Getting a job

[pbgirl 1]

Hi guys,

So I was wondering, those of you have SO that do not speak 100% perfect English, what did you do about getting a job and job experience in the US? As usual, its a catch 22 situation where everyone wants experience but no one will give you the chance to get it.

Even the Target's and local grocery stores are saying "oh, we'll call if you need you". I would think with the holiday season coming up, there would be a lot of seasonal jobs available.

I know it is especially hard when you have trouble understanding the language. Heck, I had to spend two weeks in Germany and at most of the stores and restaurants, I became so frustrated because no one could understand me and I couldn't understand German.

How do you get your SO that experience? What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

[JaJo 1]

Hi guys,

...

How do you get your SO that experience? What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

Hi pbgirl,

this threads might help you:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=36059&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24866

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28338

good luck

JA

Edited October 10, 2006 by JaJo

[meauxna 15]

What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

I didn't go through this, but your question made me start thinking...

If going for retail type jobs, look to the back end. Lack of English would be a barrier to working with customers, but many stocking, receiveing and/or shipping jobs don't require so much on-the-spot language skill.

If you go toward grocery, keep to the food side with an eye to specialties; I know the meat guys make much better money than a 'regular' food guy, and certainly more than the non-food folk for union jobs.

[Yodrak 7]

pbgirl,

Just saw the answer in another thread - drive a cab. Or be a migrant farm worker. Hotel maid?

Better yet - hold off on the job and take some English language courses.

Yodrak

Hi guys,

So I was wondering, those of you have SO that do not speak 100% perfect English, what did you do about getting a job and job experience in the US? As usual, its a catch 22 situation where everyone wants experience but no one will give you the chance to get it.

... What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

[sarah and hicham 3]

My husband was lucky enough to get a job in a moroccan restaurant owned by moroccans so they speak arabic. He works in the kitchen so he doesn't have to talk to any customers, good thing!

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

My wife signed up at a temp agency. They have sent her on assignements were 100% is not required. But she does get a chance to practice what she does have so we are happy.

Daniel

:energetic:

[pbgirl 1]

pbgirl,

Just saw the answer in another thread - drive a cab. Or be a migrant farm worker. Hotel maid?

Better yet - hold off on the job and take some English language courses.

Yodrak

Hi guys,

So I was wondering, those of you have SO that do not speak 100% perfect English, what did you do about getting a job and job experience in the US? As usual, its a catch 22 situation where everyone wants experience but no one will give you the chance to get it.

... What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

Thanks Yodrak, I am not sure if you are trying to be sarcastic or not.

I was just trying to see what other people looked into while polishing their english skills. ESL classes can only take you so far if you aren't able to practice them outside the classroom.

Daniel, what kind of temp agency did you try? Are they local or one of the national ones?

Sarah, that is great luck to work where he already is familiar with the language.

Thanks for the input everyone,

[Marc and Olga 0]

I have thought about this with Olga, since her English is not near 100%, I figure during the time the EAD is being processed that she will have time to learn, certainly I will help her with that and even hope to be able to afford classes for her, but with most things in English (or Spanish ) I think English will be easy to pick up!

I know DirectTV offers Russian channels and am interested in getting them for her to have some connection with Russia but for now, I think English only at home (I'm sure I will learn some Russian in the process! ) would be a good start!

[Carol&Marc 0]

I have thought about this with Olga, since her English is not near 100%, I figure during the time the EAD is being processed that she will have time to learn, certainly I will help her with that and even hope to be able to afford classes for her, but with most things in English (or Spanish ) I think English will be easy to pick up!

I know DirectTV offers Russian channels and am interested in getting them for her to have some connection with Russia but for now, I think English only at home (I'm sure I will learn some Russian in the process! ) would be a good start!

Just get out there and talk talk talk! its the best way! practice makes perfect! next thing you know you will be walkin the walk and talkin the talk!

[tsunamihart 0]

Hi guys,

So I was wondering, those of you have SO that do not speak 100% perfect English, what did you do about getting a job and job experience in the US? As usual, its a catch 22 situation where everyone wants experience but no one will give you the chance to get it.

Even the Target's and local grocery stores are saying "oh, we'll call if you need you". I would think with the holiday season coming up, there would be a lot of seasonal jobs available.

I know it is especially hard when you have trouble understanding the language. Heck, I had to spend two weeks in Germany and at most of the stores and restaurants, I became so frustrated because no one could understand me and I couldn't understand German.

How do you get your SO that experience? What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

Pb girl I just saw your post. We are in the Metro Detroit area. What's your 2nd language (er I mean native language)? Cristina looked on Monster.com for Bi-lingual but she also was scared because when she got here her English wasn't the best. I knew that getting her out there around other English speakers would improve her skills and it really has. She's gotten a wonderful job now, bi-lingual of course and they really appreciate her native language skills. Even on jobs @ yahoo.com there are a lot of Bi-lingual in our area and many different languages. If we can help don't hesitate to email us.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Ana signed up with what I believe is a regional temp agency. So far she has had two gigs. One was helping with a survey for the local mass transit. She would count the ppl that got on and off the buss and input it into a pda. No english required but of course it helps to read the instructions and transit timetables etc. She liked it becuase se got to practice listening and speaking english with different accents.

her current job is at a mail room for an insurance comp. again, not much english required to do the job, but sure helps to have some level in order to have ability to follow instructions and converse with coworkers.

Ana saw the ad one day for a temp jobs and went and spoke to the rep. They were very receptive.

Try it out. Try a couple if the first don't pan out.

good luck!

Daniel

:energetic:

[Yodrak 7]

pbgirl,

First paragraph flippant but realistic, second paragraph serious.

I agree, ESL classes can only take a person so far. After that, to get into a workplace, one may have to take jobs that are less than they are otherwise qualified for until their language skills improve.

Yodrak

pbgirl,

Just saw the answer in another thread - drive a cab. Or be a migrant farm worker. Hotel maid?

Better yet - hold off on the job and take some English language courses.

Yodrak

Hi guys,

So I was wondering, those of you have SO that do not speak 100% perfect English, what did you do about getting a job and job experience in the US? As usual, its a catch 22 situation where everyone wants experience but no one will give you the chance to get it.

... What other venues did you try for jobs if they were not as proficient in English?

Thanks Yodrak, I am not sure if you are trying to be sarcastic or not.

I was just trying to see what other people looked into while polishing their english skills. ESL classes can only take you so far if you aren't able to practice them outside the classroom.

....,

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I agree, ESL classes can only take a person so far. After that, to get into a workplace, one may have to take jobs that are less than they are otherwise qualified for until their language skills improve.

Yodrak

exactly my wife's situation.

Daniel

:energetic:

[anya-D 8]

well I'm quite lucky I'm working with Bram's friend's company... First just to help them out while they couldnt find someone but it's been a year now. I'm just a receptionist and office assistance(including fixing stuff ) and leaning to process the loan. I dont understand 100% of the call or some voice message so I asked my boss to help me listen to it if I couldnt figure out what they are talking about. So i'm quite lucky I got a boss who understand my limits and trying to help me to go to the next level.

I also think that leaning some specific course like a licence for mortgage, insurance or real estate would help too. (I have a real estate licence) because I wouldnt be able to get a job without experience, the job that require licence, I think it's easier to start and mostly offer training.. also if you can speak a different language then you also have a base customer in that language. I'm now looking for Insurance class.... hope to get the insurance licence soon. (also the course will help out with new vocaburary and local marketing and would also meet somepeople who soon to be in the same feild.. from my own experience in real estate class.. I just decide not to be a realtor as we need a stable income - for now anyway)