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DV 2017 OC Selectees

I'm sure it's not beyond the scope of understanding/empathy of anyone here to consider that a Muslim DV winner might be having second thoughts when the president-elect is on record as supporting a total ban on Muslims entering the country.

Or is it?
 
EURO2014 said:
Oh, I am sure you do, Britsimon :) After telling folks in your blog that DJT becoming President was simply impossible and would just not be happening... Again, I don't blame you, I just think a DV sub-forum for OC applicants seems to be a rather unlikely place to get anything remotely resolved on the matter. Anyways...
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If you don't like the conversation - feel free to ignore those comments, and comment on other topics. No need to shut people down for expressing their legitimate concerns. Simple really.
 
Britsimon said:
If you don't like the conversation - feel free to ignore those comments, and comment on other topics. No need to shut people down for expressing their legitimate concerns. Simple really.
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Well, if you feel the OC DV sub-forum is the right place and time for these matters... Anyways, DV Applicants from Australia and NZ are probably the ones to be least concerned right now.
 
guestgulkan said:
Hello everyone - long time! I know I'm a DV2015-er, forgive me for posting here.

Back in the days of DV2015 being a selectee was much more stressful. Hoping and praying each month to make the cutoff. Refreshing your browser constantly to see if visa bulletin had changed. Hours in excel multiplying cutoffs from previous years to calculate your chances of an interview. You kids don't know how good you've got it!
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(Norm / Cheers style) Monkey-Man!!!!!

Yep, these DV youngsters don't know how easy they've got it. Haha

Congrats on finally finding work :) Hope the big move goes smoothly for you.
 
Britsimon said:
If you don't like the conversation - feel free to ignore those comments, and comment on other topics. No need to shut people down for expressing their legitimate concerns. Simple really.
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Thanks for backing this discussion as relevant @Britsimon - it is highly valid for anyone (not just the groups DT has targeted) considering a move to the US.

Some of the topics Trump has raised and the behaviour he has displayed simply demonstrates to people who support those ideas (bigoted, racist, sexist views) that the country views this as "acceptable". While I know that most people realise equality is important, those who belittle groups based on skin colour, religion, race, sexuality, gender etc feel that if the President-elect has demonstrated those actions, then it is okay for them, too. As a Caucasian Australian citizen, I don't necessarily feel as though this will directly impact on MY personal experience. But I have a right to have concerns that, should my boyfriend (who was born in Afghanistan, raised in NZ) eventually decide to move over, those people will judge him solely on his appearance and will impact HIS experience. I absolutely believe a Trump Presidency fuels this type of hate because he has made those actions seem acceptable, whether it was for solely campaign purposes or his genuine attitude. I also realise that my cousin, who is Pakistani Australian, and very openly gay would likely experience judgement and prejudice from those groups. I am aware how this will likely effect others who I do not know, but are in similar situations, or entirely different situations, and it's not right that they should be treated any differently to you and me. I'm absolutely not comfortable with a man in such a powerful role speaking the way he does about women, and brushing it off as "locker room" banter. I'm not a prude and neither are my friends, but no one I know feels that kind of behaviour is acceptable either. These things have the potential to change the things that I have loved about America, and the things that have made me pursue a green card to begin with. If the Trump Presidency changes the United States in a negative way, then yes, it is relevant for those of us looking to relocate there.

I intend on living in California - and perhaps the accepting nature of Californians is why I love it there so much - but it also makes me nervous about political stability. Trump does not give me confidence that he can maintain peace with other countries; he appears to hold personal grudges and have a spiteful nature which is not ideal for forming or maintaining professional relationships.

It concerns me that those of us in this forum will be entering the US on a Diversity Visa, and that Diversity seems to be the opposite of what Trump stands for (and certainly appears to be what Trump's supporters stand for, as a general rule). I have, since the election, held concerns for whether or not he will pull the pin on the DV Lottery, and have legitimately considered that if we do all get processed and issued our visas, that we may be the last group to get through on this program. I wouldn't be surprised.

Yes, there are safeguards put in place, and yes, he may do a decent job (and I hope he does for the sake of the US and the world - because it does create a domino effect globally!), but there are many things about a Trump Presidency that people are entitled to feel unsettled about. There were endless red flags throughout his campaign, and I for one cannot ignore those. No candidate will ever be perfect; none of us can begin to imagine the difficult decisions that a President would be faced with on a daily basis. But to me, these fluorescent red flags that Trump has proudly flown throughout his entire campaign are far too blinding to make me feel like everything will be okay. I've never felt that with any politician (in the US or Australia) before, and it is not a feeling I'm comfortable with - and I know I'm not alone in that. These are concerns that people on this forum, who are actively pursuing a move to the US, should be entitled to discuss and bounce off each other.

I hope that our concerns are confirmed as unfounded - that would be wonderful, and I would be delighted to be proven wrong.

On a much, much, much lighter note - congratulations to all of you who have already been processed and are well on your way to moving! I'm in the 600s, so will hopefully have my interview at some point in February. It makes it all seem pretty damn real knowing it's just a couple of months away!
 
Hey guys, just been getting my stuff together i have my interview dec 13th. Im trying to organize my medical and im currently living in hobart. From the looks of the website theres no approved physicians here so ill have to goto Melbourne to get it done but on reading the us consulate page it says this:

"There are no authorized panel physicians in South Australia, Tasmania, ACT or the Northern Territory; therefore, it is recommended that visa applicants from these states/territories make a medical appointment with a Sydney panel physician on the day before or after your visa interview where possible."

I can do the medical after my interview?, so am i to understand i only need the medical for when i actually enter the states and not the actual interview... i have no idea why i'm finding it so difficult to find info on the medical process.

~ Post moved from the DV2017 AOS Thread ~​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
NiciB said:
I have several job related questions... but the main one is, did you have a degree that you had to get evaluated to the US? Who did you use if you did, and did you need the general analysis or course-by course? Thanks.
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Yes I have a degree, no I didn't get it evaluated, no one even checked it, but I did convert my GPA into the USA numbering system for my resume. I used this free service to do it: http://www.wes.org/students/igpacalc.asp
 
Chriso said:
Hey guys, just been getting my stuff together i have my interview dec 13th. Im trying to organize my medical and im currently living in hobart. From the looks of the website theres no approved physicians here so ill have to goto Melbourne to get it done but on reading the us consulate page it says this:

"There are no authorized panel physicians in South Australia, Tasmania, ACT or the Northern Territory; therefore, it is recommended that visa applicants from these states/territories make a medical appointment with a Sydney panel physician on the day before or after your visa interview where possible."

I can do the medical after my interview?, so am i to understand i only need the medical for when i actually enter the states and not the actual interview... i have no idea why i'm finding it so difficult to find info on the medical process.

~ Post moved from the DV2017 AOS Thread ~​
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You do need the medical for the interview. You will be placed on AP pending when the embassy gets your medical result (assuming the medical report isn't available when you show up for your interview) before your visa gets issued.
 
Ok finding a job (remotely). As @Britsimon alluded, my job is fairly specialist so they were prepared to hire outside their area, however I think many of these points have value for everyone.

You should start by reading this from an OC DV-er.

One piece of advice he says is:

"foreign = visa = sponsorship = big bucks. I have nothing to back this up, but I’m still convinced that the Australian experience atop my resume was a deterrent to many of the employers I applied to work for. Not because they’re xenophobes, but because it probably seemed like all too much damn work. I can dig it."​

I agree. Then he says:

"To try and remedy this, I was always up-front. Within the first couple of paragraphs of my cover letters, I’d explain that while I was Australian, I have full permanent residency and work eligibility and did not need sponsorship."​

I don't agree. I left anything foreign out, and let them assume I was an American. My key strategy was to reduce my foreign-ness until they met me. As an example, I honestly put my degree and university, but why put Australia in there? My university's name sounds American. My only goal was to get past the resume-bin filtration system, make it to the interview stage, then win them over. Sounds a little deceptive, but I just wanted a chance.

More points:
  • Don't use your Aussie CV! They use Resumes in the USA and it's a different format. I used a format that was available online here. Also do a cover letter. Download and modify it to suit your industry. For Every job I changed it to match the application.
  • As per my previous post I converted my GPA into the USA numbering system for my resume. I used this free service to do it: http://www.wes.org/students/igpacalc.asp
  • Use the USA date format (12/31/2016), use z instead of s in some words (organize), and drop the u (color).
  • The main job site is indeed.com. Perform searches on your target company/industry and get daily email alerts. Every morning I would get 20 emails and scan them for likely positions.
  • I'd spend alot of time googling likely companies, join their "Career" portal then activate alert emails.
  • On Sunday I'd fire out all my applications, unless I saw a particularly good match. Modify resume - submit.
  • I bought a USA skype phone number for $50. This worked really well.
  • For the phone interview make sure your accent is more English/Tony Blair than Aussie/Paul Hogan.
  • For my interview I made sure it was on Friday and flew from Australia. You land before you left, then clean up in a hotel.
  • I wore a business shirt, slacks, black shoes, no tie, no jacket.
  • The background checks this company performed were extensive - hair sample drug test, criminal check, referee check x 3, credit check, immigration legality. Because I worked in the USA previously I had US referees, addresses, drivers' license and a credit history. Most of you won't?
 
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guestgulkan said:
  • The background checks this company performed were extensive - hair sample drug test, criminal check, referee check x 3, credit check, immigration legality. Because I worked in the USA previously I had US referees, addresses, drivers' license and a credit history. Most of you won't?
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There was some stuff on the background check that my husband's company just couldn't get from our home country. Eventually they just did a manual overwrite basically to approve it... I guess this kind of thing depends how badly they want you.
 
@Chriso I'm from Hobart too :) If it were me I'd call the clinic ASAP to make an medical appointment and I'd fly to Sydney or Melbourne within the next 2 weeks.
 
guestgulkan said:
Ok finding a job (remotely). As @Britsimon alluded, my job is fairly specialist so they were prepared to hire outside their area, however I think many of these points have value for everyone.

You should start by reading this from an OC DV-er.

One piece of advice he says is:

"foreign = visa = sponsorship = big bucks. I have nothing to back this up, but I’m still convinced that the Australian experience atop my resume was a deterrent to many of the employers I applied to work for. Not because they’re xenophobes, but because it probably seemed like all too much damn work. I can dig it."​

I agree. Then he says:

"To try and remedy this, I was always up-front. Within the first couple of paragraphs of my cover letters, I’d explain that while I was Australian, I have full permanent residency and work eligibility and did not need sponsorship."​

I don't agree. I left anything foreign out, and let them assume I was an American. My key strategy was to reduce my foreign-ness until they met me. As an example, I honestly put my degree and university, but why put Australia in there? My university's name sounds American. My only goal was to get past the resume-bin filtration system, make it to the interview stage, then win them over. Sounds a little deceptive, but I just wanted a chance.

More points:
  • Don't use your Aussie CV! They use Resumes in the USA and it's a different format. I used a format that was available online here. Also do a cover letter. Download and modify it to suit your industry. For Every job I changed it to match the application.
  • As per my previous post I converted my GPA into the USA numbering system for my resume. I used this free service to do it: http://www.wes.org/students/igpacalc.asp
  • Use the USA date format (12/31/2016), use z instead of s in some words (organize), and drop the u (color).
  • The main job site is indeed.com. Perform searches on your target company/industry and get daily email alerts. Every morning I would get 20 emails and scan them for likely positions.
  • I'd spend alot of time googling likely companies, join their "Career" portal then activate alert emails.
  • On Sunday I'd fire out all my applications, unless I saw a particularly good match. Modify resume - submit.
  • I bought a USA skype phone number for $50. This worked really well.
  • For the phone interview make sure your accent is more English/Tony Blair than Aussie/Paul Hogan.
  • For my interview I made sure it was on Friday and flew from Australia. You land before you left, then clean up in a hotel.
  • I wore a business shirt, slacks, black shoes, no tie, no jacket.
  • The background checks this company performed were extensive - hair sample drug test, criminal check, referee check x 3, credit check, immigration legality. Because I worked in the USA previously I had US referees, addresses, drivers' license and a credit history. Most of you won't?
Click to expand...

Thanks for these tips. I'll definitely need to spend some time on a new resume and cover letter.

My profession requires a degree, but isn't very niche, so I'm just hoping my seven years of experience in child protection will make me somewhat desirable. While my experience is in Australia, I'm assuming the communication with families doesn't change etc. I would go so far as to say my accent might make it easier for me to engage with families because I've got a built in ice breaker ;) The organisation advise on their website that they require a conversion for any degree from overseas, so I'm just going to shell out for the more expensive comparison so I'm covered if another position catches my eye that requires a course-by-course evaluation.

On a side note, I watched last week tonight with John Oliver tonight, and I'm not going to lie, it made me depressed as hell about Trump... But at least I'm in the same boat as the majority of Americans...
 
Can I just say that alot of the people who voted Trump aren't bad people. Just like alot of the people who voted Hillary aren't bad people. If you want to generalize, have at it. That's what's caused the anger in this country to begin with: demonizing each other with stereotypes and buzzwords that don't reflect reality.

America is truly a diverse place with the good and bad all mixed in together. If you only want to live in a place where people agree with you all the time and only hold beliefs that you hold (i.e. utopoian groupthink), then America is not the place for you. Stay in Australia and be happy.

Last week, in my work's cafeteria, the day after the election, I felt truly blessed to see Hillary and Trump supporters talking about their difference in a civil, thoughtful and kind way. Both sides representing their ideals but respecting the other person's ideals as well. No shouting abuse or name calling.

THAT is the majority of Americans, in my opinion. Not the extremists on either end of the spectrum. There's a whole chunk in the middle who are just good people.
 
EmilyW said:
Can I just say that alot of the people who voted Trump aren't bad people. Just like alot of the people who voted Hillary aren't bad people. If you want to generalize, have at it. That's what's caused the anger in this country to begin with: demonizing each other with stereotypes and buzzwords that don't reflect reality.

America is truly a diverse place with the good and bad all mixed in together. If you only want to live in a place where people agree with you all the time and only hold beliefs that you hold (i.e. utopoian groupthink), then America is not the place for you. Stay in Australia and be happy.

Last week, in my work's cafeteria, the day after the election, I felt truly blessed to see Hillary and Trump supporters talking about their difference in a civil, thoughtful and kind way. Both sides representing their ideals but respecting the other person's ideals as well. No shouting abuse or name calling.

THAT is the majority of Americans, in my opinion. Not the extremists on either end of the spectrum. There's a whole chunk in the middle who are just good people.
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I don't know if that was targeted at me specifically, but I don't recall saying anything about trump supporters... Trump concerns me because the views he has portrayed throughout his campaign, as well as before that, are vastly different to my views and beliefs. That being said, Hillary has displayed some fairly unsavoury behaviour and I don't agree with a lot of what she does or believes either. I just think out of the two options, she is unlikely to cause as much damage as Trump to the United States and its people. But my views, like your views are fairly irrelevant, they won't change the outcome of the election, so onwards and upwards.

As for "utopian groupspeak"... Australia has a lot of things going for it but our politics sure as hell aren't one of them. No marriage equality, no legal abortions in several states, religion like America impinging on our society and legislation at most levels, politicians scared shitless of upsetting the Christian white middle class so not pushing through bills that majority of Australians want, similar levels if not slightly more racism just targeted at slightly different groups.... Should I go on. I should mention that my father doesn't support marriage equality for no other reason other than he's white middle class and thinks it's "gross". So I am not surrounded by people that think like me in Australia. I don't think there is a utopia, maybe Scandinavia, but I'm sure even it has problems.

There are good people everywhere, but I think until Trump is sworn in, there can only be speculation around what will happen, I am more than happy to be proved wrong, but I think you need to let people voice their concerns without implying that they should just stay in Australia where its warm and fuzzy, because in a lot of ways, we are actually more oppressed than America.
 
NiciB said:
I don't know if that was targeted at me specifically, but I don't recall saying anything about trump supporters... Trump concerns me because the views he has portrayed throughout his campaign, as well as before that, are vastly different to my views and beliefs. That being said, Hillary has displayed some fairly unsavoury behaviour and I don't agree with a lot of what she does or believes either. I just think out of the two options, she is unlikely to cause as much damage as Trump to the United States and its people. But my views, like your views are fairly irrelevant, they won't change the outcome of the election, so onwards and upwards.

As for "utopian groupspeak"... Australia has a lot of things going for it but our politics sure as hell aren't one of them. No marriage equality, no legal abortions in several states, religion like America impinging on our society and legislation at most levels, politicians scared shitless of upsetting the Christian white middle class so not pushing through bills that majority of Australians want, similar levels if not slightly more racism just targeted at slightly different groups.... Should I go on. I should mention that my father doesn't support marriage equality for no other reason other than he's white middle class and thinks it's "gross". So I am not surrounded by people that think like me in Australia. I don't think there is a utopia, maybe Scandinavia, but I'm sure even it has problems.

There are good people everywhere, but I think until Trump is sworn in, there can only be speculation around what will happen, I am more than happy to be proved wrong, but I think you need to let people voice their concerns without implying that they should just stay in Australia where its warm and fuzzy, because in a lot of ways, we are actually more oppressed than America.
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The important thing to understand is that, after 8 years of Obama, folks in the US voted for change, so change it will be - what change it will be concretely, nobody knows for sure everyone is welcome to speculate "until the cows go home". Green Card Holders can not vote until they eventually will become US Citizens, and therefore are not of much interest to US politicians until they do.
 
NiciB said:
I don't know if that was targeted at me specifically, but I don't recall saying anything about trump supporters... Trump concerns me because the views he has portrayed throughout his campaign, as well as before that, are vastly different to my views and beliefs. That being said, Hillary has displayed some fairly unsavoury behaviour and I don't agree with a lot of what she does or believes either. I just think out of the two options, she is unlikely to cause as much damage as Trump to the United States and its people. But my views, like your views are fairly irrelevant, they won't change the outcome of the election, so onwards and upwards.

As for "utopian groupspeak"... Australia has a lot of things going for it but our politics sure as hell aren't one of them. No marriage equality, no legal abortions in several states, religion like America impinging on our society and legislation at most levels, politicians scared shitless of upsetting the Christian white middle class so not pushing through bills that majority of Australians want, similar levels if not slightly more racism just targeted at slightly different groups.... Should I go on. I should mention that my father doesn't support marriage equality for no other reason other than he's white middle class and thinks it's "gross". So I am not surrounded by people that think like me in Australia. I don't think there is a utopia, maybe Scandinavia, but I'm sure even it has problems.

There are good people everywhere, but I think until Trump is sworn in, there can only be speculation around what will happen, I am more than happy to be proved wrong, but I think you need to let people voice their concerns without implying that they should just stay in Australia where its warm and fuzzy, because in a lot of ways, we are actually more oppressed than America.
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I couldn't agree more. I know plenty of Trump supporters (one of my best friends is, actually - and I agree, we've had many very civil, respectful discussions about this), and I do not judge people on who they voted for, would vote for, or who they think would make a better President. I agree that Hillary also had major downfalls, but in my opinion, she is far less likely to cause major political upset globally and far less likely to reverse or hinder some of the incredible progressive moves that have been made in the US in recent years. I don't believe all Trump supporters are terrible people; far from it! But I've seen this election and some of his campaign strategies bring out the very worst in some people, and that breaks my heart. I disapprove of Trump's political agenda. I don't disapprove of Trump's supporters, but I disapprove of anyone (be it a Trump supporter, a Hillary supporter, a school teacher, a doctor, a plumber, a snake catcher... whatever) who stands for segregation, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, or anything is used against someone to disempower them. You know what? If people stand for those things, fine, as long as they stand for those things privately and do not project it onto anyone else. Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether we agree with them or not, but when it is used to restrict other human beings, that's when it becomes wrong, in my opinion. And, for the record, I'm not happy with the political set up here in Australia, either - it's far less progressive than what America currently is, which is why the Trump Presidency upsets me so much; I can't help but feel that the progressiveness of the US that I've respected so greatly is going to come to a rather abrupt ending.

My main point: Support who you want to support without judgement, and let people voice concerns and discomfort.

And apologies, I feel this particular post is actually off track from the thread. I just wanted to ensure everyone that I'm not against anyone for supporting one way or another.
 
BenCreswick said:
Heck - last day at work in Melbourne today before my flight on Monday. It's like a pendulum between being over the moon excited and feeling like I could throw up with nerves.
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Best of luck @BenCreswick! I met a good friend on his flight over to LA when he made the big move - I distinctly remember him saying a very similar phrase! Haha! I can only imagine the roller coaster. Let us know how you go!
 
socialcasualty said:
Best of luck @BenCreswick! I met a good friend on his flight over to LA when he made the big move - I distinctly remember him saying a very similar phrase! Haha! I can only imagine the roller coaster. Let us know how you go!
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Will do! I've got my first two interviews with recruiters ready (one private and one Fortune listed), gotta hit up the bank, cell provider and DMV in the first week, then all being well I can relax a little bit and enjoy the Christmas season.
 
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