Looking for Work in the states (specifically California)

I'm looking for some opinions and experience with how to approach companies, border crossing and job searching.

Here is my situation.

I just graduated from university with a degree in Environmental Engineering (so I can get my E.I.T. status as soon as it is official)

I want to get on with one of the larger consulting firms and preferably go to California/florida or a coast. A large part of my reasoning is weather, the love the ocean, and what appears to be lots of work working with some of the best in the business. If i stay in Canada I most likely will have to go to a center that I am less than thrilled about being in.

A friend and I are taking a trip down to California just as a vacation with the aside ofstopping in at offices I am interested at.

Here are my questions.


How do companies in the states recieve Canadians trying to work in the states?

Would you suggest I try and call a number of them and try and make a visit time while I'm down there?

What do i say at the border crossing? is what i am doing illegal?

I am right now planning to try and get a company to agree for TN status; but engineering is on the list of scrutinized occupations can someone further elaborate on this; is it suggest I buy one of these TN kits?

Having little previous experience should I suck it up and stay in Canada for a few years?


thanks in advance for any help and advice you can offer!

If you have a bunch of resumes and business cards with you and if you say at the POE that you're there on vacation and if they search you, in all likelihood they'll deny you entry.

If you get to the POE and say you're on vacation, with plans to look for a job while you're there, in all likelihood they'll deny you entry.

Technically looking for a job is not illegal. However, it is the job of Customs and Border officials to assume that *everyone* entering the US is doing so with intent to stay illegally. Its up to each traveller to prove otherwise. Which is difficult to do if you're carrying business paraphernelia.

Plus, I don't know how far in the door you'd get if you just drop in to companies you're interested in. You may have better luck calling ahead and try to make an appointment. How they feel about Canadians looking for jobs depends on the company, if they're hiring and if there are any qualified Americans for the job.

You can enter the US to attend a job interview, but you need to set it up before you go and have it all organised with business cards, contact numbers, etc. before you go and do a B-1 entry. You can't just go scouting for work.

If you have no legal status in the US, my experience is less than stellar with employers. Technically they are legally not allowed to discriminate against you, because you could get legal status if they sponsor you for it. In reality most employers know little about the immigration process and you're less likely to get the job, unless they really want you for some reason.

The subject will almost certainly come up, so when it does make sure you can describe the TN-1 process to them which is relatively simple.