[thelist] market right now...

[Ben Henick]

On Mon, 26 Nov 2001, Peter Van Dijck wrote:

> Here's the story: I need to go to the US (to be with my girl). Therefore, I
> need to get a job there. I have a European passport, 2 years of solid IA
> experience. But I believe the usability/IA market is pretty bad.

That is quite the understatement.  The whole Web market is a steaming pile
of s--t right now regardless of specialty.  The only ones I know who're
doing well are the ones with essential positions at good companies, and
freelancers.  NOBODY is hiring.

> I don't necessarily need to be in web development. Product development can
> use my skills as well. (got lots of requirements gathering , ethnography
> and consulting skills).
>
> So where to start??? Should I just go there unpaid and not bother with a
> job right now? Any tips? Places to start? I need all the help I can get,
> living in different continents sucks...

Hmmm... well, let me start off by pointing out that I Am Not A Lawyer.

Having done that:

1.  Get a job with a multinational of some kind that is both willing and
    able to give you a job in the States.

2.  Find a sponsor, someone (preferably native-born) who will offer to
    support you until you get permanent resident status (and sign an
    affidavit proclaiming their willingness and ability to do so).
    Typically, such status takes seven years to acquire under the best
    of circumstances and involves reams of paperwork.  [Not that a
    sponsor will in fact have to support you; once you're actually IN
    the country it's much easier to find a job, of course... if you
    can find companies that will be willing to take on the paperwork
    hassles.]

3.  Apply to the authorities for an H1-class visa (which again requires
    a lot of paperwork, and the involvement of a company willing to hire
    you).  In this case, you can expect to be paid at the bottom of the
    applicable scale and may have to understate your qualifications,
    depending on the company in question.

4.  Figure out a way to attend school here.  That would minimize your
    chances of getting a legal, "real" job, but OTOH would open up other
    opportunities.

5.  This is illegal as all-get-out, but you see it a lot:  get a tourist
    visa and freelance.  However, given the current... climate... I'd use
    this approach as a last resort, and make sure to abide carefully by
    the term of your visa (which means that you'll have to leave after
    six months and not return for some time, IIRC).  This would be risky
    but do-able by pre-Eleventh standards, now I just don't know.

If moving to a border area (Seattle, Detroit, upstate NY, Vermont) is
feasible, you might consider getting papers in Canada instead.  My
understanding is that an IT worker has much better chances of getting
entry papers there, provided they have some sort of postsecondary
certificate.  If you're fluent in French as well as English, that would
also make you a shoo-in.

As for the rest, make contacts.  Have I seen you on SIGIA-L?


-- 
Ben Henick
Web Author At-Large              Managing Editor
http://www.io.com/persist1/      http://www.digital-web.com/
persist1 at io.com                  bmh at digital-web.com
--
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"I think so, Brain, but... (snort) no, no, it's too stupid."
"We will disguise ourselves as a cow."
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