Re: Why don't they recruit people from abroad?

From: Cliff Kurtzman <moderator_at_o-a.com>
Date: Wed 30 Jul 2003 09:14:10 -0500

Sheeghra <sheeghra_at_yahoo.co.in> wrote:

>I am from India, with perhaps amongst the most
>experienced people in Indian Internet scenario, and I
>find that companies in other countries even in dire
>need for good professionals in this field are not open
>to taking people from abroad (India?)
>
>Anyone has any idea why might this be happening? Work
>Permit issues? Organisations in this field are small
>and think they can't afford 'all that hassle' in
>inviting somebody from abroad?

There are a number of reasons why this is a very difficult
thing to consider, at least for a company that is hiring
in the United States.

First and foremost are the immigration issues...
especially after 9/11, it is even harder to bring
people from abroad in to the U.S. to work. The
most common way someone would be brought into the
U.S. would be on what is called an H-1B visa.
The process of obtaining such a visa takes three
to six months and is costly for the employer.
The employer must be able to demonstrate that they
were unable to find a suitably qualified U.S.
worker in order to bring someone in on this method,
and I'm fairly certain that there are quotas on
a per country basis covering the number of
visas that are approved each year.

While you might think that a company could save a
lot of money hiring someone from abroad that has a
salary history with lower expectations than a local
employee, such is not the case. U.S. immigration
laws require employers of H-1B workers to document
that they are paying these alien employees at least
as much as similarly qualified U.S. citizens
performing similar job duties in the area of
employment (the "prevailing wage").

You can read more about the immigration issues which
are involved at:
http://www.entertheusa.com/publications/enriched_or_entangled.html

Even putting the immigration issues aside, there
are plenty of reasons why a company would be hesitant
to consider someone from abroad. Even under the
best of circumstances, where one is able to meet
the job candidate, have several members of the
company interview a job candidate face to face, and
to check their references with organizations that
are known to you... each new hire is still a
very risky proposition. In a situation where
you cannot do these things... the risk is often
viewed as unacceptable.

Finally, with a job candidate from abroad, one
faces considerable potential language and cultural
issues that are not present with a local job
candidate, as well as the costs, intricacies,
and distractions of a major relocation.

The cost of making a wrong hiring decision is
huge, typically tens of thousands of dollars,
and subjecting the employer to possible
wrongful termination litigation if it is
necessary to terminate the new hire, not to
mention the burden of knowing that the
terminated employee will have no choice but
to return to their home country if they
cannot find new employment.

Given these factors, most companies will
be hesitant to hire from abroad, unless
the skills are truly unique and exceptional.
With the job opening notice we posted on this
list last week, we did receive a resume
from someone abroad that appears to be
exceptionally qualified, and the employer
is truly considering if such a hire might
be feasible.

Finally, I should add that there is one EASY
way to get work immigration status to the U.S.
that does not require going through the H-1B
visa process. There is (and I am not making
this up) a special status for investors that
wish to immigrate. All it requires is that you
(or someone acting on your behalf) be able and
willing to invest at least $1,000,000 for an equity
stake in a United States business which you will
actively participate in operating. If anyone on this
list should be interested in qualifying for
this status, I think I can find you a job...


--Cliff

Cliff Kurtzman
Moderator
Online Advertising Discussion List
http://www.o-a.com/
(281) 480-6300





Received on Wed Jul 30 2003 - 09:14:10 CDT