Immigrants with limited English getting jobs

[reeses16 8]

Hey, I haven't been on in a while. I just read through posts and had some comments to make.

The online job apps really frustrate me too. Especially those darn Unicru ones....they're the worst. The questions endless unnecceary, and gramatically confusing (use of double negatives). Especially for non-native english speakers, assuming they can read english.

The application black hole is ridiculous. My hubby and I have applied and applied and applied. When we stopped putting his real name on his resume and started using his nickname (He's had an american nickname all his life) he started getting interviews. He goes in has an interview that he perceives is successful and get the we'll call you on Monday. And the phone never rings. I'm not sure he/we are doing anything wrong at all. We've practice interviewing at home, we review the application before he goes on the interview. He dresses in a suit or khakis, long sleeve shirt & tie for every interview. We even tried to switch up his references a bit, to include people he's know since in America (thinking maybe american references were better than non-american. He had a former supervisor and co-worker who have relocated to the US, we continue to list the supervisor as they worked together for 10 years). Okay...I'm gonna stop this before I continue for pages. But you know I'm not really sure whats going on.

Seattle has a large Ethiopian population, which we thought could help but its not turned out to be the case so far. One friend of a friend has offered him a job as a taxi driver if he gets a drivers license. Hubby took the test, and did not pass. The DMV has the book in over 10 different languages, not one is in Amahric even though the 2nd largest Ethiopian community is in Seattle. (there's a russian version! I didn't think the community here was large enough) He's studying hard to try to pass, but he's concerned (and so am I) that it will take him lots of practice to be able to drive on his own, he's not comfortable on the freeway and understanding some of the parking signs. The DMV allows translators (from their approved list), and a non-DMV person recommended a person to call who will "translate" for him, but really just give him the answer. We didn't take the number, because we've worked really hard to do everything the right, honest, legal way....and God forbid we do it and something happens. It wasn't worth the risk.

We've tried going to small mom & pop, immigrant owned business hoping that they would understand that all he needs is a chance. But that hasn't worked out either. Hubby was offered a job a Sams club back in October, but didn't accept because of transportation (it was night shift, the buses don't run in that area. We left our vehicle with my parents because we couldn't afford to ship it, but we may have to suck it up and ship it). Granted I'm not sure if the offer would be extended again. I will get him to call on Tuesday.

Thanks for reading this. This thread is really helpful. I'm not nearly as frustrated as I once was. Plus, I'm excited that my hubby is starting to fill out some forms himself. And he's going to the ATM by himself. And he remembers the people he's talked to about a job and calls them to follow up.

Anyway, I'm open to suggestions let me know if you have any.

[bora bora 1]

reeses16,

Sounds like you're doing what you need to - applying, applying, applying, and calling. That's what we did.

It will work out - that's what I kept telling my husband and myself and I do believe it. Good luck!!

polarbear,

I know what you mean about Miami. Portuguese is close enough to Spanish that he's able to communicate with Hispanics - which is a huge advantage.

I hope your husband finds a job where he can learn English, he may learn Spanish at the same time though.

I teach adults English a couple times a week, and I have a Polish student who speaks English pretty well, fluent Polish and Russian - and has even learned Spanish. Goes to show....

[Mononoke28 135]

I feel so bad for you guys for having so many issues and the online applications. I know it's a total pain in the butt to have to answer those stupid customer questions online, I mean, do they really think someone will tell the truth on those? It's just dumb.

Anyway, just keep applying and then maybe call the store and follow up with the application. We were lucky in that we got call backs from most of the places we applied, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Toys R US and Babies R Us. We liked Babies because they only work from 6am-12pm-2pm and that way he can go to school in the afternoon. They don't pay very well of course but it's only a first job until he learns English and moves to better things.

Good luck to everybody and don't lose hope!!!

Diana

[Alex+R 0]

Seattle has a large Ethiopian population, which we thought could help but its not turned out to be the case so far. One friend of a friend has offered him a job as a taxi driver if he gets a drivers license. Hubby took the test, and did not pass. The DMV has the book in over 10 different languages, not one is in Amahric even though the 2nd largest Ethiopian community is in Seattle. (there's a russian version! I didn't think the community here was large enough) He's studying hard to try to pass, but he's concerned (and so am I) that it will take him lots of practice to be able to drive on his own, he's not comfortable on the freeway and understanding some of the parking signs. The DMV allows translators (from their approved list), and a non-DMV person recommended a person to call who will "translate" for him, but really just give him the answer. We didn't take the number, because we've worked really hard to do everything the right, honest, legal way....and God forbid we do it and something happens. It wasn't worth the risk.

That's so weird. I just checked and Minneapolis doesn't have the booklet or test in Amharic either, although it might soon, and they have a huge number of Ethiopians. If I were you, and you could get someone to actually translate, I'd do it. He can always tell the person not to give him the answers. You need to take the advantages you can and use them to make it work.

[Marilyn. 340]

there was a job in the local paper here that seemed like a good job..... it was for some type of insurance company.. no experience necessary and they would train, the only downfall was that you had to be able to speak Spanish

[bora bora 1]

The DMV here allowed someone to translate for my husband for his written test - the translator just had to swear in (they wouldn't let me do it). But my husband didn't feel that his "friend" did that great of a job because he didn't pass, yet he knew the rules. So, a few days later we went back and my husband took the computer test in Spanish and passed.

I think also it's more difficult to take an oral test (but that's IMHO).

[Creel 0]

I can really relate with all of you, but with one added problem. I make really good money (OK who would say that is a problem:-)) and my husband doesn't want to start at the bottom and since we don't really need the money he barely goes out and applies (mind you I am still filling out the forms for the places he chooses). His first real job application was at Brinks Armored Car service!!!! His spoken English is OK, but he can't read or write.

He is in ESL classes in the morning and wants to only work a few hours every afternoon so he is not bored. He doesn't want to work when I am home. As you can see, those parameters make finding a job as a new immigrant practically impossible. Plus almost every job wants a high school diploma and he has only been through 8th grade.

So any idea on a 4 hour a day afternoon job that is not manual and requires no reading or writing and only basic English.

[reeses16 8]

Creel, thats a hard one... I have seen a few jobs that might work, of course I don't know if there's anything like this in your area. I've seen ads for a company that needs someone to exercise dogs. They wanted people to commit to 1-2 hrs a day a few days a week who are willing to run the dogs 6 miles a day. Could be fun if he's into running and likes dogs. Convenience store? I've also seen some after school programs that are looking for people to play soccer with kids after school. Paper route? Movie Theater..probably more than 5 hr shifts. Hospital cafeteria? I know you're in a tough situation. If he has a driver's license maybe a valet?

If you can afford to, would it be possible for him to go to school full-time? It will give him something to do all day and put him in a better position in the long run, also maybe he could apply for workstudy or an on campus job just for the experience.

Update: Hubby got a job! I feel relieved and he's happy. Its a nice place near our house and on his route to school. The manager that hired him seems cool and understands that English is his second language. Hopefully this will be a good match for him.

[bora bora 1]

Creel, thats a hard one... I have seen a few jobs that might work, of course I don't know if there's anything like this in your area. I've seen ads for a company that needs someone to exercise dogs. They wanted people to commit to 1-2 hrs a day a few days a week who are willing to run the dogs 6 miles a day. Could be fun if he's into running and likes dogs. Convenience store? I've also seen some after school programs that are looking for people to play soccer with kids after school. Paper route? Movie Theater..probably more than 5 hr shifts. Hospital cafeteria? I know you're in a tough situation. If he has a driver's license maybe a valet?

If you can afford to, would it be possible for him to go to school full-time? It will give him something to do all day and put him in a better position in the long run, also maybe he could apply for workstudy or an on campus job just for the experience.

Update: Hubby got a job! I feel relieved and he's happy. Its a nice place near our house and on his route to school. The manager that hired him seems cool and understands that English is his second language. Hopefully this will be a good match for him.

Congrats reeses16!

Creel, trying looking at www.craigslist.com - they have jobs listed under part-time. I'm looking for my hubby still. He likes his job, the guys he works with, it's close to home, has no plans of leaving. However, he's not working a lot and wants to see what else he can do in addition to Outback.

I've found a bunch of part time jobs...we'll see what happens. I know that his job will pick up when the tourists come back, but 'til then he's bored, and would prefer to make more money.

[Mononoke28 135]

Congratulations Reeses!!!

Creel,

You've been put in a very tough position and as a member of a family that is full of immigrants I know that in order to go up you have to start at the bottom. As they say, beggars can't be choosers, especially in this country. I think Reeses is right, maybe he can go to school full time or maybe work part time at a fast food place like McDonald's, places like that are very flexible when it comes to hours and schedules.

My husband is an IT tech, he has two degrees and was sweet enough to say that he would work in whatever, wherever and whenever. That made it easier to find his first job and we didn't hold back as far as where to apply. Once he found the job he's at right now, we went ahead and registered him for English classes.

Diana

[bora bora 1]

I have some (possibly) good news for us....

My husband got a new job that he likes for many reasons, and plans to stay, but he's not working (yet) as many hours as he'd like to. So I sent his application to a coffeehouse for part time work. Once the owner saw hubby's resume he said it was "great" and was excited about an interview. He said that the other owner speaks Spanish and they both worked in Spanish shops.

I think that he's interested in my husband because I put on his resume that he understands Spanish (since Portuguese is so close there is easy mutual understanding).

I thought it was nice to see a business owner excited about working with a Spanish speaker. I knew there were more people out there. And...if hubby weren't to be given the job it'd be ok since he already has one. We're just waiting for the tourists to come back to Orlando for the restaurant business to pick up....

[Simply_Uno 1]

I can really relate with all of you, but with one added problem. I make really good money (OK who would say that is a problem:-)) and my husband doesn't want to start at the bottom and since we don't really need the money he barely goes out and applies (mind you I am still filling out the forms for the places he chooses). His first real job application was at Brinks Armored Car service!!!! His spoken English is OK, but he can't read or write.

He is in ESL classes in the morning and wants to only work a few hours every afternoon so he is not bored. He doesn't want to work when I am home. As you can see, those parameters make finding a job as a new immigrant practically impossible. Plus almost every job wants a high school diploma and he has only been through 8th grade.

So any idea on a 4 hour a day afternoon job that is not manual and requires no reading or writing and only basic English.

try starbucks, borders books, barnes and noble. they have excellent bennies for part timers, schedule flexability and are supposed to be non discriminating organizations.

[bora bora 1]

I just wanted to say that it's a good idea for your husbands to write on their resumes (or the application) all of the languages they speak. My husband thinks one reason why he's getting more hours at work is because he's the only Brazilian and the restaurant has A LOT of Brazilian tourists that stop to eat there.

It's working in his favor - even if his English is still limited (though getting better - I'm so proud).

[bora bora 1]

No news anyone?

[reeses16 8]

Hi! No new news. I just wanted agree with Bora Bora that listing languages spoken can be very important depending on where you live.