Thoughts on start applying to jobs before EAD

[CEE53147 559]

6 hours ago, Mrijex said:

I would be applying to admission and recruitment jobs at colleges and universities. I know there are usually multiple rounds in the application process so I think it would definitely take a while.

 

University positions take longer to hire than many other types of employers.

[ineedadisplayname 443]

6 hours ago, Mrijex said:

1) Future employer may be annoyed when they find out that they have to wait longer for you (if you've done this- at what process in the interview situation do you explain you can't work yet)?

Depending on your field most of the time you don't even get an interview because their first question on the phone will be if you are currently authorized to work in the United States and you are not requiring any company sponsorship for visa. Also it depends if you are dealing with the company recruiters (kinda rare) or an agency who is tasked to find them the right candidate. If latter it lowers your chance....

 

If your field is pretty rare and they are willing to wait then you can get an offer from them and submit it to USCIS to expedite it, but there is no time-frame for that... so it can be a week or a few months....

 

I went to events where I could meet ppl in my field before getting the EAD, but I was very open about not having authorization. So network if you can, because once you have the card in your hand you can reach out to them and they might be able to get you interviews.

 

[ineedadisplayname 443]

3 hours ago, Chocobo said:

Now is a really good time to do a lot of research, too - expected salaries in the market, benefits being offered, really polishing up your resume, etc.  Even if you can't apply yet for the job, you can keep yourself busy with making sure you're 100% ready to click "submit" the second you get the EAD.    

That is a really good advice. There is a lot of small details about insurance coverage, benefits, etc... If they dont' mention something ask about it because otherwise you might have surprises...

 

Also redo your resume because most likely the one you have from Europe is not going to meet the standards here.

I was also like I wait until it is approved, or it is close to be approved. I missed out on one job because the card didn't arrive in the mail on time for the hiring event they held.... Now I don't mind it because I love where I work, but back then it was really frustrating on missing out by 3 days.... Ah and they didn't care about NOA2, they wanted the real card

Edited April 24, 2019 by ineedadisplayname

[AnJay 137]

I am waiting for my EAD for almost 5 months now:) You didnt even get a case number yet. I would wait. 

[CEE53147 559]

Another suggestion for your free time is to learn as much as you can about the schools where you might be recruiting.  Learn about the US pre-college system, state graduation requirements , ....  There are an amazing number of important details that one picks up over time simply by osmosis.

[JFH 12,189]

My employer kept my position open for me for 10 months. It depends how specialist your skills are and how badly they need you. 

 

I first made contact when my I-130 was filed, in February 2016. It was a slightly different situation in that I was applying for a spouse visa which enabled me to work immediately when I arrived but ultimately I had no work authorization when I first made contact. I had 17 years of experience in the industry and they were particularly looking for someone with experience in the industry in Europe. I researched a lot while I was waiting for my visa and when I got my interview date I gave the employer an idea of the time scale and the response was “as soon as you show up here with documentation that you are eligible to work, the job is yours”. I started work less than 2 weeks after I landed. And it would have been quicker than that had it not been Christmas (I arrived December 19, 2016) and my line manager being off work. 

 

Now 2 years and almost 5 months later I’m still working there.

[Cryssiekins 976]

I agree with the posts suggesting to not actively apply, but it is a good idea to get a feel for the market you’re in.  

 

When I applied for AOS/EAD/AP, the processing time was still around 3-4 months (mine took 100 days), so I used that time mostly for research.  I had to determine if my credentials would be accepted in the US.  I also spent time looking at salary comparisons so that I could reasonably know what I could expect to earn, and what to ask for in the dreaded salary negotiations.  I also made a list of specific companies I wanted to work for based on employee reviews.  When I did get my EAD I was ready to hunt down a job soon as I got the notification online that it was approved.  I sent about 12 applications that day, and to my complete shock had call backs from all 12.  I interviewed only with 4 places and had an accepted offer within 2 weeks.  My physical EAD card arrived the Friday before I was due to start (talk about good timing).  I worked there for almost 2 years, until I happened to see a posting for a dream job at one of the companies I had put at the top of my list during my initial research.  I was offered that job (and accepted!) and have been happily working away since January.  It really came full circle for me. 

 

So there is definitely a benefit to getting a head start on the job hunt front, just hold off on actually applying for all of the reasons stated in previous replies.

 

Good luck  

Edited April 25, 2019 by Cryssiekins
Ugh.. autocorrect

[geowrian 22,335]

10 hours ago, Amadia said:

Truthfully, from the moment they see that you have no authorization to work in the USA, the company will not commit to make an offer to you.

  

Realistically, relationships fall apart all the time during the visa process and companies will not take that risk.

My wife applied to 2 companies a few months before she got her EAD. She got an interview and subsequent job offer from both. She answered honestly on all forms and interviews, including that she does not currently have work authorization, and explained that she was waiting for approval of the EAD.

Obviously this is certainly not the case everywhere...many employers won't entertain the wait or unknown future. But a broad statement that a company will not commit to an offer is inaccurate. Some will. Some won't.

 

It would be unwise for a potential employer to ask about the circumstances of an applicant's immigration status. This opens a path for a discrimination claim.

Whether an applicant is obtaining work authorization via a green card from another employer, a VAWA claim, an asylum claim, DACA, a family member, etc. is not the employer's business.

 

10 hours ago, Amadia said:

I had a definite answer to both but without work authorization document IN HAND, the companies could not legally make me a job offer.

They absolutely could legally make you a job offer. Actually, it is prohibited for them to ask for any such document before you accept a job offer.

From USCIS directly (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/employee-rights-resources/preventing-discrimination: "Employers must not: ...Ask to see employment authorization documents before an individual accepts a job offer."

Heck, an employer can make a job offer to an alien not even in the US yet and with no visa...this is actually necessary in certain cases.

 

They cannot permit you to actually engage in work until you are authorized to do so.

Edited April 25, 2019 by geowrian

[Amadia 711]

4 hours ago, dxec said:

So what did you end up doing? Is there anything you would do different?

 

I see you live in the same city as myself how are you liking living here?

When I left my country, I quit my job of 4 years to come here and start over from scratch. My education and background was not what companies were looking for in the field of work that I was accustomed to so I ended up getting a job at a call center and then moved up in the company where I made it to Supervisor status in a few months after being hired.

 

I have bought 2 SUVs and a house since moving here and my son will turn 1.5yrs old in a little bit. Right now, I'm trying to save so that I can move out of Florida because the cost of living here is ridiculous for what companies are willing to pay you.

[SalishSea 16,777]

My husband looked into it before receiving his EAD, but none of the major employers around here (Costco, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon etc) would entertain an applicant who was not already authorized to work.  And why should they?  There are plenty of applicants who are authorized to work, and unless you have the type of skills that would typically be petitioned for  (i.e. something not easily fulfilled by an American citizen or LPR), it is generally not worth their while to look at you until you are legally able to work.

[TBoneTX 43,067]

For general networking, try this idea, previously posted by the member Darnell:
---
Each city has a chamber of commerce. Find it.

Once you find it - talk with the secretary - tell her you want a schedule of events and let her know you'd like to attend.

Then - go in person to the Chamber of Commerce Office - talk with the President of the Chamber, tell him/her you want to volunteer at several of their events.

Attendees at chamber events are business owners and sales geeks, all looking for new business.  It usually is an informal-enough gathering where you can approach people and talk with them.

Now, the cool thing about being a volunteer there - is that you will be talking to everyone at least once - you might be at the reception table, you might be at the greeters table, you might help to run the audio/video system - whatever - but - the point is that you can meet everyone there, face to face.

Attend 2 or 3 of these, and folk remember you. When folk remember you, they will remember you are seeking employment and will consider you, because you're just not some name on a piece of paper - they met you at a chamber event and know that you were volunteering, helping out the chamber.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck!

PS - live in a really small town? go to the biggest town that's within 15 miles of your house.

[TabeaK 516]

I applied to positions while my EAD was pending - I started about 1-2 months before I expected receipt back in 2016. I was very selective in my applications though - I only applied to positions that I actually wanted to take. I am in a very specialized field and application processes do drag on with multiple rounds for up to 3 months or more. By the time I had finally agreed to one of my job offers, cleared background checks and begun working, I had my EAD in hand for about 2 months. So I would say go for it - stuff takes longer than you expect, especially at bigger companies & during holiday season.

Edited April 25, 2019 by TabeaK

[Ash.1101 1,755]

36 minutes ago, TabeaK said:

I applied to positions while my EAD was pending - I started about 1-2 months before I expected receipt back in 2016. I was very selective in my applications though - I only applied to positions that I actually wanted to take. I am in a very specialized field and application processes do drag on with multiple rounds for up to 3 months or more. By the time I had finally agreed to one of my job offers, cleared background checks and begun working, I had my EAD in hand for about 2 months. So I would say go for it - stuff takes longer than you expect, especially at bigger companies & during holiday season.

I think it'll depend on the field the OP is working in, I don't know how competitive college/university recruiting is or how long the hiring process is or how it's done. 

I mean I work at a grocery store and all of our hiring is done through an HR recruiter now. When I'm looking to hire for my team, I just put in what I want, and HR up in corporate finds and schedules and interview with someone they think meets what I want. I'd say there's good and bad about others doing your recruiting for you for interviews, but the worst part is the simplicity of the screen they do on applicants.

We were lucky back in 2016 when we were getting EAD within 90 days or less, but now it's looking like a 4-6 month wait from application, which is why I err caution to the OP.

[Tara & Rohit 224]

@Mrijex I know I've suggested networking first and I still stand behind it. However, if you really want to get in front of a hiring manager may be another idea would be to check out local job fairs?

You meet the recruiters and most of the time you don't have to fill out an online application. Still technically networking... As you're meeting with them and putting a face to the name.

So when the time does come to really apply, they may remember you! 

I understand that you're trying to be proactive and it's very admirable! 

[Loafhack 30]

When I was going through EAD app, I started volunteering for nonprofits that are in my field. I wasn’t paid of course, but my experience there helped me land my job right now. I started applying for paid jobs after I got my EAD. As soon as I got my card, I started writing my resume. I’m glad I waited coz ALL of the companies that gave me offers asked for I9 verification and even made disclaimers that they won’t move on with the hiring process if you don’t have the credentials to legally work here. I agree with one of the posters here to start networking, and probably become more involved in volunteer programs related to your line of work. The job market could get competitive if you don’t have connections or the right background experience, and the companies I applied to actually considered a lot of my volunteer work. Good luck!