LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[CareBear 18]

Merry Christmas everyone Hope you're having the most wonderful of days.

[alex and astrid 38]

Merry Christmas From Mr and Mrs S

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Merry Christmas From Mr and Mrs S

Woot!

[Giggles 1]

I know I'm late but I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope you all enjoyed the holidays Surprisingly I lost 1 pound over Christmas. That's not normal...the scales are supposed to go the other way

It has been quite a while since I've been on VJ. I've been so busy with Christmas recently and I also just got back a few weeks ago from a 5 week holiday in southern Africa visiting my family which was amazing!

I was just reading everyone's posts about the wages situation here in the US.....it totally sucks! I haven't got a job yet but I will be seriously looking in the new year. It makes me depressed knowing I'm going to have to possibly work for $12.50 an hour (or less) when I use to earn more than double that. I tell my husband that it's like slave labour. Lol. But it's somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only one in that situation. I've notice some companies will ask for your Social Security Number when applying online for jobs online. Has anyone else seen this and just given them your SSN in online applications? I don't feel comfortable doing that with all the identity theft and fraud that goes on these days. Another question when applying for jobs, did anyone write on their cover letters that you are a permanent resident of the US? When a potential employer looks at my resume, they are going to see that I've not worked in the US before. Do you think it's important or do you think the employer would assume I have the authorisation to work here?

[Leng198 0]

Me too I am late very late. But I hope that everyone here had a great Christmas like I did.

ANyone here from Darwin?

[alex and astrid 38]

I know I'm late but I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope you all enjoyed the holidays Surprisingly I lost 1 pound over Christmas. That's not normal...the scales are supposed to go the other way

It has been quite a while since I've been on VJ. I've been so busy with Christmas recently and I also just got back a few weeks ago from a 5 week holiday in southern Africa visiting my family which was amazing!

I was just reading everyone's posts about the wages situation here in the US.....it totally sucks! I haven't got a job yet but I will be seriously looking in the new year. It makes me depressed knowing I'm going to have to possibly work for $12.50 an hour (or less) when I use to earn more than double that. I tell my husband that it's like slave labour. Lol. But it's somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only one in that situation. I've notice some companies will ask for your Social Security Number when applying online for jobs online. Has anyone else seen this and just given them your SSN in online applications? I don't feel comfortable doing that with all the identity theft and fraud that goes on these days. Another question when applying for jobs, did anyone write on their cover letters that you are a permanent resident of the US? When a potential employer looks at my resume, they are going to see that I've not worked in the US before. Do you think it's important or do you think the employer would assume I have the authorisation to work here?

If I was asked to put my SSN on any applications, I did. But really, you only need to do that if you are applying with an actual form, because on applications they ask if you are legally able to work in the USA, and part of that is having an SSN. If you are going for office type jobs, they shouldn't be asking for your SSN until you are doing your new hire paperwork.

On any cover letters I didn't state anything about my immigration status. When I got to the interview stage, people asked about my accent, and thats when I explained that I had immigrated.

[bradkimber 0]

Hey everyone!

its been a while since ive posted on here. After recieving packet 3 super quick, we had a bit of a decent wait to recieve packet 4, but we finally did and i have my interview scheduled for January 4th!!

i have just one question today and on the surface it seems quite minor, but im a worry-wart (just ask my fiance hehehe)

basically i was just wondering how long it "usually" takes to recieve the visa/passport back in the post? ive seen most people are 2-3 days, so fingers crossed for the same thing.

i noticed at the post office you can buy an Express Envelope or an Express Platinum Envelope (basically the same thing except the platinum one needs a signiture upon delivery) could anyone suggest which would be the better option in terms of speed? - weird i know, but it got me wondering.

anyways thanks again everyone, im hoping by this time in 2 weeks ill be with my beautiful woman! :-)

[Dresdyn 0]

Me too I am late very late. But I hope that everyone here had a great Christmas like I did.

ANyone here from Darwin?

Hey Leng,

Not from Darwin but lived up there for many years. First on the old Coonawarra at Berrimah then Northlakes, Brinken and Nightcliff.

Loved it up there at the time.

[curvebell 29]

Hi everyone!

Please help!?? I'm currently filling out my P800 for police check in NSW. Do I have them send the completed police check to the embassy or am I the one to submit it to them?

Just a little confused, I was sure I read somewhere here that the po-po will forward it.

TIA! and enjoy the last day of 2010

[bextavaz 4]

Hey everyone!

its been a while since ive posted on here. After recieving packet 3 super quick, we had a bit of a decent wait to recieve packet 4, but we finally did and i have my interview scheduled for January 4th!!

i have just one question today and on the surface it seems quite minor, but im a worry-wart (just ask my fiance hehehe)

basically i was just wondering how long it "usually" takes to recieve the visa/passport back in the post? ive seen most people are 2-3 days, so fingers crossed for the same thing.

i noticed at the post office you can buy an Express Envelope or an Express Platinum Envelope (basically the same thing except the platinum one needs a signiture upon delivery) could anyone suggest which would be the better option in terms of speed? - weird i know, but it got me wondering.

anyways thanks again everyone, im hoping by this time in 2 weeks ill be with my beautiful woman! :-)

It's definitely 2-3 days (was for me and I lived on the Gold Coast). Express will be delivered straight to you, and there's a good chance you'll have to go to the post office to sign for the Platinum Express. Both are the same otherwise.

Happy New Year to all those still in Aus (because it's happened already), for all of us in the USA I'm getting in early and saying Happy New Years and a prosperous 2011 to come (in like 14hrs or so lol)

[KiwiBird 132]

Holidays were great! A little overshadowed by the fact I'm worried about my I-129F petition being denied. But overall, great! Hoping 2011 is better than 2010!

[CareBear 18]

Happy New Year everyone I have had an awesome day out and about with the husband (love that word!!!) - even found some New Zealand Manuka honey in a supermarket up the road which totally made my day!!!

Wishing you all an awesome 2011 - and for kiwibird - you have nothing to fear *hugs*

[alex and astrid 38]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This time last year I had my visa in hand and was waiting patiently (but really, not very patiently!) to be back with Alex....now I am happily married and not far off being married a year!

Hope 2011 is fabulous for you all

[KiwiBird 132]

Wishing you all an awesome 2011 - and for kiwibird - you have nothing to fear *hugs*

I just sent in the I-129F form and the fee. No documentation since I thought that was going to be asked for during the interview. The replies are either one of two things: 1) "Don't worry, they will ask you for info" or 2) "I did the same thing, and we waited months, then just got denied."

Just hard to believe they will still just ask for the stuff if others who did the same thing flat out got denied without an RFE.

[Giggles 1]

Happy New Year!! I hope 2011 is a great year for everyone! My husband and I were reflecting on 2010 and what an amazing year it was. We have some exciting plans for 2011.....one thing is we are moving to Japan!! Woot woot!!

My new years resolution is to find a job

If I was asked to put my SSN on any applications, I did. But really, you only need to do that if you are applying with an actual form, because on applications they ask if you are legally able to work in the USA, and part of that is having an SSN. If you are going for office type jobs, they shouldn't be asking for your SSN until you are doing your new hire paperwork.

On any cover letters I didn't state anything about my immigration status. When I got to the interview stage, people asked about my accent, and thats when I explained that I had immigrated.

Thanks Astrid. The application where they asked for the SSN was an online application for a temp agency. I have no problem giving them my SSN at the interview stage but I didn't think it was appropriate when applying online....there's a possibility they won't even call for an interview. When applying for government jobs you have to give your SSN, which I can understand.

I'm thinking about handing out my resume at some stores at the local mall which I've never done before. Those that have, do you include a cover letter or did you just hand them your resume?