Finding Work in Pittsburgh

[yamashitariki 4]

This is really a tough one - finding work in America.

As one VJ poster here commented about how it is living the American Nightmare instead of a dream.

I received my combo card on Saturday, Nov 5. It has an EAD and AP combined. Pretty cool and I got it quite fast after being notified about 2 weeks back.

I've since been in Pittsburgh trying to settle in these past 4 months. I've taken the advice of many here who are helpful. And prepared myself mentally even before arriving. Things like converting one's resume into an American style, the I-9 forms and our rights, volunteering, socializing (MeetUp.com), etc.

I've started applying for actively for jobs a month back and I must say this has been extremely difficult. It is really a humbling experience so far. I tried job positions above, equal and below my qualifications to a lackluster result. I have scoured craigslist for part time jobs even. I do get some responses, but nothing more. Perhaps I am being impatient?

I liked how some have mentioned in this section of the forum about how we are in the Jobless Club.

Strange thing about Pittsburgh. It seems difficult for me in finding friends. I can talk to anyone but it goes no further. Almost a reflection on my job hunt.

Basically, besides an outlet to rant. I was wondering if there are any Pittburghers here who could offer some advice?

And if you are in Pittsburgh, I'd like to hear about your experience too. Maybe some lurker here might benefit from this sharing?

Thanks.

[GnBnL 50]

I'm not from Pittsburg, but I wanted to say that I am from Canada and I have found it difficult to connect with American friends. I have lived in the US altogether for about 3.5 years, and I don't have that many friends. I find sometimes that people being friendly and social with me is just a courtesy and not the start of a friendship I had hoped for. I've even made plans with "friends" here and often they enthusiastically agree, but when the time comes, its just doesn't happen. I have a handful of people I spend time with, which is fine for me, but I found it took awhile to weed out the ones that were simply being socially polite. Anyway, good luck in your job hunt. Persistence is good. A lot of lazy people out there.

[wee carrington 33]

I'll put in my two-cents as well. I moved to the United Kingdom (Scotland) from the U.S. to marry my (now) husband. It took me almost 3 years to make even one close friend. I think it's more a problem of being an adult in a new area trying to connect with other adults, it's simply more difficult than when you're 18 years old and you make a friend because you like the same band or something, you know? You need to allow for a period of settling and adjustment and from my experience it can be a bit daunting at times.

Whenever I became a little sad or homesick I remembered that the hurt was a lot worse when I was away from my husband.

I'm from Buffalo-- kind of similar-type city to Pittsburgh. I'm guessing that most who people live there are actually from there which I bet can make it even more of a challenge.

I really do hope you make some nice friends very soon!!

Edited November 7, 2011 by Mrs GH

[NY_BX 397]

This is really a tough one - finding work in America.

As one VJ poster here commented about how it is living the American Nightmare instead of a dream.

I received my combo card on Saturday, Nov 5. It has an EAD and AP combined. Pretty cool and I got it quite fast after being notified about 2 weeks back.

I've since been in Pittsburgh trying to settle in these past 4 months. I've taken the advice of many here who are helpful. And prepared myself mentally even before arriving. Things like converting one's resume into an American style, the I-9 forms and our rights, volunteering, socializing (MeetUp.com), etc.

I've started applying for actively for jobs a month back and I must say this has been extremely difficult. It is really a humbling experience so far. I tried job positions above, equal and below my qualifications to a lackluster result. I have scoured craigslist for part time jobs even. I do get some responses, but nothing more. Perhaps I am being impatient?

I liked how some have mentioned in this section of the forum about how we are in the Jobless Club.

Strange thing about Pittsburgh. It seems difficult for me in finding friends. I can talk to anyone but it goes no further. Almost a reflection on my job hunt.

Basically, besides an outlet to rant. I was wondering if there are any Pittburghers here who could offer some advice?

And if you are in Pittsburgh, I'd like to hear about your experience too. Maybe some lurker here might benefit from this sharing?

Thanks.

Are you looking around the tri-state area? Things are very stagnet in the job market, I'm afraid. Not to mention, is Q4 and a lot of companies are just closing their budgets. Outside of any stores hiring for Christmas shopping, it is really hard to find permanent work in a stable field. Are you open to work as a waiter or bartender? Maybe a gym? This is high season for those industries, so maybe you can check.

Good luck!

[Darnell 8,478]

Did you do any 'walk on' to the employment office at uPitt ?

[ethel_eric 2]

wow, after reading your post, I felt lucky. I came here in Florida from the Philippines on 5/23/2008, got my working permit on 8/2008, I starting looking for a job like crazy everyday for months...I was not so concerned about meeting friends then but I did meet good people along the way. On Dec 16, 2008 I was hired as intake specialist in RWB (Regional Work Force Board) at the local One Stop Center and after 4 months I was promoted to case manager and with God's mercy still employed up to now. Do you have a local One Stop at your area? One of the things we do is help find people jobs, although the department I am in is Welfare Transition,( I managed people applying for cash assistance) but our common goal (One Stop) is to help people find suitable employment so we also do job matching from time to time. I did start as a volunteer first and then when one position opened I applied. I had people applied through snag a job, career builder, monster.com etc, which I am sure you already know of. I would like to suggest you go to your local One Stop Center.

[yash0500 5]

Bye the way what's your field or area of work ?

[yamashitariki 4]

Last night and this afternoon I walked around to the neighbouring streets with stores to see if there are any Help Wanted signs. So far, stores like Subway are hiring.

With luck, right after the post I sent; I was offered a part time odd job (cash terms) by a neighbour who needed some help with computer related work. I also got notified for an interview with Teavana at the mall.

I feel a little uneasy about the Teavana job as I've been reading a lot of horror stories about them after I had applied. Since I've not been offered perhaps I'm thinking too much and would just go for the interview anyway. Everyone's experience is different.

I was also quite surprised how many of you commented and gave me a lot of comfort and insights too. I'll try to address each one.

@Gabbi

I really feel for you. We seem to be on the same boat. I have no problems talking to people or even going up to strangers to talk. My wife has a few university friends, but perhaps we are somehow different in some mysterious cosmic terms. We are hardly invited to their social events. I know most of them as all of us talked quite a bit. So I don't know what's up. It is quite painful to see their facebook updates and photos of their recent meet up's and not being invited. Social politeness is something I had been warned before by friends who had lived in the US, but I have finally got the first hand experience. I never realised you could talk and be chatty and then not be friends and hold some reservations. I would like to note also, what I express here is over generalisation and largely dependent on the people. I'm still hopeful to finding friends here. I also hope you can slowly build your network or roots.

@Mrs GH

3 years. Wow. You really said it. I am socially irrelevant. I'm quite an online sort of person. But unless you see people in person, I guess that might answer my question why I've not been invited. It is much easier when you come to the country as a student compared to being married. There is absolutely no social context. And people tend to be friends with someone in their social circle. Daunting is the keyword. It is also quite difficult for us as my wife has no immediate family here either. I'm basically a walking target for cult recruitment. Ugh. Being friends with adults is tough, no hey we dig the same bands. Also most have children. My in-laws often tell me once I start working it will be easier. Thanks for your well wishes and it was a comforting note.

@NY_BX

I'm not sure if I'm in the tri-state area. But yeah, Pittsburgh isn't really known to be a thriving market. I was well aware of that before arriving and it got me worried. I might have a better chance in Philly, but my wife is studying for the long haul here. I find it quite tough when before I was working as in a senior marketing position (almost made a manager) and now I'm back to square one. I read that I shouldn't sell myself short but I would like something in my pockets when I walk around. And what is with these well-dressed bums asking me for 25 cents to a dollar? I keep telling them. No, I don't have money. I am unemployed. Last night, one asked me to go to the ATM to get it. The nerve. You are right, for Q4 stores are definitely hiring and I'm trying to ride on that wave. Thanks, I'll try to catch that luck you sent!

@Darnell

Hello. You mean, just walk in and ask for work with UPitt? I might when my desperation reaches. I have tried applying for relevant jobs at their website.

@ethel_eric

I'm not too familiar with Career One Stop Center. I'll check it out. This is the website I presume, if anyone else might find useful : http://www.careeronestop.org/ . Yes, we should always be thankful.

@yash0500

I'm in Marketing Communication, specialising in Digital or Social Media; and Online Development (project management for building websites and tying in with e-marketing efforts).

[Darnell 8,478]

@Darnell

Hello. You mean, just walk in and ask for work with UPitt? I might when my desperation reaches. I have tried applying for relevant jobs at their website.

Yup. Take the first job that opens up. Then, a few months later, when you SEE the 'hidden jobs' that are only available for current uPitt employees - apply.

uPitt is not a bad place to work, you can 'work yer way up' over the course of a year. Plus the free and reduced tuition is a godsend.

Check it out! Get out of the house, soonish !

[walk on, to the employment office at uPitt, todayish - don't waste time with their web site]

[yamashitariki 4]

Yup. Take the first job that opens up. Then, a few months later, when you SEE the 'hidden jobs' that are only available for current uPitt employees - apply.

uPitt is not a bad place to work, you can 'work yer way up' over the course of a year. Plus the free and reduced tuition is a godsend.

Check it out! Get out of the house, soonish !

[walk on, to the employment office at uPitt, todayish - don't waste time with their web site]

Thanks for the encouragement! I will do that. Will let you know what happens. In the meantime, I am starting a part time job with a neighbour who needs some help. He might recommend me to his ex-wife who runs her own Marketing business. Wish me luck for that too.

[Mark UK 3]

I'm from the Pittsburgh area but I think I got lucky. I moved here in 2006 and, after I had got married and applied for the Green Card, I spent time looking on job sites.

It was tough, though it was brief. I was pretty well qualified back in the UK and left a high-tech job which I really liked and I got the very strong impression that my previous career accomplishments and qualifications were ignored because they weren't from the US (college degrees, certifications, etc). Frankly, when I came over, I was expecting to work at a much lower level than I had been in the UK. Instead of being a high-level tech guy, I was expecting to repair PCs for a local shop or even work in McDonald's (I thought I'd have to change career, etc).

I put my resume out there on the tech job sites without too much hope, waited a week or two and got a couple of good hits - including one place who really wanted me to start ASAP and was understanding of the whole immigration process as a lot of their workers were immigrants. It was a high-tech job doing the sort of stuff I did in the UK, luckily.

Since then, I've got back to my former level that I was at in Europe and risen past it. It's very true that once you have a job, it's a lot easier to get another. But getting the first one must be very tough, especially in certain sectors - I'm trying to help my step-son into IT and there's just too much competition at the lower-end of the scale. A lot of people are trying to switch into IT around here and he's competing against a lot of college graduates, people with 10 years' experience on him, etc.

Pittsburgh is good for IT, health care and education. I didn't notice you mention what industry you're in, but a lot of the other industries are, like everything else in the States, struggling right now.

You have to keep plugging away and hope you get lucky, I'm afraid. All the best.

Mark

[Mark UK 3]

And, in terms of friends, it feels like just the same as everywhere else, to be honest: you meet most of your friends through work. Once I started working, I started making friends, good ones at that. Before that, well, we live in a rural area and it was a real culture shock and I found it difficult to bridge that. I still don't like the fact my accent (English) sets me apart from people where I live and I've been a citizen for a year! I have a lot more friends in Pittsburgh than where I live...

[yamashitariki 4]

Thank you MarkUK for your encouragement and sharing your experience. I used to be in the F&B, Entertainment, & FMCG industry. The industries you have mentioned are predominant here alright. I'm also very happy to hear about your job experience. A lot of it has to do with luck, persistence and people you know. I've been fortunate recently to get a part time job and there are prospects for others through recommendation.

I've been quite aggressive going out to meeting new people. And finding a social context and being present. Over time, I hope I'll develop some friendships. Been also bumping into random friendly people and just going with the flow. The holidays are coming up, and flights being expensive as they are; I hope I can have something saved to visit my relatives back home too.

[TammyandJosh 1]

Just wanted to say hi..We are awaiting my NOA-2 (206 days today) and Im moving from canada to pittsburgh. how do you like it? im in healthcare so im hoping it will be kind of easy..but am prepared to take anything i can get for awhile...

Not alot to say..just wanted to say best of luck..

Thank you MarkUK for your encouragement and sharing your experience. I used to be in the F&B, Entertainment, & FMCG industry. The industries you have mentioned are predominant here alright. I'm also very happy to hear about your job experience. A lot of it has to do with luck, persistence and people you know. I've been fortunate recently to get a part time job and there are prospects for others through recommendation.

I've been quite aggressive going out to meeting new people. And finding a social context and being present. Over time, I hope I'll develop some friendships. Been also bumping into random friendly people and just going with the flow. The holidays are coming up, and flights being expensive as they are; I hope I can have something saved to visit my relatives back home too.