How do you guys find a job while AOS is pending?

[GoodVibesOnly 206]

Hello everyone 😄

 

I am just very curious about how people here find a job before getting their EAD card approved, which validates them to expedite the card faster (2-3 weeks). 

 

What kind of jobs are those? Are they through referrals? What states? Don't they ask for work authorization first? I know there can be many answers though. 

 

I have a university degree and a masters. Experience in the corporate world as a manager for over 4 years despite being young. Won international contests etc. Been doing the digital nomad / laptop lifestyle for 3 years before I met my husband, then once here after deciding to apply for aos had to stop earning an online income (mostly clients from US and Europe) to avoid any problems.

 

Not sure if it is difficult to find a decent position at a cool company here in the US? Of course you start where you can and I would be okay if I had to be an assistant again or else. But I also know I am pretty smart and my self-worth (wouldn't like to be paid pennies to be away from hubby for most of the day, I got so used to being around him and our 1year puppy but I want to work too, even better if it's a remote job). 

 

I check a lot of different job boards and most of them require you being able to work in the US first. 

 

I know it can be faster to find a job at a Starbucks/Walmart since they are in constant need of help but how do you deal with the "I don't have a work authorization yet"? Or is it mostly a referral thing?

 

How do you guys do it? Do I need more connections first? Are there immigrant-friendly employers out there? 

 

ANY information, experience and links are appreciated. 

 

Thanks 🙏 

[LionessDeon 2,060]

You are not able to work prior to receiving your EAD card. 

Once EAD is approved you can work where ever by applying online, through recruiters, through temporary agencies, or in person. 

 You can start applying now if you want but you won't be able to work until you receive your EAD authorization.  

Do you have your social security card? If so you should see that in writing on the card. 

If you do get a job offer and still have not received EAD card you can apply for expedite online at USCIS.gov.  

[GoodVibesOnly 206]

10 hours ago, LionessDeon said:

You are not able to work prior to receiving your EAD card. 

Once EAD is approved you can work where ever by applying online, through recruiters, through temporary agencies, or in person. 

 You can start applying now if you want but you won't be able to work until you receive your EAD authorization.  

Do you have your social security card? If so you should see that in writing on the card. 

If you do get a job offer and still have not received EAD card you can apply for expedite online at USCIS.gov.  

Thanks! And yes I knew all that. We all must wait until the EAD gets approved and we have our cards to really start working for anyone, even if we received a job offer. I was more inclined to know how do some our fellow visajourney friends deal with the company about that (employer having to wait until we can legally work, etc.) At the end it obviously depends on the company but I was interested in knowing if there are more companies willing to wait until we get our document approved (rather than just hiring another person) than I imagine. Maybe I am underestimating the ratio between available jobs out there and the company's willingness to wait for an applicant get their paperwork done rather than hiring someone else immediately. Maybe it is like that. Thanks  

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Oh ok, sorry I misunderstood your question.  My husband just waited until he received his EAD card.  Much less stressful.  I think it would really depend on the company, the particular job vacancy need, and the level of the position.  General labor positions get filled very quickly.  However, in corporate America you may be able to find an employer more willing to wait.  I'm not aware of, nor have I seen posts, of any one company with a known reputation of waiting for work authorizations.  I assume it would fully depend on how quickly they want the vacancy filled and/or how badly they want you over another qualified candidate.  I see from your timeline you filed about one month ago and just completed biometrics.  I would give it a little more time if it were me.  But if you see a great job opportunity you just can't let pass you by go ahead and apply.  Worse thing that can happen is that they tell you they cannot wait for EAD to come.  At least you know you tried.  You just have to see how it goes.  That's one thing I've learned with immigration...you just have to play it by ear and see what happens.  It is truly difficult to really plan anything out ahead of time.

[GoodVibesOnly 206]

7 minutes ago, LionessDeon said:

Oh ok, sorry I misunderstood your question.  My husband just waited until he received his EAD card.  Much less stressful.  I think it would really depend on the company, the particular job vacancy need, and the level of the position.  General labor positions get filled very quickly.  However, in corporate America you may be able to find an employer more willing to wait.  I'm not aware of, nor have I seen posts, of any one company with a known reputation of waiting for work authorizations.  I assume it would fully depend on how quickly they want the vacancy filled and/or how badly they want you over another qualified candidate.  I see from your timeline you filed about one month ago and just completed biometrics.  I would give it a little more time if it were me.  But if you see a great job opportunity you just can't let pass you by go ahead and apply.  Worse thing that can happen is that they tell you they cannot wait for EAD to come.  At least you know you tried.  You just have to see how it goes.  That's one thing I've learned with immigration...you just have to play it by ear and see what happens.  It is truly difficult to really plan anything out ahead of time.

Thank you!! 💜

Yes, everything that you mentioned is true.

And yes, I also think it is better if I wait. Although, you know what's the sad thing about my case? And it is truly sad since I haven't seen this happening before :/ at least not in this forum.

 

They overlooked my I765 and now it is like I have never filed it, while I filed it along with the i130, i485, no advanced parole. Even at the biometrics office they told me I may need to come back for the i765 😞 And it is not so close to our home (~2 hours drive). So maybe the ideal 90-days wait for my EAD is not even in day 1.

 

I'm still debating between re filing tomorrow or wait more days for someone to answer my emails (email to the Lockbox support).

 

I haven't read any case like this, where they overlook a correct i765 form. It's a little unfair but oh well, just hoping for the best now. 

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and answer, though.  

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Oh my sorry to hear that.  Well that does put a wrench in things because you couldn't even request an expedite if you did find a job because of I-765 issue.  Yes, I would suggest waiting on applying for positions until you get that problem cleared up.  Good Luck!

[GoodVibesOnly 206]

2 minutes ago, LionessDeon said:

Oh my sorry to hear that.  Well that does put a wrench in things because you couldn't even request an expedite if you did find a job because of I-765 issue.  Yes, I would suggest waiting on applying for positions until you get that problem cleared up.  Good Luck!

Thank you!! 🙏

[Dutchster 1,107]

I had three interviews with companies before receiving my employment card. All three thought they were going to be associated with the USCIS if they would write a job offer letter to expedite my ead. While they were certainly interested in me and my skills, not bothered by being European, they thought the USCIS would come after them if anything. 

Anywho, I luckily found a job after two months after receiving my ead at a decent, local hotel. I don't think a lot of places discriminate and a lot of places can get sued for discriminating on origin and nationality. It's going to be a little tough, do keep that in mind. For me it felt like I really had to convince some companies why they should choose me over a regular American. 

[Mr Geminian 691]

22 hours ago, GoodVibesOnly said:

Hello everyone 😄

 

I am just very curious about how people here find a job before getting their EAD card approved, which validates them to expedite the card faster (2-3 weeks). 

 

What kind of jobs are those? Are they through referrals? What states? Don't they ask for work authorization first? I know there can be many answers though. 

 

I have a university degree and a masters. Experience in the corporate world as a manager for over 4 years despite being young. Won international contests etc. Been doing the digital nomad / laptop lifestyle for 3 years before I met my husband, then once here after deciding to apply for aos had to stop earning an online income (mostly clients from US and Europe) to avoid any problems.

 

Not sure if it is difficult to find a decent position at a cool company here in the US? Of course you start where you can and I would be okay if I had to be an assistant again or else. But I also know I am pretty smart and my self-worth (wouldn't like to be paid pennies to be away from hubby for most of the day, I got so used to being around him and our 1year puppy but I want to work too, even better if it's a remote job). 

 

I check a lot of different job boards and most of them require you being able to work in the US first. 

 

I know it can be faster to find a job at a Starbucks/Walmart since they are in constant need of help but how do you deal with the "I don't have a work authorization yet"? Or is it mostly a referral thing?

 

How do you guys do it? Do I need more connections first? Are there immigrant-friendly employers out there? 

 

ANY information, experience and links are appreciated. 

 

Thanks 🙏 

I understand what you are going through.. .....I have a master's degree from a UK university and 5 years of experience working as a SAP HCM Consultant...worked in London, India and Dubai and guess what am doing now?... nothing !!!! i get up at 5am(that was my schedule from the past 8-9 years) and then get freshen up, drive to work, work, come back, eat and sleep.....i go used to that work culture...but now i get up at 5am and do nothing.....for a person who's totally into busy work and busy work and suddenly you dont have anything to do will definitely make one go crazy...... but again, if i look from another perspective, am actually holidaying now !!!! getting more time to spend with wife(after waiting all those years and then K1 process) 

 

Careerbuilder....Dice...Monster...Indeed are one segment and building contacts and getting a job is another segment. Linkedin is the best way to build lot of contacts, join groups, talk to people and get on from there...

 

The three ways are Jobportals, networking on linkedin and local recruitment agencies are the best ways to find a job

 

 

A old friend  of mine wants me to wait for my EAD so that he can refer me within his company, am also talking to a lot of people on linkedin.

 

Honestly am also going to apply at starbucks, walmart or similar places to work for a while because am going out of money after putting all the money into AOS and all......am gonna do that because right now am in Ohio and my priority is Ohio because of my wife and the family because looking at SAP market in Ohio compared to NY CA or other places then i"ll have to be more flexible with places and when i get a job there then i will take my wife with me and i"ll need money to travel and pay rent and advance and so all and so am gonna work at walmart or kroger or similar places...

[C-ma'am 684]

**Post moved from AOS from family visas to Working & Traveling During US Immigration as question is best suited for this forum.

[GoodVibesOnly 206]

23 hours ago, Aviinashh M said:

I understand what you are going through.. .....I have a master's degree from a UK university and 5 years of experience working as a SAP HCM Consultant...worked in London, India and Dubai and guess what am doing now?... nothing !!!! i get up at 5am(that was my schedule from the past 8-9 years) and then get freshen up, drive to work, work, come back, eat and sleep.....i go used to that work culture...but now i get up at 5am and do nothing.....for a person who's totally into busy work and busy work and suddenly you dont have anything to do will definitely make one go crazy...... but again, if i look from another perspective, am actually holidaying now !!!! getting more time to spend with wife(after waiting all those years and then K1 process) 

 

Careerbuilder....Dice...Monster...Indeed are one segment and building contacts and getting a job is another segment. Linkedin is the best way to build lot of contacts, join groups, talk to people and get on from there...

 

The three ways are Jobportals, networking on linkedin and local recruitment agencies are the best ways to find a job

 

 

A old friend  of mine wants me to wait for my EAD so that he can refer me within his company, am also talking to a lot of people on linkedin.

 

Honestly am also going to apply at starbucks, walmart or similar places to work for a while because am going out of money after putting all the money into AOS and all......am gonna do that because right now am in Ohio and my priority is Ohio because of my wife and the family because looking at SAP market in Ohio compared to NY CA or other places then i"ll have to be more flexible with places and when i get a job there then i will take my wife with me and i"ll need money to travel and pay rent and advance and so all and so am gonna work at walmart or kroger or similar places...

Sorry for the late reply. I just read your timeline and wow we have such similar timeline! The only difference is that I entered with a B2 visa since I wasn't really planning on getting married here (we wanted to travel more) or even living in the USA. Life works in mysterious ways, haha.

 

About what you wrote. YEAH, totally get it. My family in South America must think poorly of me since I am here earning nothing  after all those years of study and hard work. I even used to be "ahead of the curve" because I got into college at 15, but now I am probably way behind . Although I am more entrepreneurial and have started to do things related to blogging and online stuff. I just want the EAD so that I can charge for services like I used to or apply to cool companies. And yes, we are indeed holidaying now and we really will remember these days with our partners when we are busy again in the future  . I guess this is like a sabbatical, less about world travel and more about meditation and quality time. At the end, that is what matters the most. It is an interesting process of bonding (even more) with each other and getting a deep connection that maybe some people don't get because they are really busy doing separate stuff. 

 

Thanks for those job portals! I honestly am impressed by the number of opportunities in this country, it's a matter of seeing how good they are. I read and hear varied stories.

 

I think it could be fun to work on a completely different thing that I studied / was expecting (like a waitress or a Starbucks barista, I remember I always wanted to do that in order to learn how to make all types of coffee lol) at least to start saving for the future kid(s)!! Lol. That'll take a good while though since it is basically starting from zero once we get our EAD/greencard. 

 

Honestly, with your experience and background, I would create my own personal website and another website offering business services/value/tips for free (since we can't earn any income) in exchange of reviews or something so that you start consolidating yourself here. In any case and if you end up wanting to work for a company, you can always show your websites and how active you are in the online world. I do not know where online income stands up in the area of immigration but I am making sure I am clean in that regard lol. Although we need income soon, getting tired of living next to mother in law's house not because of her but because we need our own space and freedom to cook whatever we want haha. 

 

But yeah, you should totally consider immersing yourself into the online world as a SAP consultant provider offering tips or any knowledge you have to start gaining traffic and then once the EAD arrives you can open up services and packages $$$.

 

The internet is beautiful. Just look at how we connected and have similar timelines. Internet is also the place where I met my husband.

 

Cheers and great week!!

[GoodVibesOnly 206]

On 9/11/2017 at 10:56 AM, Dutchster said:

I had three interviews with companies before receiving my employment card. All three thought they were going to be associated with the USCIS if they would write a job offer letter to expedite my ead. While they were certainly interested in me and my skills, not bothered by being European, they thought the USCIS would come after them if anything. 

Anywho, I luckily found a job after two months after receiving my ead at a decent, local hotel. I don't think a lot of places discriminate and a lot of places can get sued for discriminating on origin and nationality. It's going to be a little tough, do keep that in mind. For me it felt like I really had to convince some companies why they should choose me over a regular American. 

Thanks for sharing your experiences! It was very interesting to read. I guess some companies are just afraid of being related to the USCIS, I think work visas are expensive if I remember correctly. It is also true that they can get sued for discrimination. Sorry it went a little tough for you at least now you have your EAD and can work legally  If you don't like it there, you can consider having a side project for the areas you'd like to work for and maybe it grows enough and pays you more than the hotel. Any job is a good start and you are already on it  I hope to get my I-765 issue solved soon though. 

 

Cheers!