The United States is experiencing the longest period of economic expansion in its history. The Internet economy has helped unemployment rates reach record lows. This is great news for Americans who have good computer skills, but employers are having a hard time hiring and keeping good people.

One solution is to increase the number of visas for internationals who wish to work in the United States. This creates some controversy, however, because some people think that the United States should train its own citizens instead of issuing more visas to foreigners. However, the low unemployment rate is making it difficult to find jobless Americans to train.

An employer that does sponsor a foreign-born person to work in the United States pays about $2,400 in application and legal fees. This employee is then theemployer's responsibility for two years, unless another American company agrees to take over the terms of the sponsorship.

Because there are so many jobs available, companies are having to be very creative in order to retain their employees. Many businesses now have benefits such as on-site daycarefor employees' children, stock option programs and sabbaticals, which offer employees extended unpaid vacations. And companies with foreign-born employees may establish programs to help them adjust to American culture.

No one knows how long this economic boom will last. But until it ends, both employers and employees will have to have a flexible and creative approach to their work.