Immigrants with limited English getting jobs

[reeses16 8]

I'm glad Mr. Bora likes work. Opposite shifts suck. I'm at school all day, when I get home my hubby is leaving to go to school at night. Weekends are definitely the best. : )

[bora bora 1]

I'm glad Mr. Bora likes work. Opposite shifts suck. I'm at school all day, when I get home my hubby is leaving to go to school at night. Weekends are definitely the best. : )

My hubby is going to try and go back to school in the morning. Tomorrow he works a day shift so work will come first, but he should still be able to get a lot of studying done.

[pereira 0]

My husband received good news yesterday. He got a job as a bellman at a new hotel that is less than a mile from where we live. The only downside is that the hotel does not open until March. It is unclear when training will be, but it may be in February. I am just happy that someone was finally willing to give him a chance.

[pbgirl 1]

Very interesting thread! I'd have to agree that those online applications are the most frustrating! The worst part is when they have you answer 70 questions about "if a customer did x, what would you do?" or "pick the 5 traits that describe you". #######. I get so irritated. Like why are you wasting our time on these when you may not even bother to call us! And temp agencies are of no use, they require you have have 6 months of working experience. Once again, catch 22. WHere are you going to get that experience when no one will give you a chance? Reminds me of my first jobs out of college, the frustration!!

[bora bora 1]

Very interesting thread! I'd have to agree that those online applications are the most frustrating! The worst part is when they have you answer 70 questions about "if a customer did x, what would you do?" or "pick the 5 traits that describe you". #######. I get so irritated. Like why are you wasting our time on these when you may not even bother to call us! And temp agencies are of no use, they require you have have 6 months of working experience. Once again, catch 22. WHere are you going to get that experience when no one will give you a chance? Reminds me of my first jobs out of college, the frustration!!

Exactly.

I filled out so many job applications for my husband (due to his lack of English) that yesterday at work, when I needed to fill out a form for myself, I wrote my HUSBAND'S name. I had to get another form to do it again.

Pereira, I'm glad that someone gave your husband a chance - that's what they need. My husband has a new job and he got it because of a friend of a friend. He is also an immigrant (as are most of the guys he hires) and that helps.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I figure our best bet will be to find a job that way...through spreading the word to everyone and their mother that he's looking.

I know that Monoke got several callbacks from online applications (at least I think I remember seeing that), but I wonder if anyone else has.

And those awful questions that pbgirl mentioned are used to knock most of the candidates out of consideration immediately.

I've wanted to get my husband into CVS's distribution center for ages now, and they have one of those apps...not to mention that rumor has it that you only get in there if you know someone. Argh.

[pereira 0]

I filled out many applications online for my husband. All of his applications seem to fall in to some "black hole." There was one hotel where I applied online and then followed up with a phone call. The person had no idea that my husband had applied online. They told me the best way to apply for a job was to come in person because they do a "mini" interview.

[bora bora 1]

My husband got a lot of call backs, and quite a few led to interviews. He was even offered a few jobs - but really not good ones.

I applied on-line for him, he applied on site, and I e-mailed his resume to any job I thought would work for him (mostly found at craigslist.com).

I imagine that a lot of what happens has to do with where you live. We live in Orlando - tourist and immigrant central. I think that is to our advantage.

We're now speaking more English at home and I think hubby's English is/will improve little by little...

Good luck!

I am also a believer that people can help other people find jobs.

[panamania79 2]

We're going through the same thing, Bora Bora. Hubby is from a poor background, speaks limited English, etc. Plus, he's got seven years experience as a waiter, but is pretty much done waiting on crazy Americans.

The weirdest part is that all the paisas (and he now considers Guatemalans paisas) that he comes across are illegal, so it's very strange to ask them for assistance getting hooked up with work.

He just had his first temp agency experience, and he couldn't be more pleased.

Plus, it helps that he's a nice person , and usually hits it off with everyone he works and studies with, so he always mentions that he's looking. Something's bound to come up that way.

Ironically, I'm working under a grant from the Dept of Labor and Training, and can't help him get work!

Be very careful with those temp agencies.They can be very sneaky cheating people out of their money.I worked as a recruiter for one for 10 years.

[panamania79 2]

My wife sees English still as a bit of a challenge, even though her understanding is awesome. Contrary to the norm with regards to immigrants to this country, she's had it pretty easy thus far, but the place she worked at as a "Spanish-teacher" (for a small boy) is only a start... even though the hourly wage fits around $14/hr. I see this thing as quite contrary to her experience, but since it will take a while for her professional psychology credentials to move over to the USA, then it will have to be related jobs in the meantime.

I'm trying to get her a campus job with me so we can commute together and be done with extra travel stress.

Ehavemaria,14 dollars an hour is pretty good.

[panamania79 2]

I figure our best bet will be to find a job that way...through spreading the word to everyone and their mother that he's looking.

I know that Monoke got several callbacks from online applications (at least I think I remember seeing that), but I wonder if anyone else has.

And those awful questions that pbgirl mentioned are used to knock most of the candidates out of consideration immediately.

I've wanted to get my husband into CVS's distribution center for ages now, and they have one of those apps...not to mention that rumor has it that you only get in there if you know someone. Argh.

That's RI for you."It's who you know."Have you tried Electric Boat or G-Tech ?

[panamania79 2]

This is the most useful thread for me!

A friend of mine said that she never expected to have a thirty year old baby, and this was her hubby's friend who was living with them!

Our problem now is FINDING that frickin' job. He worked for two weeks before Xmas, but now nothing through the temp agency. Another issue I'm finding (for both my hubby and my clients at work) is that everything is automated now. There's no opportunity to go to a place and be pushy and charming to get your foot in the door. Almost ever place that seems to be hiring requires an online application, which probably goes to some corporate headquarters.

We tell everybody we know that he's looking for work, but so far nothing has come up.

Any ideas?

Btw, Homeboy's background seems similar to Bora Bora's...limited education and limited but improving English.

I'm so down with accompanying him and talking for him, however, the problem is what i mentioned earlier....they have to send you to their online application.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we were looking at relocating at Providence for a little while - isn't that city something like over 50% Hispanic? That a higher percentage than Florida (I think Tampa is 11% and where I'm at is 9%) - perhaps a resume explaining that "my English is limited, but I have x, x, x as skills (obv. more detailed than that but you get the idea), I am a legal permanent resident and am willing to learn, etc" would help in that arena?

I've never hidden that M came here on a tourist visa and was forced into work when his father died to support them while they sorted out legal issues that are ongoing almost 5 years later, and when he started work it was the typical jobs illegals work, but then he got a decent job at a jewelry store, where he and two others were the only Spanish-speaking individuals and was forced to learn English. That was SOOO essential to learning English - the bosses weren't Spanish speakers and couldn't talk to him that way, but he had people (well one person, the other one still doesn't speak English because she doesn't want to) who could explain it to him and teach it to him so he'd understand, and he picked it up quickly.

Don't know if that helps.

You want to freeze and be bored all the time ? Come on up to Providence.

[athena_ny 1]

This is the most useful thread for me!

A friend of mine said that she never expected to have a thirty year old baby, and this was her hubby's friend who was living with them!

Our problem now is FINDING that frickin' job. He worked for two weeks before Xmas, but now nothing through the temp agency. Another issue I'm finding (for both my hubby and my clients at work) is that everything is automated now. There's no opportunity to go to a place and be pushy and charming to get your foot in the door. Almost ever place that seems to be hiring requires an online application, which probably goes to some corporate headquarters.

We tell everybody we know that he's looking for work, but so far nothing has come up.

Any ideas?

Btw, Homeboy's background seems similar to Bora Bora's...limited education and limited but improving English.

I'm so down with accompanying him and talking for him, however, the problem is what i mentioned earlier....they have to send you to their online application.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we were looking at relocating at Providence for a little while - isn't that city something like over 50% Hispanic? That a higher percentage than Florida (I think Tampa is 11% and where I'm at is 9%) - perhaps a resume explaining that "my English is limited, but I have x, x, x as skills (obv. more detailed than that but you get the idea), I am a legal permanent resident and am willing to learn, etc" would help in that arena?

I've never hidden that M came here on a tourist visa and was forced into work when his father died to support them while they sorted out legal issues that are ongoing almost 5 years later, and when he started work it was the typical jobs illegals work, but then he got a decent job at a jewelry store, where he and two others were the only Spanish-speaking individuals and was forced to learn English. That was SOOO essential to learning English - the bosses weren't Spanish speakers and couldn't talk to him that way, but he had people (well one person, the other one still doesn't speak English because she doesn't want to) who could explain it to him and teach it to him so he'd understand, and he picked it up quickly.

Don't know if that helps.

You want to freeze and be bored all the time ? Come on up to Providence.

Florida isn't that much more exciting ...

I spent the first 20 years of my life cold and bored...life is what you make it, no matter where you are

[polarbear 0]

If only my husband spoke spanish... here in Miami you really don't ever have to learn english until you get a management jobs and then most of those I've seen will pay for special english classes and then hire you anyway. I'm actually at a disadvantage bc I don't speak spanish and am having to go back to school for it (will be my 4th language ).

My husband has found a minimum wage job and was hoping it would help him with his english, but he's actually picking up more spanish than anything and he's really getting frustrated. The ESL class he signed up for is also spanish-english. He spends half the time listening to them speak in spanish before they translate it to english, he now refuses to go. Also says he doesn't feel like he's even in America bc the only time he hears english is from me.

Basically, he refuses to learn spanish and can't get a job with mostly americans bc his english isn't very good. Which means that he's not picking up any english

[panamania79 2]

This is the most useful thread for me!

A friend of mine said that she never expected to have a thirty year old baby, and this was her hubby's friend who was living with them!

Our problem now is FINDING that frickin' job. He worked for two weeks before Xmas, but now nothing through the temp agency. Another issue I'm finding (for both my hubby and my clients at work) is that everything is automated now. There's no opportunity to go to a place and be pushy and charming to get your foot in the door. Almost ever place that seems to be hiring requires an online application, which probably goes to some corporate headquarters.

We tell everybody we know that he's looking for work, but so far nothing has come up.

Any ideas?

Btw, Homeboy's background seems similar to Bora Bora's...limited education and limited but improving English.

I'm so down with accompanying him and talking for him, however, the problem is what i mentioned earlier....they have to send you to their online application.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we were looking at relocating at Providence for a little while - isn't that city something like over 50% Hispanic? That a higher percentage than Florida (I think Tampa is 11% and where I'm at is 9%) - perhaps a resume explaining that "my English is limited, but I have x, x, x as skills (obv. more detailed than that but you get the idea), I am a legal permanent resident and am willing to learn, etc" would help in that arena?

I've never hidden that M came here on a tourist visa and was forced into work when his father died to support them while they sorted out legal issues that are ongoing almost 5 years later, and when he started work it was the typical jobs illegals work, but then he got a decent job at a jewelry store, where he and two others were the only Spanish-speaking individuals and was forced to learn English. That was SOOO essential to learning English - the bosses weren't Spanish speakers and couldn't talk to him that way, but he had people (well one person, the other one still doesn't speak English because she doesn't want to) who could explain it to him and teach it to him so he'd understand, and he picked it up quickly.

Don't know if that helps.

You want to freeze and be bored all the time ? Come on up to Providence.

Florida isn't that much more exciting ...

I spent the first 20 years of my life cold and bored...life is what you make it, no matter where you are

Seriously,Rhode Island is a pit.I'm not lying when I tell you this either.