The United States remains one of the most attractive destinations in the world for professionals wanting to grow in their careers. There are so many thriving sectors in the US, including finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and the creative industries. Competition is fierce, however, so be aware that you will be competing against America's best and brightest.
Expat job seekers may find that the application processes and workplace culture can differ greatly from those in their own countries. Before starting your search, it's essential to understand visa requirements, how the US job market works, what employers expect from potential candidates, and which sectors are most open to sponsoring international talent. While you can begin applying from abroad, navigating the system requires research and preparation. This guide explores visas, the key industries currently hiring, typical working conditions, and practical steps to help you find and succeed in a job in the United States.
Visa sponsorship and other challenges for expat job seekers in the US
Anyone wanting to work in the US is required to have a work visa. Your future employer is required to sponsor your visa and you will not be able to start the visa application process until you have officially been offered the job. It is legally required for the company sponsoring you to pay the fees. If you're applying for the H1B visa, please note that the portal for application submissions opens in March, and it is recommended to have everything ready to submit the visa application then, as the quota fills up quite quickly, sometimes within hours. If the H1B is approved, you can only start working in October of that year. Please note that there are certain types of companies that are exempt from the quota cap, such as non-profit research companies and universities.
Several new rules have been introduced to this process. Applicants must now apply for visas in their country of citizenship or permanent residence, and most non-immigrant visa applicants are required to attend in-person interviews, with limited exceptions. A new “Visa Integrity Fee” now applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, including H-1B, F-1, J-1, and B-1/B-2 visas. The fee for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) has also increased, and some categories that were previously exempt (such as asylum seekers and TPS holders) must now pay it.
Immigration enforcement measures under Trump have had knock-on effects in certain industries, such as accommodation and food services, where job openings have declined.
That said, expats with advanced degrees, specialized skills, and strong English proficiency continue to have an advantage when seeking an employer willing to go through the sponsorship process. Not having a working knowledge of the language will limit job opportunities.
The labor market in the US
Unemployment averages sat between 4.1% and 4.3% in mid-2025, though this fluctuates depending on the area. Some cities in South Dakota have been reporting under 2% unemployment, whereas Fresno, California, is at 8.3%. Highly skilled expats will still find good opportunities, but the market remains competitive and selective in most metro areas.
Major industries in the US include healthcare and pharmaceuticals, consumer goods such as electronics and software, and food processing and agricultural products such as lumber and minerals. Additionally, petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, and aerospace retain a presence in the US economy. These industries are generally region-specific. West coast cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are known for technology and entertainment. Agricultural industries, food processing and manufacturing are principally located in the Midwest. Big cities like New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. are known for financial, consulting, and technical services.
Healthcare, electronics, software, and finance are key areas of growth. In IT, employers are focused on work experience over academic degrees. The manufacturing and agricultural sectors remain important, though automation and AI are rapidly reshaping job requirements, with the knock-on effects of this yet to be fully understood in America and beyond.
Sectors and positions open to expats
Although it can be challenging for expats to organise visa sponsorship, several industries in the US regularly recruit internationals and are probably the safest places to begin your search. If your field is information technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, higher education, and research, you are in with a solid chance. Many American universities, hospitals, and tech companies are actually exempt from the annual H-1B visa cap, making them among the most reliable sponsors for expats.
Information technology and Engineering:
Constant demand for software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, AI researchers, and systems engineers. Many tech companies—especially in California, Texas, and Washington—sponsor H-1B visas for skilled professionals.
Healthcare and Life sciences:
Hospitals and clinics nationwide continue to recruit internationally for registered nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians. Healthcare roles are consistently listed among the most visa-sponsored occupations in the country.
Finance and Business services:
Major financial centers such as New York, Boston, and Chicago attract global talent for investment analysis, accounting, actuarial, and consulting roles. Experience with international clients or multilingual skills can be really helpful here.
Education and Research:
Universities, think tanks and research institutes frequently hire expats under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program or H-1B cap-exempt visas. Teaching, research, and postdoctoral positions are the usual entry points for professionals with advanced degrees.
Green energy and Sustainability:
The growing clean-energy sector means jobs in renewable power, environmental engineering, and sustainable design are often recruited overseas as many firms in this field value global expertise.
Job hunting in the US
There are many ways to look for a job in the United States, including online job search engines, professional networking platforms, recruiting and staffing agencies, and direct referrals. Below are some of the more effective methods for navigating the US job market.
Internet and job search engines
The internet is probably the biggest tool in modern job searches. Many companies use websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to list positions available. Additionally, you can directly search for companies you're interested in and see which job openings are listed on their website. The growing use of AI-driven applicant tracking systems (ATS) means that resumes should be customized for each role and include relevant keywords from job descriptions.
Recruiting agencies
Recruiting agencies (also known as headhunters) match prospective talent with highly skilled or specialized senior positions. While many focus on highly skilled or specialist positions, others also recruit for mid-level and even entry-level roles. These recruiters often work in specific industries and are paid by the employer to fill employee roles, not by the job seeker.
Employment agencies
Sometimes called temp agencies, these companies provide you with temporary contract work. Reputable US staffing agencies generally charge fees to the employer, not the worker—it is uncommon, and in some cases illegal, for a staffing agency to deduct a fee directly from an employee's pay.
Networking
Besides researching job opportunities online, networking is one of the best ways to begin a job search. Leverage your professional relationships as well as casual acquaintances for any prospective job leads. Attend career fairs and join professional organizations to get connected in your industry. In competitive markets, who you know is often an important step in getting your foot in the door.
Speculative contacts
Don't hesitate to send speculative applications to the companies you are interested in. Emails are usually the preferred way, especially in the case of unsolicited applications.
Good to know:
Applications are mostly sent to employers by email or submitted online via the company's website or even LinkedIn.
How to apply for a job in the US
Take special care when preparing your resume (CV) for American employers. In the US, most early-career resumes are one page long, but experienced professionals (10+ years) may use two pages if all content is relevant. Resumes tend to follow a standard pattern of personal information, experience and qualifications, education, and skills and certifications. If relevant, you may also list memberships with professional organizations. It cannot be stressed enough to ensure that your job title, qualifications, and certificates are accurately translated to their US counterpart. Some employers may also require formal credential evaluations for international degrees. Make sure you customize both your resume and cover letter for each job application to align with AI screening tools and capture a recruiter's attention.
Your resume should be sent along with a concise and well-written cover letter expressing your interest in the position, and any special skills or qualifications that may set you apart from the crowd that are not necessarily apparent on your resume. After sending both your resume and cover letter to a company, wait a few days or weeks (depending on the instructions on the job posting), and give them a call or follow up via email.
The interview stage is the next part of the process. Expect meetings to be conducted in English, and be sure to be on time or even a few minutes early. Punctuality is crucial for US meetings and tardiness is seen as disrespectful. Business culture in the US is friendly but also direct; after a few pleasantries, your interviewer will get down to business. Be sure to follow up on your interview within a few hours or a day after, to express thanks for the opportunity and the time taken to interview you, and reconfirm your interest in the position and the company.
Follow-up etiquette varies by employer. For smaller companies or startups, a thank-you email within a few hours or a day is appreciated. For larger corporations or government roles, waiting two to three days may be more appropriate. Adjust timing based on company culture.
Employment contracts in the US
If you're extended a job offer, it is often finalized with a type of contract. This document will explain your pay, any benefits, and company policies. Do not confuse this as a guarantee of permanent employment.
Although each state regulates its own workforce and laws, US labor law is quite liberal. Many states follow what is called 'at will employment', meaning that employers are allowed to dismiss employees at will, without having to establish a real reason for dismissal. The employee may also leave without having to give notice, although most companies do require at least a two-week notice. Additionally, there is no law in the US that requires a severance or redundancy payment. That said, it is important for employees to be aware of labor law in their particular state, as well as what the employer guarantees when terminating employment.
Good to know:
Working in the US can be quite different compared to working in many other countries. For instance, work is an important part of an individual's life, as well as their identity, and employers expect a lot from their employees. Additionally, there is no federal law mandating paid time off (PTO) in the U.S. PTO policies vary widely between employers, and 5–10 days per year is common but not guaranteed.
Labor standards in the US
It is important that expats coming to work in the US understand what to expect from the American work culture. Generally speaking, employees aren't granted the same kinds of benefits as those in many other countries. There are federal and state regulations, but many aspects of pay and benefits (such as wages, annual leave, or health care insurance) are left to the employer to decide.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. However, minimum wages range significantly from state to state, and then 20 states have introduced higher minimum wages in 2025, ranging from about $11.91 in Alaska to $16.50 in California, and up to $18.00 in Washington, D.C.
The standard work week generally consists of 40 hours over five days, including a lunch break. Overtime pay remains guaranteed for hourly employees by federal law.
As mentioned above, there is no law officially saying that a company has the obligation to grant annual leave (referred to as paid time off or paid leave) to employees. Additionally, businesses are not required to pay wages for time not worked, such as on national holidays or for sick leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical conditions (such as having a baby). If offered, paid leave is considered a fringe benefit and usually increases with seniority at a company.
Similarly, employers are not required to pay for or subsidize health care for employees. This, too, is sometimes offered as a fringe benefit.
Work culture and professional expectations in the US
The North American workplace is seen as quite fast-paced and performance-oriented compared to other nations. Employers value initiative and results over hierarchy, and employees are definitely expected to take ownership of their work and make things happen. Collaboration and innovation are encouraged, especially in industries like tech and marketing, but most organizations will emphasize measurable outcomes that can be generated and discussed at performance reviews.
Unsurprisingly, punctuality and reliability are taken seriously, although how your day is structured varies hugely depending on the industry and workplace. Employees are generally evaluated based on productivity and contribution to team goals, so making sure you have a record of what you have been doing and how it is contributing to those things is important.
It's also common for workers to discuss career ambitions openly with supervisors. Many companies expect employees to advocate for promotions or professional development opportunities – these will not be handed to you on a plate.
Remote work remains common in the US, and this is particularly true in creative and research industries. This flexibility can allow expats to begin employment while still abroad or relocate gradually.
Networking and self-promotion are integral parts of professional success, and many workplaces see strong networking and people skills as essential to career progression.
Useful links:
H-1B Visa Information (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
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