The 1st job in America!!!

[sercontigo 1]

Patience and Persistence.

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

Hey Veroka!!

I'm peruvian too, and to be honest I didnt' have any problem finding a job here (NYC) the fact that you are bilingual helps alot.

Try some web sites monter.com, craiglist.com,Hotjobs.com, I didn't have any reference but my experience in Peru ( I was a tour guide and worked with different travel agencies) was enough, the only confusion I had was when they asked about my last salaries, I never mention the amount in soles or dollars. I put the equivalent in dollars.

Good Luck!

Vi

My wife was a little cranky. She applied for all kinds of jobs in Phoenix that said they were looking for bilingual workers. She was a little upset when she found out that 'bilingual' in the US means Spanish/English. She thought she would be a shoe-in with English/German/Russian/Ukrainian.

Joel

[V&J2005 0]

my 1st job in USA is same area i was working in Peru(my country)... In a pharmacy but of course I'm not a pharmacist here.

but also there are many opportunities as a bilingual (spanish/english).

I think at 1st can be challenging get a job because you start w/nothing.. Zero work xperience, zero references, no driv license, ... so You need to be patient and keep looking there are someting for you out there.

For me, it was a procces because I got 1st my driver lincese then I went to a school in order to get a certificate and finally i applied for many jobs and one of them called me...

[Sleepybears 0]

Well... some people asked me to keep trying. but this is just too frustrating for me.

I have said something similar in a few other threads. I've been here for a little more than a year. But I can't find a job yet.... not even part-time(even agency won't respond me!). I figured out a driving license is like a must here so I got mine in February ( a headache for getting one, the DMV here sucks). Then since April, I really tried hard to apply jobs. And my husband also asked his friends/ co-workers to help. BUT there's never any luck. So far I only have one job interview (cuz of the introduction of my husband's co-worker). BUT then they didnt like me cuz I don't have any IT company working experience ( I was a teacher in Hong Kong). Then I almost got 2 interviews with the jobs I applied but they CANCELLED the interview later even before they met me in person. They just said that there were too many applicants. Also my resume has been reviewed by my husband's co-worker in HR but there's no problem.

Sigh... this is all discouraging experience for me. I've applied all kinds of jobs except supermarkets and restaurants... which I really don't want to work in those places. But my self-esteem has become lower and lower cuz even sales jobs with not much requirement won't consider me. There're not so many jobs here and I really can't drive far to work ( I didn't have to drive in my own country so it's difficult for me). Also there're way too many applicants when there's one non-IT/ engineering job here.

A few of my friends asked me maybe I should study something. BUT I'm not young anymore. And I've studied so much in my home country now I just want a job, even a part-time. Also even I study, I'm not confident if I can find a job after that. So a few other friends also asked me to just forget about studying, dont waste my time & money (which I don't have much now... ), they just asked me to concentrate on selling stuff to earn money to e-bay (trying now...)

I just wanna say... the job market here is really much worse than I thought. and if i worked in the IT company in my home country, maybe its a lot easier. Now I really don't know what to do here...

[TracyLuis 0]

I really think in a lot of cases, you may have to be willing to start "at the bottom" and work your way up. Unfortunately, I've seen many times people with education and experience from another country that just doesn't translate well when they look for work here in the States.

It's a frustrating reality. But being bilingual makes one very marketable here, too. So I recommend looking for work that needs that type of skill.

[Sleepybears 0]

Yeah i know we should start at the bottom. So i'm just applying sales in the stores or teaching/ office assistants. I didn't even apply those which require a lot of experience/ specific qualification. In their job requirement, they just said that you need to be a high school graduate with little or no experience. But then they still didn't consider me. I also want to find a job which need my bilingual skill, but my bilingual is English/ Chinese. Here there're many Chinese professionals who have better English/ Chinese than me... sigh... I also want to find a Chinese company cuz I know it'd be easier. But there aren't any that I know here. The Chinese who work in here are all working in big companies.

Edited August 3, 2007 by Sleepybears

[zetku 0]

Yeah i know we should start at the bottom. So i'm just applying sales in the stores or teaching/ office assistants. I didn't even apply those which require a lot of experience/ specific qualification. In their job requirement, they just said that you need to be a high school graduate with little or no experience. But then they still didn't consider me. I also want to find a job which need my bilingual skill, but my bilingual is English/ Chinese. Here there're many Chinese professionals who have better English/ Chinese than me... sigh... I also want to find a Chinese company cuz I know it'd be easier. But there aren't any that I know here. The Chinese who work in here are all working in big companies.

i'm so sorry you are having such a hard time finding employment. i know that must be very disappointing and discouraging. have you tried looking into entry positions at non-profits that work with immigrant communities? often unions are searching desperately for bi-lingual people to assist in informing people about their employment rights etc. that could definitely key into your teaching experience. many progressive organizations seek to hire and train women from different communities/ethnicities as they are committed to diversity. try idealist.org for listings.

also working in restaurants and grocery stores can be great. i worked as a waitress all through college and met great people and made good money. i even picked-up a few shifts this summer for extra money as its a great side hustle. its hard work but it feels good to have that cash in your pocket after every shift. food prep in the kitchen is good position if you don't have the energy to move fast serving food. also grocery stores are often looking for consistent hardworking people and often they offer decent salaries and benefits. health food stores such as Whole Foods might be a good place to look esp if you know anything about or have an interest in "Chinese medicine" or natural healing methods (you can give yourself a crash course via the internet if necessary ). generally these places have pleasant atmospheres and interesting people coming in and out. you can also begin to gain experience in light admin, sales or shipping/receiving/ordering. or perhaps you search the phonebook for Chinese medicine practitioners--such as acupuncturists--they might need a bi-lingual receptionist or office admin.

at this point you need to just get that first job and from there your options will begin to open up. also you begin to meet people who may have connections in other fields. lastly volunteering in after school programs or the YMCA might be a way to build your teaching portfolio, if that is what you seek to continue doing. and maybe you can offer to tutor students in Chinese, you can put up signs on college campuses and cafes and see what happens.

just remember there so many job opportunities outside big companies and the IT sector though believe i feel your frustration because as a literature/ethnic studies professor/filmmaker in training, i'm quite un-marketable in those fields too!

i hope that my suggestions are even a tiny bit helpful and not assumptive or impractical. i wish you all the best!

[dave_ehssa 0]

Well... some people asked me to keep trying. but this is just too frustrating for me.

I have said something similar in a few other threads. I've been here for a little more than a year. But I can't find a job yet.... not even part-time(even agency won't respond me!). I figured out a driving license is like a must here so I got mine in February ( a headache for getting one, the DMV here sucks). Then since April, I really tried hard to apply jobs. And my husband also asked his friends/ co-workers to help. BUT there's never any luck. So far I only have one job interview (cuz of the introduction of my husband's co-worker). BUT then they didnt like me cuz I don't have any IT company working experience ( I was a teacher in Hong Kong). Then I almost got 2 interviews with the jobs I applied but they CANCELLED the interview later even before they met me in person. They just said that there were too many applicants. Also my resume has been reviewed by my husband's co-worker in HR but there's no problem.

Sigh... this is all discouraging experience for me. I've applied all kinds of jobs except supermarkets and restaurants... which I really don't want to work in those places. But my self-esteem has become lower and lower cuz even sales jobs with not much requirement won't consider me. There're not so many jobs here and I really can't drive far to work ( I didn't have to drive in my own country so it's difficult for me). Also there're way too many applicants when there's one non-IT/ engineering job here.

A few of my friends asked me maybe I should study something. BUT I'm not young anymore. And I've studied so much in my home country now I just want a job, even a part-time. Also even I study, I'm not confident if I can find a job after that. So a few other friends also asked me to just forget about studying, dont waste my time & money (which I don't have much now... ), they just asked me to concentrate on selling stuff to earn money to e-bay (trying now...)

I just wanna say... the job market here is really much worse than I thought. and if i worked in the IT company in my home country, maybe its a lot easier. Now I really don't know what to do here...

hi! r u a teacher?? im a teacher too....this time schools are looking for teachers why dont u send ur resume...i recieved a lot of calls for 2 weeks and got offers too...teachers r in demand. This time im having my driving class and im choosing now in what schools i want...had 2 job offered and 4 interviews pending..but i will prioritize the one which is an interview in public school. Especially this time. I sent my application just last month..try applying for paraprofessional..theyl accept u...or pre-k teachers!

believe me they call u...coz they need teachers now!

[randolady 1]

Ombeni will be bringing letters of recommendation from his two most recent employers. Is there any way your old employers could mail you letters?

What types of jobs are you looking at? I think it's an unfortunate fact that you may have to start at a lower position in America than you had in Peru. Good luck and hang in there! I know it's frustrating, but sooner or later things will work out.

[Dan J 277]

Well... some people asked me to keep trying. but this is just too frustrating for me.

I have said something similar in a few other threads. I've been here for a little more than a year. But I can't find a job yet.... not even part-time(even agency won't respond me!). I figured out a driving license is like a must here so I got mine in February ( a headache for getting one, the DMV here sucks). Then since April, I really tried hard to apply jobs. And my husband also asked his friends/ co-workers to help. BUT there's never any luck. So far I only have one job interview (cuz of the introduction of my husband's co-worker). BUT then they didnt like me cuz I don't have any IT company working experience ( I was a teacher in Hong Kong). Then I almost got 2 interviews with the jobs I applied but they CANCELLED the interview later even before they met me in person. They just said that there were too many applicants. Also my resume has been reviewed by my husband's co-worker in HR but there's no problem.

Sigh... this is all discouraging experience for me. I've applied all kinds of jobs except supermarkets and restaurants... which I really don't want to work in those places. But my self-esteem has become lower and lower cuz even sales jobs with not much requirement won't consider me. There're not so many jobs here and I really can't drive far to work ( I didn't have to drive in my own country so it's difficult for me). Also there're way too many applicants when there's one non-IT/ engineering job here.

A few of my friends asked me maybe I should study something. BUT I'm not young anymore. And I've studied so much in my home country now I just want a job, even a part-time. Also even I study, I'm not confident if I can find a job after that. So a few other friends also asked me to just forget about studying, dont waste my time & money (which I don't have much now... ), they just asked me to concentrate on selling stuff to earn money to e-bay (trying now...)

I just wanna say... the job market here is really much worse than I thought. and if i worked in the IT company in my home country, maybe its a lot easier. Now I really don't know what to do here...

hi! r u a teacher?? im a teacher too....this time schools are looking for teachers why dont u send ur resume...i recieved a lot of calls for 2 weeks and got offers too...teachers r in demand. This time im having my driving class and im choosing now in what schools i want...had 2 job offered and 4 interviews pending..but i will prioritize the one which is an interview in public school. Especially this time. I sent my application just last month..try applying for paraprofessional..theyl accept u...or pre-k teachers!

believe me they call u...coz they need teachers now!

Yes teachers in the areas of science and math are in high demand. Some schools might require a masters degree in education, otherwise its likely you will need at least a bachelors or something equivalent.

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth's first job was at the Hyatt and her second was with Sears and she didn't have any training for anything.

[Sleepybears 0]

zetku,

Thank you for your reply. I think that maybe working in non-profit sectors is better. But I really don't see many of these jobs... I guess I don't know where to search some particular jobs. I only saw a few of these jobs on craigslist, but they're searching for admin people who have related experience...

But I will certainly go to the website you suggested to see what's there.

dave_ehssa,

I really don't know how you got interviews from them. 1. my teaching cert in HK is not recognised here. 2. the teaching positions/ pre-K teachers all require teaching credentials or ECE units. Actually I did try to apply for teaching assistants but even those don't consider me. I went to another thread and another teacher who taught English and Science in Canada also can find a teaching assistant job only. And what is even worse is I taught English in Hong Kong, which I should say is totally useless here.

[raphael7546 0]

One thing that helped me considerably to get a job here in the states ,was Volunteer work.

I volunteered at the Air Force Museum as the receptionist. I really liked it and it was something I could put on my resume. My employer really likes to hire people who do volunteer work. In fact, we get paid to volunteer ! They like us to do at least 16 hrs of volunteer work from their list of different places per month. Right now were helping out with Habitat for humanity.

There's plenty of oppourtunity to do volunteer work. Call your local chamber of comerce and ask for a list.

[BJZags 17]

If a new immigrant REALLY wants to work as soon as possible after getting the EAD, my advice would be to volunteer somewhere upon arrival. Not only is that instantly gaining "experience" in America, but it also gives a "reference" for a prospective employer to call. My wife did this, and within one-week of getting EAD, she had a job.

[dave_ehssa 0]

zetku,

Thank you for your reply. I think that maybe working in non-profit sectors is better. But I really don't see many of these jobs... I guess I don't know where to search some particular jobs. I only saw a few of these jobs on craigslist, but they're searching for admin people who have related experience...

But I will certainly go to the website you suggested to see what's there.

dave_ehssa,

I really don't know how you got interviews from them. 1. my teaching cert in HK is not recognised here. 2. the teaching positions/ pre-K teachers all require teaching credentials or ECE units. Actually I did try to apply for teaching assistants but even those don't consider me. I went to another thread and another teacher who taught English and Science in Canada also can find a teaching assistant job only. And what is even worse is I taught English in Hong Kong, which I should say is totally useless here.

My teaching cert in Phils were not recognized too...the schools here requires ECE but they consider it i think I dont know why i received 2 offers..infact i got interview yesterday in public school as assistant teacher. They didnt look for ECE or other credentials...my hubby said once theyl interview u there's a chance that the principal liked u. Im hoping theyll call at the end of this week. Start lower positions like teacher's assistant. And look for interview questions and study. Make good resume that will capture their attentions. The schools are looking for teachers and are given an equal opportunity regardless with race, color, disability etc. I saw mexican teachers, filipina, chinese and others. So, meaning its a diverse country. So, dont lose hope! I believe there's a job out there that is for u!