Working in the USA

[dada]

try local british consulate or embassy in america if you are so desire.

 

[septic tank]

Excellent post mate, agree Re: your point about the gringo waiting on laboring work.

Well, I sure as shit wouldn't wanna do that kind of work -- it's back-breaking, dangerous and doesn't pay nearly enough to eat on, much less put a roof over your head -- but if you fancy yourself the writerly sort, there may be some great Upton Sinclair-style muckrakery in it. I'm reminded of Charlie LeDuff's piece on working in a chicken plant five or six years back in the NY Times.

 

[JoMo1953]

If your talking about coming over to Southern California (LA) you won't make it on day labor wages in this town! The next problem is getting around in LA, you really do need a car...the mass transit system here sucks! And that means a drivers license which requires a green card.....waiting tables is no longer an option for working under the table...at least not in Southern California....every employer requires a Social Security Number (the ultimate in Big Brother is Watching) and to get the magic SSN you've got to have a green card......

Embassy and or Foreign Services is your best chance of getting your foot in the door so to speak....but the waiting list is long and you've got to have some skills.

I'm in the LA area, pm if you'd like some more info.

 

[mhendo]

...to get the magic SSN you've got to have a green card...

Not strictly true. I have a Social Security Number but don't have a green card.

What you need for an SSN is either a green card or a valid work or student visa.

 

[JoMo1953]

Not strictly true. I have a Social Security Number but don't have a green card.

What you need for an SSN is either a green card or a valid work or student visa.

Valid Work Visa will get you a SSN that's true, a student visa will no longer get you a SSN automatically.

 

[Gavin Bl]

This about the easiest way to di it... Join a US company in London and at some point they might (if you push for it) offer to transfer you to the US.

This happened for me when I worked for an American credit card company in the UK - ended up going over for a summer to support software testing.

No paperwork needed, free flights (for me and the missus), all insurance covered, free accomodation, free car.

Turned out the software was rock solid already - I barely did any work and had a blast driving round the US in the free car!

 

[septic tank]

Wow. Wish I could say the same for my transatlantic work experience (the work side of which was pretty grim). Why didn't I want to work in financial services again?

This happened for me when I worked for an American credit card company in the UK - ended up going over for a summer to support software testing.

No paperwork needed, free flights (for me and the missus), all insurance covered, free accomodation, free car.

Turned out the software was rock solid already - I barely did any work and had a blast driving round the US in the free car!

 

[Gavin Bl]

It has to be said, I got lucky