Appling for first job in US

[niniel71 0]

My husband is currently working on his resume. We have the typical content, education and work history, but has anyone included their immigration status on the resume or cover letter?

His status in pending AOS (which should hopefully be approved soon). Should he indicate somewhere that he has a valid work authorization card? My worries are that his resume will get tossed aside when they see he is not a US citizen or a permanent resident yet. Would it be better to not mention anything at all and present the facts at an interview or present the facts in the resume?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Absolutely not. He should not include anything of the sort. and they should not even ask for it until hiring process. Familiarize yourself with the I-9 form

[SunDrop 59]

My husband is currently working on his resume. We have the typical content, education and work history, but has anyone included their immigration status on the resume or cover letter?

His status in pending AOS (which should hopefully be approved soon). Should he indicate somewhere that he has a valid work authorization card? My worries are that his resume will get tossed aside when they see he is not a US citizen or a permanent resident yet. Would it be better to not mention anything at all and present the facts at an interview or present the facts in the resume?

If he's applying for a specific job using a company application form, would they not ask on the form if he is permitted to work in the US? I appreciate laws as to what may and may not be asked differ country to country.

Hopefully a US based HR person will be able to advise you better - I'm interested in seeing the responses!

[Otto 83]

My feeling is, yes - a single line "Authorized to work in the US" is appropriate (or something to that affect). The question is often asked directly on applications and from an HR perspective, is appropriate information on a resume. IMO

** Topic is "Finding Work in America" related (brand new forum); moving thread there.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

The form might ask you "are you authorized to work in the US?" but it will never ask you to disclose immigration status, that is a no-no and any HR person will tell you.

The only times when being an LPR is an issue is for jobs that require certain level of security clearance -- case in which LPRs are not even allowed to apply.

[Darnell 8,478]

I would not put 'Authorized to work in the US' on a resume unless you really think it can make a difference.

I know it seems hard, as all prior job history is NOT in the USA, so why is the person in USA NOW ?

IMO, it's a catch 22. You might think to put 'NO H-1B visa sponsership required', instead.

Then on any application, of course put 'Authorized to work in the US' and then do something with an I-9, when asked to fill it out.

Good Luck !

[Chica Yeyé 41]

That kind of information does not belong in an American resume. At all.

[kaffy 2]

Not necessary

[What Happened? 4]

Adding that kind of info to a resume would be counter-productive. You want your resume to win an interview for you. Typically companies will have a person review the resumes and sort out who will interview. You would never offer up this kind of information until you are offered a job. Of course if a paper application asks your status (which they typically don't) then you answer truthfully. But, don't offer info that can get your resume tossed aside. For that reason, you should not include immigration status, religious affiliation, don't include references or employment site phone numbers (this is provided after an offer is made, when the background check begins), don't include reasons you left of were terminated.

The above is applicable to resumes. After you submit your resume and are being considered seriously for the job, the employer might ask that you fill out an application (sometimes you are asked to do this when you turn in your resume). For paper applications only provide the information requested. Any surveys of ethnicity or previous use of public benefits can be left unanswered.

All they need to know is how you qualify for the job.....but do that in your resume while projecting your personality as well.

Best of luck

Edited November 24, 2009 by What Happened?

[rebeccajo 14]

My husband's resume' has always contained this language as the last entry:

"I am a legal permanent resident of the United States and do not require any sponsorship to be legally employed"

Prior to the issue of his green card, the resume' read:

"I possess a valid Employment Authorization Document as issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, and do not require any sponsorship to be legally employed"

This language was copied word for word from the resume' of another Vj member who had a US "head hunter" assist him with converting his UK CV to a US style resume'.

[rebeccajo 14]

Adding that kind of info to a resume would be counter-productive. You want your resume to win an interview for you. Typically companies will have a person review the resumes and sort out who will interview. You would never offer up this kind of information until you are offered a job. Of course if a paper application asks your status (which they typically don't) then you answer truthfully. But, don't offer info that can get your resume tossed aside. For that reason, you should not include immigration status, religious affiliation, don't include references or employment site phone numbers (this is provided after an offer is made, when the background check begins), don't include reasons you left of were terminated.

The above is applicable to resumes. After you submit your resume and are being considered seriously for the job, the employer might ask that you fill out an application (sometimes you are asked to do this when you turn in your resume). For paper applications only provide the information requested. Any surveys of ethnicity or previous use of public benefits can be left unanswered.

All they need to know is how you qualify for the job.....but do that in your resume while projecting your personality as well.

Best of luck

I agree with this in principal. But it's going to be pretty obvious from the resume' of a foreign born person that they are - um - foreign .

Employers have two concerns - is this individual legally authorized to work and do I have to pay any money to have them work for me? Job applications usually ask if the applicant is legally authorized to work - this isn't asking your immigrant status. Taking any legitimate concerns away that an employer may have with simple language on the resume' will keep it away from the 'round file'.

[happywifeymom 4]

My husband is currently working on his resume. We have the typical content, education and work history, but has anyone included their immigration status on the resume or cover letter?

His status in pending AOS (which should hopefully be approved soon). Should he indicate somewhere that he has a valid work authorization card? My worries are that his resume will get tossed aside when they see he is not a US citizen or a permanent resident yet. Would it be better to not mention anything at all and present the facts at an interview or present the facts in the resume?

Companies hire you no matter what your citizenship is provided you are legally allowed to work here in the US.

[M.O 6]

i dont think you should write that on your resume..they are not allowed to ask u unless you are hired and you need to fill out the form I-9...I had a normal resume without putting a label on my forehead that i am an alien, i had job interviews and i got a job and working with no problems...An US citizen doesnt write at the end of his resume "im a US citizen" that not right...So i would suggest just have a regular normal resume...dont label yourself...

[Texanadian 10]

Why are people so quick to hide that they are legally allowed to work in the USA? That would be one of the first things that would make me toss a resume. Seeing a person with nothing but foreign jobs and nothing noting any sort of legal ability to work in the US. It's hard enough getting that 1st job without making it harder on yourself.

I work in a hospital and their applications were multiple pages long. All sorts of stuff in there. Can you legally work in the US? Do you require sponsorship to be hired? Can you show proof of work authorization in the US? There was stuff in there about background checks and drug testing.

My resume was rather simple and to the point about myself. I wrote that I was a permanent resident (green card) in the USA. A human resource person would probably know what a permanent resident is. A manager might not. Putting that green card in brackets lets everybody know you're as good as US citizen.

[pepperoni 0]

Why are people so quick to hide that they are legally allowed to work in the USA? That would be one of the first things that would make me toss a resume. Seeing a person with nothing but foreign jobs and nothing noting any sort of legal ability to work in the US. It's hard enough getting that 1st job without making it harder on yourself.

I work in a hospital and their applications were multiple pages long. All sorts of stuff in there. Can you legally work in the US? Do you require sponsorship to be hired? Can you show proof of work authorization in the US? There was stuff in there about background checks and drug testing.

My resume was rather simple and to the point about myself. I wrote that I was a permanent resident (green card) in the USA. A human resource person would probably know what a permanent resident is. A manager might not. Putting that green card in brackets lets everybody know you're as good as US citizen.

HI.how do u apply in hospital are u a nurse?im a radiologic technologist from my country but sad to say i cant work here in US coz i need to go back to school again for a month to be able to sit for the American registry of radiologic tech liscense.