Trouble finding a job

[JenniferRae88 0]

Hello,

My husband has been living in the US as a permanent resident since January 2012. He immediately started looking for work and was offered a paid internship which he was told might turn into a job after three months. It did not, and he went back to the job search. It is now the middle of November and the only work he has been able to find is a part time job as a cook in a restaurant. He is educated and speaks fluent English. Does anyone know why employers may not be interested in him? Is there a reason they might be hesitant to hire a permanent resident over a US Citizen?

Thanks for any advice.

[Sandesh&Sveta 1]

My guess is experience.. experience. When I was new to US on a permanent residency, most of the time i was rejected due to lack of experience.

I started working at Taco bell to get experience.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

What were his jobs in Mexico? What jobs are he applying for here? Is his resume up to US standards?

[reese1 68]

It all depends on what field of work he is looking for, and what area you live in. Has he not been getting any interviews and just no call back. Or just nothing all together?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If he doesn't have a college education it is a terrible job market, if he has one it is just awful. He can be fluent in english but still have an accent that make it difficult for others to understand. I know there are time even my children ask him to repeat what was said. The first real job as an immigrant is the hardest. Employers like to be able to verify work history and they don't want to make an international call to do that.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Some questions: What field(s) are of interest to him? Where is he applying?

Also, if he's applying for positions where a cover letter and résumé are needed, it would be a good idea to have them reviewed by either someone in your local college/university career office or reach out to an employment agency to ensure his skills are being appropriately highlighted.

You mentioned, "Is there a reason they might be hesitant to hire a permanent resident over a US Citizen?" does that mean he's getting to the interview stage and not being hired?

Although he didn't receive a full-time position from the internship, I hope he's kept in touch with the people at that position. You never know what could happen in the future, or if perhaps they have a lead on a full-time position.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Why did you post this 3 times in 3 different forums? One post in one forum is all that is needed.

My husband had trouble finding a job after he moved to the US too. He speaks fluent English without a 'thick accent'. His resume was updated and brought up to US standards, yet he still struggled. I believe it is lack of US experience. My husband took a part time job. While working that job he was recruited by another company where he works now not only full time, but also with a decent raise from what he was making before. Have him take a part time position if that is what it takes to gain US work experience. Update his resume and have him keep looking and applying to the jobs he is qualified for and wants while working part time for the experience.

It can be frustrating. My husband was getting down on himself and extremely frustrated while trying to get work. Tell your husband to try and hang in there and be persistent. The economy and job market are pretty shaky right now so it could take longer to find something, but there are still jobs available so he should keep at the hunt and try not to get too discouraged.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[Cesar & Cata 35]

Hello,

My husband has been living in the US as a permanent resident since January 2012. He immediately started looking for work and was offered a paid internship which he was told might turn into a job after three months. It did not, and he went back to the job search. It is now the middle of November and the only work he has been able to find is a part time job as a cook in a restaurant. He is educated and speaks fluent English. Does anyone know why employers may not be interested in him? Is there a reason they might be hesitant to hire a permanent resident over a US Citizen?

Thanks for any advice.

0

I was a LPR for 10 years and never had any issues finding work. A friend of mine was in limbo regarding immigration status last year and also got an offer for 58k/year position. May just be his specific career field that may be difficult.

Good Luck.

[Krikit 1,164]

Merging multiple threads.

[olola22 1]

I have same problem. I have been looking for job all this while and my resume is US standard. I'm also a student in a community college where me and my wife live. I decided to transfer my credit to another college which is in a big city but same state, but there is lots of job opportunity there. We live in a small town where there is no job, i tried hard to get one but none is available and we have lots of bills to pay. So i moved to big city where i was scouting. My 2 years permanent resident will be expire ths coming june 2013. My question is, i will like to know if there is going to be issue with me filing ROC. Pls reply with help information. Thanks and God bless

[mrsjohnsonscat 7]

A lot of this has to do with the job market, in some locations it is simply impossible to find work quickly as there are so many people out of work. It is not unheard of for hundreds of people applying to the same position. Add in lack of 'experience' or easily verifiable references and your resume gets 'round filed'. That being said, there are opportunities, but he may have to settle for a lesser position at first.

My spouse with a degree in Computer Science ended up working at a local retailer with the understanding that it's temporary and allows her to work on her English skills, gain verifiable work experience and references in the US and get a feel for how things are here.

Is she happy? Well yes and no, she would rather work in a position that allows her to reach her full potential, the current job is boring and underwhelming; but it's giving her the confidence to look for other work without the fear of her English being not good enough or not understanding how things are done.

So it's a start and it allows her to feel as if she's contributing to the family and that's what she wants to do most of all, regardless of the position.

Good luck and don't give up.

[bigdog 376]

My wife is an electrical engineer, same issue. I think her English was a little weak, she is doing well and going to school now.

[ca_babe 129]

A lot of this has to do with the job market, in some locations it is simply impossible to find work quickly as there are so many people out of work. It is not unheard of for hundreds of people applying to the same position. Add in lack of 'experience' or easily verifiable references and your resume gets 'round filed'. That being said, there are opportunities, but he may have to settle for a lesser position at first.

My spouse with a degree in Computer Science ended up working at a local retailer with the understanding that it's temporary and allows her to work on her English skills, gain verifiable work experience and references in the US and get a feel for how things are here.

Is she happy? Well yes and no, she would rather work in a position that allows her to reach her full potential, the current job is boring and underwhelming; but it's giving her the confidence to look for other work without the fear of her English being not good enough or not understanding how things are done.

So it's a start and it allows her to feel as if she's contributing to the family and that's what she wants to do most of all, regardless of the position.

Good luck and don't give up.

I'm surprised that your wife's accent is hindering her from getting a job in her field if she has a computer science degree. Most of the IT companies have more immigrant employees in the tech department than US-born employees, at least in California. It's very common to work with people with thick accents and if you want to talk to somebody without an accent, then you talk to the receptionist. The longer she stays in that retail job, the harder it is for her to get into the tech field.

[AmyWrites 593]

Here's what my husband did (he's gotten lots of interviews so far, at least):

- He speaks good English, with only a very slight accent. If your partner has an accent/difficulties speaking English, it is best to enroll in some courses or something. The truth is even the most open-minded, pro-immigrant employer will prefer to hire someone with better English skills.

- Update the resume NOW. Pay someone to do it if you have to. Have many professionals (especially in your field), review it.

- Join good job websites. My husband joined theladders.com, that's where he's gotten a huge majority of his interviews for.

- Try to get US-based references. Even volunteering, the leader can vouch for you. Anything.

The only reason he doesn't have a US job yet is because we live in US territory and most employers want either someone local or we just don't want to move to that particular state/city. He's in IT, also. Sadly the truth is it's very hard to find a job, it's better to be a stronger field.

Edited November 21, 2012 by AmyWrites

[epsonderby 85]

I started applying for jobs a couple of weeks ago after I received my EAD and SSN. I sent of 5 applications and received 5 callbacks. I just accepted an offer from the first company that got back to me. It's a great job with wonderful prospects and great benefits.

- I'm British so I don't think I suffered from the accent issues, if anything it was a great icebreaker and something every recruiter remarked upon and saw as a positive.

- I have spent a lot of time overseas and was told by one of my old bosses that he was contacted by someone checking my background information and could they confirm some aspects of my job role whilst working with him. I think companies are willing to check international background information if necessary.

- I ensured that for each different job I applied for that my resume was tailored specifically for that job and that it didn't sound too generalized or vague with regards to responsibilities, skills or achievements.

- I found my openings by going to places like indeed.com and midgeorgiahelpwanted.com and seeing who was looking. I would then go to the company's own website and apply there, rather than through a third-party.

- I didn't have any US references, all of mine were European/African/Asian and it didn't seem to do me any harm.