Yesterday I covered some of the important questions to ask any recruitment agency before you consider trusting your future to them. The list continues below:
6. Will I get a sign up bonus?
The recruitment agency usually gets the sign up bonus alloted for the qualified applicant. This maybe already in the agreement between the employer and the recruitment agency, but there are still some agencies who give the sign up bonus to the applicant so it doesn't hurt to ask.
7. Where is the location of the work?
The city or state where you will be working at will give you an idea on how to prepare for relocating and adjusting to that area, also read up for the cost of living for that area. Costs vary widely in the US and a salary that would make you wealthy in one city might just bee enough to get by in another (For example the median home price in Amarillo, Texas is $120,000, in Anaheim, California it is $705,000).
8. What are the benefits provided?
The benefits are stated in the contract. Make sure that the salary you will receive is stated in the contract. Also look for how long you will be under contract with the employer. The common benefits that should be included in the contract are: paid vacation leave, maternity/paternity leave, health/medical insurance, relocation allowance or housing allowance for the first three months, paid utilities for the first three months, paid inbound airplane ticket, airport pickup and transfer, orientation, training, reimbursement of visa application fees, CGFNS and NCLEX exams.
9. Will there be a relocation allowance or housing benefit?
The employer should provide a relocation allowance or housing benefit for the first three months upon arrival in the US.
10. Will my application expenses be reimbursed?
The visa application fees, medical fees and CGFNS exam fee are supposed to be shouldered by the employer, but often times they just reimburse it to you upon arrival in the US.
11. Who will pay for the airfare?
The employer should provide you an inbound airplane ticket.
12. Will I meet my employer?
The employer will assign a person to pick you up at the airport and provide you a transfer to your new apartment or house. You don't usually meet your employer, but you can communicate with them through their personnels.
13. Do I get to keep my passport?
You should make sure that you get to keep your passport with you. There are some employers who will want to tie you up with them for the duration of the contract by keeping your passport. In this case, even if your rights are violated by the employer, it will be difficult for you to leave them. Your passport is your personal identification and is your property, so no one should be keeping your passport except yourself.
There are many more questions you can ask the recruitment agency before you commit to their service, but these are some of the most important and the ones you must know the answers to before you commit to any contract. This will help you take precautions in applying for a job in the US through a recruitment agency.
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