Job Search While Awaiting AOS/EAD

[Sam and Ben 2]

Question for all of you successful POE'rs...

I know that I've come across comments in passing about how many of you started looking for work before you received your EAD, and landed jobs the second you had your EAD in hand. So I'm curious, what were everyone's experiences when searching prior to receiving work auth? How soon after moving did you start looking for work, etc?

Once I receive my NOA for all three (AOS/EAD/AP) and have secured a Florida DL, etc, I was hoping to start at least uploading resumes to some of the places I'm looking into, just to put my profile out there for employers to see and consider for the future. Did anyone else do this? If so, what kind of reactions do you get, if any?

Florida's economy seems to be in such rough shape, that I honestly am worried that if I was until my EAD's in hand, it may be a long time before I find myself work, especially uneducated work.

Input would be greatly appreciated.

[Arabella 4]

I don't have any experience with this Sam, other than to agree the economy is in rough shape, and if you want to work you'll be waiting a long time. One of my friends sent out 200 resumes to corporations, and it took him 5 months to find a job. He aggressively searched for a job, even if there wasn't a listing.

I'd look in the Orlando Sentinel, look online at larger search engines and at local ones. You might also want to contact a temp agency or employment agency.

What kind of jobs are you looking for? What is your background? I will try to look up some information for you and see what I find.

I have a book that I used when I was looking for a job. I used to be a military wife, so I moved a lot and had to find employment fast.

The book was called Knock Em Dead. After I studied this book, I had interviewers tell me that I was the best interviewee they had. I've had interviewers tell me my resume is the best they've seen across their desk.

http://www.amazon.com/Knock-%C2%91em-Dead-...e/dp/1598696726

Edited January 10, 2010 by Arabella

[raymaga 25]

I just waited for my EAD approval before I send any resumes to apply for jobs, but I always looked through the local newspaper and Craigslist, etc. just so I knew what kind of jobs were out there at the time.

Good luck with your job search. It's not a really good time to be looking for a job anywhere, but just keep your options open and you'll find something.

[Sam and Ben 2]

I don't have any experience with this Sam, other than to agree the economy is in rough shape, and if you want to work you'll be waiting a long time. One of my friends sent out 200 resumes to coorporations, and it took him 5 months to find a job. He aggressively searched for a job, even if there wasn't a listing.

I'd look in the Orlando Sentinel, look online at larger search engines and at local ones. You might also want to contact a temp agency or employment agency.

What kind of jobs are you looking for? What is your background? I will try to look up some information for you and see what I find.

I spent the past five years working for an internet cafe/computer repair shop, as an assistant computer tech, systems administrator, salesperson, barista, accounts receivable/payable and support system for the owner and his wife, haha. All of which were uneducated/self-taught. The only paperwork to my name is a highschool diploma.

But I can say with most certainty that computer repair is one of the last things I'd look into after having worked in it for so long.

I've been keeping an eye on some of the banks in the area... seems there's one on every corner. Also looking into some of the bigger retail chains. Honestly, it's just about helping to pay down some of the expenses we seem to be accumulating, so I'll likely even be applying at the coffee shops/fast food chains in the area once able.

I'm just worried about how quickly I should be jumping the gun, hehe.

What you said about your friend sending out that many resumes scares me. It's been a long, long time since I went on a job search, but even then, it was disheartening trying to find work. I actually lucked into my previous job by trying to network an event I was volunteering for/leading at the time.

I'll definitely look into the book, thank you.

Edited January 10, 2010 by Sam and Ben

[trailmix 77]

Unless it has improved dramatically, you are certainly right about Florida's economy (one of the main reasons we left).

My Husband (IR1 visa of course) tried the uploading resumes method etc and actually found his jobs through two different personnel agencies.

One was Volt, located in Maitland, the other was CSI. Anyway, one of them might be helpful, but I just thought I would throw that out there because the use of employment agencies seems to be quite popular in the area - he saw very few employer direct to hire positions advertised.

[Sam and Ben 2]

Unless it has improved dramatically, you are certainly right about Florida's economy (one of the main reasons we left).

My Husband (IR1 visa of course) tried the uploading resumes method etc and actually found his jobs through two different personnel agencies.

One was Volt, located in Maitland, the other was CSI. Anyway, one of them might be helpful, but I just thought I would throw that out there because the use of employment agencies seems to be quite popular in the area - he saw very few employer direct to hire positions advertised.

Hm, that's good to know. I hadn't really thought of the idea, but it seems like something definitely worth looking into. I would be worried about relying on an unknown company with however many clients at the time, but I appreciate knowing he had good experiences through those two, so I know where to start looking.

Thanks.

[darkchilde794 5]

I would also suggest that if you can, find volunteer work that is related to your past work experience... sometimes those pan out to be permanent paid positions, and if not, that would give you someone who can be a reference in Florida. Non-prof places will prolly need someone who has administrative experience to do additional work for them... especially for free.

Also, finding a job is difficult... so dont be disheartened. Most take 5-8 months to find a stable position. Goodluck!

[Dan and Ali 3]

Personally, I can't see how it would be a bad idea to apply places like banks, government positions, etc ... these places almost always take a long time to hire (regardless of the state of the economy!). That way they have your resume on file so if/when a position comes up, your resume is there. The worst thing that can happen is that companies will call you and you'll tell them that you aren't legally authorized to work yet. You seem to be quite realistic about the job market down there, so I really can't see how it could be a bad thing to get your name in early if you know you'll be waiting anyway. I would steer clear of actual applications, though, as many will ask you if you are legally authorized to work and you would be lying if you said yes to that question. But ... in my experience, banks/government/large corporations take a while to hire on and I really can't see how submitting your resume a bit early could hurt.

p.s. I have worked for a bank, the government and the post office ... all which took at least 3 months to get in touch with me after I submitted my resume. With the government, I was applying to a posting ... with the bank/post office, I submitted my resume, they had it on file and called me months later when something came up.

[Krikit 1,164]

SunTrust Bank always seem to be looking for people. My branch manager has asked me a couple of times to apply. lol

Careers at SunTrust

[Sam and Ben 2]

SunTrust Bank always seem to be looking for people. My branch manager has asked me a couple of times to apply. lol

Careers at SunTrust

Thanks Krikit.

[Malrothien 6]

Yes, thanks Krikit.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I started applying for jobs about 1 month after I applied for AOS. However, I saw a job posting that was very close to what I was doing in Toronto and I was very open in saying that I did not have a work permit YET, but would have one in the next 4-6 weeks or so. Timing was a bit close since they wanted to hire me a couple days before I got my EAD, but they weren't legally allowed to offer me a job if I'm not work authorized. They made an exception, and after being hired I found out that I was the only candidate that they liked that's why they waited a week or so and delayed the hiring process. I interviewed at a few other bigger companies and I think they could not legally continue in the interviewing process until I had an EAD, and then I got another job and that was that.

I think some companies will shy away from the fact that you are not work authorized YET (even though you will be) but some companies will work around it if they really like you. That was my justification for it all. But, I knew that my experience and education was somewhat unique, so I figured that if I was a fit somewhere, they would accommodate me, which ended up being true but I think it was partly because they were a smaller company that was willing to take a chance/wait. I think the general bank teller, barista type jobs and bigger companies may not be as accommodating, but I'm just guessing there. In your case, I'd probably wait until I was really close to the EAD to play it safe.

Anyways, I ended up leaving that job and finding an even better one 3 months later that was pretty much a perfect fit for my experience/education so if you don't find the perfect job right away, don't worry about it! Something better will come along eventually!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Hope everything works out for you!

[Krikit 1,164]

Yes, thanks Krikit.

Are you applying there too, Mal?