Feeling very discouraged today so

[ceriserose 1]

It's been just shy of a week since I was at the job interview and I'm beginning to doubt that I'll be called back. Frustrating, but understandable (well, not really understandable but I'm peevish so we won't go there).

I'm looking now to 'saddle up again' despite the fact that I'm feeling pretty negative about ever finding work.

SO.

In an effort to do so, I need some opinions on proceeding. I'm a technical writer and had my resume reworked by a former colleague who specializes in document design. I've had it reviewed by CAPS and a friend. It's a -good- resume. I have a lot of skills. The two things I'm thinking are that it needs a bit of reorganizing, as I'm mostly submitting to clerical positions (tech. writing here is not huge) and it is tending to spin more to writing. That's my first idea.

Second is more of a question on how to handle the citizenship/immigration angle. I've been putting a paragraph in my letter of interest that basically states my Canadian citizenship, my legal authorization to work here, and my pending status of permanent resident. I figured that by looking at the resume they'd see only Canadian things listed and may be hesitant that I'm not here for long or not legally able to work.

Is that a bad idea? Is it too much to tell them? Am I thinking that through backwards?

Thank you for any and all input.

[gimygirl 0]

cerise ...

i have zero info to offer up in regards to the job thingy ... that's SOOO out of my field! get hurt or sick and then maybe i can try to help you!

as for the second bit .... when i moved from Ct to NJ ... i put a brief 'blurb' in my cover letter stating something to the effect of: I have recently relocated and am interested in pursuing employment in the field of nursing blah blah blah.

i think since you are so close to the border ... they may be used to this. i wouldn't offer up too much unless asked.

giving you the biggest hug and can't wait to chat with ya!!! i was just popped on to the computer to grab one of my recipes (swedish meatballs!!! YUMM)

[munchkins 0]

Hi Pam, sorry I cannot offer any help whatsoever as I know nothing about the type of work you do and so cannot advise, but just wanted to say keep you chin up, I.m sure things will work out right for you, lots of hugs your way, Val

[tweety 1]

...

Second is more of a question on how to handle the citizenship/immigration angle. I've been putting a paragraph in my letter of interest that basically states my Canadian citizenship, my legal authorization to work here, and my pending status of permanent resident. I figured that by looking at the resume they'd see only Canadian things listed and may be hesitant that I'm not here for long or not legally able to work.

Is that a bad idea? Is it too much to tell them? Am I thinking that through backwards?

Thank you for any and all input.

Whenever I prepared my resume I have given that issue some thought, too.

However, I have decided against it, and have not included any information of my immigrant status or work authorization.

Reason is:

1. The employer expects you to have a valid work authorization, if you wouldn't have one he wouldn't expect you to apply anyway. (BTW, most online ads or company sites explicitly discourage you to even apply should you not have a valid work authorization).

2. The issue - if ever discussed, can come up at the interview where you can explain things.

3. It might look negative if you put an "eye-catcher" on there that tells them that you are an immigrant.

4. Telling them that you have a pending immigration case, makes them wonder if they want to employ you at all when there's a chance you might be denied your legal residency, and eventually the work authorization is revoked, too.

Hope this helps - Just my 2cents.

Edited February 8, 2006 by tweety

[meauxna 15]

A paragraph about your status? TMI.

A single line stating 'employment authorized in the US' is sufficient.

You might hit the USA Forum at britishexpats.. this topic comes up frequently and there are some good answers/ideas there.

[ceriserose 1]

Monique: You have to stop talking about food on threads, especially ones I cannot boycott in protest. Honestly. Big meaniehead. (Either that or move closer and drop by with some.)

Val: Thanks for the hugs. I'm sure in the big scheme of things I will one day look back on this and wonder why it felt so hard. I'd just like that day to be soon.

Tanja: (At least I hope that's your real name Tweety, I was getting that from memory! eeep!) Those are exactly the twists and turns my thought process has gone through with this. I really couldn't tell if by offering that information I wasn't shooting myself in the foot. I'm adjusting the letter format to remove that and just say I've relocated. It makes sense to me that at interview they will ask, and the assumption I'm legally able to work is one I wasn't going to allow for, but it makes sense to do so.

Thanks everyone!

(I'm now filling out a 13 freaking page application for one job. Oy.)

A paragraph about your status? TMI.

A single line stating 'employment authorized in the US' is sufficient.

You might hit the USA Forum at britishexpats.. this topic comes up frequently and there are some good answers/ideas there.

I'll have a look there as well. Thanks!!!

[pax 0]

:hug:s and good wishes for Cerise!

[Sister Fracas 5]

I'm useless to give advice as I'm just not experienced in the job search thing.

But I CAN say, you seem to be well organized and are doing your homework. You WILL be a huge asset to the smart organization that hires you....and I still say, remember that people doing the hiring never have the same sense of urgency to communicate with potential hirees as we think they ought to!!!

*huggles Cerise*

[almaty 19]

ceCrise, i think yoou received ssome good advice here..remember to put on your resume that you are indeed the world famous ceCrise...and i offer good luck and good cheer for your efforts and fortune...dean

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Keep your chin up something will come along, my wife is in the same boat looking for work also, she's in the IT sector. Like the previous member stated

Things like your immigration status should stay out of the resume, when you put down your work experience it can just show the company name then location Canada.

Another thing, you may have to creat different version of your resume depending on the company you are looking for, what are the major criteria about the postion.

Most of these concerns can be take care of when you go for the interview if they ask for it, don't volunteer anything that's not being ask.

Good luck on your job search!

Edited February 8, 2006 by Nikita2Charles

[mercuryroad 0]

I wouldn't get toooo worried about not hearing back for a week for that job. My company for example is awful about that! It can be up to 3 or 4 weeks before a call is made. HR can really hold stuff up sometimes.

[Marilyn. 340]

don't have any advice just wanted to send you some good wishes

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

don't have any advice just wanted to send you some good wishes

...Linkiepinkie%20to%20scary%20cow%20piccie...

Ditto! But without the scary cow piccie added I don't have much advice since my resume basically sucks and I doubt anyone at my current workplace has even looked at it, but did want to send you more mojo and good luck.

Edited February 8, 2006 by RaspberrySwirl

[ceriserose 1]

Thanks everyone. I have one page left on my beast of a document and then one more resume I want to get out and then I'm having a nap. (It probably hasn't helped having the flu through much of the past week, huh?)

I really appreciate the hugs and support. Y'all are awesome!

[Cassie 8]

I hear ya Cerise, definitely. I just got back in it, so to speak, and sent off my resume to Jerry's work, who's hiring in a bunch of areas. For me, I just included a statement in my synopsis of qualifications that I have been eligible for work since _______ and a permanent resident since __________.

Judging by my experience with the museum, and watching what happened when Jerry switched jobs, the fact that you haven't heard anything does not surprise me at all. But I do hope you hear something soon.