Work reference hang ups

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

I'm just curious, have references been in issue for you or your foreign spouse when looking for work in the U.S.?

I would imagine that this issue could be a problem for some, as most U.S. employers would not take the time or effort to contact a reference when they are non-U.S. based employers.

So what have those of you done in this position when being interviewed? Did you get the job? If you didn't get the job did you think it had anything to do with the lack of U.S. work experience/U.S. based work references?

[adiiann 163]

I used my work reference in my country when I applied job. They actually called HR from my previous company during my background check. I seemed to have no problem. It helped probably that I worked in big company in my country. Good Luck!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I've had one job (temp) after moving here. I have written references which helped a lot however I keep getting told "longevitiy" is an issue. I fricken CHANGED COUNTRIES of course that cut off my longevity!!

I have had too much issue with "US work experience" (not that I've been told) and the written references have made a difference. Depending on the timezone some of us immigrant will be okay having prior employers called. For me Australia's business hours are close to exactly opposite with the US... there's practically no overlap so calling any previous employers is next to impossible (unless they're willing to call in the off hours here to get the on hours there . Not to mention I've been here since Sept 2009 so it's been a LONG time since I've worked for some of them

Edited March 25, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[cathy2904 97]

I also have written references which have been useful. But I have also found that employers will accept emailed references and so that has worked well so far with obtaining them from my previous employers in the UK.

[Moomin 292]

I put references on my job applications from my home country. I had a job 1 day after receiving the EAD. It didn't turn out to me an obstacle for me however I did some research/data managing for a professor who's internationally known which probably helped with determining who I was work wise. I also brought along the same police report(a copy of it) as I handed in at the embassy since a background check in the US won't really show anything from my home country.

[X Factor 1,112]

But I have also found that employers will accept emailed references and so that has worked well so far with obtaining them from my previous employers in the UK.

Email references are a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

Edited March 25, 2012 by kennard

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

I put references on my job applications from my home country. I had a job 1 day after receiving the EAD. It didn't turn out to me an obstacle for me however I did some research/data managing for a professor who's internationally known which probably helped with determining who I was work wise. I also brought along the same police report(a copy of it) as I handed in at the embassy since a background check in the US won't really show anything from my home country.

Police reports from the home country is a great idea. I would have never thought of that. Thanks for the suggestion! I hope that this will help others.

[Bec_Dipu 103]

Have your spouse start volunteering here in the US. Showing a commitment to his/her community always looks good on a resume. Also, your spouse will get to interact with others in the community and can establish both personal and professional references. Just because the work isn't for pay doesn't mean they aren't showing valuable skills that would justify a professional reference. Also, many executives at companies volunteer in the community and serve on the boards of charities. This could be the chance for your spouse to interact with and impress people in a position to help him/her find a job.

[kytwell 179]

While we were at the NVC stage, my wife got a few written references on previous employer's stationary and then took them to the official gov't translation services department. At that time she was starting to apply for job's here. She was offered a job and contained with her app and resume were these job reference letters and it may have contributed to her being able to be offered a job, unfortunately she wasn't able to accept it as her interview was February 7 and they wanted her to start working in January. We ended up okay as she started a LLC to do consulting work for her and her brother's company back in Greece.