From the Desk of President, h1visajobs.com

Every job seeker must understand that "Job search itself is a job."   Let me ask you; what do you do when your boss asks you to get something done?  Do you, immediately start folding your sleeves up, and run to get to the task?  Of course not!  Job search is no different!!   Successful job search warrants your understanding of the job market "beast", grasping of the mechanics, and keeping in mind the popular Ws: who, what, when, where, how and why?

Job hunting books, articles on the internet, as well as career counselors preach that the job market in the US is hidden wherein 70% of jobs get filled unannounced to the general public.  The  response, to 30% of jobs announced in mass media such as newspapers and internet, is a flood of resumes  - amongst waves your resume with  "I need sponsorship."   Where do you stand?

On the flip side are companies that prefer to hire international professionals for their own reasons. Would you like to uncover them and sit in the driver seat to negotiate for what you deserve?  That is what exactly you will learn in this article. 

Having assisted numerous companies (IT to health care, and  hospitality to retail) in recruiting and sponsoring foreign professionals, and having assisted foreign professionals in guiding and placing them with various companies in the past 15 year, I have observed a few common denominators that continuously motivated a sector of US companies sponsor foreign workers.   The 10 Point Prescription presented here is a strategy that I propose to foreign professionals to successfully seek employment in the US with sponsorship for work visa. 

First you must understand the nature of US job market; myths and facts:

Myth 1.    All job openings are advertised in a newspaper or on internet.
Reality:    No!  Studies have shown that about 70% of job openings are filled up by employers without having a need to advertise in newspaper or on the internet.

Myth 2:    Employers hire the best qualified person for a job opening?
Reality:   Employers hire candidates who are dependable, team player, result oriented, etc., in addition to being qualified for the job.  Make sure you emphasize such strengths in  your resume.  

  Myth 3:  A company will select me because I have done best thesis/project in the school, and possess excellent academic qualifications with solid experience.
Reality:  Not really.  Companies select a candidate for their their own reasons, not yours.  Their reasons include: impression, compatibility, budget on salary, manager's comfort zone, etc., etc.

Myth 4:  I should apply through the front door only. If I am best qualified for the job, I must be selected.
Reality:  There is always a long line applicants by the front door.  Apply for a job through the back doors whenever possible. Employers do not care how you apply.

Myth 5: Asking someone to recommend me for a job is illegal; makes me feel inferior.
Reality:  It is not illegal at all.  In some countries recommendations or favoritism is considered illegal, unethical, and immoral; that is not true in US private industry.   You should not feel inferior taking help from someone.  

Myth 6:  Smaller companies do not offer good benefits.
Reality:  It is true to some extent that larger companies offer better long-term benefits such as 401(K), pension, retirement, etc.  However, as a newcomer, the benefits you would be seeking (health insurance, life insurance, vacation, and sick leave),  are generally provided even by small firms.  Your priority should be getting a job offer with sponsorship for H-1B, followed by permanent residence if you are interested.  Do not get yourself hung up on benefits; you must focus on critical stuff.

Myth 7: It is not right to show thesis/project work as expertise/experience.
Reality: Experience is experience whether paid, unpaid, voluntary, hobby, or part of education.  In your resume, there is nothing wrong in using words such as: planned, analyzed, identified and prioritized tasks, sized work efforts, designed, implemented, experimented, measured, worked with instruments such as..., recorded, reported, negotiated, interacted with people, performed risk assessment, developed risk mitigation plans, presented views to colleagues, evaluated alternative plans, etc., etc. (I can keep writing). 

  Myth 8: It is wrong to "sell" myself to the employer by modifying resume/cover letter each time highlighting what the employer is looking for. 
Reality: Typically a hiring manager has 10 seconds to determine whether or not you should be considered for the job.  You should never expect the hiring manager to read your resume beginning to end, and read between lines, and analyze, and figure out if you qualify for the job or not.  Hiring managers appreciate your saving of their time.

Myth 9: I have better chances of getting sponsored by large companies.
Reality:  US citizens and permanent residents love working for large well know companies for job stability, long term benefits, prestige, etc.  Therefore, large companies are generally not desperate to sponsor foreign professionals; exceptions are always there which you should not count on.  I recommend that you should stop wasting your precious time going after large and highly reputable companies.  Instead, you should focus on companies more inclined (desperate) to hire foreign professionals, whether the company is small or large. 

Test & Select Your Top 50 Sponsors 

WISE Strategy for your success:
All companies are not for all job seekers.  Your objective is to test companies and compile a list of 50 companies, from h1visajobs.com Online Database, that score high in YOUR test.  DO NOT CHEAT YOURSELF.

1. Logon to WISE h1visajobs.com Online Database in your specialization.  (If you are not a current subscriber, click here to subscribe)
2. Go through Online Database and score each employer using the criteria using the chart.  Make copies of the chart as you need. (Download softcopy  will be available soon)
3. Test as many companies as possible.  Filter out companies that scored less than 85 points out of 200.  Make a list of 50 companies and organize them in the order of their earned score.  Focus on the top companies in your list.

Evaluation Criteria Maximum Score (200) Earned Score 1. I personally know (friend/relative) the hiring manger who promised to sponsor me. Why: Warm and personal contact. Tip: Make sure to stay in touch. 60   2. Company is listed in h1visajobs.com Online Database and sponsored at least 3 (three) people. Why: Company is known, willing, and had a need (for their own reasons) to sponsor before. Tip: Check with h1visajobs.com online databases.   30   3. Contact person/business owner is from my country (anywhere in the US). Why: Generally, people have soft corner towards those from their own country. Tip: Check with h1visajobs.com Online Database. Observe contact person's name in Online Database.                   OR Company is located in the same city (or within 50 miles from) where I am. Why: Companies prefer as you will be able to attend an interview, and if selected, they do not have to pay relocation expenses. Tip: Consult h1visajobs.com Online Database. Observe "City and State" field. 25 4. Company does business with firms in my country (not to be confused with people from my country). Why: Companies need professionals who can bring culture, language, compatibility, etc., to the table. Tip: Research the internet www.imex.com. 20   5. Applying with a solid professional reference. Why: Warm contact and comfort zone. Tip: Consult with your professors, classmates, friends, family, etc., for companies they know. 15   6. The company is located in a small town at least fifty (50) miles away from a major city. Why: Companies located away from major cities generally do not attract US citizens and permanent residents. Tip: Consult h1visajobs.com Online Database  www.mapquest.com. 15   7. The company is small (currently employing people fewer than 100) and owned by a foreigner. Why: Smaller companies do not generally provide employment stability and long-term benefits attractive to US citizens and permanent residents. *Tip: Look into company website. 10   8. My expertise is directly related to company's line of business.  Why: Company prefers you for your expertise and shorter learning curve. Tip: Highlight your expertise on your resume and cover letter. 10   9. The company's business is less than 50% federal government. Why: Post 9/11 several federal government agencies restricted  performance of services by non-citizens on their projects. *Tip: Look into company's line of business. 10   10. The company is not "body shop" type. Why: Body shop (consulting) type companies generally hire consultants with experience as dictated by their clients. *Tip: Look into company website. 5     Total Score 200 (Maximum)   *Note: If a company does not have a website, filter it out; probably it is a one-man company that sponsored a close family member.  Do not waste your precious time.

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