When can one start looking for a job

[Donal78 0]

Hi,

After the list was updated i should get my EAD sometime in the end of september. When is a good time to start looking? I was thinking maybe the first or second week in august but how do i explain to a future that my EAD is coming without putting them off. I am in the Computer support side of things and will ideally be looking for a job in boston.

[anya-D 8]

I have no answer to your question but I wish you good luck in finding job!!!

[luv2teach77 41]

I started looking even before my EAD was approved, I just didn't start applying for anything until I had my EAD card in my hand.

If you are going to start actually applying you would have to hope that any interested employer would want you badly enough to be willing to hold on until you have the card. I would also be very wary of assuming an EAD issue date based on the processing date lists. We all know how those lists can be incorrect at the best of times and relying on them for such an important document might set you up for some problems if they turn out to be incorrect.

I'd err on the side of caution to avoid any potential dissappointment.

Hope you get your card quicker than I did !!

Mark

[rob&ana 0]

I would start looking around 2 or 3 weeks of your being able to get the Interim EAD. Like others have stated, the timelines, the waiting periods established by the INS in the NOAs mean absolutely nothing. When I looked for a job, I had the temp EAD (valid for 90 days) and I was pretty honest, I would have to stop working, that I had to wait for the definite EAD or after 90 days without any information I was entitled to an interim EAD.

I was lucky, and my employer was willing to wait. But my EAD never came, so I had to go and get the interim one, which was going to be valid for just 5 months. I took the risk of starting to work that way, however, I was pretty afraid that if it didn’t come thru I would have to stop working. And I told this too to my employer, they were more optimistic than me. But in the end, everything worked out.

Good luck with the job hunt!!

[shirlJ831 0]

it does not hurt to "look" but if you get offered a job before your card arrives it wont help hope things turn out good and soon

[felshen 0]

My husband started looking about 1 month before getting his card you can look at any time.. If a company wants you they will wait. My husband only interview with one company and they werfe willing to wait on his EAD and SS# to oficially process him but It was understood that he had the job after the interview. As soon as we got the EAD card and SS printout he was oficaill offered the position and he starts work on FRIDAY!!!!

[l.j./1999 1]

I would say it really depends on the field you are interested in. In some cases employers have a lengthy hiring process of several weeks with multiple interviews. In other fields the process is much faster and looking for a job before you have your EAD would make little sense.

Also, if you are not entirely comfortable or experienced with interviewing, it probably would not hurt to start applying early and then just get some extra "practice" with the whole process, even if you end up with an employer who is not willing to wait for you to get your EAD.

My husband got his EAD back in May and is still looking for a job. In hindsight getting started a month early (or even more) would not have hurt. In our experience, you usually don't need to show the EAD to the employer until you are actually hired and reporting for work.