Finding a job? Difficult/easy?

[baaaates 0]

My fiance and I have unfortunately postponed our K-1 filing because of the economic situation here in the US. In his line of work if he's out of a job for more than a year it's very hard to get back into the field. I was just curious to see if any of you expats currently living in the states are having a difficult time finding a job and if not being a US citizen makes it even harder?

[Jasman0717 9]

It was easy for Claudeth to find a job when she first got here but with this economical disaster we are living it, it might be very difficult.

[kaffy 2]

I arrived late August last year. Started job hunting in Septemer and landed a job in 3 weeks

But yes, it is becoming more difficult with the economic situation worsening.

What industry is your fiance in?

[baaaates 0]

I arrived late August last year. Started job hunting in Septemer and landed a job in 3 weeks

But yes, it is becoming more difficult with the economic situation worsening.

What industry is your fiance in?

Um I guess it's basically software engineering? He codes slot machines... something like that. Whenever he talks to me about it I just get confused. lol

[Stinky Monkey 1]

I have not got to the states yet so I have no idea how hard it will be to find a job

Yes it is harder in the states but it is also bad over here

My gut feeling it to tell you to go ahead and file, you are not going to get your visa for at least 6 months, you can delay the process by sending back your check list for the interview, then send back the check list just before the noa2 expires, which is 4 months ask for a late interview date and then you have 6 months to leave. Hopefully by then the climate would have changed and work will be easier to find.

It is a risk to take but this process also takes time, just go ahead with it, the most important thing is that you will be together

That is just my opinion, good luck with whatever you chose to do

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I think a lot depends on where in the States you will be... I'm in Houston, TX, and I can honestly say I've seen few to no signs of the recession here; I see plenty of businesses with signs saying 'help wanted' and so on... personally, I'm in a sort of weird position, as I'm finally work-legal, but haven't been looking for jobs as the place where I've been volunteering is making a paid position for me in order to keep me on

so I don't know what it's like in the higher-order jobs, but again I think some cities will be far worse hit than others...

[TiffandDai 0]

It really depends on how picky he is, living in the Tampa area myself (as I see you do) it's really tough to find a good paying job here now. I have a family member who works in Human Resources (in Tampa aswell) and she had 120 applicants to fill one position.

It really depends on if he would be willing to do entry level work or get a job out of his field and get paid less now. I guess it depends on his/your priorities.

[rheanick 42]

You just need proper network. Got two job options waiting for me now...

My fiance and I have unfortunately postponed our K-1 filing because of the economic situation here in the US. In his line of work if he's out of a job for more than a year it's very hard to get back into the field. I was just curious to see if any of you expats currently living in the states are having a difficult time finding a job and if not being a US citizen makes it even harder?

[amberdima 6]

i'm having difficulty as a US citizen finding a teaching job. availability is nonexistent in my area. i imagine that it will be very hard for my foreign spouse to find a job once here. he has limited english and will not have completed a college degree.

[bora bora 1]

It's usually harder for non-USCs and now w/ the recession even worse.

Tell your fiancee not to give up - good luck.

[Doodlepen 0]

Back in 2005 it was easy enough to get a job. I worked through agencies first. Then working for companies through the agency I worked hard and impressed my boss enough to get hired on full time.

Right now I can guess agency work is the way to go. I say this because if no one will hire full time then they will hire some one from an agency/freelance stance because there is no obligation for the company to keep you on or pay for your "perks" (401k,medical). The company I work for is now hiring exclusively this way and we are a design company of sorts. I think this will be the same for the next year or so for any company who does design or project based work.

Thats my thoughts on the current situation and good luck job hunting!

[Old Dominion 26]

Yes, the world economy is getting worse faster than we know. Temp agencies in the Tampa area seem to have helped others recently, depending on the skills and background they present and their willingness to take whatever is available at the time. Not very many employers are seeking to hire permanent staff right now (they can't take on the cost of benefits, for one thing) but being from another country won't hurt his chances to take on temporary jobs through one of those agencies.

[baaaates 0]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. It's just hard with him because he is very goal-oriented and just following his heart isn't always the case. He wants to make sure that he has the ability to support himself and have that stability, whereas I think more with my heart than my head and want him here no matter what. lol. We will just wait it out a little longer and hopefully things will look up.

[hassan_debbie 4]

My husband doesn't seem to have any problem finding a job. He currently has two full time jobs and both pay extremely well. But the reason he has two full time jobs is because he is paranoid about all the news of people who are losing their jobs. If you are fluent in more than one language it will be a hugh benefit to you because most Americans are not.

Deb

[SingleCharles 0]

I arrived late August last year. Started job hunting in Septemer and landed a job in 3 weeks

But yes, it is becoming more difficult with the economic situation worsening.

What industry is your fiance in?

Um I guess it's basically software engineering? He codes slot machines... something like that. Whenever he talks to me about it I just get confused. lol

I can assure you that if you are a software engineer, a year off in your resume is not going to look bad. When he comes here, he can sign up with a temp agency which can get him started while he looks for more permanent work. If you have doubts, call an agency and ask them about their fill rate, the ability to find jobs for their temporary workers.

Nothing wrong with waiting for a better economy too.

Best of luck to the both of you.