To the immigrants

[pnrmbr975 1]

Hello,

Last year, I posted about my wife passing her job interviews. It is her first job, and she's still working in the same company for almost 8 months now. She has had issues with her boss and 2 other co-workers in her deparment only but she deals great with the rest. There is nothing wrong with her but the unprofessionalism her co-workers show her (she's even smarter than her boss). It became our everyday topic whenever we get home from work. My wife would rant about her mean co-workers and I would vent my own "issues" at work. I have no problems with that.

Anyway, I told her that if she isn't happy with the job anymore, she may resign anytime. I want her to be happy. She's trying to work things out but she said she feels she has to let go of the job soon.

My question is, how long did you stay at your first job in the US? And what made you quit/leave?

We wish to hear your experiences.

Thank you.

[tom&tata 2]

My longest job was for 4 years, shortest one was 1.5 years before I moved. Immigrant or not, I am trying to find something better (pay, opportunity, working condition/co worker & boss). So far, when I go to interview, I do not receive comment about the length of stay with companies.

I have been working at this job for almost 2 years now (7 months as temp, 1 year permanent). With the job market not very good, I might be staying here for a while. I send out resume when I see good opportunity.

Edited April 24, 2008 by tom&tata

[Mononoke28 135]

I agree, immigrant or not, any person who wants to change jobs for whatever reason has the right to do so. Now days, it's very common to see resumes showing a short employment history at each place due to the economy and all the lay offs we've had.

Diana

[pnrmbr975 1]

Agreed.

So can somebody remove the "To the immigrants" part of my topic title then?

Maybe we'd get more responses by that.

[Cassie 8]

I am an immigrant.

I stayed at my first US job a grand total of three months. I hated it so much that I would be sick to my stomach every morning before going to work.

My next job, I stayed for 9 months. I left because I was filling in for someone on leave. I probably would have stayed at that one if they had found another position for me to fill.

My most recent job I had for 9 months as well. I resigned due to health reasons, the fact that I was going to be out of the country for a while, and because my boss was horrible.

I have yet to find work in the career field that I had before I moved to the US, and I probably won't find anything close to that if we stay where we are at. That makes me sad.

[mawilson 2,133]

I still have my first job - 3 years and counting (knock on wood!)

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

The company I am working for is my first job in the US. I have now been with them for 1 year 6 months. I am very very happy. I am doing the exact same thing as I was in Canada. The best part is I am getting paid way more and the stress is a lot lower. I am really enjoying my career again.

[Ephesia 0]

I am still at my first job, lol. I started as a temp in Feb 2006, just a few days after I got my CPR card. Got hired full-time 6 months later. Still loving it.

Hello,

Last year, I posted about my wife passing her job interviews. It is her first job, and she's still working in the same company for almost 8 months now. She has had issues with her boss and 2 other co-workers in her deparment only but she deals great with the rest. There is nothing wrong with her but the unprofessionalism her co-workers show her (she's even smarter than her boss). It became our everyday topic whenever we get home from work. My wife would rant about her mean co-workers and I would vent my own "issues" at work. I have no problems with that.

Anyway, I told her that if she isn't happy with the job anymore, she may resign anytime. I want her to be happy. She's trying to work things out but she said she feels she has to let go of the job soon.

My question is, how long did you stay at your first job in the US? And what made you quit/leave?

We wish to hear your experiences.

Thank you.

[Lili 3]

I still am at my first job. I am now an accountant, controller and HR manager. I need another raise lol!!

[pnrmbr975 1]

Wow! We didn't realize there are that many who stick to their first jobs and still doing great.

That's comforting to know.

I wonder about the others who weren't so successful..

[pnrmbr975 1]

I am an immigrant.

I stayed at my first US job a grand total of three months. I hated it so much that I would be sick to my stomach every morning before going to work.

My wife can totally relate to that.

My next job, I stayed for 9 months. I left because I was filling in for someone on leave. I probably would have stayed at that one if they had found another position for me to fill.

My most recent job I had for 9 months as well. I resigned due to health reasons, the fact that I was going to be out of the country for a while, and because my boss was horrible.

I have yet to find work in the career field that I had before I moved to the US, and I probably won't find anything close to that if we stay where we are at. That makes me sad.

Have you considered relocating for more opportunities? My wife and I wish you well.

[pnrmbr975 1]

I still have my first job - 3 years and counting (knock on wood!)

3 years is one helluvajob for a first US job! Congratulations.

[Lisax 0]

My longest first job here I had was about 11 months. I had big issues with another co-worker, who I had to work with every day and the company I worked for, you just felt like going to them, but in the end, the hard working people, like myself at this job, got laid off, no notice, no nothing and the person I had issues with and many other people in the company had issues with this person as well, well they have kept their job and will never be fired. I was the same with my husband, I would come home and rant and rave about this person everyday.

[rebeccajo 14]

My husband was at his first US job for.....um....five weeks.

He was clerking in a convenience store. We really needed the money. He hadn't been here long and I really think it was just 'too much America' too soon. He wasn't comfortable with the currency. He had too many shortages in his cash drawer and they let him go. Still though he said he was glad he took the job because he met a lot of nice people.

His second job (more in his line of work) he kept about 10 months. The place was really a hell-hole and he was able to get out of it to take his present position.

He's been at this job a year next month. He really likes it. They are building a new facility and we are hoping they will be able to add a department they have talked about for a while and which they said they would place him in whenever it came to pass. That position would be most like what he did in the UK (technical support).

I don't think anyone should be ashamed to take whatever job is necessary to get them into the workforce. It must be hard to have had a fulfilling career in your home country and then accept 'menial' employment or something far below your skill level. But acclimation to life in America isn't going to happen by sitting at home. I feel for the immigrants looking for work and I do think it's a different situation than a native born person looking for a job.

[bora bora 1]

My husband stayed at his first job for four months. His bosses were dishonest, his co-workers illegal immigrants that would do anything to get ahead, and my husband worked up to 60 hours a week and was paid sh!t. I wanted him to stay for the experience, but he wanted out. But once I understood more about what he was going through and why he hated it, I supported him, by then he said he'd stay, until it got to be too much to bear.

In the end that job was worth it because he learned a lot and he then had experience working in the U.S.

After that first job, my husband jumped from job to job until he found the one he has now - which he's been at for almost 3 months. It was worth it all I'd say. This is the highest paying job and he has a really nice boss. In addition, his English has really improved and we work basically the same hours.