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1. How and
where do I obtain visa information?
2. How do I find Swedish related companies in the US?
3. How do I find a job/internship in the U.S?
4. How to use and create a network?
5. How do I find an apartment?
1. How and
where do I obtain visa information?
There are different ways to apply for a Visa depending on what type of visa and
country of residence. The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce doesn't handle
inquiries concerning issuing of visas or visa applications. However, the
following links will guide you through to various institutions handling these
matters
Contact The American Embassy if you consider
applying for a visa to the US.
The Consular section provides a variety of services for American citizens and
citizens of other countries. There are four departments within the section: The
American citizen's service section assists people with passport renewal,
registration of Americans living in Sweden,
birth reports for children of American citizens born in Sweden, voter
registration, income tax forms, notarial services and emergency services to
American citizens. The Federal Benefits Unit assists people with questions
regarding Social Security benefits. The Immigrant Visa Section processes cases
for people wishing to Immigrate to the United States. The non-immigrant
Visa Section processes applications for temporary visas to the United States
including tourist visas, business visas, student visas and temporary work
permits.
The American Embassy
Visa Department
Strandvägen 101
115 89 Stockholm
Sweden
Phone: +46 8 783 5300
Contact The Consulate General
of Sweden if you residing in the United
States.
If you are a US citizen
holding a valid US passport
and your stay in Sweden
will not exceed 90 days, you will NOT need a visa. Visa applications for
residents in the United States
are handled by the Consulate General of Sweden in New York:
Visa for visiting Sweden,
work and residence permit, residence permits for visiting university students,
residence on the basis of personal or family connection, residence permit for
high school exchange students.
Consulate
General of Sweden
One Dag
Hammarskjold Plaza
885 Second Avenue, 45th Floor
New York, NY
10017
Phone: (212) 583 2560 Fax: (212) 755 2732
Contact The American Scandinavian
Foundation if you consider participating in a training program in the US.
Scandinavians are able to train in the U.S. and receive income through the
Foundation's U.S. Government designated Exchange Visitor (J visa) Program.
Under ASF's sponsorship, a trainee may remain in the U.S. for up to eighteen months of
training, after which s/he must return home to share the experience with
colleagues, family and friends.
The American
Scandinavian Foundation
15 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 879 9779 Fax: (212) 249 3444
Contact the
Immigration Lawyers in the US
for further information about Visa alternatives in the US. (If you
already have a company sponsoring an employment, the following examples of
immigration lawyers can assist you in the process.)
Chicago Lawyers
Visit the Visa Services
site of US STATE DEPARTMENT if you are looking for information about U.S. visas.
2. How do I
find Swedish related companies in the US?
If you have access to the Internet, there are a few search engines that enables
a customized search for American and Swedish companies. The Swedish Trade
Council has developed the Swedish Export Directory, which gives key information
about Swedish companies that export products outside of Sweden. The Swedish and American yellow pages
are another powerful tool to locate businesses in Sweden
and in the US.
For information
about Swedish related companies in Chicago
or any other business enquiry, you are welcome to contact us for further
assistance. Send an e-mail to info@sacc-chicago.org
3. How do I
find a job/internship in the U.S?
- Useful tips and information
First, The
Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, is not an employment agency. In fact, we
have no license to operate as such. However, we do like to stress some general
advice for foreign job seekers
4. How to use
and create a network?
The sooner you realize that it is through network people get jobs, the sooner
you'll have one. Employers hire people through referrals from friends and
associates (in most cases). This is why you've got to let everyone know you're looking
for a job. Anyway, the point is to ask everyone.
For you cave dwellers who insist you have no connections, you need to get busy
making them. How, you ask? Cold calls. Enter the game of high-risk, high payoff
job-hunting fun.
Say you want to
work at the Really Cool Company in marketing. Pick up the phone and call them.
Get their number via their website, company directories. Very nicely, ask for
the name of the marketing director and ask to be transferred. Now what, you
ask?
Introduce
yourself, ask for a meeting, and write a personal letter and enclose your
resume.
From being
transferred, three things can happen:
1. The
person you've asked for picks up the phone directly. If so:
Introduce yourself and say that you're very interested in working for that
company in marketing. Say that you would love to meet with them for five
minutes to talk about the company. If they say no jobs are available, say:
That's fine. You'd still love to meet with regard to positions that might
become available in the future. That you really want to work for that company.
You don't know anybody there and you'd be very grateful for five minutes of
their time.
If they say no, ask if you can write them. They'll say yes. Then:
Thank them, hang up, call the secretary back to get the address and spelling of
the person's name. Write in the letter, "Thanks for speaking with me
yesterday. As we discussed, I am sending you my resume with the hope of meeting
with sometime in the near future for five minutes..."
2. The
person's assistant picks up the phone. If so:
Ask to speak with their boss. If they put you through, see above.
If not, explain: That you would love to work for that company. You're calling
to see if you can meet with their boss for five minutes. Chances are they'll
say to send a resume. If so: get the person's name and in the cover letter say,
"As discussed with ___, I am sending my resume in the hope of meeting with
you..." Before you hang up with the assistant ask them if they know of any
jobs available. If you have personality and "give good phone" you
might get help here. Try to get into a conversation with the person. Say you'd
really love to get your foot in the door there and you'll do whatever it takes.
Maybe they'll help you. Send the letter to the person's boss. A week later call
to make sure they got your resume. If, after sending your resume, they tell you
their boss won't meet with you, do this:
Ask if you can check in with *him* (the assistant) every few weeks to see if
anything becomes available.
3. You'll
get voice-mail. If so, hang up and call again later.
For further
information on job opportunities etc., surf the net! Browse the websites of
companies you're interested in and Internet-based employment sites such as:
www.monster.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.4work.com
5. How do I
find an apartment?
There are obviously many ways to get an apartment in Chicago. Below we present
some convenient, and often successful, approaches. www.apartments.com
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