Job Hunting Tips

It is essential that prior to applying and paying for the programme, you understand the steps and process you must comply with once in the US which you will find on the application form (especially the terms and conditions).

Included are the following:

• The position you find once you have arrived in the US must be related to your field of study.
• Your US Employer will be required to complete a Training Plan Form called the DS-7002. This form must be submitted to CIEE, your US Sponsoring organisation, for vetting and approval before you will be granted authorisation to commence your position.
• As with all US work visas, you will also be required to update SEVIS (the Student Exchange Visitor Information System) with your permanent address in the US and confirmation of commencement of job search, within 10 days of arrival.
• Please note, CIEE are obliged to do checks with your host company every 60 days to ensure that the position you are placed in is offering you a training that is related to your field of study.
• In summary, applying and obtaining a place on the programme is very straight forward. However you need to become familiar with the compliance end as above once you've arrived in the US. Your sponsor CIEE will be available on hand with a helpline number to answer any questions you may have. It is crucial that you comply with all the regulations so that you do not jeopardize your current and future status and opportunities to work and travel in the US.

Please note, any internship that you secure in the USA must provide at least 32 hours of training per week. Part time positions are not allowed on this programme. Your position must be full time and with one employer only at a time

Job hunting

As a participant on the 12 month Work USA Programme, you are responsible for securing your own position in the USA. As one of the main aims of this programme is to develop and enhance your career prospects through a period of practical training in the USA, your position needs to be related to your field of study.

A lot of people think that they only have a short amount of time to find employment when they enter the US. This is not the case! It is understandable that it takes time to locate a position, especially one that is related to your field of study. Therefore if it are taking longer than expected to find a position, you will just have to let the programme sponsor, CIEE how you're doing and show that you do have enough funds to support yourself ($750 per month) while you are looking for that dream job!

If you think that it may be hard to find a company that will be willing to take you on for the full 12 month duration of your visa, don't worry. This visa is flexible in that you can complete a short term placement for 3 or 4 months and then search for another that further challenges you and grows the skills that you have learned. This means that you can spend 3 months in New York followed by 6 months in California and who knows, you could even finish off your time in Hawaii or Alaska! Just think of the possibilities...

Please note, there are certain types of organizations that are generally not allowed to take on participants of the 12 Month USA Work Programme: limited service/economy hotel properties (lower than 3 star/diamond rating), single retail shops, fast food and convenience store franchises (only trainings at company headquarters may be considered), coaching/teaching, child care, therapy/medical/veterinary care (in rare circumstances observation-based trainings may be considered) and pool companies are not authorized under the 12 Month USA J-1 visa. There are also some positions that fall under the US Governments 'Unskilled Occupation list. For a complete listing of unskilled positions, or positions not allowable under guidelines of the 12 Month J-1 Visa, please visit the visit this link or CIEE's website.

An Internship/Traineeship is not a job - it is much more! Your program should be designed to provide you with a structured practical education and should differ from ordinary work in several key ways.

The most important thing to get across in your cover letter to a company in the USA is that you are not looking for them to sponsor you!!! You will already have a sponsor in CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), and you are simply looking for the company to give you relevant work experience. You will have a visa that will allow you to legally work for the company, and you will be entitled to a Social Security number, so there is very little paperwork involved for the company should they decide to take you on!

You should be looking for positions where you will be well supervised, receiving on the job training, and advancing your skills and knowledge in your field of study/expertise. The whole idea of the 12 Month USA Work programme is to receive training in the USA that is going to boost your career profile and progress your knowledge in that particular area, and then take all of the new skills you have acquired back to your home country to apply them to your long term career.

When choosing a Host Company, it is important to keep the following in mind:

• Find a well-established company, one with enough resources to support your experience.
• Make certain that your supervisor is a knowledgeable professional who is excited about and committed to your training.
• Work with your Company to develop a training plan that challenges you, allowing you to stretch your current understanding of your field and leaving you with marketable experience.
• An integral part of both the 12 month Work USA programme is the facility to tailor training to your area of study. Training with a business in the U.S. also affords you the chance to not only learn from industry leaders, but also to experience a new culture.

What do I want in a position?

Before you begin searching for your dream job, you must know the most important components for you. Sit down and brainstorm to make sure that you know exactly what it is that you want.

We recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:

With what type of company would I like to train?
Are you interested in a large corporation, a smaller and more personal setting, or a non-profit organization?

Do I want to train with a company in a major city, a suburb, or a rural area?
Remember that the 12 Month USA Work Programme is also a U.S. cultural exchange experience, which will be shaped by your company's location.

What are the top three features that are most important to me in a training environment?
The qualities you like in a supervisor, the things you need from a team of co-workers, the general atmosphere at a company, how high-paced a company may be, a company's longevity, and a company's mission are just some of the attributes you might consider when reviewing your options.

What elements of a training environment could make my experience difficult?
Just as you considered the positives, consider what company features might make you uncomfortable or less likely to succeed. Remember, however, that a position in a US company is a learning experience and that you should choose a training environment that challenges you to stretch your comfort zone.

Do I need a paid position?
This might be a key component in choosing a great position if you do not have sufficient savings or some other type of financial assistance. Keep in mind that some companies that do not offer a salary may provide other attractive benefits, such as housing, transportation, meals, and so on. Figure out what you need in order to be able to support yourself and to enjoy your experience in the U.S. fully.