GUYS: Taking a temporary/low paying job while waiting on permanent one . . .

[Widge 0]

Hmmmm not sure if I ought to apologise for working at Wal-Mart

Lets set the record straight I had basically had it with sending off applications and hearing nothing so decided if all else failed for now I would try Wal-Mart. Got a cashiers job and have to sadly admit I love it It has done my confidence no end of good just getting out there and being part of the workforce and meeting people on my own again.

I have to say that all the stuff about Wal-mart being a hell hole to work I would dispute I have sure seen worse in the UK. My biggest beef is the chaotic shift pattern but in their defense I told them the hours I was available (I just never expected they'd use em all at some point in the week ) As for the pay well I'' blow that myth here too I am earning $2-3 an hour more than other jobs I had seen advertised (all employees also get a discount card for themselves and spouse which we are finding very useful ) OK so its not the job I had hoped for but me and a woman I met there are seriously talking about doing something on our own so who knows where this jaunt will end.

If you have a superstore with garden centre attached then they are now looking to hire for that for the spring/summer season - if you get in you can progress internally (they love the accent and the British work ethic here).

So if you think just getting "out there" will do your spirit good then my own personal experience is GO FOR IT nothing to stop you contuinuing to look at the same time for something else.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

My husband and I were just having this very same talk last night. He'll hopefully be getting his EAD soon and will have to start looking for work. He's deathly afraid that he'll end up working as an office assistant for the rest of his life. He's volunteering in that position at the county right now, and is doing a kick butt job at it. However, he's an accountant and left behind a decent accounting position in Egypt to come here. Although all of his classes were in English, with english text books, often with american teachers, he's worried that prospective employers won't believe that he knows the info. I keep telling him that working as an office assistant for awhile isn't bad, and it will build up his resume.

Heck, I graduated from college in 04, and I'm still working a legal temp job. I did, however, finally get a full time, permenant position, with benefits that starts next onday But, it took me a year and a half of time work to get a position. It just takes time and patience, and a lot of soothing of the bruised ego.

[Torontonian 0]

This is such an interesting topic. This will all apply to me in a couple of months, I have my biometrics on Feb 25, and presumably my EAD not long after that.

I am a charity fundraiser with 10 years of experience, but I don't have a degree. The reason for this is I went straight from full time dancing into arts administration and it went from there. I had always thought that since there are endless charities, I wouldn't have too much trouble finding something, but now I'm starting to sweat about all this!

This is such a great place for people to vent and support each other though, and I'm sure you'll be hearing about my adventures finding work in the near future.

Edited February 13, 2006 by Torontonian

[joej 0]

After reading through this thread I'm starting to feel like my hubby was really blessed. He actually is making more than me, and I have been at my job 11 years. (We both have college degrees and years of experience). I'm looking for a new job and it really sucks. Wow I really applaud everyone that started at Micky D's and other places like that. It shows real character and a hard work ethic.

[mychelle 1]

msn.com posted some jobs you can do at home. the most interesting one i found and probably the easiest one to start are call center jobs from home. Link to Jobs at home - Call Center jobs beats working at McDonalds.

After reading through this thread I'm starting to feel like my hubby was really blessed. He actually is making more than me, and I have been at my job 11 years. (We both have college degrees and years of experience). I'm looking for a new job and it really sucks. Wow I really applaud everyone that started at Micky D's and other places like that. It shows real character and a hard work ethic.

it depends on the field that he is in. my guy will be working in the medical field and they always have jobs available. it's just too bad that we're gonna live in CA...way too many licensing and clinical hours requirements. so if he is not eligible for a stipend while doing his clinical...he might have to be a "house"-husband for a while.

[Ephesia 0]

msn.com posted some jobs you can do at home. the most interesting one i found and probably the easiest one to start are call center jobs from home. Link to Jobs at home - Call Center jobs beats working at McDonalds.

Thanks for posting the link to this article. Very interesting and I forwarded it to my husband, whose job has recently come under real threat.

[caviar22 1]

I know you were asking about Guys out there... but, I am facing a $50,000+ decrease in pay (IF I can find a job!) because there are very few professional jobs for me in the Adirondacks. I think that, as a very independent and professional woman who has been financially independent and stable for a number of years now, it is very depressing and I feel like there is no one who is valuing my previous 18 years experience because it was in another country.

... yep, feeling down and depressed here...

[shakysgirl 1]

This is an interesting topic. My husband is extremely concerned about finding a job in his field- he is in the avionics trade and was in the RAF for 15 years. He loves his job, but has mentioned he doesn't care if he has to "flip" burgers if it means he can support his family, though he obviously doesn't want to do this. He is very old school and I am worried it will effect his moral and also his ego a bit if he has to have his wife support him for very long. He's not brilliant with cooking, cleaning, and laundry, so the reversal of roles (I was a housewife in the UK) may cause a temporary glitch. On the plus side I can see a lot of work in our new house getting done.

[Jenn! 918]

Even though I have now moved on to "bigger and better things," I am so happy to have lots of experience waiting tables. I know that if I should get laid off, I'll always have waiting tables to fall back on - I know I won't starve.

If you can do it, it's a great interim job. And the more experience you have, the more expensive the restaurant you can work at, meaning more tips. Restaurants are constantly looking for waitstaff.

[rab 0]

Dear Shari,

I'm in Birmingham, AL (Hoover area) too. It's been 63 days now since my NOA1 but I dont the biometrics appointment still. While waiting for the letter, I started posting my resume to job sites and to my amazed there are quite a few people called our house or emailed me about a job offer and personal interview. Wow! I talked to them but when I said that I'm still waiting for my work authorization they would asked when we'll I get it. Oh boy! The opportunity is coming to you but here I am still not available to work.

Shari, try buying the Sunday edition of The Birmimgham News. There are lots of full time/part-time job posting on it. He can also send resume to local recruiting agency in the town like Savela Solutions.

Good luck!

Rab

[Shari 6]

Dear Shari,

I'm in Birmingham, AL (Hoover area) too. It's been 63 days now since my NOA1 but I dont the biometrics appointment still. While waiting for the letter, I started posting my resume to job sites and to my amazed there are quite a few people called our house or emailed me about a job offer and personal interview. Wow! I talked to them but when I said that I'm still waiting for my work authorization they would asked when we'll I get it. Oh boy! The opportunity is coming to you but here I am still not available to work.

Shari, try buying the Sunday edition of The Birmimgham News. There are lots of full time/part-time job posting on it. He can also send resume to local recruiting agency in the town like Savela Solutions.

Good luck!

Rab

Hey Rab. We're in Clay (above Trussville). See our timeline. Keith got his biometrics letter I think about 10-15 days before the 90 day mark. His actual biometrics appointment was on day 89. We had even booked an Infopass for day 90 about two weeks before we got biometrics letters but canceled it. The wait is aggrevating!!!!

Keith sent out resumes in November and December. He had about 3 serious calls then, but they needed that EAD. One guy said as soon as he got his card to call back, that he would for sure have him a job. NOT. He called back when he got his EAD and the guy said he would take another look at his resume and call him back - never did.

He is registered with Savela, Spherion, Aerotek, and about 20+ internet sites (Careerbuilder is the best of those). We already get B'ham News and scour it every Sunday. Thanks for replying, and good luck and speedy EAD to you.

[rebeccajo 14]

Just my two cents worth.......

I've seen plenty of unemployment in my day. My ex-husband was let go from two different jobs. I myself have been laid off once and let go twice.

I've been through all the ego-busters. Guess what? I lived. My ego survived. And I ALWAYS came out for the better.

The bills need paid. Find a way to pay them. It's easier to find a job when you have a job. It shows initiative. And it also takes guts.

Get over the fact that you are a 'professional'. That no longer matters. There is no employer loyalty anymore.......anywhere on the planet. All a degree gets you in this country is an interview. Just thank your lucky stars you graduated.

I'm underemployed at the moment. Of course Wes has no job. We are up against a deadline when our money will run out too. There are 2 things that get me through this time.

The first is - I've been here before, I know the road, it's got some bumps and curves, but eventually there's a destination.

And the second and best - I have someone by my side on the journey.

[one_coolchiq 0]

Guys I'm worried bout the same thing I didn't have a work experience back home but i did have some from japan and tho i got a degree i dnt think there is a possibility tht i will have oppurtunity in the same field. I 've been home for 6 months now and it's really hard when you dnt have money my husband pay for everything.

[tom&tata 2]

I would probably more worried about the bank balance & billsto pay instead of the ego thing.

[Anastassia 0]

Hi Everyone

looks like we are all in the same shoes more or less....

I got absolutely histerical last week when the temp job turned me down....

I have been looking for a job only for a month and already feel very depressed.

I came here very confident about my skills and experience and seems like it might be useless here. I will never stop wondering why in certain cases they prefer local people with less skill and experience rather than an immigrant.

I live in the area with a big Hispanic and Russian population, I speak both languages fluently. So whenever I tell somebody about my problems they are surprised. I volunteer as an interpreter all the time and the companies that I do it for accept it with no problem and keep telling me how grateful they are. But when I apply for regular jobs they advertise, they don't even bother sending a letter saying "no, thanks". And I never applied for a job that I would not have skills required for.

Another thing that bothers me are references. They are asking for people who can confirm your skills. They won't call abroad. I have not worked here, how can I solve this ? Any tips ?

Good luck to you all !!!

Ana