Jobs in the USA

[Anastassia 0]

Anna,

one suggestion: if the job search really occupies your thoughts so much, you can probably try to start looking around already.

I saw an ad for my dream job in December, when I didn't have my EAD yet. It took a great deal of thinking what I should do: apply or not apply, especially that it was a state job and there was a question about work permit on their application. Finally I decided to apply, ommit that question and "pretend" I didn't see it. Guess what ? My Green Card arrived in January and that company didn't call until March.

Where I work now I applied in February, they called me in March, scheduled an interview for late April and that's when the first question about my work permit was asked.

I have worked for over 3 months now and some companies who I applied to around February or March still call once in a while.

Good luck and update us on the results.

Ana

[hockeygal 0]

I was told (and this by USC's themselves) that this State discriminates on age. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. I'm 47 years old. At times I believe these companies didn't want to be bothered with a "foreigner" but once again can't verify that. Anyhow I got this job, went in today and really like it (already). I figure this is a stepping stone to landing something permanent in the future. I only wished I had done this a lot sooner - went to a temp agency.

Since I am heading your way, this displeases me....

However, I have found every job I have ever had through a temp agency. Go in for one thing, feel the love and stay on doing something else!

[Anna C. 4]

Well we will see what will happen... But I'm not sure about applying yet - wouldn't that be illegal?

[NCresident 0]

HI anna c.

Im also looking for a job right now i just got my ssn card last week, i live 25miles from charlotte. I believe there is a lot of job opening in charlotte GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF US!

[Anna C. 4]

Hi NC Resident,

Good luck! I recently read a lot about booming economy in Charlotte. Let's hope that there is a job for us!!!

[Sister Fracas 5]

My hubster had his education evaluated by World Education Services for his teaching job, which took less than a month to find. He was hired without having a permanent teaching certification because he's in a high demand area (math and special education). But he took a few exams to get his permanent certificate over a period of a few months and everything came out just fine there. He's been at his job for over a year. It wasn't difficult for him to find a job, but again, that probably has a lot to do with the fact that he teaches math. He found the school where he works very open to foreign nationals as they have others working there.

Edited August 24, 2006 by Frances

[Dr_LHA 3]

BTW - it is a good idea to have your degrees certified. I did it and it cost about $85. There are places online that do it by fax. That said I had been working in the US for 5 years before a prospective employer actually asked for this certification! The certification is stupid (apparently yes, a PhD from a major UK university is the same as a PhD from a US university) but seems to appease employers.

[Anna C. 4]

Thank you Frances (nice cat btw)! I think I'll get the $150 evaluation since we have a totally different system of education in Germany. BA's were only introduced recently, everyone studies 5 to 6 years for MA or MS. I thought my grammar school (in the British sense) diploma should be converted, too. It certifies how many years I learned each language and contains classes like higher calculus and chemistry, and that should be useful if I want to attend an American university for a PhD program or if I want to get another MA. That's something I wanted to do when I've got kids, since I won't be able to work, but attending college is a 30 hour week at max. Depends on the kids though

Oh Frances, I could see their examples and they had China and described the university of Beijing as regional college. (??? is a little bit bigger, hm??!!!). How did they call your husband's university? Would they call Oxford regional!?! I would be honestly offended if they called the LMU Munich regional.

Oh boy, another 150 Dollars. But I hope it's worth it!

Good luck!

Anna

[rob&ana 0]

Well, I would reccommend you to post your resume in the big jobsites like monster and hotjobs.com, like right now. In those websites you can kinda sense what's out there in the market, in your city, for people with your skills.

I am an accountant, with experience as an auditor. I have to say, that it was pretty darn easy to find a job here in Pittsburgh. BUT as other have mentioned, every city is different.

I did not need my educational records to be translated into the US grading system. Actually, my company did not request copy of any of my resume's supporting documentation. They did run a background check, I used references of my past jobs using people that spoke english, so in the case they called they could actually give references.

Another recommendation is to use head hunters, such as act1, spherion, etc. These headhunter, and even the temp agencies, kinda know how to handle the immigrant situation (as far as explaining it) and some of them even prep you for the interviews.

It worked for me, and I do have some background, but it aint as a rocket scientist you know? just a regular jane.

Good luck, and good job hunting...

PS: If any of the companies you've worked before have any liason with a company in US, I'd try to exploit that too.

Edited August 25, 2006 by rob&ana

[Anna C. 4]

HI rob&ana,

Sounds great! Yeah we started to contact Spherion and some temp agencies. My boss from Germany was Spanish and worked in GB for a while, so her English is actually better than her German, so they can call her. I hope that the six months work experience in New York will be regarded as "American" job experience too...

I'll post as soon as I have my first answers, and maybe if I find out some new facts, I'm gonna post those....

Thanks, Anna

[mychelle 1]

it depends on which part of the country you are in. i have to say in southern california...it's not that tough to find jobs (it ranges of course...minimum wage and up). it may not be your dream job but if you've got an EAD (err...maybe even without ) you'll for sure get one if you try.

i found that people with degrees in the medical and technical fields have an easier time transitioning into jobs in the US. same with experienced or accredited teachers twho are fluent in English (with Math or Science subject emphasis and those that teaches Special Ed).

i agree with sending out resumes ahead of time...the initial interview and negotiation process could sometimes take up to a month! (it depends on which jobs, of course.) and yeah, try to check out recruitment/temp agencies...they're a big help too (as they should since they make their money placing you in jobs.)

also, when drafting your resume...try to make it just ONE page. you would only need multiple pages if you've been in your field for many, many years or you're a professional (i.e. MD, PhD, Attorney, CEO...you get my drift) with numerous citations, research, writings...etc.

Edited August 26, 2006 by mychelle

[JRluvsLhyn 0]

I found one that I really like in monster.com so i sent my resume (one page only) and on the very same day I got a call for an interview. it's a long interview process though (3 interviewers) final one is with the GM but it's all worth it. I've been idle (out of work force for 5 years) and it was also asked part of the interview. they did considered all my foreign work experienced as well as my degree. They also did a background check and everything. this is my first job here and just start last Monday. I love it, employees are extremely nice. I guess I agree it's just depend upon the area where you live. I am so lucky on my first try, landed up in a very nice company, pays well also with full benefits and a long term job. I will recommend monster. Good luck and happy job hunting!

[Sleepybears 0]

Hm... it seems that it's not that easy to find a job here in the US. I haven't got my EAD yet (it's been more than a month after i went to biometrics!!!) and also I need to learn to drive first... But I did keep looking for jobs on some websites. I couldn't find anything suitable though. I guess it depends on areas. I live in the Silicon Valley area and nearly all the job postings are in the IT field. Besides, I was a teacher in HK (Even worse, I taught English... which is absolutely useless here). So now I'm thinking what I can do really.

[Dr_LHA 3]

You could teach English as a Foriegn language. There are plenty of people in the San Jose that don't speak English as their first language.

[Sleepybears 0]

dr_lha,

Oh really? I may do some research to see if I can do such kind of job then. Does anyone know if I should study for anything to teach ESL? (I've studied the English degree, English master degree and teaching diploma in HK)