Typically, getting a job in the US looks like this: you have an SSN, a work permit, or a Greencard, which allows you to work from day one. With these documents, you apply for the vacancies you need and go to interviews for six months.
The vacancies are often called not “senior specialist”, but “junior specialist with 2 years of experience and knowledge of the entire required stack”.
Then you are hired for $ 17 per hour, and after a year of successful work, you can still apply for a promotion. And in another year – you will become a senior specialist, if you get along with everyone and do not seriously screw up, performing work duties.
Platforms for 100% official work: Indeed, Linkedin and, possibly, recruiting agencies. Create an excellent resume with the help of an agency, send it to 3000 organizations, and wait for the day when you get lucky.
Variations of documents for employment
It should be noted that the employer’s HR always chooses the easiest and shortest path when hiring an employee. If you have citizenship or a green card and an SSN for work (its type that can be taxed on the W2 form), you can easily get a job and you will not need to mess around with your documents. This is the ideal option.
If you have a work permit and an SSN for work – this is more difficult. A work permit is valid for only 3 years. If you did not receive it yesterday, then you will soon need to renew it, and there is a queue for these documents now. The employer risks being left without an employee at the wrong time if his work permit expires. In practice, a new one can only be obtained after 12-14 months, which is a very long time.
ITIN – an individual taxpayer number for those who do not have an SSN – is even more of a headache, and with such a document you cannot be legally employed. All non-linear positions are closed for you in any company.
Non-work SSN is an SSN, under which the holder cannot enter into employment contracts. This SSN can only be used to pay taxes and receive social payments and benefits.
EIN is the tax number of your own LLC or C-Corp, which, hypothetically, can be indicated in tax reporting for small contract work. It will work if you work in moving, cleaning, or cargo transportation, but no more. Until 2023, there were slightly more opportunities: with EIN, they also took cell phone towers or cable work, but now SSN is also required there, service providers request it from all contractors.
There is also payment terminology: cash (you are paid in cash), check (W2 form, employment on staff, you need SSN and work permit), or 1099 (EIN, your company).
