Finding Work in America

[Welshcookie 17]

This sounds great....all my job applications have been fail. I don't know what I am dong wrong , input would be good

[TayRivers 4]

This sounds great....all my job applications have been fail. I don't know what I am dong wrong , input would be good

I had the same problem, whe I first started to apply for job.. I sent out over 400 application over a 6 month period I got a few interviews but they would say they were very interested in me and then when I showed my EAD they would say they would let me know..

I ended up going to a temp agency, I worked for several companies during the next 6 months. I was offered a full position just after that..

I think the lack of US employment references was the biggest issue for some and I have found out now that I work in Local Government HR that many employers think if the hire someone with a EAD they will have to pay for a employment visa...

[meauxna 15]

This sounds great....all my job applications have been fail. I don't know what I am dong wrong , input would be good

Welshie! I didn't realize you are finally here. Yay!

I got a few interviews but they would say they were very interested in me and then when I showed my EAD they would say they would let me know..

I realize it doesn't matter for you now, but showing your EAD at that point was inappropriate (and counterproductive). You can tell them that you are authorized to work in the US and don't require sponsorship (if you feel it has to be mentioned.. usually only on a resume) but your immigration status is not supposed to come up until you've been hired.

For just the reason you posted.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

This sounds great....all my job applications have been fail. I don't know what I am dong wrong , input would be good

Welshie! I didn't realize you are finally here. Yay!

I got a few interviews but they would say they were very interested in me and then when I showed my EAD they would say they would let me know..

I realize it doesn't matter for you now, but showing your EAD at that point was inappropriate (and counterproductive). You can tell them that you are authorized to work in the US and don't require sponsorship (if you feel it has to be mentioned.. usually only on a resume) but your immigration status is not supposed to come up until you've been hired.

For just the reason you posted.

Thanks for mentioning that meauxna, as I was going to say by asking about your status prior to hiring they potentially open themselves to a lawsuit.

Edited November 22, 2009 by Sousuke

[Krikit 1,164]

Split from Ewok's new forum announcement and moving from Site Discussion to Work forum.

[meauxna 15]

Thanks for mentioning that meauxna, as I was going to say by asking about your status prior to hiring they potentially open themselves to a lawsuit.

It might be good to make a little linear description of the legal hiring process so people can see that they don't have to spill their guts to prospective employers and how they can downplay the 'importance' of the temporary nature of the EAD. Also that questions like marital status, child bearing potential etc may be handled differently here than at home. Another shocking one for a lot of people is the lack of contracts here, and the 'at will' nature of most employment.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

The first thing I always recommend to newcomers is to familiarize themselves with a couple of things:

1. The area they worked in before and how it goes in the area they now live. Say you used to work in a pharmaceutical company in London; but you know live in Dumbfvck WV, and there are no similar companies around. Or there are some. Or maybe there are similar industries (say, cosmetics).

If that is the case, them analyze your transferable skills, one by one. List them and make your first draft resume.

2. ALWAYS translate your resume culturally, not literally. I just helped a friend with her Brazilian resume, and her titles translated kind of like this:

Assistant Sales Admin to Operations Manager -or something like that. Job titles are VERY different; but they match a certain skill set. Make sure to equate this so that the employer gets a title he/she can recognize.

Do not put birthplace, married status, number of kids, yada yada in your resume a lot of immigrants do, and that is a no-no.

I am sure I will think of more tips

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

The first thing I always recommend to newcomers is to familiarize themselves with a couple of things:

1. The area they worked in before and how it goes in the area they now live. Say you used to work in a pharmaceutical company in London; but you know live in Dumbfvck WV, and there are no similar companies around. Or there are some. Or maybe there are similar industries (say, cosmetics).

If that is the case, them analyze your transferable skills, one by one. List them and make your first draft resume.

2. ALWAYS translate your resume culturally, not literally. I just helped a friend with her Brazilian resume, and her titles translated kind of like this:

Assistant Sales Admin to Operations Manager -or something like that. Job titles are VERY different; but they match a certain skill set. Make sure to equate this so that the employer gets a title he/she can recognize.

Do not put birthplace, married status, number of kids, yada yada in your resume a lot of immigrants do, and that is a no-no.

I am sure I will think of more tips

Why people put their nationality and birth dates on CVs is beyond me.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Why people put their nationality and birth dates on CVs is beyond me.

It is very common in certain cultures to include that. Just not here. It's like writing down "gender". Another

[Aubrey 10]

My advice: see if there are workshops in your area that offer resume help. LOTS of job centers offer these workshops for free. It is a great way to both get the DOs and DON'Ts and also get a professional to review your resume. Heck, lots of USC's need these things.

[Pooky 3,780]

Having just been through the wringer of being laid off and looking for new employment, finding a service that will review and critique your resume (for free) can be very helpful. They will give you pointers as to where it's good and where it's weak and gives you a second eye review before it gets to a prospective employers desk.

The flip side is that when they offer a service to professional write/rewrite the resume, it's a judgement call on your part whether it's worth the money. Mine quoted $700 for a pro rewrite and I declined. A week later and it doesn't matter.

And lastly, Monster is awesome! A lot of recruiters trawl the site for people to hawk out, but there are some direct personnel people that use it, too. Like mine.