Addressing 6+ month gap in employment as a K1?

[smilingstone 458]

Hi VJ,

 

As I've recently received my EAD, I'm thinking about giving my CV an update ahead of looking for work. My last employment in the UK ended 1st January, ahead of me moving to the US as a K1 in mid-January.

 

That's a 6 month gap in employment, and it will only increase as time goes on as I don't anticipate that it will be quick to find employment. I'm wondering if I should address this in some way on my resume.

 

Im worried that employers, who don't understand the immigration process, might assume that being out of work for 6+ months was my choice and look unfavorably on me.

 

Any thoughts or advice from your own experience?

[Dashinka 25,639]

Technically it was your choice, but in the end, I think easily explainable.  I know my wife was able to find employment easily, and our cousins that came over on DVs pretty much took any job they could from the start, and in about 9 months or so got something in their field.  I would expect perspective employers in your space will understand the gap.

 

Good Luck!

[MalloryCat 668]

if your experience and past employment aligns well with whatever you are applying to, they might not even consider time of unemployment, and more so look at how long you were with your last employers. 

 

most employers are looking to hire for long term, evidence of that would outweigh time of unemployment

[Edward and Jaycel 1,738]

On Jaycel's resume, we put a little note after her summary on the first page that said this:

"From June 2024 to Present I have been navigating the US immigration process so that I could join my American Husband here in the States. As of January 18, 2025 I have received my Employment Authorization Document (I-766) from USCIS and I am now authorized to work in the US without needing sponsorship."

 

She got hired by the 2nd place she applied to. While it is not in her degree field, it is giving her work experience in the US, helps her practice her American English, and is giving her an income while she continues to search for jobs in her degree field. Hope this helps!  

[EatBulaga 471]

@smilingstone US employers understand some of the logistics of USCIS immigration since they must abide by the same laws when hiring.

 

To show potential employers that you are not just sitting around doing nothing while waiting for work authorization, you can earn professional certifications or licenses like real estate license, driver's license, food handler certification, AI certification, etc.--many of which have minimal fees or costs or even free.

 

I recommend that all new immigrants learn all of the Khan Academy Personal Finance and Financial Literacy courses, and supplement with any other materials to get a good understanding of the US money culture, like taxes, tippings, Roth IRA, etc.

 

One recent K1 beneficiary that my foreign spouse was keeping in touch with got her EAD within 6 months of US entry and followed the strategy above. During the 6 months, she got married, filed for the I-485/I-765, got her motorcycle license, learned enough about the US money culture, etc. After she got the EAD, she applied and got hired with UberEats delivering food and now makes a pretty good living for herself and her husband.

[TBoneTX 47,258]

Excellent recommendations by EatBulaga.

 

1.  You can also study videos to help your acclimation to U.S. laws, which differ greatly from those you're used to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA

 

and

http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english.pdf
 

2.  In regard to preparing yourself for employment, networking -- especially in advance -- is crucial.  Here's information posted years ago by a now-inactive member:

---

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.

---

Addendum:  Your UK dialect might serve to charm the Colonists at these functions.   

[TBoneTX 47,258]

Thread is moved from the "AOS from K Visas" main forum to the Working & Traveling forum.

[TBoneTX 47,258]

By the way, after you've filed for AOS, your legal status here in the Colonies will be "applicant for Adjustment," or, more concisely, "Adjustment applicant."  This comes from a lawyer whom I consulted back when Mrs. T-B. was in this situation.

 

Addendum to earlier post:  The YouTube video ("Busted") is highly informative, even for native Colonists.  I try to watch it every 6 months or so, to remind myself of important things.

[smilingstone 458]

 

Great input and advice, everyone, thank you so much.  

[TBoneTX 47,258]

5 hours ago, smilingstone said:

giving my CV an update

Not yet mentioned:  European CVs tend to be in vastly different format in comparison with U.S. CVs.  Look online for tips and examples.

 

Thought from a devious mind:  After you attend your first or second function, take copies of your CV to the Chamber of Commerce events, find the most high-ranking, impressive attendees (perhaps in your desired field), and say, "I'm new to the U.S. and not quite yet eligible to work, but I'm hoping that you'll consent to look over my CV and give me feedback on format and content in terms of what would appeal to YOU if my CV landed on your desk.  This will be different from the dreary job of reviewing those from current applicants, because I want only the benefit of your experience and wisdom."   

 

This will flatter your target, get you some actual feedback, and plant many positive subconscious seeds in your target's mind.  Afterward, you can thank your target by saying, "I learned this and this and this from you, and I'm so grateful for your generosity with your experience and time!"  You'll almost be able to wager cash money that you'll be distinctly remembered, and you can later contact the target for a direct job or for referrals to hiring authorities in his/her network.   

[Edward and Jaycel 1,738]

8 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Not yet mentioned:  European CVs tend to be in vastly different format in comparison with U.S. CVs.  Look online for tips and examples.

 

Thought from a devious mind:  After you attend your first or second function, take copies of your CV to the Chamber of Commerce events, find the most high-ranking, impressive attendees (perhaps in your desired field), and say, "I'm new to the U.S. and not quite yet eligible to work, but I'm hoping that you'll consent to look over my CV and give me feedback on format and content in terms of what would appeal to YOU if my CV landed on your desk.  This will be different from the dreary job of reviewing those from current applicants, because I want only the benefit of your experience and wisdom."   

 

This will flatter your target, get you some actual feedback, and plant many positive subconscious seeds in your target's mind.  Afterward, you can thank your target by saying, "I learned this and this and this from you, and I'm so grateful for your generosity with your experience and time!"  You'll almost be able to wager cash money that you'll be distinctly remembered, and you can later contact the target for a direct job or for referrals to hiring authorities in his/her network.   

 

Good Lord this is great advice so take notes OP!   As a manager / hiring manager in my company, I am sometimes tasked with going to Chamber functions, industry "cons", etc. and let me tell you this would knock my socks off. I would absolutely remember this person if later on their CV landed on my desk or if they reached out to me for networking/job opening inquiries.   

Edited June 9 by Edward and Jaycel

[OldUser 9,376]

Another minor comment, Europe uses CVs, but USA has resumes (CVs are mostly for jobs in academia), which explains the difference in format.

 

AI is a good start for resume. But of course, make personal edits and taylor it to position.

 

Gap in employment is natural, you should focus on skills and value you can provide to company. If you're a great candidate, gap would be not as important as you have valid reason for it.

Edited Monday at 10:00 PM by OldUser

[ineedadisplayname 525]

8 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Hi VJ,

 

As I've recently received my EAD, I'm thinking about giving my CV an update ahead of looking for work. My last employment in the UK ended 1st January, ahead of me moving to the US as a K1 in mid-January.

 

That's a 6 month gap in employment, and it will only increase as time goes on as I don't anticipate that it will be quick to find employment. I'm wondering if I should address this in some way on my resume.

 

Im worried that employers, who don't understand the immigration process, might assume that being out of work for 6+ months was my choice and look unfavorably on me.

 

Any thoughts or advice from your own experience?

I didn't address the gap. If the recruiter asked or during the interview I explained that I was not authorized to work in the US in that period.

 

The more important thing is to mention that you don't require work sponsorship of any kind. I added that in the summary section of my resume or in the cover letter (in case anybody reads it). Since you have an English name probably it is less obvious for the recruiter so you might not need it, but I was asked like right out of the gate if I need sponsorship even before getting to the qualifications/work history

Edited Monday at 11:52 PM by ineedadisplayname

[TBoneTX 47,258]

We need more VJ threads like this.  Great input from so many.   

[garebear397 101]

14 hours ago, ineedadisplayname said:

The more important thing is to mention that you don't require work sponsorship of any kind. I added that in the summary section of my resume or in the cover letter (in case anybody reads it). Since you have an English name probably it is less obvious for the recruiter so you might not need it, but I was asked like right out of the gate if I need sponsorship even before getting to the qualifications/work history

Yes, this is what I was going to mention. Definitely mention you legally able to work, and maybe even put the city or address you are living at on your resume. Because if not it will look like someone is applying from a different country and may need sponsorship. 

 

But my wife never put an explanation for her breaks in work and it didn't seem to hurt -- she actually currently has a 2 year gap on her resume due to kids + immigration, yet she just got an interview on the first application she put out. One thing I will say, and this happened both when my wife immigrated to the US, and when I immigrated to Chile (both of us with advanced degrees) -- be somewhat prepared to take an initial (hopefully small) step back on your career trajectory. You are somewhat at a disadvantage because your education and previous experience may not be as recognizable, plus lack of local connections. It doesn't happen to everyone, and even in our case after about a year that step-back corrected itself with good work, but just don't get too disappointed if there is an initial setback. 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:30 PM by garebear397