How to Get a Job in USA From India: Requirements & Average Pay

The eligibility criteria to work in the USA can be broadly categorized into two main groups: qualifications and skills and work authorization.

1. Education and experience

The qualifications and skills required for a job in the United States will vary depending on the occupation. However, in general, employers in the United States will be looking for candidates with a strong educational background and relevant work experience. To be considered for a specialized job such as that of a teacher, surgeon, architect, or engineer, you must possess specialized knowledge in your field of work. A master's degree in your field will increase your chances of landing a solid career, even though a bachelor's degree may be a minimal requirement.

2. English language skills

Strong English skills are essential for working in the United States. Most employers will require you to be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. You may be required to take an English language proficiency test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, to demonstrate your English skills.

The following are the fundamental requirements needed to work in the United States:

• A bachelor's degree from a reputable international or Indian university.
• Persistent employment experience in the field.
• A solid grasp of the English language in verbal and written forms.
• References come from both personal and professional sources.

3. Visa

Unless you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you will need a visa to work in the United States. There are different types of work visas available, each with its own specific requirements. You must consult with an expert to find out which one is best suited for you. When applying for a work visa to work in the United States, the following documents are required:

• A sponsor to support your job claim in the US.
• If you are applying via an immigration agency, company documents are required.
• Transcripts and pertinent degree certificates are required when applying for a non-immigrant H1-B visa.
• English competence is demonstrated by the TOEFL/IELTS scorecard.

4. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

In addition to a visa, you may also need an EAD, which is a document that shows you are authorized to work in the United States. Some visas, such as the H1-B visa, come with an EAD automatically. However, for other visas, you must apply for an EAD separately.

In addition to the above, several other factors may be important for working in the United States, such as cultural awareness, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.

Finding a job in the USA may be difficult, but it’s definitely not impossible. If you have the right skills and experiences, finding a job that not only suits your aspirations but also pays well will be simpler than you think. Some of the ways you can find a job in the USA are listed below:

1. Recruiting Agencies

You can connect with recruiting agencies, which will give your profile a significant amount of exposure. Though some of the recruiting agencies may be paid, you can use job portals such as LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and others to find the best collection of jobs suited to your profile.

Top Job portals to find work in USA:

• Careerbuilder
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job2Careers
• Monster
• Nexxt
• Resume-library
• Snagajob
• US.jobs
• ZipRecruiter
• LinkedIn

2. Apply to Company Directly

It is always a good idea to apply directly on the official careers pages of the respective companies. Visiting the official website gives you an added advantage, as you are able to browse through similar openings.

3. Newspapers

Newspaper classifieds are yet another important place to find work. Some of the most widely circulated and read papers are the Washington Times, USA Today, and Chicago Tribune, which have job listings.

Top Newspapers to Find Jobs in USA:

• American City Business Journals
• Crain's Chicago Business
• Finance & Commerce
• Inside Business
• Investor's Business Daily
• The Journal of Commerce
• Miami Today
• The Wall Street Journal

4. Networking

Finally, one of the most important places to find job openings in the USA is through networking. Attending seminars, meetups, conventions and other forms of professional networking events allows you to network with people in similar fields, and helps you learn more about vacancies.

Suggested: Job Oppotunities after MS in USA

There are many job opportunities available in the USA. There, the majority of high-paying jobs demand advanced degrees and a great deal of expertise. They differ, however, from the most popular jobs in the nation. In the United States, the service industry employs the majority of people. These positions are in high demand due to their numerous and varied vacancies. Additionally, they call for significantly less complex job skills. Thus, they are more accessible.

Below are some of the most prevalent jobs in the USA with their corresponding salaries, according to Indeed.

Finding work in the USA in the popular job sectors could be much easier compared to others due to the higher number of work opportunities available.

On average, a fully employed worker in the USA earns USD 59,428 or INR 49,14,547. Some top-paying jobs in the USA and their approximate average median salary as per US News and World Report are given below.

Most of the top-paying jobs in the USA require good educational qualifications and levels of experience. Focus on the requirements of your dream career and plan accordingly.

Working in the USA generally involves obtaining a work visa and securing a job offer beforehand. You must have a valid work visa or a green card so that the opportunities in the American job market become available to you.

Read on to learn the step-wise procedures to work in the USA.

1. Applying and Following Up

• Primarily, researching the job opportunities of your interest available in the US, and applying for those positions are the most crucial steps in the process. In the United States, applying for a job requires creating a strong curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter.
• To increase your chances of getting an interview, identify the skills that are listed in the job description and particularly highlight them in your cover letter and CV.

Resumes should be chronological and should not contain any personal information such as age, religion, signatures, or pictures. It ought to contain the following:

• Candidate's name, phone number, email address, etc.
• Career aspiration
• Training and work experience
• Skill sets
• Certifications
• Research the company’s vision, mission, and job expectations before giving the interview. Highlight your strengths and explain why you chose this firm during the interview.
• Follow up with the company regarding your application. This showcases professionalism and your drive to work with them.

Smartly utilize job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or company websites to search for relevant positions; and prepare for and attend job and visa interviews, effectively communicating your qualifications and suitability.

2. Employer sponsorship and visa petition

If your job offer requires sponsorship, your employer will initiate the process by filing an immigration petition with the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). This petition demonstrates the need for your specific skillset and adherence to labor regulations.

3. Apply for the work visa

Once the petition is approved, you can proceed with the visa application through the U.S. Department of State. This involves completing the DS-160 online application form, scheduling an interview, and submitting necessary documents like your passport, educational credentials, and the approved petition.

4. Attend the visa interview and submit biometrics

Be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications, job offer, and travel plans during the visa interview.

• Provide any additional documentation requested by the visa officer.
• You might also need to submit fingerprints and photographs for biometric data collection.
• Receive your visa and travel to the USA

Upon successful visa application, you will receive a visa stamp in your passport. Ensure all travel documents, including your visa and valid passport, are in order before entering the USA.

Now, let us understand the varied types of US work visas.

Two main categories of visas allow individuals to work in the United States: nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas (also known as green cards).

Nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays in the U.S. to work in a specific position or for a specific purpose. Some common types of nonimmigrant work visas include:

• H-1B visa is for foreign workers in specialty occupations, which require theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in the specific specialty. For example, teachers and architects.
• L-1 visa is for intracompany transferees, which are executives, managers, or specialized knowledge employees of a foreign company who are being transferred to a parent, branch, or affiliate company in the U.S.
• O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
• P visa is for athletes, entertainers, artists, and certain other individuals who are coming to the U.S. to perform at a specific event or competition.

Immigrant visas (green cards) allow foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States. There are several categories of immigrant visas, including those for employment-based immigration, family-based immigration, and diversity visas.

Some common types of employment-based immigrant visas include:

• EB-1 visa is for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or outstanding professors and researchers.
• EB-2 visa is for professionals with advanced degrees (or equivalent experience) or exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
• EB-3 visa is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
• EB-5 visa is for investors who invest a significant amount of capital in a U.S. business.

The specific type of work visa that is right for you will depend on your circumstances, such as your occupation, qualifications, and the length of time you want to stay in the United States.

As a foreigner wanting to work in the USA, you must first apply for a visa from the US Department of State (DOS), US Embassy, or consulate. There are three conditions that a USA work visa applicant needs to fulfill before applying for the visa. The embassy can deny your visa application if you do not fulfill the following conditions:

1. Have a job offer in the US

You can apply for a work visa in the USA only after receiving a job offer from the USA. So, applying for a job and accepting an offer letter is your first requirement.

2. Approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

If you have an offer letter from any US job firm, you must file a Petition for the USCIS, which needs to be approved by USCIS.

3. Certification from the Department of Labor (DOL)

Some work visas, such as H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, and H-2B, require your employer to get an approval certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) before the visa interview. The type of immigration status that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants you will determine the requirements you must fulfill and the duration you can work in the United States. You have to abide by all the conditions of your employment authorization to be granted entry into the United States.

Both immigrants and non-immigrants have access to various work visa possibilities. You will be contacted for a visa interview after choosing the one that best suits your needs and submitting an application for it. You can work in the US following the authorization requirements when your visa is approved.

Your first step in getting a job in the USA is to properly research the industry and evaluate your skill set to find relevant opportunities. Before embarking on your adventure, ensure to fulfill all the requirements, including training and educational background, and stay up to date on job calls. Also, it is important to consult with an immigration attorney to discuss your visa options and determine the best course of action for you.

Hopefully, this blog made it simpler and less overwhelming for you to apply for work and a visa in the United States. For any more such queries, head to Yocket Premium to explore services that can assist you in developing a better insight into studying, settling, and working abroad!