F-2 to H-1B: need some information

Hi,

I am planning to come to the United States to take a PhD in Engineering.
However, I would like to come with my spouse, which has a M.Sc in Languages (English and Japanese). For this reason, in the mean time of my PhD, she would like to work in the U.S., to improve her experience as she cannot pass 4 or 5 years doing nothing.

I have read that I can bring her with me with a F-2 visa, but she cannot work with that kind of visa. So she needs an H-1B, or something similar.

After our arrive (with F-1 and F-2) she will probably start to search for a work. However, we need to careful consider all the aspects before our final decision to come to the US.

For this reason I would aks you how difficult is to obtain such a visa, and if it is permitted to search for a work, sending CV and talking with companies, with an F-2.

Thanks for your help.

Best regards,

Cristiano M.