How Did You Find Work In The US Without US Work Experience?

[Lili 3]

My first real job was through a temp agency. Nobody else was willing to give me a chance (keep in mind I was right out of college).

I hated this job, so much but I stick around for one year. However, through circumstances, I was given more responsibilities. "My dream job" opened up and thanks to the glowing reference of my old boss, I was offered the job!

Temp agencies are not the best but they build up your contacts and references. See that as a stepping stone, not something beneath you!

[aidan80 9]

Man, am I tired of reading these horror stories!

Somebody PLEASE tell me that the fact I have a U.S. college degree, and work experience on campus (complete with glowing references) means I won't have to stack shelves at WalMart!!!!

Na I'm sure you'll be alright.. although I'd apply at Target if it comes to it! You'll be fine I'm sure but.. expect a bit of a change for a while at least. I got very lucky in that I found a job that paid ok to start (well more than office depot lol) that would hire me in fact that would look at more than just ohhh.. US work experience isn't the first line of his CV (Resume) and bin me! I got lucky only because the person reviewing my CV took the time to read it! The other 30 something I applied to either binned me at HR (we all know how "intelligent" HR is) or binned me after they didn't see any US work history!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I've been working a sort of 2/3 role (around 25 - 30 hours a week) as a volunteer, for around six months... it's been enjoyable, though sometimes frustrating to be working so hard for nary a cent, although obviously that's just unavoidable given the laws as they are

having that US experience will be great if I end up having to apply for jobs, and I know I'll get a very good reference from the people there, but they've also said that if possible they want to keep me on once I have the EAD in hand, so I may well end up with a paid position out of it after all

which would make me VERY pleased; I love the organisation and the people, and the work is something that fits right in with my skill set and stuff I've done in the past; it would be perfect

obviously it's not guaranteed that something like that will happen, but even so there's a LOT to be said for volunteering

[2xHollyx2 3]

I'm an office administrator&accountant. I applied for office jobs, cashier, etc. I also applied at target and walmart but i didn't even get an interview.

I finally got a job as barista at a cafe because a friend is working there and I knew the people.

I worked there for 2 month and I tried to apply again. This time I also applied at Subway, Silvermine, Walgreens, ... (I didn't try the office jobs anymore) Finally Subway called me for an interview and I got the job right away. During the interview she told me that she was a little bit concerned if my english is good enough but she was to curious. I wonder if that is the reason why nobody else even called me.

Well, I start working on Monday in my new job. (My boss told me that I would get my job back at the cafe whenever I want to. She is sad that I leave)

I hope I'll get a chance for a better job with more work history that also proofs that my english is not too bad.

I guess volunteering is a really good thing to meet people and get work history while waiting for EAD. (it also kills time)

I wish I would have known about this earlier.

[Canadianmade 1]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded to this thread and shared their advice and experiences, I greatly appreciate it. I will definately take the advice I have read here and it is so nice and reassuring that it wont be so bad to find work here. I really dont get why US employers dont recognize immigrants prior work experience from their home country it sucks but what can you do. Thanks again everyone.

[raymaga 25]

It took me quite a few months to find my first job, but I just kept applying for jobs similar to ones I had in Canada.

I actually ended up having quite a few interviews and then ended up doing something completely different.... I was a Proctor.

I ended up leaving due to us moving to our new house and the commute was too far, and now I'm an Optical Technician.

[SAT 9,609]

Hi everybody how are you? I just want to ask you guys, for the people in the process of finding work or to the people who are working right now, where did you look for work, and how long did it take you guys to find work? I also want to ask and for us immigrants, we have no US work experience or references here, so did it make it tough for you guys to find work and what kind of jobs were you aiming for?

Here's a little background on me: I am in the process of looking for work here in the US, and we all know that the economy is terrible right now. I did get my EAD in the mail last friday, and I am waiting for my SSN to come in the mail. My work experience is in Customer Service, so I am trying to aim for jobs in that area. I am willing to take anything right now, to gain work experience, and to make money. I do have a 2yr diploma back in Canada in Accounting, but I have no desire to persue it at all. I do plan to go back to school to become a social work while working to get a bachelors degree because nowadays you have to have an education. Can you guys share any tips and info about your stories on finding work in the US?

Thank you in advance.

Hi CandianMade,

If you are in Ohio, as ur profile says, Honda goes nuts over any kind of a college degree (Doesn't matter what it is). You can also try a Home Depot or Lowes near you. The bigger retailers and home improvement stores also love college degrees of any kind. (mentality being that you are more mature and more social, and will be nicer to customers). Give it a try, chances are they won't start you at the bottom either.

[Canadianmade 1]

It took me quite a few months to find my first job, but I just kept applying for jobs similar to ones I had in Canada.

I actually ended up having quite a few interviews and then ended up doing something completely different.... I was a Proctor.

I ended up leaving due to us moving to our new house and the commute was too far, and now I'm an Optical Technician.

Hi raymaga thank you sharing your job experiences and tips with everyone and me. I am sorry within your experience it took you a few months to find work, and I just think its unfortunate that people cant find work in the same field that people worked in before immigrating to the US. How do you like working as an Optical Technican? Thank you once again and I think this thread is totally informative and helps alot.

[Canadianmade 1]

Hi everybody how are you? I just want to ask you guys, for the people in the process of finding work or to the people who are working right now, where did you look for work, and how long did it take you guys to find work? I also want to ask and for us immigrants, we have no US work experience or references here, so did it make it tough for you guys to find work and what kind of jobs were you aiming for?

Here's a little background on me: I am in the process of looking for work here in the US, and we all know that the economy is terrible right now. I did get my EAD in the mail last friday, and I am waiting for my SSN to come in the mail. My work experience is in Customer Service, so I am trying to aim for jobs in that area. I am willing to take anything right now, to gain work experience, and to make money. I do have a 2yr diploma back in Canada in Accounting, but I have no desire to persue it at all. I do plan to go back to school to become a social work while working to get a bachelors degree because nowadays you have to have an education. Can you guys share any tips and info about your stories on finding work in the US?

Thank you in advance.

Hi CandianMade,

If you are in Ohio, as ur profile says, Honda goes nuts over any kind of a college degree (Doesn't matter what it is). You can also try a Home Depot or Lowes near you. The bigger retailers and home improvement stores also love college degrees of any kind. (mentality being that you are more mature and more social, and will be nicer to customers). Give it a try, chances are they won't start you at the bottom either.

Hi SteveandTiff, thank you for sharing your tips with me, and you know what, I will consider whatever company and job I can get, so I will absoueltly take your advice and look into the companies you mentioned above. Yes I am in Ohio. How did you find your first job and what kind of job was it? Thanks again.

[tom&tata 2]

I moved in 2006 & got a job within 1 month of moving. It was different job market back then so if you do not find a job soon enough, it is because the job market sucks big time nowadays. We are in north Indiana and it is the capital of unemployment these days

First job was through temp agency - for 7 months. Then the company offered permanent employment. I was also sending out cold apps & I had another job offer. The company checked my references with my ex colleagues through email.

So yes, there are some decent stories about finding work in US. Good luck!

[Canadianmade 1]

I moved in 2006 & got a job within 1 month of moving. It was different job market back then so if you do not find a job soon enough, it is because the job market sucks big time nowadays. We are in north Indiana and it is the capital of unemployment these days

First job was through temp agency - for 7 months. Then the company offered permanent employment. I was also sending out cold apps & I had another job offer. The company checked my references with my ex colleagues through email.

So yes, there are some decent stories about finding work in US. Good luck!

Thank you tom&tata for sharing your experience. Most defiantely the market was different in the US in 2006, but hey I have faith and belive I will find a job no matter how long it will take. What do you do for work?

[tom&tata 2]

I moved in 2006 & got a job within 1 month of moving. It was different job market back then so if you do not find a job soon enough, it is because the job market sucks big time nowadays. We are in north Indiana and it is the capital of unemployment these days

First job was through temp agency - for 7 months. Then the company offered permanent employment. I was also sending out cold apps & I had another job offer. The company checked my references with my ex colleagues through email.

So yes, there are some decent stories about finding work in US. Good luck!

Thank you tom&tata for sharing your experience. Most defiantely the market was different in the US in 2006, but hey I have faith and belive I will find a job no matter how long it will take. What do you do for work?

Accounting/finance. Well...some days I even get to surf the net

Network or temp agency usually works for office type of job. I was not happy about the temp employment but hey.....we gotta start somewhere.

[Canadianmade 1]

I moved in 2006 & got a job within 1 month of moving. It was different job market back then so if you do not find a job soon enough, it is because the job market sucks big time nowadays. We are in north Indiana and it is the capital of unemployment these days

First job was through temp agency - for 7 months. Then the company offered permanent employment. I was also sending out cold apps & I had another job offer. The company checked my references with my ex colleagues through email.

So yes, there are some decent stories about finding work in US. Good luck!

Thank you tom&tata for sharing your experience. Most defiantely the market was different in the US in 2006, but hey I have faith and belive I will find a job no matter how long it will take. What do you do for work?

Accounting/finance. Well...some days I even get to surf the net

Network or temp agency usually works for office type of job. I was not happy about the temp employment but hey.....we gotta start somewhere.

Oh ok very cool and seems like to me that you like your job and its quite flexible. Will definately take your advice, I am taking whatever advice I can get.

[SAT 9,609]

Hi everybody how are you? I just want to ask you guys, for the people in the process of finding work or to the people who are working right now, where did you look for work, and how long did it take you guys to find work? I also want to ask and for us immigrants, we have no US work experience or references here, so did it make it tough for you guys to find work and what kind of jobs were you aiming for?

Here's a little background on me: I am in the process of looking for work here in the US, and we all know that the economy is terrible right now. I did get my EAD in the mail last friday, and I am waiting for my SSN to come in the mail. My work experience is in Customer Service, so I am trying to aim for jobs in that area. I am willing to take anything right now, to gain work experience, and to make money. I do have a 2yr diploma back in Canada in Accounting, but I have no desire to persue it at all. I do plan to go back to school to become a social work while working to get a bachelors degree because nowadays you have to have an education. Can you guys share any tips and info about your stories on finding work in the US?

Thank you in advance.

Hi CandianMade,

If you are in Ohio, as ur profile says, Honda goes nuts over any kind of a college degree (Doesn't matter what it is). You can also try a Home Depot or Lowes near you. The bigger retailers and home improvement stores also love college degrees of any kind. (mentality being that you are more mature and more social, and will be nicer to customers). Give it a try, chances are they won't start you at the bottom either.

Hi SteveandTiff, thank you for sharing your tips with me, and you know what, I will consider whatever company and job I can get, so I will absoueltly take your advice and look into the companies you mentioned above. Yes I am in Ohio. How did you find your first job and what kind of job was it? Thanks again.

It seems like my last post was deleted.....so lemme try again.

Hi Canadian

I'm the USC so I'm the one with the more solid foundation. I've worked a fantastic array of jobs since childhood from potato chip fryer to steam presser. I'm now in the field of Criminal Law.

My wife Tiff, came here as a visitor, and she fell in love with the land. She ran out of $$ and had to take a part time job. Being in NYC, jobs are always available as long as one's not picky. She's now going to school to be a cosmotologist.

We are indeed in trying times on a global scale. But America is very resilient as a whole, and we will get through it. We are in a dip in a long trend cycle of our economy.

My further advice to you is, look everywhere, look hard, the more you look, the more chances you'll get. This afterall, is the land of opportunity. And it's there. Goodluck, and let us know how you make out.

[Sandrila 1]

my husband is from Morocco with little to no work experience even there

not to mention that no matter what credentials and experience you may have from abroad, it is no guarantee that once here you will be able to get a job in your field or any job at all for that matter.

i worked for a security company and left on excellent terms

my boss knew my husband would come and need a job and he told me that he was welcome to apply when he came

when the greencard came we went there and NO QUESTIONS asked.

it was an easy "in" for him, a way to make money and establish his work history here

it may not be the best job but for him it is just fine for about 6 months until he can search and find something better

i am so proud of him

we are blessed