looking for job

[Rocio 0]

well as we all i am looking for jobs around, i thought that i could start looking even when i havent got my ead yet here at home, i hope soon will.....

i have posted my resume and applied for some jobs, today i got a call from Robert Half Financial Services, they liked my resume and qualifications, i have 2 bachelor degrees but...........I HAVE NO PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES IN THE USA, so as simple as that they said they cant help me

i feel so down right now, i guess i knew it wouldnt be easy but i have so much experience and education and it seems like nothing here

[KarenCee 3]

Maybe doing some volunteer work, just to get your face out there might help. That way you would get some experience, and garner some references. It's not fair though, if your qualifications are good. Hope something comes up soon for you.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Maybe doing some volunteer work, just to get your face out there might help. That way you would get some experience, and garner some references. It's not fair though, if your qualifications are good. Hope something comes up soon for you.

That's what my husband did. He worked 2 volunteer jobs and got 4 references out of it. He also had some professors and an old boss from Egypt write him english reference letters. He notes on his reference list that additional written references are available upon request.

Unfortunately, it hasn't helped him too much. We're hoping for a job interview for him sometime soon. The job search for immigrants, especially immigrants who's first language isn't english, is quite tough.

Edited April 24, 2006 by rahma

[Rocio 0]

thank you rahma i will start by looking at volunteer work and see what happens from that

[kc456 0]

If you have professional references in your home country, and they speak English, it's perfectly fine to use them.

[Rocio 0]

If you have professional references in your home country, and they speak English, it's perfectly fine to use them.

thats the thing they speak spanish.....i was living in Mexico

[luv2teach77 41]

I'd say it was a bit unreasonable of the employer you interviewed with to expect US based references. Your previous employment history should have shown that you have only recently moved to the US. If they had done thier homework they'd have realised that US references would be hard to come by.

I made it clear on my resume that I was new to the US job market but that references from my previous employers in the UK would be available if required. I've been in my first US based job since the end of January and as far as I know, my referees have never been contacted.

Mark

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

My husband used my family members that have different last names! This worked very well for him. Don't know if it was STRICTLY legal, but hey, he needed a job!

[BenGr 0]

I have used references from my employment history in the UK. There has been no problem. Assuming it's for a similar job I dont think you'll have a problem as long as you can get them to speak / write them in english.

[Rocio 0]

thanks everybody, i did offer references in mexico, although it is hard cos they dont speak english.........i explained clearly i just moved in the country ......

well this was just one experience, one employer perhaps next one will be easier

i feel better now it is just i get impacient for working

[rob&ana 0]

Rocio,

Robert Half is a big pain in the rear end!!! dont pay any attention, if you want to work with recruiters (and that's what Robert Half is) go to KForce or Ajilon Finance, because they do have the knowledge about inmigrant workers, and they will do the leg work to check your references. It should not be a problem. I had never worked in the US before. I had worked for the Big 4 or 5 or how many they are now!. But they did not check my background until I actually had the offer from an employer.

Keep looking, something will come on...

Good luck...

[Rocio 0]

Rocio,

Robert Half is a big pain in the rear end!!! dont pay any attention, if you want to work with recruiters (and that's what Robert Half is) go to KForce or Ajilon Finance, because they do have the knowledge about inmigrant workers, and they will do the leg work to check your references. It should not be a problem. I had never worked in the US before. I had worked for the Big 4 or 5 or how many they are now!. But they did not check my background until I actually had the offer from an employer.

Keep looking, something will come on...

Good luck...

thank you ana, actually today i had interview with spherion, and they were pleased with my background and offered me a job already, i still have to wait for ead card, but i will check with the recruiters you tell me here, i dont have particular desire to work with them i am also applying by myself, lets see how it works

thanks again

[Chicken_Little 0]

I've been having similar problems and as such joined a few temping agencies. That way I'm getting US experience, references, getting my face out there, and making money while I do it. In Boston the pay isn't bad, generally for office temp work it's between $10-13/hr.

I actually just got a long-term assignement for three-four months, with permanent potential.

[pawynton 0]

Hello,

If you can, I would volunteer my time with a company for a couple of months. I teach Adult Human Resources (Teach people how to find jobs). My wife is from Mexico tambien. Or you can do this:

Tell them you will work for free for 2 - 4 weeks and really show your stuff. After that time ask them if you have the right stuff. Worse case senario, you don't get the job, but you now have exerience working with a well respected company.

W & M

[Rocio 0]

Hello,

If you can, I would volunteer my time with a company for a couple of months. I teach Adult Human Resources (Teach people how to find jobs). My wife is from Mexico tambien. Or you can do this:

Tell them you will work for free for 2 - 4 weeks and really show your stuff. After that time ask them if you have the right stuff. Worse case senario, you don't get the job, but you now have exerience working with a well respected company.

W & M

thanks, hey what part of mexico is your wife from?.............our timelines for aos are similar, goodluck to you

by the way for all those who were so nice to give me advice, i was offered a temp with 18 dlls a month not bad to start, the problem now is no ead card yet, they will try to hold it for me

at least something clear on the way hah!

Edited April 29, 2006 by Rocio