Five Resume Tips for U.S. Immigrants

One of the first things you will probably do once you are in the United States is look for work. The job search process differs from country to country and once you begin your search in the United States, you might find that you are not receiving calls back or job offers. This could be because your resume does not fit with the standard American resume template or because it contains grammatical, syntax, or spelling errors. For guidance with the job search process as well as with any legal issues you face, work with an experienced immigration attorney.

Proofread

Having a native English speaker proofread your resume is an important step in writing a resume that will help you get the job you seek. Minor grammatical errors can reflect negatively on you and hurt your chance of being hired.

Research American Resume Templates

Free resume templates can be found on the internet for free. It is important that you write your resume using a template that is appropriate for the type of job you are seeking and that you follow standard American conventions in it. For example, resumes in the United States do not include photographs or personal information like the applicant's religion or marital status. In fact, it is actually illegal for your employer to ask you to provide this information.

Be Direct

Your resume should be straightforward and list your education, previous positions held, experience, and skills. This is all. It should not exceed one page for junior employees or two pages for senior employees. Employers only look at resumes briefly, so yours should communicate your skillset in a concise manner.

Provide Contact Information

Include your phone number and email address at the top of your resume along with your name. It is important that this information is easy to quickly locate for your employer – again, employers do not spend much time reading their applicants' resumes, so you want to write yours in a way that it is extremely easy for an employer to determine if he or she wants to contact you, then shows him or her how to do so.

Be Honest

It might be tempting to exaggerate your accomplishments, but do not do this. Be honest about your skills and accomplishments in your resume. During an interview, you will be asked about the information included in your resume – if you cannot answer a question because it is based on inaccurate information, you will likely not be hired.

Work with an Experienced Los Angeles Immigration Attorney

When you are working through the legal aspects of living and working in the United States, such as ensuring that you can work in this country, seek help from an experienced immigration attorney. At Goldstein Immigration Lawyers we are dedicated to working with recent immigrants to smooth out the naturalization process and resolve any issues they face. Contact our firm today to set up your initial legal consultation.