Can't find work because of no US experience

[trinket 30]

Kind of same situation out here too, though I did find one job and even did it for 2 weeks before quitting. But now I am regretting my decision of quitting that job; reason was job's timing 3rd shift from 4 pm to 11:30 pm, I don't drive, so have to rely on bus, it was getting bad with the bus timing.

Now I have given a couple of interviews, one went really well and I was all hopeful because they called me for second interview also, but now I am giving up my hope it has been a week that I had the last interview and no calls yet, I think my lack of work experience has hindered this good job. I don't want to end up in McDonald's, but if nothing else I guess I will.

[StoryAngel 4]

Now I have given a couple of interviews, one went really well and I was all hopeful because they called me for second interview also, but now I am giving up my hope it has been a week that I had the last interview and no calls yet, I think my lack of work experience has hindered this good job.

Don't give up hope! I had an interview a couple of weeks ago, and one week on hadn't heard anything. Then I contacted the agency who got me the interview and they said I'd been chosen as the best candidate! It had just taken a while as the company had been interviewing other people. They're still taking their time as I don't yet know when I'm starting, but my thoughts to you is hang in there and don't lose heart. You may yet have some good news!

[Asian 0]

We have the same experienced. I tried to apply at Macys and I got a job though my husband wasn't happy because he wants to see me working at the same field I had in the past but I explained to him that I will just get an experienced and reference that I can add to my resume, its only stepping stone and besides I can't go too far from my place because I just learned my driving recently. Try to apply any job, we Filipinos are flexible naman and well known for being hardworking. Walang mawawala if we will start from the start of the ladder . GOD Bless and Goodluck.

[Asian 0]

Hi! I know there's a recession going on and jobs are hard to come by. But in the several interviews I've got, I've been screened out not by my qualifications but by lack of US experience which is a total bummer. I mean, how can you get US experience if no one would hire you because you don't have any US experience. It's like being a fresh grad wherein companies would hire experience fresh grads. It's a catch 22 situation for me right now. Anyone care to share their experiences?

We have the same experienced and I spread my resume to all the companies I've seen in monster but still no luck. Maybe its not yet the right time for me to work in the same field I had before, so I tried to apply at Macys and I got a job though my husband wasn't happy because he wants to see me working at the same field I had in the past but I explained to him that I will just get an experienced and reference that I can add to my resume, its only stepping stone and besides I can't go too far from my place because I just learned my driving recently. Try to apply any job, we Filipinos are flexible naman and well known for being hardworking. Walang mawawala if we will start from the first step of a ladder . GOD Bless and Goodluck.

[H1bbabe 0]

Hi! I know there's a recession going on and jobs are hard to come by. But in the several interviews I've got, I've been screened out not by my qualifications but by lack of US experience which is a total bummer. I mean, how can you get US experience if no one would hire you because you don't have any US experience. It's like being a fresh grad wherein companies would hire experience fresh grads. It's a catch 22 situation for me right now. Anyone care to share their experiences?

Hello, Jose, the issue is that most US jobs do not have professional qualifications. For example, people here have degrees but no professional qualification, Therefore, a degree is not enough in some instances, Americans have to go and get licenced in certain jobs, ie. nurses have to be licenced in order to work and social workers need to be licenced also. You are probably being rejected because you are not licenced - For example, if you were a nurse in your birth country, then you need to take the state registration exam in the state that you have moved to otherwise you will not be offered a job. So my advice is to get licenced in your state for whichever job you were doing back home. Even plumbers and electricians from other countries with 20 yrs experience cannot find US jobs cos they are not registered or licenced. So, find out from your state if you need to be licenced, attend the training, get certified and licenced and then you will find work more easily. Good luck.

[ricebird 0]

I'm in the same boat, but I have a different case: most of the time I was told I'm over qualified for the position I am applying for .

Maybe I was just in bad timing too:

1. I got pregnant right away when I got here (I'm ill most of the days during my 1st trimester so I can't apply for work and get sick during my interviews)

2. When I'm able to pull myself back after my 4th month of pregnancy, I got job offers but mostly a long drive from our residence and my husband is not in favor due to my condition.

3. I got good job offers in my field (Accounting) but my husband told me to defer until i have the baby since I have to leave the job eventually after a few months of my hiring

4. After my baby was born, I'm scared to put her in daycare until she's 12 months (she needs special care due to severe allergy and persistent dermatological condition)

It's been 2 years since I arrived in the US (and my baby is 15-months now) and still unemployed. With the current economic situation and I'm in the status of removing the condition on my residency; I'm in bad timing again . I'd like to volunteer to charities and civic organizations but I don't know how to get in touch with them . That would give me more something to do aside from taking care of the baby, managing the family finances and playing in the stock market online.

My husband asked if I'd like to pursue a degree in Nursing in a community college across the block of our residence (the hospitals and doctors' clinics in the vicinity too) and get a license. He said that since healthcare in our place is in high demand (and will continue to be in-demand), instead of us relocating to another city or state for my job offers why shouldn't I consider honing my skills to the current trend?

Now I'm torn whether to shift career to healthcare or pursue my goal to get the state's CPA Board examination. .

Don't lose hope or get disappointed, I'm sure you're not alone in that kind of predicament. With lots of patience, persistence and flexibility, I know you can do it: di ba iba ang Pinoy bro? . Evaluate your skills/qualification and get a state license/certification if needded. I wish you lots of God blessings and best of luck.

[tallcoolone 102]

What is your profession and what part of the country are you looking for a job?

My wife is from PI with no work experience in either PI or USA.

She started job hunting last month, for about 2 weeks before she was offered a nursing job in D/FW area.

[Leyla 0]

I actually JUST went through this with my husband. We applied at tons of places but no luck. Finally we found some fellow Moroccans in our small town that have a small business. We talked to them and thankfully they were willing to look after their own. I don't know what you're looking for specifically, but maybe you could start small with some people from your country. Or look for temp summer work for your city like landscaping etc just to get some US references.

[Old Dominion 26]

Until you find a permanent job that fits your experience and training, you also need to prove your work ethic, that you are not lazy, you are punctual, careful, honest, you work well with others, etc. etc. For that reason, taking a part-time with Wal-Mart (the recession hasn't hurt them) no matter what it is, will be beneficial.

[esjay 0]

Is it really so hard to find job in US now? I'm not there yet but i'm looking jobs but i'm anot pplying and seems there are lots of job. I don't want to quit my job here until I did not get any job there.

[Jose Rizal 1]

Is it really so hard to find job in US now? I'm not there yet but i'm looking jobs but i'm anot pplying and seems there are lots of job. I don't want to quit my job here until I did not get any job there.

Yup. My temps and headhunters are saying they're losing clients. Even in the medical field, layoffs are already a reality. (My wife's hospital where she works has already been laying off people.) It seems the LAPD and the military are not yet laying off people.

[champi 13]

My husband is not here yet, he'll hopefully be here in July if things goes fine. We've talked about this topic several times, he is in IT field (tough one!). I keep telling him not to worry, I'll support him, don't expect to find a job in 1 month, lot of people struggle for 6 months, etc. He is bit over motivated and I fear that he may become disappointed. I just don't want him to lose confidence. He's a really smart guy, only that he'll lack US experience. He worked for 6weeks in US as part of his current job on B1 visa. But 6 weeks is hardly enough. He does have 1 reference he can use from US. I am not to worried right now, but I am sure this will hit us too...

Edited April 14, 2009 by champi

[K.D 0]

hi all...

we're in same condition..i am coming in june/july.... but worried about job condition in US..as i hv pharma degree and tht will no longer be approved unless i give exam and earn one masters degree/pharm.d....... i hv one year experience from pharma company but i dont think they will consider it..

and getting masters is also costly... so we are doing some research from now only..... about where approximately i can apply for job i;e retails etc, in which school i can go . and to which agency we can contact for job.... and some of companies around my house in USA...

champi, you can start doing tht.... so at least you both will hv some direction about whr to go and search for job. and other options of job...

its not going to be easy but we'll hv to pass through it too ....

[John&Juvy 36]

Hi! I know there's a recession going on and jobs are hard to come by. But in the several interviews I've got, I've been screened out not by my qualifications but by lack of US experience which is a total bummer. I mean, how can you get US experience if no one would hire you because you don't have any US experience. It's like being a fresh grad wherein companies would hire experience fresh grads. It's a catch 22 situation for me right now. Anyone care to share their experiences?

Hi there !

Dont worry you are not alone LOL. Same thing going on with me.. I am looking for a job for 3 months now and still no luck even i have 4 years of experience of the job i am applying for. It was always ok at first until they asked me if i have any experience working here in U.S and when i said NO then that's it IM DONE ! So yes its really a bummer... my husband just always trying to me feel better telling me that im not the only one having hard time to get a job now because of the economy and more blah..blah..blah... then im back being positive again with my self.

I got a call from marriott last friday so went there yesterday filled up application form and had interview..ofcourse they asked me if i dont have expereince working in U.S and i said NO.... But it goes well so maybe it didnt matter with them that much, they told me to come back again today for another interview again...SO...... I wish a good luck to my self again today to get this job.

Stay positive Sista !

[fozzie 41]

Try working in Mcdonalds or any retail stores first as a lot of new immigrants do that to get local experience and when you get to the system and know how it works, it will be easier for you to land on a job that you wanted.Just an opinion.

I'd be reluctant to do this! McDonalds does NOT look good on a resume. Yo uare better finding a temp agency because many of those jobs lead to permanent positions. I started out that way, after the 3 month temp contract ran out the company kept me on and now I have better position earning more money. I wont stay here for ever but another year in this position (making decent money) and I will have a better resume and will be btter placed to get the job i want.