Working in the USA
The American economy is comprised of many different industries very loosely contained by region. The east coast cities, such as New York, are a financial hub, the heartland focusing on agriculture and natural resources and the west coast, such as Los Angeles and Seattle, famous for technology and entertainment. Production jobs are increasingly going to smaller economies overseas and increasingly Americans are focused on service jobs. Low wage service jobs such as agricultural work and domestic help have been provided by a wave of Mexican immigration which has raised some tensions and made immigration a hot political topic. Expats in the USA accepted from overseas generally escape the debate and fill in more skilled parts of the workforce. American companies can apply for foreign workers if they can show a lack of qualified USA citizens to employ.
Increasingly jobs are needed in the medical profession such as nursing, medical assistants and technicians. Jobs relating to care for the elderly are also growing as the baby-boomer generation is reaching retirement. The USA is particularly interested in skilled professionals for areas in which it competes for part of the global market such as the burgeoning IT sector. The USA is less interested in recruiting expertise in areas such as construction. Expats in the USA have traditionally arrived in New York and Los Angeles but now many cities such as ones in Florida and Texas are becoming expat hubs. An immigrant visa will be needed by expats who wish to reside and work in the USA.
Hard work is a respected virtue in the USA and expats should expect a rigorous schedule that is often more than 40 hours a week. Less vacation time than in Europe is normal with only two weeks annual leave in many positions. Business etiquette is similar to Europe’s but the west coast is a bit more relaxed than the east.
Increasingly jobs are needed in the medical profession such as nursing, medical assistants and technicians. Jobs relating to care for the elderly are also growing as the baby-boomer generation is reaching retirement. The USA is particularly interested in skilled professionals for areas in which it competes for part of the global market such as the burgeoning IT sector. The USA is less interested in recruiting expertise in areas such as construction. Expats in the USA have traditionally arrived in New York and Los Angeles but now many cities such as ones in Florida and Texas are becoming expat hubs. An immigrant visa will be needed by expats who wish to reside and work in the USA.
Hard work is a respected virtue in the USA and expats should expect a rigorous schedule that is often more than 40 hours a week. Less vacation time than in Europe is normal with only two weeks annual leave in many positions. Business etiquette is similar to Europe’s but the west coast is a bit more relaxed than the east.
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