Can I start looking for a job?

[SapphireDreams 71]

I'm probably about a month or so away from my EAD if all goes well.

Am I able to apply for jobs and let them know that I'm waiting for my EAD?

I'm anticipating that I will be going through a series of interviews to find a job and I'd like to get the ball rolling.

Is there a rule or law somewhere that says I can't?

Thanks!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Hey sweetie

Congrats on taking the leap and deciding to look for work!

I was super nervous.

I know that once I was hired, I had to show my EAD and SSN.

It was mandatory and they wouldn't hire me without that information.

I see no problem in searching for jobs but the only thing that would bother me is....say you go to an interview, and it's an amazing job and opportunity and they want to hire you and have you start asap...

You can't technically work until you have your EAD. So you would have to wait and risk the possibility of that job not being available by the time you get your EAD.

I think it would be a huge let down.

You can look to see what's out there and maybe go for interviews but until your EAD is in your hands or at least approved and you know it's on it's way, I wouldn't go all gung ho about it just yet.

You never know if there will be delays in your EAD or what.

Best of luck hon!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

also a second thought...

It wouldn't hurt to get your name out there but yes, let them know your situation that you are waiting for your EAD...they may be able to help you in the future when you actually have it.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

No harm in looking. My wife started networking for jobs as soon as she moved here. You just can't start working until you have the EAD, so you'd have to push back a start date, if you got a position offered to you.

Most professional type jobs would be willing to wait a few weeks for you, but if you are applying for minimum wage jobs (like sales clerk, etc), they might just pass you up.

Edited July 24, 2009 by Ed+Cindy

[SapphireDreams 71]

No harm in looking. My wife started networking for jobs as soon as she moved here. You just can't start working until you have the EAD, so you'd have to push back a start date, if you got a position offered to you.

Most professional type jobs would be willing to wait a few weeks for you, but if you are applying for minimum wage jobs (like sales clerk, etc), they might just pass you up.

Thanks Ed, that's what I'm thinking to in regards to a professional job. I'm confident that they would be willing to push back my start date if necessary if I am a fit for their company. I'm probably looking at multiple rounds of interviews for a job in my industry/field, and my previous job took about 6 weeks from start to finish to get hired, so I would think that it should take me around the same time here as well.

I just don't want to break any laws.... ya know?

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Edited July 24, 2009 by ~Laura and Nick~

[SapphireDreams 71]

Hey sweetie

Congrats on taking the leap and deciding to look for work!

I was super nervous.

I know that once I was hired, I had to show my EAD and SSN.

It was mandatory and they wouldn't hire me without that information.

I see no problem in searching for jobs but the only thing that would bother me is....say you go to an interview, and it's an amazing job and opportunity and they want to hire you and have you start asap...

You can't technically work until you have your EAD. So you would have to wait and risk the possibility of that job not being available by the time you get your EAD.

I think it would be a huge let down.

You can look to see what's out there and maybe go for interviews but until your EAD is in your hands or at least approved and you know it's on it's way, I wouldn't go all gung ho about it just yet.

You never know if there will be delays in your EAD or what.

Best of luck hon!

Thanks Laura!!

Yeah I kind of worry about any delays.. that's another reason I am holding back a bit.

I found one perfect posting today so I think I'll apply for it and anything else that I think is perfect and hold off on a full force search until I get the EAD approval notice online....

Edited July 24, 2009 by SapphireDreams

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Thanks Laura!!

Yeah I kind of worry about any delays.. that's another reason I am holding back a bit.

I found one perfect posting today so I think I'll apply for it and anything else that I think is perfect and hold off on a full force search until I get the EAD approval notice online....

Good luck!!!!!

[rebeccajo 14]

Most job applications will ask you if you are legally authorized to work in the US. If you have to fill out an application, you cannot at this point affirmatively answer that question.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Most job applications will ask you if you are legally authorized to work in the US. If you have to fill out an application, you cannot at this point affirmatively answer that question.

This is true, but I'm not really going into a store or place where I would fill in an "application" - I'd be applying for professional jobs that require a resume, cover letter (with my explanation of my work status) and writing samples. As well, I've been dealing with HR professionals who understand what an EAD is and that I need to wait for it. Every professional that I've talked to so far has not batted an eyelash when I tell them I'm waiting for my work permit.

So technically I'm not being asked outright if I am legally able to work. And technically couldn't I say that yes I am legally authorized to work, with an EAD, which is on its way. On my SSN application the clerk checked off YES, I am legally allowed to work. If I did have to fill out an "application" I could always give them an explanation. I've done that in the past when I applied for jobs in the U.S. as a student hoping to get a student visa that I had to fill an online form for.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Your right in that you'll probably never see an application, I certainly haven't in my career. If you do I'd just write that your proof of work authorization has been ordered and will arrive in x number of days.

[rebeccajo 14]

Most job applications will ask you if you are legally authorized to work in the US. If you have to fill out an application, you cannot at this point affirmatively answer that question.

This is true, but I'm not really going into a store or place where I would fill in an "application" - I'd be applying for professional jobs that require a resume, cover letter (with my explanation of my work status) and writing samples. As well, I've been dealing with HR professionals who understand what an EAD is and that I need to wait for it. Every professional that I've talked to so far has not batted an eyelash when I tell them I'm waiting for my work permit.

So technically I'm not being asked outright if I am legally able to work. And technically couldn't I say that yes I am legally authorized to work, with an EAD, which is on its way. On my SSN application the clerk checked off YES, I am legally allowed to work. If I did have to fill out an "application" I could always give them an explanation. I've done that in the past when I applied for jobs in the U.S. as a student hoping to get a student visa that I had to fill an online form for.

I don't know why you are asking your question then.

You seem to have formulated an answer to the question and have decided how to answer it.

The SS office may have ticked off a box on a form saying you are legally allowed to work, but the fact remains you are not until you can produce an EAD.

Laura's advice is the best you have been given.

Edited July 25, 2009 by rebeccajo

[SapphireDreams 71]

Most job applications will ask you if you are legally authorized to work in the US. If you have to fill out an application, you cannot at this point affirmatively answer that question.

This is true, but I'm not really going into a store or place where I would fill in an "application" - I'd be applying for professional jobs that require a resume, cover letter (with my explanation of my work status) and writing samples. As well, I've been dealing with HR professionals who understand what an EAD is and that I need to wait for it. Every professional that I've talked to so far has not batted an eyelash when I tell them I'm waiting for my work permit.

So technically I'm not being asked outright if I am legally able to work. And technically couldn't I say that yes I am legally authorized to work, with an EAD, which is on its way. On my SSN application the clerk checked off YES, I am legally allowed to work. If I did have to fill out an "application" I could always give them an explanation. I've done that in the past when I applied for jobs in the U.S. as a student hoping to get a student visa that I had to fill an online form for.

I don't know why you are asking your question then.

You seem to have formulated an answer to the question and have decided how to answer it.

The SS office may have ticked off a box on a form saying you are legally allowed to work, but the fact remains you are not until you can produce an EAD.

Laura's advice is the best you have been given.

Well no, not really, I answered a different question than my initial question.

My inital question is: Am i allowed to simply *apply* for jobs before my EAD? I don't plan on actually working, as I know that is illegal. But I just want to make sure and get other's experiences around looking for jobs before the EAD.

Is there a rule or law that says I can't? Or is it just the actual date that you start working that matters?

That's what I'm asking.

And yes, Laura's advice is very good. She brought up a good point about being delayed.

[bhajishah 4]

Sure, get your apps and azz out there, it takes a good 3-6 months to find a decent job!!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Or longer! I have friends who have been unemployed since summer of 2008!!! I think the recession is officially over though, this quarter is seeing positive growth. Unemployment will probably peak in October.