Immigrants with limited English getting jobs

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I think it's ridiculous that the US keeps saying that we are too attached to our cars and will never use public transportation like they do in other countries. To be honest with you, I'd much rather take a bus or the metro to where I have to go than have to be stuck in traffic for 1-2 hours each way every day. But I still need a car to get to the bus station and the routes they have are way too far from the places I need to get to. The public transportation system in this country is a total joke.

Diana

Diana, I hear you. Seattle's public transit is actually pretty darn good -- so I was only so happy not having to get a DL (I hate driving after 14 years of doing the deed in lovely Mexico city); so I take the bus to campus and back - priceless! (that and the UDub gives us bus passes at a discount).

[reeses16 8]

Amen! I miss the metro in DC.

[Mononoke28 135]

I miss the metro and bus system we have in Colombia. Any time I wanted to go somewhere I had to walk about 2 blocks and then choose from a ocean of buses that would take me where I needed to go. But here, I'd have to walk over 2 miles to get to the nearest bus stop and a lot farther if I want to take the Light Rail. Then, I'd have to walk a lot more to get from the bus stop to my job. It's horrible.

Diana

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Looking for resoures to brush up my interviewing skills I came across this article, and thought it would help others on the job search. It's "50 common interview Q&A". I know my english suffers greatly when I'm nervous, so maybe rehersing some of this questions beforehand will help

50 Common interview Q&A

Saludos,

Caro

Edited February 5, 2008 by JVKn'CVO

[kalina 0]

Looking for resoures to brush up my interviewing skills I came across this article, and thought it would help others on the job search. It's "50 common interview Q&A". I know my english suffers greatly when I'm nervous, so maybe rehersing some of this questions beforehand will help

50 Common interview Q&A

Saludos,

Caro

Very useful information. Thank you for it :thumbs:

[bora bora 1]

Hubby got his renewed DL today (after being approved for his GC) and it's valid 'til 2014! I'm relieved because FL will issue someone with pending AOS, but only for a year, so his previous DL was going to expire this June.

On another note, he busted his knee playing soccer, and we all know how men are when they're "sick" . No, but really, it is all swollen and he can barely walk so he only worked a few hours tonight. I hope for his sake it's better by Saturday night's shift. Godo thing he has tomorrow off. He hates being at home.

[Mononoke28 135]

Oh man, I hope he gets better. And yes, I know how men get when they're sick.

Diana

[bora bora 1]

Oh man, I hope he gets better. And yes, I know how men get when they're sick.

Diana

Thanks!

He's feeling better, he's able to walk more, but it's still swollen.

[franklie 0]

If your husband/wife has a university degree try posting the resume at Monster.com. Before putting the spouse's CV there modify it to fit the format of usual resumes in the US.

I've been able to help a couple of friends with non-US degrees make their resumes good enough that employers were interested in interviewing them.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Quick update from us! Homeboy started at FedEx last week, and it's going well. The graveyard shift is taking some getting used to, but it's not a huge deal since he worked in clubs for years, so he's used to being up all night.

NO ONE there speaks Spanish, which is great for him. However, the English he's learning is questionable. I just found out that he knew what a "shorty" was.

And he's a bit worried that there is no possibility of going full time, but he heard a rumor that the operation might be moving to another city and that they might need people full time.

I just can't get over how much recruiting they were doing for these positions...several recuritments at various Dept of Labor One Stops around the state, Craig's List, and it seems that he's the only new person who's started! But yay!

And oh yeah, he did get his license...having to wait another week and travel an hour a way turned out to be a blessing...the guy he tested with was super chill.

Edited February 14, 2008 by GabachaYucateca

[Mononoke28 135]

Congratulations on everything! It takes a ton of patience trying to get your lives to normal mode. Now the last thing we're waiting for is for him to learn English. Can't wait!

Congrats once again!!

Diana

[bora bora 1]

Congrats on the job!!

My hubby also decided to get a new job since the last one wasn't giving him enough hours and he couldn't work that one and this new one (conflict of hours - they both wanted him to work nights). It's cool though because he was able to do the interview by himself in English!! Yea . And tonight he called my parents and did a good job (I'm so proud).

[albkos 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.

What is wrong with a manual job? and starting at the bottom? THat is life in America for people that come here. It is tough in the beginning but with hard work time and effort it gets better. I know people who came here with nothing and worked hard and bought there first house within 5 years of being here. YEah the jobs at first were not the best but they had a good work ethic and kept at it. It is tough but one has to be patient and take anything they can get especially if they don't speak english and can not read or write!

This is my opinion.

[bora bora 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.

What is wrong with a manual job? and starting at the bottom? THat is life in America for people that come here. It is tough in the beginning but with hard work time and effort it gets better. I know people who came here with nothing and worked hard and bought there first house within 5 years of being here. YEah the jobs at first were not the best but they had a good work ethic and kept at it. It is tough but one has to be patient and take anything they can get especially if they don't speak english and can not read or write!

This is my opinion.

I agree with you albkos. I tell my husband that too....

It's funny because my best friend is an immigrant (been here since she was 6) and she tells me that her parents had jobs similar to that of my husband when they first arrived. Now they own their own business and are doing quite well (own home, new cars, able to send their daughters to college, travel,...).

There are tons of jobs out there fo rmanual jobs where I live - which is great.

[Mononoke28 135]

I don't see anything wrong with doing any kind of job you can get your hands on at the beginning. My husband is very well educated and had a good job in Colombian until he was laid off and he did not think twice about getting manual job when he got here. He even said that there was nothing wrong with flipping burgers since they're honest jobs as well. We know that all of this is just at the beginning and that better jobs will come his way once he knows the language and feels more comfortable in this country.

Diana