Quick Tip: Immigration Status Disclosure
The
limit on new H1-B visas for 2008 was reached within 48 hours of opening
up applications back in April of this year. That means that startups
cannot sponsor visa candidates until 2009 unless they are a transfer
with an existing H1B visa.
In today’s global economy, there are
many candidates out there who have come from other parts of the world
to work in the United States. Hiring managers can have a very
difficult time determining from a resume whether or not the candidate
is currently on a visa, has a green card, or is a US citizen. As a
candidate, it is in your best interest to disclose your status directly
on your resume, at the top or bottom, so that employers do not have to
guess on your status. Fair or not, hiring managers often set aside
resumes of candidates who appear to have complications around work
visas.
If you think there could be any question about the status
of your ability to work in the US or elsewhere, you’re better off
clearly disclosing your status on your resume just to be safe. Hiring
managers and recruiters often have only a few seconds to review your
resume and make a decision. If they think they will need to make a
phone call or send an email to follow up on your work eligibility, you
may get passed over due to a lack of time to take that step.