Independent option
INDEPENDENT OPTION (SELF-PLACEMENT)
Our Independent Option gives you freedom and flexibility. If you would rather determine the specific type of job and location on your own, you are a good candidate for our Self -Placed Program. This program is ideal if you wish to arrange your own job independently or have family or friends in the USA who can help connect you with an employer. If you're looking for an internship in your career field, find the company and we can arrange your visa. The level of responsibility and rules and regulations of the program are the same for the Sponsor Placements and Self-Placed candidates.
Click here for typical job descriptions
Services provided to self-placed candidates by the Sponsor include:
• Placement Confirmation by Sponsor’s Staff to ensure the site offers suitable opportunities with the opportunity to have access to affordable and safe housing and transportation.
• Experienced, Friendly Staff
• Documentation and support for obtaining your J-1 visa (DS-2019 form)
• Assistance with Your Visa Application
• Comprehensive Health Insurance - Affordable, no deductible
• Pre-Departure Orientation
• Advice on or assistance in obtaining Social Security Card
• An Emergency, Toll Free 24-hour Assistance telephone number : 1-888-242-7456
• Support from your sponsor partner organization before your arrival, and support from Sponsor’s Offices and Staff while you are in the U.S.
• Upon arrival, logistical support, including complete travel directions to job site.
• Detailed participant handbook including travel tips to enjoy your free time
• Post-Arrival Orientation through your host site
• Tax Referral Services which will assist the participant in reclaiming a good portion of taxes paid in the U.S.
At the time you submit your application for a self arranged placement, you must be able to provide the original signed job offer on company letterhead.
OR the Work & Travel USA Employment Agreement (Job Offer)
Requirements for Self Arranged Employment Agreement/ Job Offer:
The offer must be addressed to the applicant signed by the employer AND you, the participant
AND MUST INCLUDE:
• Full company name and address
• Name of contact person and phone number
• Number of work hours
• Wages
• Description of accommodation provided or assurance of assistance in finding housing
• Dates of employment
OR both parties must fill out the Employment Agreement/Job Offer and return it to the Sponsor overseas partner to be sent with the application
Additional Requirements for Self-Arranged Placements:
Applicants who have arranged their own jobs will be interviewed, and are not automatically accepted because of their job offers.
In order to accept Self-Arranged applicants, sponsoring organization must be convinced that the applicant understands the essentials of his or her future job and is committed to working for that employer.
Sponsor will contact your employer, and confirm your placement before issuing the DS-2019 form.
If we are unable to confirm your employment, we will contact you and discuss whether or not you should continue in the application process. There are no refunds to students who submit employers that cannot be confirmed.
Are there any types of jobs that would not be considered acceptable for the Self Placement program?
According to the United States Department of State J-1 Summer Work/Travel regulations, "program participants may not be employed as domestic employees in United States households or in position that require the participant to invest his or her own monies to provide themselves with inventory of the purpose of door-to-door sales."
• Furthermore, will not be accepted job offers for applicants hoping to work in the following areas:
• Child care
• Medical Care
• Domestic Work (housekeeper in a family's home, etc.)
• Camp Counselors
Sponsoring organization reserves the right to reject any job offer if the position is deemed to jeopardize the applicant's well being and/ or safety or that would in the judgement of Sponsor not suitably represent the cultural exchange objectives of this program.
Advice to students about Self-Placed Positions:
Every year, some participants encounter problems because they did not know enough about their Self-Arranged job. Some students arrive to discover that there is no longer a position for them, or that there is nowhere for them to live. Although we call to make sure that all job offers are acceptable, students should take the steps necessary to make sure that the position they have arranged is secure and acceptable to them.
Applicants should:
• Before the interview, make certain that the position is definite, and that housing will be available.
• Inform the employer that sponsoring organization will be calling to confirm the offer.
• Keep in touch with the employer before arrival to make certain that everything is in order. Some of the larger resorts over hire, since many applicants who accept the job may not actually show up. It is very important that participants make their employers aware that they are definitely coming!
• Get detailed travel directions to their employment site.
The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel any student if, after speaking with the employer (or being unable to contact the employer), the job offer is found to be unacceptable.
If any applicant is found to have falsified a job offer, that applicant will be cancelled from the program without a refund.
Where should I search for a position?
J1 jobs - http://www.j1jobs.com
Coolworks - http://www.coolworks.com/
Wages / Compensation:
The average participant receives a wage of $6.50 per hour depending on the location chosen. Some positions may pay more, some less. Frequently, the positions that pay less have better benefits such as lower cost housing, meals, transportation, etc.
The compensation and expenses of your position are specifically detailed in the information you complete as part of your application such as a job offer which you must also sign. Therefore, there should be no surprises about the financial aspects of your program. Applicants wishing to cover all program costs should not expect to do so while participating in our program, unless they are able to work for a full four months. All salaries should cover the cost of living and enable you to save some extra money to help reduce travel expenses.
Housing:
If you have selected the self-arranged option, then your housing may not be arranged by your employer. Finding housing can be one of your most important decisions in order to have a successful program.
How To Find Housing
Finding housing can often be as challenging as finding a job. Perhaps your best source of information and possibly housing arrangements will be your employer. They may provide housing at or near your place of employment. This will normally be at a reasonable cost. The employer will deduct a certain amount of money from your wages to cover the cost of housing. Make sure you are aware of these costs up front when you agree to accept the job. Also, if the housing provided by your employer is not within walking distance of your job, find out what type of transportation is available (employee van, public transport, etc.). Don't assume you will be able to rely on staff that has their own transportation. You may find yourself unable to get to work on occasion and this may cause frustration thereby diminishing your experience.
If you secure a job with an employer who does not provide accommodation, ask him/her for suggestions on where to find or look for housing. You can also use the Internet to begin your search. Find out what some of the housing options will be in the area where you will be located.
WAT Job Description
USA Work Places by States
USA Work Places by Fields
Job Offer / Employment Agreement Form
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