Likelihood of approval in different states

[1389]

My current employer has just started an old non-RIR Labor Certification Application, i.e. they filed the ETA 750 just before PERM went into effect. The attorney felt that the LCA would more likely be approved if we file filed under the old rules rather than under PERM. Still, she advised me to have an alternative plan in case this application is denied, such as going to graduate school full time, or finding a job in a different geographic location where LCA-s have a higher rate of approval. She did not tell me specifically what geographic areas are good or bad for my occupation, but she thought that it may be difficult to get the approval for my occupation at my current state. She also suggested that, due to the labor market of the US workers, the chances of getting an LCA approved for any occupation are very low at the East Coast and in California, whereas they are rather high in Nebraska. I am now in a state very much like Nebraska, so I don't quite understand this. How can I find out what states would be favorable/unfavorable for my occupation. I very much appreciate anyone's response.

 

[bjorn]

State labor market

Go on monster.com or the state SWA website and look for jobs similar to your in different states. If there are alots of job in your field, perhaps this is to your advantage. If there are very few jobs in your field, this may mean that there are many qualified workers and few opportunities. Even better, call the state SWA office and ask what the labor market is like in your field. Also, the occupational handbook online breaks down the labor market per field and state, giving you pretty solid information on the current and future situation of your occupation in the state in terms of job outlook and in what demand it is.