11.Getting Social Security Number

Getting Social Security

You must go and get your social security number and driving license done immediately after you come.

Social Security Number

Each individual in Unites States is required to be registered with US government by law. The way we have registration in India through Ration Card it is Social Security here.

This number is very useful for the government as well as the for the individual. Government can keep track of the individual from this particular number. You will need the SS number for any official paper work or dealings e.g. while filling Tax forms or while opening a bank account or while getting a membership in the public library. A person's entire credit history can be traced from this number.

As soon as one arrives in US he/she is required to get Social Security number immediately. It is a very simple procedure.

Every town or a city has a Social Security office. You have to go there with your Passport. First thing you need to do is collect the application form for new social security number. These forms are available in various languages. Find one in English and fill it completely. It will ask you for your local postal address details besides other information. The officer will check your application form and passport. After checking everything you will be informed when you will be receiving your Social Security number, which will be by postal mail.

Generally within three to four weeks time you will receive your social security number which appears printed on a small card, which you should carry/preserve safely.

10. Initial Package from DCI

Initial package from DCI

NOTE: The first official thing you should do without being asked to, is to apply for your Social Security Number - details are given in this doc.

After arriving in USA one gets a package from DCI. This package consists of different types of forms. The most important one being the Medical Insurance form. Don't be careless about this, make sure to fill and return it soon.

After receiving this package one should sign all the forms and send it back to DCI as soon as possible. This package consists of following documents.

Personal details
In this form you need to fill up all your personal information, which is required for official purposes.

Passport details
In this form you are expected to furnish all your passport details. Away from business expenses form : One is supposed to fill up this form at the end of every month. We get our salary in two parts. One is Salary or Allowance and the other part is the reimbursement of the expenses incurred. Your area coordinator will inform you about what amount you can claim etc. It depends on the position and the class of city you are in.

Couple of memos
These memos inform you about certain rules.

Medical insurance registration form
(MOST IMPORTANT FORM) This form you are supposed to send to the medical insurance company. It needs routine personal information. In two weeks of time you will receive your medical insurance card, which will cover most of your medical expenses in the U.S. But be sure you understand what is covered under this scheme and what is not.

You are supposed to send all these forms and memos ASAP. Couples of these forms require your Social Security number. If you have not yet received your social security number then leave that place tentatively blank in your forms and you can inform DCI about it later, when you get one.

9. Americans and their behaviours

American and Their Behaviours

It’s helpful to know how Americans typically will be. Otherwise you will start feeling "These people are great dramatists... ". Here are some tips:-

- Americans are very friendly and helpful.

- They don't make you feel like a foreigner. (Though you feel!)

- It is very easy to adjust with them. But they don't like people getting very inquisitive or trying to get too personal in the initial phase of the acquaintance.

- They dress casually and nobody bothers which dress you wear etc.

- They are fun loving creatures and enjoy their free time. Most of them like to keep themselves physically fit by regular outings, hiking, exercise, biking, jogging etc. They love the outdoors and natural surroundings. They look forward to weekends and plan their weekend activities in advance. This usually consists of some outdoor activity.

- They are frank about their opinions.

- They respect individual views and allow everyone to voice their own ideas on a subject.

- They have a lot of patience. Especially when standing in queues or while driving, nobody will try to jump before you in the queue. Most of them are very disciplined drivers. However this differs from State to State.

- If they happen to come in your way or you happen to come in their way, you will promptly hear an "Excuse me" or "Excuse us".

- They need a lot of feedback while talking. You have to acknowledge/nod continuously. Otherwise they feel you are not interested in listening or are confused.

- They gesture a lot and shoot some funny (at least so it seems initially) phrases at you. It is a matter of "getting used to it".

- They are "very" proud of their country. To them, the Universe is the United States. So never ever make fun of or speak lightly about them. You will make more American friends that way.

- Most Americans think of India as a poor country of beggars, snake charmers and swamis etc. This is due to the insufficient and improper media coverage given to India. Their T.V. only shows the poor Indian villages and cows on the streets.

Hope you will be able to prove that India is a country of INTELLIGENT people like you and not just ELEPHANTS and SNAKE CHARMERS.

8. Office and Work Environment

Office and the Work Environment
Before you start your first day, get a hang of how the work environment is at the client's place from any PCS person there or read on for some typical environments you may find.

- Project Leaders are very understanding and friendly. And do not unduly pressurize you to perform. They will definitely give you some time to come up to speed on their work environment.

- There is a lot of individualistic approach. Every person's inputs are given a lot of importance. Independent views are respected. Before discarding any of your ideas, they will give you a good enough reason for doing so.

- For the smallest of decisions they will sometimes hold a meeting and get the entire team's inputs/comments/suggestions before proceeding. One feels important when this is done. But sometimes it can get boring.

- Nobody double-checks what you are saying, they take you for your word.

- There are no suspicious feelings and managers don't fear subordinates.

- Managers will openly discuss about their meetings with "their" bosses, with the team. There is no hide and seek as far as information/feedback is concerned.

- People admit if they don't know or have information about certain things. They don't pretend to be all knowing.

- People are dedicated to their area of work and develop expertise in it. But they do not talk about work related topics, which are not in their area of expertise, they immediately refer you to the right person.

- People enjoy their work and leisure. They plan their weekends well in advance. Very few people stay back late in the office or come and work during weekends. Such things are not related to performance. As long as you do your work well and within time, nobody cares what else you do and when.

- Most companies allow you to compensate by working during the weekend if you take an 'off' from work on a regular weekday.

- The work hours in most companies are flexible. Come anytime and go anytime but you do need to put in a minimum of 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week as contractors.

- Regular time sheets "may" have to be filled, in some companies.