Are We the Only Ones?

[Ryan_and_Priscy 16]

I beg to differ. I got my first job through Monster over two years ago. Getting that foot in the door has since kept me employed except for 2 months of unemployment. To each his own I guess but personally I think that the more you put yourself out there the greater the chance of getting something.

Actually, from Monster.com I got a call from a company looking for linguists. Everything fine until one thing stopped me to get the job: I am not a US Citizen. Bummer!

I don't like to use Careerbuilder.com, I have got a lot of spam jobs. I do not trust either yahoo jobs. In my case, I recommend Monster.

[BelleSade 3]

I just wanted to wish you all good luck, keep being patient, something will come up, eventually. My best wishes to you all.

I'm going to be in the same boat (I'm living in one of the worst states economically-speaking while my fiancé is in doing-quite-well Sydney) once we get married with the K-1 visa, and I'm almost dreading him coming here, because I have two or three years of uni left (depends on many factors out of my control)... I can't transfer, and it seems like it'll be damn near impossible for him to find work here.

[TracyTN 237]

I hope he has some luck. What line of work is he in?

[LEISEROM 32]

It is possible to teach languages and make money. My wife who is from Brazil does this and makes 15-20 per year part time. During the Enron era she made almost 30K a couple of years. I have a six figure job and we really dont need a second full time job. I feel for the original poster who lives in East Texas. We have a lot of business up there and it is economically depressed. We have a big field office in a small town and people like the jobs as includes insurance, 401K,etc. But hard to get hired.

[Maria.S 1]

I might sound like a crying baby to you guys.

I've been searching for a job for about a month and a half, and so far one interview call. I was so nervous at the interview that I bet the lady was saying "does she really knows what she is talking about?". So anyway, I feel for each of you.

I feel frustrated and hopeless to get a job. Now, I'm trying to do something productive so I wouldn't feel useless at home, such as needlepoint or quilting. My husband supports me all the time, and he says "you gotta keep on trying!! I believe in your capabilities!". Without him, I truly believe I would have been sad and depressed. My hubby is the light of my life.

Edited June 14, 2010 by Maria&Nick

[Ryan_and_Priscy 16]

I might sound like a crying baby to you guys.

I've been searching for a job for about a month and a half, and so far one interview call. I was so nervous at the interview that I bet the lady was saying "does she really knows what she is talking about?". So anyway, I feel for each of you.

I feel frustrated and hopeless to get a job. Now, I'm trying to do something productive so I wouldn't feel useless at home, such as needlepoint or quilting. My husband supports me all the time, and he says "you gotta keep on trying!! I believe in your capabilities!". Without him, I truly believe I would have been sad and depressed. My hubby is the light of my life.

Don´t give up! We are not allowed to give up! As we say in our country: "Hay que apechugar!".

Me and my husband are both unemployed everyday has become a routine to search and apply for any job through Monster, Career builder, Craisglist, some bank job sites directed for Hispanics, etc... Actually in less than a month we are just going to move out of here, we are going south and visit my friends, a way also that my husband can meet them, but at the same time to look for any chance since here in MI is really difficult, well, everywhere is difficult but it is good also to explore others areas. I am also thankful because my husband is my best supporter! By the way, like you not to feel useless I am also knitting... So far that keeps my mind busy and help to relax too!

[Maria.S 1]

Don´t give up! We are not allowed to give up! As we say in our country: "Hay que apechugar!".

Hahahaha Thanks so much for the words! You made me laugh! Same thing to you! (Hay que PURO apechugar!).

Let's do our best on finding a job!

[Piefre 15]

I just want to add that I understand everyone's frustrations and fears about working and finding work. My fiance and I are supposed to be filing for the K1 this year but his job outlook is...frustrating...at best. Now it doesn't look like we can file this year at all. He hasn't landed a new job and we cannot move on the K1 until he does so. He has a job presently but it's not enough to reasonably sustain us when I get down there. Thus the wait. It is really frustrating how hard work is to find these days.

[nickandkayte 0]

In the same boat. Had no jobs, I seem to be the bottom on everyone's employment list even with loads of past retail experience in the UK. I think I list my UK references and they run and hide, and when I did put some US references on for babysitting for nieces and nephews they still didn't call. I am in the Treasure Coast in Fl, no jobs here at all. Just looking forward to heading back to Pre Med and getting my degree. My husband who is a veteran with 5 years of solid experience still cannot get a good government job in computing... So now hes working part time and hes doing his Bsc and Masters hopefully in the next 3 years while his college is covered by the GI bill.

It would be nice to have a job down here, I have a count of 200 jobs I have applied to, been interviewed for 3, one I got offered below minimum wage...Another I was told because I couldn't drive to work (It was a 10 min walk....) I couldn't have it. And the last one just never called back...*Sigh*.

When its my time for a job it will happen, for now I am just going to study and wait on my greencard. Stay positive people! Also if you haven't already try snagajob.com very good site.

[Krikit 1,164]

Ugh. I feel your pain everyone. I started applying for jobs in my area a couple of months ago, but I can't even get to the interview stage. I have just applied for a contract position back in Canada. Even with the 25% non-resident taxes I'll have to pay, it's still more money than nothing at all. This is so frustrating.

[jjbandero 39]

I'm so sorry to hear your stories of employment troubles, it must be taking a toll on your lives. Here are couple of my suggestions, they may be stating the obvious, but here goes:

* Perhaps consider having someone review your resume, my experience has been that many US employers have certain expectations as to how the resumes are written. Sometimes they only look for key words in your resume to see if it matches the position they're hiring for. It is possible that you have matching experience, but because you didn't use those key words, they may overlook it.

* I know it's hard to get the potential employers to check on your references, perhaps you can get written references from them, so at the very least they can be attached to your resume even if the interviewers do not wish to call your past international employers.

Just as an FYI, I've also discovered that because of federal labor laws that came in effect a few years ago, employers are obligated to consider every electronic application they receive once the application has been opened. So to get around this rule when you have lots of applications, the employers just stops from even opening then. This is one of the reasons why some of you didn't hear back after submitting your application. I know this doesn't really take away your frustration though.

Best of luck to you all!

[Always+Forever 7]

I'm the USC i haven't had much luck on the job hunt lately, so i went searching & researching online to see what i could find that wouldn't screw me over. Finally found this company, and like the free to enroll, and free training, support, and tools...can't go wrong with free You can give it a try if you want...let me know if you have questions...you can pm me here...best of luck to everybody.

Monica

http://www.sonoranbloom.com/13470436

[Mithra 1,185]

Yep, it's not even easy getting a job at McDonalds around here. It's kinda condescending for folks to suggest such and not realize that that is even hard to do. My husband applied EVERYWHERE and found nothing for a long time. He went to the local mosque to "network" and that's how he's found his jobs. He doesn't even practice his religion but you gotta do what you gotta do, right? But yeah he's had long stretches of unemployment where I've had to take everything on alone and it's frustrating. Frustrating and scary. I make enough to take care of everything but not much extra for emergencies. Thank goodness he's working now but it's nothing to write home about.

BINGO!! I don't know why people have such a hard time understanding that concept. I'm sure my family secretly thinks my husband is a deadbeat or something, but they've never been in his shoes. Most all of them have had the same job for years or just retired from a job that they had for years. They don't seem to understand he left a job he loved only to come here and have trouble getting hired at McDonalds -- and how hard that is to accept (let alone disheartening). It frustrates me and feel like I constantly have to defend him - although luckily my family has stopped saying much by now. I think him soon becoming Mr Mom has made them think differently.

[Mithra 1,185]

My husband also got a call to be a linguist through Monster. Same thing, he had to have his GC or citizenship which he didn't have at the time. Also, they wanted him to work in Iraq which, as an Arab male, is quite dangerous. The money is tempting but not worth the risk.

Actually, from Monster.com I got a call from a company looking for linguists. Everything fine until one thing stopped me to get the job: I am not a US Citizen. Bummer!

I don't like to use Careerbuilder.com, I have got a lot of spam jobs. I do not trust either yahoo jobs. In my case, I recommend Monster.

[Laura & Kyle 16]

You all are sharing how my husband and I feel too! My husband received his GC in late March/early April and we have had no luck finding him jobs. I have a decent job, so we are paying the bills, but we have no extra money. Not to sound whiney, but I miss getting my eyebrows waxed, pedicures, random shopping, going to the movies when I want, etc. I love having my husband here, but I feel so bad for him that he can't find a job. I've done the searching with him, filled out applications together, etc. I can't imagine how hard it is on him. He just wants to feel "worthy" and feel like he's contributing to our household bills, etc.

It puts so much stress on a new marriage, and its hard not taking it out on one another. I had to tell my parents to stop asking about it, because it stressed me out to answer all their questions. I know they have the best intentions by asking. I don't even want to hang out with my friends until he gets a job. I'm hoping we will get a break sometime soon.

Good luck to the rest of you in the same boat. I hope everything works out for the best and eventually everyone will get jobs that they enjoy, with growth and career potential.