Sacha DeVoretz,
President - www.americajobnet.com,
Member of the National Employment Counseling Association - USA.

WORKING IN THE USA

After mailing or emailing out a lot of resumes to American companies in search of that perfect job, some foreign job seekers (this may mean you) seem to equate "no response" to something that they have done wrong.

And "they" are right.

Let's face it: you are automatically at a disadvantage looking for a job from outside of America. You aren't readily available for interviews, your work experience and qualifications may be equal but is certainly different. However, you believe you have a lot to offer a U.S. company. The greatest mistake I have seen foreign applicants make is that your first, most important contact with an American employer - your calling card, your foot in the door, bragging rights and primary sales tool for you - is still your old CV - or as the Americans call it, a "Resume".

What do I mean? Recently, I received a letter from a writer in New Delhi who was in this very situation.

Hello Sacha,

I specialize in Information Technology and have sent out many CV's to American employers but never received a response. In the past, my CV has served me well, as I am now Lead Analyst for a well-known tech company. Through hard work, I was made Department Head at my former firm in a very short time after leaving school. I had heard that there is a great demand for experts in my field in the America, and I have sent my previously successful CV to the attention of many companies for which I would easily qualify - but I haven't heard a word. Why don't the American employers express an interest in me? What am I doing wrong? How can I get an interview with an employer?

'Eager' in New Delhi.

Dear Eager,

First off, congratulations on your success so far! Your skills and resolve have determined your career path. These proficiencies will certainly assist you in your search for work in the United States. However - when you are applying for a job in the USA, you must use American job search techniques and think like an American - or at least, an American employer. Make sure that you use an "American style" Resume: they are very different than a traditional Curriculum Vitae that you have used to get a job in India or elsewhere.

An American Resume has a different layout format, a particular presentation of employment and educational history, and uses specific American terminology. Having an American-style resume makes a difference. It is easier for an American employer to understand and makes you "fit in" with the other job seeker resumes, whom are most likely from stateside applicants. Making your resume "American" at the very least eliminates the stigma that you are an "overseas" applicant - and instead increases your chances of getting read, grabbing an employer's attention and hopefully leads to a job interview. If you need to find some examples of a "typical" American resume styles, visit your public library or look on the internet.

Let me add two more rules: firstly, an American resume should be tailored to the position you are seeking. One resume does not fit all jobs. An Information Technology resume looks a whole lot different than a resume for a graphic designer. Do some research on different types of "career" resumes, and be sure to check the background internet about the company you're about to apply to prior to sending off your resume. Secondly, make sure that you use preface your resume with a cover letter - written in a positive American voice - that warms the reader up to the exciting resume that is about to follow. This is a one-page letter that specifically highlights the positive features and ideal qualifications you have in common with the job you want. Every resume must have a cover letter.

Good luck and go get your dream job in the USA!

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