Finding a Job in America: An Expert Speaks
(updated March 2004)

The 2000 US Census revealed a surprising fact: Hispanics make up the fastest growing consumer market in the US, spending over 650 billion dollars each year and increasing rapidly. To reach this important new market, US corporations are hiring more Hispanic and bilingual employees in areas like sales and marketing, operations, and general management.

We spoke to Manuel Boado, CEO of the bilingual recruiting firm SPANUSA, about this trend and his advice for those who wish to develop a career in the US.

Q: What sectors of the US economy offer the greatest number of job opportunities for Hispanics?

A: Banking, insurance, financial services and pharmaceutical companies as well as most of the consumer products companies. Within these industries there are many jobs in sales, marketing and human resources, all of which require good skills in both Spanish and English. For example, we are (now) looking for brand managers for Hispanic markets in California and New York. We need people who understand the culture, philosophy and language to reach these markets.

Of course, there are also many jobs in IT - here language is not as important as understanding the technology.

Q: Many of our visitors want to know the best way to secure a good job in the US. What is your advice to them?

A: There are two good ways. #1 is to work at a US company with branches in Latin America or Spain, become very good at your job there and be brought to the US as an intracompany transferee (for executives and managers who have worked at least one year, and, of course, it is up to the company when to offer that great opportunity).

#2 is to come to the US to study. Sometimes you can receive job training with a US company even after obtaining only a 1-year degree. My nephew, for example, attended a US university as a foreign student. He entered a job training program with a J-1 visa. Now as a full-time employee he is already on the payroll of that company, and it was easier for his employer to adjust his status to that of an H-1B worker.

Q: Many jobs advertised now require a "previous work authorization". Is it more difficult to be hired if you are living abroad and need your prospective employer to sponsor you for an H-1B visa?

A: Often, yes. If you are an employer, you need someone tomorrow, not in three months (the typical H-1B application processing time). In that period, much can happen at the company, and employers can cancel their need for the employee. It's also expensive: to fly someone to the US and home again for a job interview can be expensive for a company. However there are people who are in the process of obtaining some kind of visa or residency permit, or are relatives of U.S. citizens, and in some specific cases they are granted a "work permit".

Of course, when companies have subsidiaries it's a different story. (see L-1 visa info for executive transfers on our sister site, Immigralaw.com)

Q: When is the best time to apply for an H-1B?

A: In October, right when the year's new batch of visas are made available. If you wait until May, for example, they can run out and you will have to wait until the following October to apply. (editor's note: as of March 2004, the year's supply of 65,000 visas has already run out.)

Q: I have heard Miami has over 400 multinational corporations with Latin American headquarters. How is the current job climate in this area right now?

A: Miami has experienced substantial contraction in this area. Some companies with headquarters in Miami have moved back to their main headquarters in other cities like Chicago. People used to think you could save a lot of money and time by having your Latin American headquarters so near to Latin America. Now, things might be different, even when the economy comes back I am not sure that Miami and Fort Lauderdale will continue being such an important bridge to countries south of the United States.

Q: How is the general trend for Hispanic managers in the US?

When we came to the US typically there was only one Hispanic at each company. Now there are at least several at the middle management level, and some are CEO's. Recently we placed two executives at the $400,000 level, and we have candidates that make up to a million dollars a year.

SPANUSA is a New-York based management recruiting firm for Hispanic and bilingual executives.
http://www.spanusa.com