Banner: New Americans

New Americans

New Americans

Tools to help refugees, immigrants, and the people who help them.

Want to read this information in a different language? To translate into Spanish, click Español at the top of this page. To translate to another language, try Google translate in your web browser.

Are you new to the United States and looking for employment?

American Job Centers offer free job search help to everyone. You can meet with an employment counselor, take classes, use a computer, and get help to find childcare and transportation. 

  • If you have authorization to work in the U.S., they can help you find a job.
  • Find your closest American Job Center. You can visit their website or call them to ask about services.

Open each tab below to explore information on this website about careers, training, job search, and more.

Do you work with refugees or immigrants?

We know New Americans have a wide range of work experience. Here you’ll find resources below to help them explore careers and training options, prepare to search for jobs, and find local resources.

Assessments and career information help people understand the types of careers that will fit their skills and background.

Interest Assessment
Career interests are the activities and work environments you prefer in a job. Take the Interest Assessment to find a list of job options that match things you like to do. 

Occupation Profile
Find profiles of nearly 900 different careers. Each profile includes a 2-minute video, brief career description, typical wages, job outlook, desired skills and education, and other details.

Career Videos
Search 500+ videos to see what it's like to work in different careers. 

Find more tools for learning about careers at Explore Careers.

Learn about adult education and training opportunities in communities across the U.S.

Adult Basic Education
Take free basic English or math classes at a literacy training center. Many ABE providers also provide classes and other assistance to help Internationally Trained Professionals gain U.S. credentials.

Local Training Finder
Find training and degree programs at local colleges and non-profit training providers near you.

High school equivalency
You can earn an HSE, which is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. Find out how to obtain an HSE in any state.

Public Library Finder
Find free help at your nearest library, such as basic technology or English classes, and job search assistance.

Certification Finder
Find certifications in different fields. Certifications show employers that you have specific skills or knowledge.

License Finder
Learn if your state requires an occupational license for your field, and how to obtain the license.

You can also try searching online for free training using "How to" and the name of the skill you want to learn.

Find more education and training resources in Find Training.

Use the tools below to help you find and apply for jobs.

Job Finder
Search for jobs from verified listings that are updated daily for every U.S. location.

Practice Job Application
Practice for real job applications by using this step-by-step tool. Print or download a copy to save the information you’ll need when you apply for jobs.

Resume Guide
This easy-to-follow resume writing guide includes tips for each section of the document as well as several sample resumes (including some in Spanish).

Job interview preparation
Learn what to expect at a job interview and find tips for how to prepare, including lists of common interview questions.

Find more tools and information to help find and apply for jobs at Job Search.

Find local programs and services to help New Americans move past barriers to employment.

State Resource Finder
Find government offices and programs that can help you apply for benefits, get a driver's license or other documents, apply for healthcare and childcare resources, obtain legal help, and more.

Refugee Assistance Finder
Find Refugee Support Services and other programs that provide social services to refugees in your community.

Want other local help? You can call "211" for help in different languages.

Find more employment programs and services at Find Local Help.

If you’re not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and you want to work in the United States, you almost always need a work visa. Based on your skills and the job that you plan to do, you may be able to get an employment visa to work as a temporary or permanent foreign worker. In some cases, foreign students or exchange visitors can also work in the U.S.

Common types of work visas include H-2A, H-2B, and H-1B. Find information about these visas and learn more about working in the United States from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.