Looking for first job in the US

[JlovesC 0]

I received my green card last month and since then I've been looking for a job. So far, I had only one interview. I don't know why, but it looks like my resume with more that 10 years of administrative experience, has not let any headhunter impressed. I've been looking for anything, even in stores like macy's, even if I have a degree in Business. I was wondering about other immigrants experiences looking for their first job in the US. I don't know if it is the economy or if it is really that hard to get started. I spend hours every day posting my resume on the internet or sending them out, answering ads from websites like monster or craigslist. Please, if you have been there, would you give me some hints about how to find my first job in this country. I appreciate any help.

[English Muffin 59]

Moving from General Immigration forum to Moving Here & Your New Life In America forum.

[Nina~ 431]

I received my green card last month and since then I've been looking for a job. So far, I had only one interview. I don't know why, but it looks like my resume with more that 10 years of administrative experience, has not let any headhunter impressed. I've been looking for anything, even in stores like macy's, even if I have a degree in Business. I was wondering about other immigrants experiences looking for their first job in the US. I don't know if it is the economy or if it is really that hard to get started. I spend hours every day posting my resume on the internet or sending them out, answering ads from websites like monster or craigslist. Please, if you have been there, would you give me some hints about how to find my first job in this country. I appreciate any help.

I have lived here for 8 years now and graduated from college here... I still found it hard to find a job in this bad economy. I applied for hundreds of job and got called for maybe 3-4 interviews. I finally landed a job 2 weeks ago after 3 months of searching, and my boss told me that there were 200 applicants for the position. So be patient!

[reeses16 8]

Its a hard job market right now. And certainly sometimes being an immigrant does poses additional difficulties. In addition to searching for jobs on the web, try to do a bit of networking. You may find out about some unadvertised positions or learn about other areas that you had not considred but where your skills could be useful.

[Old Dominion 26]

Yes, this is no time to be looking for a job and counting on being hired quickly. It's all about networking now. Small businesses often don't even try to advertise. Ask your friends and your husband's relatives to let you know of any openings. Do volunteer work somewhere, perhaps your church, and then others can observe your skills and attitudes and you will have a larger network. Working for a retail store is usually a good place to start working, but for the past year and probably for another year, jobs are scarce.

Good luck!

[kaffy 2]

Are your skills transferable to the health care industry? I think it is one of the few industries that are recession-proof. I am a health science grad (non-clinical) and found a job very quickly after I arrived in the States last August. We just recently moved and I found a new (and better) job again very quickly. Maybe I am just one of the lucky ones.. who knows but I'm now on the right track with my career and I know that with hard work and networking I can work my way up into management quickly

So yeah, if you think your skills are transferable to the health care industry, definitely look at what the hospitals around you have to offer.

[SCFsnoopy 0]

Are your skills transferable to the health care industry? I think it is one of the few industries that are recession-proof. I am a health science grad (non-clinical) and found a job very quickly after I arrived in the States last August. We just recently moved and I found a new (and better) job again very quickly. Maybe I am just one of the lucky ones.. who knows but I'm now on the right track with my career and I know that with hard work and networking I can work my way up into management quickly

So yeah, if you think your skills are transferable to the health care industry, definitely look at what the hospitals around you have to offer.

I would say health care and teaching are the two industries that will NEVER have enough people to work in them!! That's actually not bad to keep in mind - my future MIL keeps suggesting I get a nursing degree (super easy to obtain in NY) - maybe she knows that will be the fastest way to get a job

[kaffy 2]

I think teaching is only recession proof if your endorsement is in math, science or special ed. With budget cuts and teacher layoffs my husband's (newly certified English/LA teacher) chances of finding a permanent teaching position this year are pretty slim. There is substitute teaching but that is not guaranteed work. Stick with health care

[MrsCat 6]

I think teaching is only recession proof if your endorsement is in math, science or special ed. With budget cuts and teacher layoffs my husband's (newly certified English/LA teacher) chances of finding a permanent teaching position this year are pretty slim. There is substitute teaching but that is not guaranteed work. Stick with health care

Yeah, teaching isn't recession proof in Hawaii. They're furloughing teachers, university profs and lay-offs are on the horizon.

[milesinfront 2]

Make sure your resume contains the key words that US recruiters in your line of business look out for. Look at some sample US resumes on the internet, and use similar terms, structure and phraseology.

[JillA 2]

I received my green card last month and since then I've been looking for a job. So far, I had only one interview. I don't know why, but it looks like my resume with more that 10 years of administrative experience, has not let any headhunter impressed. I've been looking for anything, even in stores like macy's, even if I have a degree in Business. I was wondering about other immigrants experiences looking for their first job in the US. I don't know if it is the economy or if it is really that hard to get started. I spend hours every day posting my resume on the internet or sending them out, answering ads from websites like monster or craigslist. Please, if you have been there, would you give me some hints about how to find my first job in this country. I appreciate any help.

Me too. Your story is the same as mine, but I've been looking longer, since about April. I spend hours a day applying for jobs, have had a few interviews but competition is tight so nothing has worked out yet. One application I followed up on, was told she was overwhelmed with hundreds of applications for a simple admin job. So it's tough and I definitely feel your pain

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think teaching is only recession proof if your endorsement is in math, science or special ed. With budget cuts and teacher layoffs my husband's (newly certified English/LA teacher) chances of finding a permanent teaching position this year are pretty slim. There is substitute teaching but that is not guaranteed work. Stick with health care

I'm married to a special ed teacher. Recession proof? Not even close.

[Peace be still 6]

I think teaching is only recession proof if your endorsement is in math, science or special ed. With budget cuts and teacher layoffs my husband's (newly certified English/LA teacher) chances of finding a permanent teaching position this year are pretty slim. There is substitute teaching but that is not guaranteed work. Stick with health care

Yeah, teaching isn't recession proof in Hawaii. They're furloughing teachers, university profs and lay-offs are on the horizon.

Teachers in my state have not been getting paid, plus they are laying them off. I was at the emergency room 3 days ago and I over heard the nurses talking about who should be laid off. So i don't think the medical field is safe anymore as well. I would say go into drug and alcohol counseling. A whole lot of people will be self medicating their feeling of despair do to the economy.

[Westindy 0]

I work in Law Enforcement and have had no trouble with lay offs or furloughs. I guess as long as people continue to committ crimes i will always have a job.

[caroledfb 0]

To go back to the question, NETWORKING is your best chance. Also write on you CV that you are a permanent resident authorized to work in the USA.

Good luck!