Finding work in Dallas

Important: Anyone wanting to work in the U.S. is required to have a work visa and it can be one of the biggest challenges faced by expats looking for employment abroad. The process must be initiated by a sponsoring employer and is time-consuming and expensive. This means you must have an offer of employment before you may begin the visa application process. That said, expats with advanced degrees, specialized skills and who are fluent English speakers will fare better than most when it comes to finding an employer willing to go through the sponsorship process. See the article 'Work visa in the USA' for more information about types of work visas in the United States.

Popular industries

Dallas' business-friendly regulatory environment has made it appealing to a wide range of national and international companies. Forbes notes that the combined Dallas and Fort Worth area boasts the highest concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in the country (currently 22). A few of these include Exxon Mobile, AT&T, American Airlines, Energy Transfer Equity, Tenet Healthcare, and Southwest Airlines. Some of the top Dallas area industries are listed below.

Healthcare

Dallas is home to some of the largest healthcare systems in the nation. Thousands of people are employed by Texas Health Resources Inc., Baylor Health Care System, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and HCA North Texas.

Leisure and hospitality

Jobs in this area include accommodation and food services, retail, and cultural events. Retailers like Target, JC Penny, and Kroger are all headquartered in the Dallas area.

Telecommunications and technology

The Telecom Corridor is the site of the largest telecommunication manufacturing sector in the U.S. and home to more than 600 different tech companies. Some of the biggest software, electronics, and computer companies are located in Dallas, including Texas Instruments, Nortel Networks, Ericsson, Cisco Systems, and AT&T.

Transportation, aeronautics, and defence

With a major international airport, several airline headquarters, and hubs for government and private shipping, all facets of transportation jobs abound in Dallas. Two major defence companies, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Raytheon Company, are also located in the Dallas area.

Labor Market

Dallas' unemployment rate has remained steadily below the national average, hovering around 3.9%. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in Dallas continues to be the highest of any metropolitan area in the nation. The fastest growing sectors are professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and finance. When it comes to job losses, there isn't much to report ' the only sector to lose jobs over the past year was the information sector. It is important to note, however, that the government, education, health services, trade, transportation, and utility sectors are the slower growing areas in the region.

Read "Labor market in the U.S." for more information.

Finding a job

Use job search engines that are specifically focused on Dallas to start your job search, and have a look at local newspapers such as the Dallas Observer (these are online as well). If you belong to a specialized or in-demand industry, research and contact a local recruiting agency to network and build connections. Additionally, leverage your personal network and membership in professional organizations as this is the best way to hear about newly listed or unadvertised jobs.

When sending out your resume (CV), you must make sure that you stand out from the crowd. Besides updating your resume to reflect the American style, research the companies you're interested in before applying, to highlight the skills and experience that would most interest them. Also, make sure that your LinkedIn and business networking profiles reflect these same changes. See the article "Finding a Job in the USA" for more information about job searching.

Good to know: The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a quarterly review of the Dallas unemployment rate and labor market, which may be helpful with your job search. There is also free information on monthly career fairs ' including the company names and open positions ' available online.

Useful Links:

Expat.com jobs in Dallas
USCIS: working in the U.S.
Dallas Observer Job Ads
Indeed.com
monster.com