Finding a job in the United States is a challenging process for anyone, but the competition is far tougher for foreigners who need visa sponsorship. According to a recent study by LinkedIn, one in three people in the country is looking for new career opportunities. Considering a workforce of roughly 160 million, that means more than 53 million candidates are competing for open positions.
A single job posting at a large company receives an average of 250 applications, and around 75 percent of applications are submitted through online platforms. Résumés are first scanned by an automated software known as an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). This system scans for keywords and allows only five résumés to reach an actual human, a hiring specialist. That amounts to just 2 percent of applications. Furthermore, roughly 80 percent of open positions are never publicly advertised.
How Does the ATS System Work?
During the automated screening phase, the ATS asks two standard questions: "Are you authorized to work in the US?" and "Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?" If you answer "no" to the first question, your résumé is rejected without anyone seeing it. If you answer "yes" to the second, the result is the same. For instance, even if you are an Australian citizen and believe obtaining an E3 visa is easy and inexpensive, the ATS does not consider these details; you are filtered out directly at the screening stage.
Build a Strong Professional Network
References play a decisive role in hiring. According to the most optimistic estimates, around 40 percent of positions are filled through referrals, while some data suggests the figure could be as high as 80 percent. Because building professional connections takes time, it is essential to start long before your job search becomes urgent. Identify experts and managers at companies where you wish to work and reach out to them without making any direct requests. You can comment on one of their articles, share a marketing campaign you liked, or share your thoughts about a podcast. Give first, then ask. When a suitable position opens up, these individuals may refer you on their own initiative.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn headline should clearly reflect the value you offer. While stating your current or target position, fill the entire 120-character limit with keywords so that you appear more frequently in hiring specialists' searches. Each missed key term means 10 to 20 fewer views per week. Describing yourself with titles like "guru" or "ninja" is ineffective; hiring specialists do not search for these words. Write the "About" section in the first person, using the 2,000-character limit to highlight your personality and professional identity.
Prepare an ATS- and Employer-Friendly Résumé
While showing your personality on LinkedIn is important, your résumé should be concise and rich in keywords, because the initial review is done by software. When a hiring specialist looks at your résumé, they spend an average of six seconds on it. In the US, simple résumés are preferred: do not use a photo, personal information, or creative design (unless you are applying for a creative position). The ideal length is one to two pages. Instead of merely listing tasks, include measurable results. The reader should immediately understand the kind of value you add.
Apply Strategically
When a job search drags on without feedback, many people start applying to every posting. This is ineffective. Instead, take the time to research the companies you want to work for and understand the problems they are facing. If you have experience solving similar problems, be sure to highlight that in your résumé. An even more effective approach is to contact the hiring manager directly on LinkedIn with a personalized message.
All these strategies can help you overcome the ATS barrier and stand out in the crowd. The key is to act early and manage the process methodically.
