Finding a job that makes us happy

[Mauro 0]

Hi guys! I still have a couple of months until I can start working in the US. But, like many immigrants in these forums I'm freaked out about finding a job that makes me happy once I get there. Would be awesome right??! The person we love and a job we like!

I'm 24 years old (well, I'll turn 25 in July, right when I step into the US), I have a BS in Business, a BS in Finance and I'm about to finish a Master's degree here in Spain. Also, I have been working for a couple of years for an american investment bank in Argentina.

I started to upload my resume a couple of months ago and I'm only receiving non-qualified job offers... Do they check people's resumes before sending out those emails? I don't think so...

I've also applied to several other jobs and nothing... I know that there's still time but I'm a little bit anxious and worried about it. Likewise, I know the situation is not the best one for the US economy.

Is there anyone out there who's looking for a job in the same sector? Anyone who has a friend going through the same thing? Would be awesome some comments!

Edited February 21, 2010 by Mauro

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Something for you to think about.

You're 24 years old. How many times in your lifetime do you think you'll change jobs?

You've got three things going "against" you so to speak. You don't have a lot of work experience; the US economy is in pitiful condition; and you're going to be new not only to the country but to your area of it. In other words you'll be an unknown commodity to employers in your area.

It'd be a good idea for you to realize now before you get to the US that you are going to have to enter the work force step by step. The United States is chock full of bankers who are (at the moment) out of work or displaced. Should you be fortunate enough to find work in your field, it will probably be entry level. You may even find yourself looking outside your field to get US work experience.

In short, your first job here might well be something you don't really love. In your favor is the fact that you are young and have plenty of time to find a fulfilling career.

If you want to place odds more in your favor, you might consider having your foreign education credentials "translated" to US credentials by a service such as WES.

Lastly, how's your English? Is it conversational? Are you "heavily accented"? Despite the fact that US employers aren't supposed to discriminate, poor English skills or an accent that requires the listener to work to hard will unfortunately play against you. Begin working on improving your English if you have not already.

[M.O 6]

Something for you to think about.

You're 24 years old. How many times in your lifetime do you think you'll change jobs?

You've got three things going "against" you so to speak. You don't have a lot of work experience; the US economy is in pitiful condition; and you're going to be new not only to the country but to your area of it. In other words you'll be an unknown commodity to employers in your area.

It'd be a good idea for you to realize now before you get to the US that you are going to have to enter the work force step by step. The United States is chock full of bankers who are (at the moment) out of work or displaced. Should you be fortunate enough to find work in your field, it will probably be entry level. You may even find yourself looking outside your field to get US work experience.

In short, your first job here might well be something you don't really love. In your favor is the fact that you are young and have plenty of time to find a fulfilling career.

If you want to place odds more in your favor, you might consider having your foreign education credentials "translated" to US credentials by a service such as WES.

Lastly, how's your English? Is it conversational? Are you "heavily accented"? Despite the fact that US employers aren't supposed to discriminate, poor English skills or an accent that requires the listener to work to hard will unfortunately play against you. Begin working on improving your English if you have not already.

Agreeed

[psiprez 3]

I'm glad you are optimistic about finding a job that makes you happy, but...

I think you need to concentrate on getting ANY job in the US first, no matter how lowly. You need to establish an employment history here, start making some cash, and THEN figure out what it is you want to do.

My hubby has found that most job applications and HR computer systems aren't formatted to handle overseas addresses and phone numbers, which makes it VERY difficult to even apply for a job. In addition, with so many resumes coming in, why would an HR dept even bother with checking overseas references for companies they've never heard of, if there are "easier" applications they could be dealing with? It's just the way it is.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You know what they say: do what you love and you don't have to work a single day of your life.

I have a B.A. in business and an advanced degree in philosophy, yet I turned my hobby into my business before I even entered the US. Today, about 23 years later, I work about 60 hours a week, make good money, yet feel fine when going to work as I'm not only the boss, but also enjoy what I do, every single day.

That's what you should do. Work hard, save money, then pursue your dream in life. If you do what you love and love what you do, it's a wonderful life.

Same with the weather. I live where people from all over the world come to take a vacation. My house is 5 minutes away from the beach, I can ride a bike to work when I feel like it, as we dream weather with about 330 days of sunshine every year. Hence, every day is like a vacation day for me.

You are in charge of your life. Move to where you want to live and do what you want to do.

Edited March 16, 2010 by Just Bob

[andana_dj 0]

You know what they say: do what you love and you don't have to work a single day of your life.

I have a B.A. in business and an advanced degree in philosophy, yet I turned my hobby into my business before I even entered the US. Today, about 23 years later, I work about 60 hours a week, make good money, yet feel fine when going to work as I'm not only the boss, but also enjoy what I do, every single day.

That's what you should do. Work hard, save money, then pursue your dream in life. If you do what you love and love what you do, it's a wonderful life.

Same with the weather. I live where people from all over the world come to take a vacation. My house is 5 minutes away from the beach, I can ride a bike to work when I feel like it, as we dream weather with about 330 days of sunshine every year. Hence, every day is like a vacation day for me.

You are in charge of your life. Move to where you want to live and do what you want to do.

well said