your efforts.

Here are the top 3 Sites:

#1 – Indeed

Indeed is by far the largest job board in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2004, Indeed serves nearly 258 million job seekers worldwide. The website is very simple to navigate and contains job postings from Indeed as well as hundreds of other job boards.

They have jobs for nearly every background and experience level so you’ll definitely want to check out Indeed. You should also upload your resume as many hiring managers and recruiters browse Indeed’s resume database in search of candidates.

# 2 – Monster

Coming in at third place is Monster. Monster.com which was founded in 1999 is used by over 100,000 companies and has over 5 million jobs listed. This website really is Monster, serving over 27 million visitors a month. You also want to ensure you upload your resume to the Monster.com database.

#3 – Ziprecruiter

Ziprecruiter started of as a recruiting tool but has also integrated a job board. It has become really popular lately with over 26 million visitors a month. They also cut down the long application process and integrated an option that allows you to apply for a job with one click.

They also have application tracking which keeps you updated when someone reviews or responds to your application.

Resources that Can Help

Because the U.S. is so large and diverse, there are a multitude of job search resources that can help you locate a job. The following resources can assist anyone moving to the USA who needs help with the job search process:

• Glassdoor provides a host of jobs information and tips to help with your job search.

• Careeronestop is a great resource for information about careers, training, and job search tools. It can also help you locate local assistance in your target area.

Finding Recruiters

The need for labor drives many companies to actively seek out new talent from established residents and those moving to the USA. However, you should not wait for a recruiter to find you.

If you have useful skills, it is wise to contact recruiters to get your name out there. When it comes to recruiters, there is no better resource than LinkedIn. You should create a LinkedIn profile and use the site’s search features to identify recruiters seeking talent in your chosen field.

You can also get help with a resume review and recruiter match at The Recruiter Network.

Government and Non-Profit Assistance for Job Searches

In America, government, business, and non-profits all have a role to play in helping immigrants moving to the USA make a successful transition to their new home. As a result, there are many government and non-profit resources that can provide the guidance you need.

Government Job Assistance

• USA.gov is a vital resource for basic information about labor laws, small business, and how to look for employment in both the public and private sector. There’s also information about self-employment, apprenticeships, and specific help for foreign workers.

• The US Department of Labor website offers information about a host of job training programs and critical help for disabled workers who need to explore their career options.

• Assistance is not confined to federal resource, of course. State governments also play a role in helping would-be workers find jobs, including those moving to the USA. You can find your new state’s job bank here.

• The Us Citizenship and Immigration Services website also offers job search resources for new immigrants, as well as vital information about their rights. The site provides links to many different websites offering help with everything from resume creation to job interview tips.

Non-Profit Assistance

The non-profit sector has a huge role to play in helping people moving to the USA. Non-profits assist with everything from immigration law to resettlement concerns and job search efforts.

• UpwardlyGlobal is a non-profit that helps legal immigrants and refugees find professional employment in the USA. They have a job search program and coaching to help people moving to the USA find their place in the economy. The site also offers links to a host of training tools for those who need additional skills.

• There are also a great number of organizations that operate both nationally and at the state level to help new immigrants and refugees. You can search for relevant assistance on charitynavigator.org.

How difficult is it to get a job in America if I am Moving to the USA?

Newcomers moving to the USA will face some challenges obtaining employment, but legal immigrants can almost always find a job. Before you can qualify to work in the United States, however, you need to meet certain criteria. That includes getting a visa that allows you to work. There are different visa types, of course, including those for temporary guest workers and those for permanent immigrants.

The temporary visas are designed for those who may be moving for a set time and need permission to work. They include skilled and educated workers, non-agricultural jobs at a lower skill level, and investors or traders.

If you are moving to the USA, you will eventually need a permanent visa. These are the EB green cards that are provided for different types of foreign-born employees emigrating to the U.S.

These visa types cover many different skill sets. You can learn more about visas for people moving to the USA by visiting careerbuilder.com or the USCIS.gov site.

Summary

The good news is that America continues to offer great opportunities and a better life to many newcomers from around the world. And with an array of private, public, and non-profit resources at their disposal, it’s easier than ever for people moving to the USA to find the jobs they need.

Related posts:

• How To Quickly Find A Job When Moving To Canada (7+ Tricks)

• USA Resume Format