contract-to-hire a bad idea?

[randolady 1]

I've been offered a contract-to-hire job. The contract is for 90 working days, which is about 3.5 months. So the contract would be up around the beginning of August, which is when I'm anticipating Ombeni will be having his interview.

Taking this job seems like a huge gamble for me, as far as how it will affect my ability to sponsor Ombeni. It pays enough, but I'm worried that without a permanent job, the embassy will poo-poo me, especially since I haven't ever had a permanent, full-time job.

Would it be a terrible idea to delay returning packet 3 until I get hired on to this company? According to satifu, the Tanzanian embassy seems to be moving pretty quickly. My NOA2 will probably come sometime in June, which means we have until October to complete the process overseas, right?

Also, what happens if he goes to the interview and it's determined that I make a crappy co-sponsor? Do they deny him the visa, or do they give us more time to find a co-sponsor? I really don't know who I could ask to co-sponsor him. :-/

[kitkat1 5]

It makes no difference if you are an employee or contractor when it comes to sponsorship. If you meet the minimum requirements, it's fine. If not, you'll need a co-sponsor assuming the consulate there allows it.

[mmarlo 1]

I'm also thinking that the contract-to-hire thing isn't a big problem, as long as you can document that you have enough cash. In my situation, I've had money coming from different sources while I've been a graduate student, some from teaching, some from fellowships I've had, and basically all of my funding was scheduled to run out at the end of this month. As it turns out, I have gotten a teaching position for the next two months, and a one-year job at UCLA beginning in the fall, so I'm OK, but actually the Embassy had no idea about that at the time of Jacinta's interview last week. All they knew was what I had put in the financial materials I had sent, which I did back in October, which said nothing about employment this summer--at the time Jacinta is actually going to be here. In October, all I could say was that I had funding through summer 2007 and was applying for jobs. My advisor more or less said the same thing in his "employment verification" letter, and said something like "I am confident that he will find a job".

I think you'll be fine! And maybe you'll get hired permanently with a big raise! :-D

[Yodrak 7]

kitkat,

I disagree - it can be an issue. One's income must be both adequate and sustainable. This is where one's past employment history can make the difference.

Yodrak

It makes no difference if you are an employee or contractor when it comes to sponsorship. If you meet the minimum requirements, it's fine. If not, you'll need a co-sponsor assuming the consulate there allows it.

I've been offered a contract-to-hire job. The contract is for 90 working days, which is about 3.5 months. .....

Taking this job seems like a huge gamble for me, as far as how it will affect my ability to sponsor Ombeni. It pays enough, but I'm worried that without a permanent job, the embassy will poo-poo me, especially since I haven't ever had a permanent, full-time job.

.....

Edited April 16, 2007 by Yodrak

[kitkat1 5]

kitkat,

I disagree - it can be an issue. One's income must be both adequate and sustainable. This is where one's past employment history can make the difference.

Yodrak

Right - but this is current employment history so shouldn't make much of a difference in that respect, right? Money is money.

[Yodrak 7]

kitkat,

During the contract period there is no assurance that there will be an offer to hire. The employer could easily say, 'it's been nice knowing you'. Once hired an employee can always be terminated, but there's more certainty than being in a contract-to-hire period or in a probationary period.

This is one reason why recent graduates only a few months into their first job are often required to get an alternate sponsor (K visas) or a Joint Sponsor (immigrant visas or adjustment) - there's no track record to indicate whether or not they can hold onto a job or get re-hired quickly should the present job end.

Sustainability of the current job is a factor to be considered.

Yodrak

kitkat,

I disagree - it can be an issue. One's income must be both adequate and sustainable. This is where one's past employment history can make the difference.

Yodrak

Right - but this is current employment history so shouldn't make much of a difference in that respect, right? Money is money.

[boo boo 1]

If the job interest you, then jump on it...I think that if you are a dedicated worker then it will be permanantly. Otherwise you are gaining experience and that is better then nothing.

Any income is better then no income, besides you could always start looking 3 months down the road if you think the job will only be 3 1/2 months.....make that money and just build employment history:) You do not know when your next job offer will come....and you want to start saving for everything ASAP (I remember a prior forum u wrote). Have faith and everything will work out

[Niels Bohr 72]

Contract-to-Hire?

An assassin?

Edited April 24, 2007 by consolemaster

[BJZags 17]

Contract-to-Hire?

An assassin?

Assassin? Isn't that a "contract-FOR-hire"?

[Mononoke28 135]

If the job interest you, then jump on it...I think that if you are a dedicated worker then it will be permanantly. Otherwise you are gaining experience and that is better then nothing.

Any income is better then no income, besides you could always start looking 3 months down the road if you think the job will only be 3 1/2 months.....make that money and just build employment history:) You do not know when your next job offer will come....and you want to start saving for everything ASAP (I remember a prior forum u wrote). Have faith and everything will work out

You hit the nail on the head. "Any income is better than no income", that is the wisest comment I've read on this thread. I've had several jobs that were contract-to-hire and I've always been hired before the contract expired. I think that as long as you have an income you'll be fine. Besides, even permanent employess get fired or laid off.

[ninamyers 0]

I found that getting the visa was no problem when it came to my hubby's income (they took one crappy copy of a year contract of his), but when it came to adjusting status, they really looked carefully and wanted good evidence of income (Ed didn't have tax returns so it's taken us 2 RFEs to persude them that he does earn enough!)