Any recruiters here?
Discussion
Hi all
Looking to move across to the US in the medium/long term and to help me get myself organised to successfully land a role, I would appreciate starting a dialogue with a recruiter from the US (doesn't matter if you work in my industry or not), just to help me build up some knowledge of the job market and refine my CV for the US.
Could anyone help?
Looking to move across to the US in the medium/long term and to help me get myself organised to successfully land a role, I would appreciate starting a dialogue with a recruiter from the US (doesn't matter if you work in my industry or not), just to help me build up some knowledge of the job market and refine my CV for the US.
Could anyone help?
What field of work are we talking about here?
US recruiters will expect you to have a work authorization (EAD), a green card or an EB1/5. They are not in the business of visa sponsorship and those that tell you they are, will be scammers.
You need to identify an employer who is qualified, willing and financially comfortable with sponsoring an employment petition on your behalf. Recruitment consultants don't do that because it's not them that is employing you.
You haven't really shared enough information to make any worthwhile suggestions. If your field of expertise is nuclear physics your opportunities might be different to those if window-cleaning is your specialism.
The US is probably the most difficult country to get into legally, using the employment route.
US recruiters will expect you to have a work authorization (EAD), a green card or an EB1/5. They are not in the business of visa sponsorship and those that tell you they are, will be scammers.
You need to identify an employer who is qualified, willing and financially comfortable with sponsoring an employment petition on your behalf. Recruitment consultants don't do that because it's not them that is employing you.
You haven't really shared enough information to make any worthwhile suggestions. If your field of expertise is nuclear physics your opportunities might be different to those if window-cleaning is your specialism.
The US is probably the most difficult country to get into legally, using the employment route.
Hi Matt
Believe me, I am no dreamer or chancer! I'm familiar with how difficult it is to get across to the US, as I've been exploring this for years. I've just decided to really actively push now.
At this stage, I'm not even thinking about visas etc., I'm trying to understand whether my skills are even attractive and transferable and whether it would get me a role in the long term. Hence wanting to talk to someone that recruits regularly.
In terms of my background, I work in construction Project Management and have done for over 10years post graduating.
Worked in Rail, Civils, Power and currently Aviation.
Hoping its a start!
Believe me, I am no dreamer or chancer! I'm familiar with how difficult it is to get across to the US, as I've been exploring this for years. I've just decided to really actively push now.
At this stage, I'm not even thinking about visas etc., I'm trying to understand whether my skills are even attractive and transferable and whether it would get me a role in the long term. Hence wanting to talk to someone that recruits regularly.
In terms of my background, I work in construction Project Management and have done for over 10years post graduating.
Worked in Rail, Civils, Power and currently Aviation.
Hoping its a start!
Way outside of my sphere of knowledge, I'm afraid, though I have a friend who is a senior executive in a fairly sizable commercial construction company that operates throughout the US and Central America. Next time I speak with him, I'll see if he can offer any wisdom.
Are UK project management practices the same or similar to those in US? Are relevant qualifications transferrable? Is your expertise in high demand in UK?
Have we discussed this before? I seem to recall chatting with someone on here about rail construction project management a year or two ago - memory jogged because the Central FL SunRail project is now in full swing.
Are UK project management practices the same or similar to those in US? Are relevant qualifications transferrable? Is your expertise in high demand in UK?
Have we discussed this before? I seem to recall chatting with someone on here about rail construction project management a year or two ago - memory jogged because the Central FL SunRail project is now in full swing.
Burba,
I can only answer one small part. No, professional qualifications are not transferable. You will need to apply to the relevant Board in the State you will settle in. It sounds like you will be aiming at getting a Professional Engineer's licence. If you have a four year engineering degree from a well known UK university, you are well on your way. The PE licence requires taking two exams; luckily they are reciprocal between most States. You need a PE licence for each State that you want to practise engineering.
When I came to this country I was a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Neither of these helped me in any way. You have to take the exams, one for Engineer in Training and one for the PE licence.
Wilf.
I can only answer one small part. No, professional qualifications are not transferable. You will need to apply to the relevant Board in the State you will settle in. It sounds like you will be aiming at getting a Professional Engineer's licence. If you have a four year engineering degree from a well known UK university, you are well on your way. The PE licence requires taking two exams; luckily they are reciprocal between most States. You need a PE licence for each State that you want to practise engineering.
When I came to this country I was a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Neither of these helped me in any way. You have to take the exams, one for Engineer in Training and one for the PE licence.
Wilf.
Apologies, I hadn't realised I didn't reply!
Matt, would very much appreciate that, thank you! Any insight is useful at this stage.
PM practices from what I have seen from the larger US businesses (Bechtel, Parsons Brink) all appear to be similar, just more aggressive with contract terms.
I have a qualification from the Association of ProjMgt and am working towards an equivalent 'charteredship' with them.
Demand is typical, where there is construction there are usually PMs.
It might have been me actually?! I just haven't pursued it.
Paso,
A PEs licence is not actually the route I would be expecting to go. I am not a quaified engineer. Are you suggesting you need to hold an engineering qualification to be a PM in the US?
I have a degree in Acc and Fin and actually started in PM'ing through doing contract administration on large construction contracts.
Matt, would very much appreciate that, thank you! Any insight is useful at this stage.
PM practices from what I have seen from the larger US businesses (Bechtel, Parsons Brink) all appear to be similar, just more aggressive with contract terms.
I have a qualification from the Association of ProjMgt and am working towards an equivalent 'charteredship' with them.
Demand is typical, where there is construction there are usually PMs.
It might have been me actually?! I just haven't pursued it.
Paso,
A PEs licence is not actually the route I would be expecting to go. I am not a quaified engineer. Are you suggesting you need to hold an engineering qualification to be a PM in the US?
I have a degree in Acc and Fin and actually started in PM'ing through doing contract administration on large construction contracts.
Burba,
Construction projects are typically designed by an engineering/architectural firm, built by contractors with all their subs, and administered (inspected/approved) by an engineering/architectural firm, which may or may not be the designers. The owner of the project, the designer, the contractor and the administering firm will each have a project manager for the job. Many of these project managers will be PEs, or inspectors working on a lower pay scale.
Not all titles are the same. I have a good friend from Scotland who was a Quantity Surveyor. That position is not known here. He has been working for one contractor for at least 10 years, but I think his title is foreman.
It is essential to have a PE license if you "practice engineering". Government Departments usually require it, as do larger companies.
My suggestion to anybody hoping to move here is to come for a vacation, minimum two weeks, and visit as many potential employers as possible - and be honest with them. You will learn a lot. With some luck you will find someone who will say we would have hired you if you had the right to work here.
If you get to that stage, you need advice from somebody like Matt Harper on the next steps. It is unlikely, but not impossible that the firm may help getting you legal status. Any advice I give you on that would be very out-of-date.
Good luck,
Wilf.
Construction projects are typically designed by an engineering/architectural firm, built by contractors with all their subs, and administered (inspected/approved) by an engineering/architectural firm, which may or may not be the designers. The owner of the project, the designer, the contractor and the administering firm will each have a project manager for the job. Many of these project managers will be PEs, or inspectors working on a lower pay scale.
Not all titles are the same. I have a good friend from Scotland who was a Quantity Surveyor. That position is not known here. He has been working for one contractor for at least 10 years, but I think his title is foreman.
It is essential to have a PE license if you "practice engineering". Government Departments usually require it, as do larger companies.
My suggestion to anybody hoping to move here is to come for a vacation, minimum two weeks, and visit as many potential employers as possible - and be honest with them. You will learn a lot. With some luck you will find someone who will say we would have hired you if you had the right to work here.
If you get to that stage, you need advice from somebody like Matt Harper on the next steps. It is unlikely, but not impossible that the firm may help getting you legal status. Any advice I give you on that would be very out-of-date.
Good luck,
Wilf.
Matt,
Not sure if that's a good thing or not!
I came to this country 34 years ago, and many things are different. I wanted to let Burba know that he needs to change his mindset on this side of the pond; job titles and job descriptions are not the same. Which is why I always recommend people in his situation come here and check things out thoroughly.
Wilf.
Not sure if that's a good thing or not!
I came to this country 34 years ago, and many things are different. I wanted to let Burba know that he needs to change his mindset on this side of the pond; job titles and job descriptions are not the same. Which is why I always recommend people in his situation come here and check things out thoroughly.
Wilf.
Would you bring any expertise to a US employer that he couldn't find in a US nire?
If not, I think your situation will be difficult.
The only hires from outside the US have been engineers where we could demonstrate a unique skill set not available locally.
The situation is much much more difficult than a few years ago. It's not impossible but you need to consider how you meet the above criteria.
If not, I think your situation will be difficult.
The only hires from outside the US have been engineers where we could demonstrate a unique skill set not available locally.
The situation is much much more difficult than a few years ago. It's not impossible but you need to consider how you meet the above criteria.
Pasogrande, thanks for the heads up - I hadn't realised a formally recognised engineering qualification was a necessity.
I do plan on going out and doing a recce trip with my CV and suit, but thats not in the pipeline yet. I need to get more familiar from home first on the processes, opportunities and expectations.
Fulgurex, all points noted!
I do plan on going out and doing a recce trip with my CV and suit, but thats not in the pipeline yet. I need to get more familiar from home first on the processes, opportunities and expectations.
Fulgurex, all points noted!
I'm a bit late into this, but have also been considering a similar long-term plan. My idea requires me to transfer with a multi-national eng/designer - there are lots of them, and a few have HQ in US. I briefly flirted with the idea with my previous employer, but (a) the market in the US wasn't bouyant enough at the time, and (b) when they thought I might be interested in relocating elsewhere, they tried to get me to the ME - no f'ing way!
Anyway, two ideas along this line with potential for joining in the UK... The OP mentioned PB, who have just been bought by WSP, who are themselves part of a Canadian outfit (or a partners, or something...) Also, AECOM has a presence globally and a large Construction Mgt section in Europe and US (look up Tishman). URS are now part of AECOM.
Anyway, two ideas along this line with potential for joining in the UK... The OP mentioned PB, who have just been bought by WSP, who are themselves part of a Canadian outfit (or a partners, or something...) Also, AECOM has a presence globally and a large Construction Mgt section in Europe and US (look up Tishman). URS are now part of AECOM.
Yes, I would agree with the above posters get a job with a firm with a decent global footprint then transfer internally. I personally had worked for my employer for 4 years in the UK before making the leap to the U.S as part of my negotiations to stay with the firm (I was terminally bored working on the same account in the UK and I knew they wanted to keep me with the firm). The employer will then take care of everything for you including attorney fees, relo costs (if they're nice!) and support with everything else. My employer even put me in touch with some firms to hook me up with a brand new car and get a credit card to start building my score. Good luck and hope you make it. I'm not interested in living back in the UK ever again.
mwyatt82 said:
Yes, I would agree with the above posters get a job with a firm with a decent global footprint then transfer internally. I personally had worked for my employer for 4 years in the UK before making the leap to the U.S as part of my negotiations to stay with the firm (I was terminally bored working on the same account in the UK and I knew they wanted to keep me with the firm). The employer will then take care of everything for you including attorney fees, relo costs (if they're nice!) and support with everything else. My employer even put me in touch with some firms to hook me up with a brand new car and get a credit card to start building my score. Good luck and hope you make it. I'm not interested in living back in the UK ever again.
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