Just moved US 4 months ago

[catracha85 6]

Hi.... I just moved to the US 4 months ago. I have been trying to look for a job here, but nothing has arrived yet. Eventhough in my home country I have a Human Resources degree, here I have been applying in "lower" fields. I have fill applications in housekeeping, retail seller, telemarketing, waitress, at a flower shop, BJs, clothings shops.....even Mc D.! Sometimes I get frustrated, sad, disappointed, even mad at this f- state (we live in virginia btw). Thanks God my husband is able to support me and all needs in our home. But you know that now a days it is better to have two incomes in the house and (also that I love to work and I dont like to be a housewife). I feel like if I am having problems with not having a work history here, or no work contacts or recommendation. But, how the f- I am going to have if I have never been here before? If I dont have a work history???? Is this usual?? Is the economy just bad in the state of Virginia ?? or is it all around the country??

Any advise, recommendation, suggestion..........???? what to do? what to expect?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You are OVER-qualified for those positions. I would look for something in your field, like entry-level Human Resources positions. Make a US-style resume and highlight your achievements in your home country. Also, it might help to put in small letters somewhere that you are authorized to work in the US for any employer. Good luck!

[no more 16]

Hi! Sorry you are having problems finding work...Its tough right now for sure. Being that all major companies do background checks and credit checks ...Taking about month or month and half with all interviews and background checks. What I would suggest is going to smaller companies , privately owned maybe and apply there. Have you found a Honduras community there?? That could be a good way into a job too. I find with Turkish people they help each other in these times find work. Maybe you could go this route.

ALso do research about interviewing. Here in the states its about confidence in interview. Google interviewing and you can get great suggestions. Do you have a resume??

[Inky 1,111]

No its not just your state. I have had to look for 1.5 year to find a job.

[Pinkranger 0]

Same here. I've been looking for a full-time job since I received my EAD last March but no success until now. I was lucky enough to get a 9 hour a week job so I can at least have work reference and a company who has already run a background check on me (if it even helps). I have 15 years experience in financial industry where I am from and MIS degree but even JCPenney doesn't like me

Good luck to us! The right job will come.

[Anh map 2,098]

It's a tough market out there. The official unemployment number is 9.2% of the population. The reality is most likely higher.

Keep knocking on doors and be prepared to wow anyone that you speak with no matter what the position.

Best of luck.

[Harsh_77 718]

It tough market, with high level of unemployment, I am not complaining but even ppl who have jobs have to work lot more hours compared to previous conditions.

If you have experience in HR, you can write up a resume and apply for starting position in HR. There are different HR practices in different countries, so you will have to demonstrate that you have the required skills.

MacDs and other position are not looking for ppl with qualification, as they are more likely to leave the job and move to better job, for which they have to look for someone to backfill those positions.

[TheFantastics09 19]

No its not just your state. I have had to look for 1.5 year to find a job.

That is frightening! :S

[Darnell 8,478]

Have you applied for any city or county jobs ?

I was at a job fair last week, had a booth looking for software developers.

Next to my booth was a recruiter from the city jail - starting pay was 13.50/hr, ca.34,000 per annum,

no prior experience needed for the entry-level jailer positions.

One other thing that works - become a volunteer with your local Chamber of Commerce,

show up at all Chamber events, work a table or booth, become the friend of the Chamber President.

Usually you'll be able to talk to business owners in a non-hiring environment,

and the Chamber President always knows who's hiring.

Expect a full month of 'doing this', though -it's not instant, and you'll be making new contacts and friends along the way.

Most jobs in USA are not gotten by submitting a resume - they are gotten because of recommendations from friends and acquaintences.

Edited July 13, 2011 by Darnell

[~ameriptian~ 54]

I feel your frustration. I've been applying for jobs every single day for the last 4 months, and nothing 'decent' came by yet. I've had a few interviews, but the pay the employers offered was too little (I would literally be paying out of my pocket to go to work, if I went for some of these jobs).

I have a 4-year degree and have been a Translator/Interpreter in one of the biggest Translation and Research Agencies in Cairo, and it just puts me down that I never get calls back for positions I know I am qualified for or maybe over-qualified for.

You're not alone.. Hang in there...something will come by one day.

[Matt&Divorced 0]

I got my EAD in September 2010 and only just today got a call to start training with a University. I went for three interviews at that same College and got a job on campus as a part timer. While it wasn't the one I was after, as I went for a library job there too, at this point I was taking anything that I could do. The irony is this job requires working in the food industry and I've worked in the office area for years. You have to lower your expectations and just go with what you believe you can do, match your experience to the job in similar terms to that position. That's what I had to do at the interview and they must have liked what I said.

Edited July 15, 2011 by Matt & Kari

[monyfer 27]

Why are you applying in lower fields? Like others have said, apply for entry level HR jobs. Don't sell yourself short. Often times, lower level jobs won't hire over-qualified people because they know they won't stay long or are using the job as a bridge while finding a better one.

[prep.mac 7]

Hi, everyone!

"There is no menial jobs, just menial mentality" - forgot the author.

I have 9 years of HR Management and 2 years of teaching work experiences in the Philippines. I am starting work for 5 hours day Mon-Fri as pre-school/day care @9/hr. I have an under the table babysitting "job" @ $10/hr that started today. It's a Sat and Sunday thing for 5-6 hours/day. I got my EAD July 9 and applied for SSN July 11. SSA said I should have my SSN on Tues, July 19. Preschool's ok I start (job shadowing) on Monday, Form I-9 not due til Wed.

Yes, I "lowered" my standards but these are things I love to do too..working with kids and any money in this economy especially would be of help. I am continuously applying for entry level HR jobs as all my experiences were in my home country with US company employers.

I applied at Walmart even for part time sales or customer service work as my mornings are free Mon-Fri. I was told I was over qualified. Of course I am! But I didn't care. Well, I should try Kmart.haha!

Good luck to us starting our lives with our loved ones in the USA. I believe that 10% that happens in life is due to "uncontrollables" but 90% happens due to our attitudes.

Have a great one y'all!

[jessicarabbit1981 0]

Nice to know i'm not alone in the job hunting thing. I'll have been here for 1year next week. I have a 4yr degree in Statistics and Math and I've been working in market research for 4.5years. Back home I'd've snatched up market research jobs in no time but man am I stuggling here. Thinking of doing degree in teaching (secondary math) here next year cos I did a bit of lecturing and tutoring while at varsity and it's always been a secret dream to become a teacher. But I'm worried about financial implications.

Right now I'm looking for every type of job from contract to permanent data analyst jobs to part time cashier and babysitting/tutoring jobs and only a few interviews to date. and i've just landed a job working saturdays and sundays handing out samples at Shaw's supermarkets just to get some american experience on my resume.

Is it ok that I'm feeling really down in the dumps about this? I have to keep reminding myself that I came here for love and all the right reasons but staying positive while job hunting is really really tough...

good luck to everyone out there who's job hunting and feeling lost and sad and homesick sometimes

xx

[Karolinagirl97 0]

Hi.... I just moved to the US 4 months ago. I have been trying to look for a job here, but nothing has arrived yet. Eventhough in my home country I have a Human Resources degree, here I have been applying in "lower" fields. I have fill applications in housekeeping, retail seller, telemarketing, waitress, at a flower shop, BJs, clothings shops.....even Mc D.! Sometimes I get frustrated, sad, disappointed, even mad at this f- state (we live in virginia btw). Thanks God my husband is able to support me and all needs in our home. But you know that now a days it is better to have two incomes in the house and (also that I love to work and I dont like to be a housewife). I feel like if I am having problems with not having a work history here, or no work contacts or recommendation. But, how the f- I am going to have if I have never been here before? If I dont have a work history???? Is this usual?? Is the economy just bad in the state of Virginia ?? or is it all around the country??

Any advise, recommendation, suggestion..........???? what to do? what to expect?