Finding work in Illinois

[Waheed and Kris 0]

My husband has been here since 2009 and has his green card. We live south of Chicago in Illinois. The job market has just been horrible. After 200 online job applications (Zero job interviews), he finally got a job through a friend of mine and that was only a part time temporary job that lasted five months paying minimum wage. He has now landed a security job that pays slightly more than minimum wage but it is a full time permanent employment. He completed 20 hours of unarmed security job training and had to obtain a PERC card through the State. I truly believe the only reason he got this job is because the guy interviewing was a Pakistani.

The job market in this country totally sucks right now. Good luck to all of you in your employment search !!

Peace,

Kris

[together4evr 360]

Congrats! I am south of chicago about 2 hrs. Jobs are hard to come by here too. I think my husbands accent will make it harder to get hired. He just got here so I am not too concerned yet. But I pray it wont take 2 years.

[Darnell 8,478]

I think it's solely on 'who ya know' , for successfully getting a job here in the USA.

'How to know them' can vary widely. I've written lots of posts these last 4 years on how to get out and 'know' people...

Congrats on getting the job !

[Waheed and Kris 0]

Congrats! I am south of chicago about 2 hrs. Jobs are hard to come by here too. I think my husbands accent will make it harder to get hired. He just got here so I am not too concerned yet. But I pray it wont take 2 years.

Thank you Sister I hope it doesn't take that long either, it has been very disheartening. Use every contact you have to network and try to give him opportunities. My husbands accent was very thick when he got here as well, but over time it is getting much better. Good Luck

[Waheed and Kris 0]

I think it's solely on 'who ya know' , for successfully getting a job here in the USA.

'How to know them' can vary widely. I've written lots of posts these last 4 years on how to get out and 'know' people...

Congrats on getting the job !

Thank you You are absolutely right !! Use every contact, talk to people, collect business cards. If someone offers to help in your job search. Accept their offer and follow-up with them. Be proactive and don't give up.

[Darnell 8,478]

Thank you You are absolutely right !! Use every contact, talk to people, collect business cards. If someone offers to help in your job search. Accept their offer and follow-up with them. Be proactive and don't give up.

My favorite method is to volunteer with the local Chamber of Commerce. Volunteer for as many events in a month as they can have you - the other folk there are businessmen in the community - it's a great way to meet the locals.

[kev_n_jena 89]

My husband has been here since 2009 and has his green card. We live south of Chicago in Illinois. The job market has just been horrible. After 200 online job applications (Zero job interviews), he finally got a job through a friend of mine and that was only a part time temporary job that lasted five months paying minimum wage. He has now landed a security job that pays slightly more than minimum wage but it is a full time permanent employment. He completed 20 hours of unarmed security job training and had to obtain a PERC card through the State. I truly believe the only reason he got this job is because the guy interviewing was a Pakistani.

The job market in this country totally sucks right now. Good luck to all of you in your employment search !!

Peace,

Kris

Congratulations on finding a job in Illinois. I've lived in this state all my life and it's really gone down hill in the past decade or two. Recently, businesses have been leaving our state for more tax friendly states. That's not a good thing. Our leaders in the state capital are not business friendly and this trend will continue until the voters replace them. Illinoisans need to look no further than Wisconsin and Indiana for an example of what needs to happen here. This state is worse than broke. We have a debt that our citizens may never be able to pay off. It's only a matter of time before our state declares bankruptcy if we don't drastically change our ways.

[Waheed and Kris 0]

My favorite method is to volunteer with the local Chamber of Commerce. Volunteer for as many events in a month as they can have you - the other folk there are businessmen in the community - it's a great way to meet the locals.

Volunteering a great way to meet and connect with people. Another idea is to volunteer at hospitals. They have a very active volunteer program. If you go to the website of the hospital in your area they usually have contact information about how to volunteer.

[Waheed and Kris 0]

Congratulations on finding a job in Illinois. I've lived in this state all my life and it's really gone down hill in the past decade or two. Recently, businesses have been leaving our state for more tax friendly states. That's not a good thing. Our leaders in the state capital are not business friendly and this trend will continue until the voters replace them. Illinoisans need to look no further than Wisconsin and Indiana for an example of what needs to happen here. This state is worse than broke. We have a debt that our citizens may never be able to pay off. It's only a matter of time before our state declares bankruptcy if we don't drastically change our ways.

I know... Right !! I have lived in Illinois my whole life as well. Our State is out of control

[Darnell 8,478]

I blame Senator Obama for most of the state's financial difficulties.

[Waheed and Kris 0]

Another great source for looking for work would be attending Job Fairs. I know they are few and far between right now. Keeping your resume updated and learning interviewing skills. I know that some counties in Illinois offer workshops on preparing for interviews and writing your resume.

Here is a website for Will County in Illinois. I am sure other States and counties have sites like this as well.

http://www.jobs4people.org/

[sn530 27]

Hey guys just want to encourage the people looking for jobs, Yes market is tough and even tougher for immigrants... work ethics are quite different from many other countries comparatively!

One of my previous jobs was to hire a large number of people for seasonal employment. Just an fyi there are many skilled people unemployed at the moment many whom are over qualified. Best thing to land a job is tailor your resume to mirror the job requirements... no one cookie cutter application will not work for various jobs!

I could go on with this forever... anyways I think someone mentioned this earlier... it is true who you know makes a big impact 70% of jobs are being landed by reference right now. So make connections and use them!

Feel free to PM me if anyone wants some advice, or assistance in looking over a resume.

[younis 10]

Why dont you blame BUSH

I blame Senator Obama for most of the state's financial difficulties.

[sn530 27]

Why dont you blame BUSH

Dear God please don't tell me we place blame based on party association..... president's rarely have the ability to make a change in the economic conditions of the national specially when houses are not in his favor or support his actions. The end!

[Chicagoguy 2 27]

At least he is slowly building a resume. That counts for something. I do believe an accent can also hurt. But we do have tons of Pakistani medical doctors.

Believe me Illinois' problem is not due to Obama, much as I hate to say it. It is Michael Madigan and the legislature. Much like Washington. A pox on all their houses.