Seeking employment as foreigner

Have you looked at firms like Jacobs, CH2M, URS/AECOM, HDR, Bechtel, Fluor,?ÿ etc? The world wide reaching firms? I would think they would be well suited to handle your change.?ÿ

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Hi StLSurveyor,

Thank you I will have a look on their websites if they have any available positions.

If have applied at some intl firms such as Fugro and mining companies but only a few.

Will try the ones you mention above.

Thanks

It's a really heavy thing for a US company to hire somebody from out of town let alone from another continent. If you walked into almost any office in Portland you might get hired on the spot, but sending a resume from overseas - that's tough.?ÿ

Back in the early '90s I was seeking to move from Canada to the US. The nearest US town was just 30 miles from my Canadian home. It was still pretty tough. In the end I hooked up to a very specific opportunity in Portland that had an immediate need for a very particular skill I had (namely experience with drafting survey plans using C&G).?ÿ?ÿ

As far as your resume goes I'd puff up the parts where you describe your skills - make it more personal and less a point form check off.?ÿ And downplay the references. Nobody is going to put bad references on a resume and nobody in the US is going to personally know your references from Adam anyway. The stuff under "profile" is the part that my eye goes to. Add to that with specific project experience.?ÿ BTW - I can get all the physically strong and hardworking types I want at LaborReady any day of the week for minimum wage.?ÿ Please send me a lazy person who is smart enough to take advantage of all this technology.?ÿ

Companies in Alaska are often looking for people willing to go off to "the bush" for extended periods. Oil projects. These may be a way for you to get your foot in the US door .?ÿ?ÿ

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@rsasurv

Do you have a visa, a green card, or an application for citizenship or dual citizenship?

Your qualifications would place you in great demand in the US.

Unfortunately if you don't have the aforementioned identification, employment prospects are slight due to strict laws in place.?ÿ

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Hi Mark, thanks thats exactly the type of critisism I needed. Will have another go at the resume and have a more polished resume by the end of the week. Being young I want to stand out from the crowd with a slightly different resume,but still presenting the info the more refined gentleman will find value in.

Alaska is a bit cold for my taste,but I'm sure I can make it work.

@FL/GS

No I dont have VISA or greencard or anything at the moment,but seeing the positive response (seems like I might be able to get a job) I have tentatively filled in a VISA application (think it was a H1 VISA),but was aecond guessing if it I should go through with it, as on our side the application and interview is aboht $500 at the consulate,and dont want to waste it if I wasnt more sure of a job. Will definitely consider it more this week.

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Thanks guys

Alaska's still a great place to live and work, but we're in something of a recession, so it ain't what it used to be. https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/01/20/economists-say-recession-will-last-three-more-years-followed-by-a-smaller-poorer-alaska/

I've been surveying here for about 18 years, and things are pretty tight. Many firms have laid off long-time employees. https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2017/03/18/engineering-jobs-fall-prey-to-alaskas-recession/

You might qualify for an EB-3 - skilled worker. It needs a company willing to hire you for a full-time position and who will do a labor certification for the position.

The other route is an H1-B, but you've missed this year's application period (which is right now). H1-B applicant normally needs a bachelor's degree, or you have to explain why that's not standard education for the job and have enough experience to offset the "lack" of education. The explanation would also include enough information about the job and tasks to show that it takes specialized knowledge and training. I thought H-1B also had to do a labor certification, but I'm not sure that's always needed. Maybe now, under the current regime.

A company applies / petitions for a H-1B visa on behalf of a person they want to hire. I don't think there's another category that would fit.?ÿ

My company (Esri) has also gotten visas using other EB designations, but usually for Ph.Ds with publications.

?ÿMelita

Edit: New comment after looking at resume. I understand why you're using the 10 dots to show software skill, but because almost all or 8 or 10, maybe simplify it to out of 5 instead. You could also go to 2 pages, where the 2nd page has more details project work details, etc. US resumes almost never have pictures either...although I hate to say it, because you are a certain skin color, that could have a positive effect in the US.

Hi Melita,

thanks yes after Mike's comments I was thinking of adding like a portfolio 2nd page showing projects I was involved in etc.

And yes I think you are right with making it rated to 5 and not 10.

Thanks for all the advise so far 🙂

Haha and that's nice to hear. Current skin colour is not very favourable down here.