Thousands of J1ers head for both the East and West Coast shorelines every year. The last year has seen California become the “in” place to go with San Diego becoming the major hotspot. The key to the J1 is to arrive early to find work and accommodation, late arrivals may find it a bit more difficult but don’t stress because it will all work out in the end. Think creatively about location and move on if opportunities are not as plentiful as you had hoped.

Pre-arranging a job

Where do I start?

The keyword is contacts! Gather names and addresses from every available source. All are bound to have some practical advice and suggestions for further detective work. Talk to other students who have been on the J1 programme in the last couple of years for useful names and addresses of employers and accommodation sources. They will know the real deal on where is good to go and what the jobs are really like.
Other useful sources include:

USIT online US Employment Directory
Attend a USIT US Jobs Roadshow (keep an eye on website for details)
Internet (see below for useful websites)
Local newspapers (also available online)
Specialist magazines and trade publications
International job directories in your college career library, lecturers and tutors
Long-lost third cousins in the US!
Keep an eye on your email as we may send you job lists and news of U.S employers recruiting in Ireland

Job Hunting Strategies

Always make it clear that you will have legal status to work in the US “I will be participating on the Work and Travel USA Program sponsored by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). As my sponsor, CIEE is authorised by the US government to issue the necessary documentation for me to obtain a J1 visa, allowing me to work legally within the US for up to four months.”
When applying for an advertised vacancy make sure to carefully follow their instructions as to how to apply for the position. Most employers will require you to post, fax or email a copy of your information
Be persistent; don’t be afraid to make follow up calls on your job applications after a few days. It is a way to make you stand out from the many applications that employers receive.
Stay positive! Don’t panic if you don’t get a job within the first week. It can take time so stay calm and enjoy the time off

Applying for a job

It is helpful to send/have the following:

A one page resume (CV) emphasizing your experience
A cover letter explaining that you will have a valid work permit, a US Social Security number and insurance.
Letters of reference from previous employers or academic contacts are useful.

Please note: when applying for a job do not send the same cover letter to each prospective employer. Remember to personalize each letter as much as possible, since you are competing with other students who will be applying for the same jobs.

USIT Employment Directory:

Every year USIT contacts employers in the US who are willing to take on Irish students for the summer. We have a database online containing bios on the prospective employers and their contact details. Some employers have been used by previous J1 students and others are new to the directory this year. Students who book their J1 with USIT will receive a username and password that allows them to access the database exclusively. This is being compiled in December and will be available in January.

Finding a job while in the US

Where do I start?

The following are the best places to being:

Local newspapers
University bulletin boards
Internet
Barmen: they are the same everywhere, they know what is going on in the area
Walk-in and ask for the manager: Simple yet effective!

Job Hunting Websites:

Accommodation Hunting Tips:

** Our favourites

Warning: Please be careful when accepting housing without having seen it first. If possible always view accommodation before you pay anything. Make sure you ask plenty of questions about its facilities and any additional costs that may not be included in the rent. Be aware that some housing is very cheap for a reason i.e. bad area, poor facilities etc.

Declaration: The above tips provided by USIT are intended as a guide. USIT accepts no responsibility for any jobs or housing accepted by students through these resources.