Convincing US recruiters/HR to hire a Canadian

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I've been looking for job openings and noticed that there's a lot of interesting entry level positions in the US. I'm willing to relocate on my own dime; and from what little I know about the immigration process a TN visa is a possibility and saves the employer the hassle of sponsorship.

Assuming that's true, how can I keep recruiters/HR people from tossing out my resume when they see that I'm from Canada? Should I put something like "willing to relocate at own expense" directly on the resume? Maybe mention it in the cover letter?

On the one hand, an entry level worker doesn't really stand out from anyone else; on the other hand, data engineers / cloud admins seem to be somewhat in demand.

manpreet 2 years ago

Problem is most likely more complicated than it appears.

I don't think you should necessarily put out that you will relocate on your own dime in the cover letter (who knows, perhaps they will pay in part at least) but you should address that you want to move to X location for [reasons] and that the Y company is one you desire to be apart of for [reasons]. It needs to come across that you have invested energy and realize where this company is located and are mentally prepared to move.

Another thought is when a company hires an entry/junior position, they are really making an investment for the long term, hoping to shape, mold and vet a worker at a paygrade that isn't as risky. With you are doing a long distance relocation, you'd be coming into an area that you have zero ties to, which to the person looking at your resume, means your sense of loyalty to the area is diminished. This of course is subjective, but from my experience I would tend to hesitate on long distance hires for roles at the entry level. So it is important that you really practice your spiel on why TN, why you want to move, why the area is amazing, the company is superb, etc.

In the end, for your situation you will really need to sell yourself in the interviews and adjust the cover letter to describe why X location and Y company is the place you want to be, so you can get that initial call to give said spiel.