Can't Find Job, Need Support & Advice!

[Stuart and Katie 13]

Hi all,

I have had my conditional Green Card since the end of February but so far have had no luck with finding a job. My background in the UK is in I.T. to management level and since here I have applied for a variety of I.T. and business analyst roles.

I have had a few interviews for I.T. positions but all have been unsuccessful. A couple I could understand because I don't think I did myself justice but the others I just wonder if my status as a non-US citizen counted against me as I felt they went really well.

I'm actually thinking of retraining in something new now as I'm fed up of being rejected, I've wanted to leave the I.T. field altogether for a number of years now anyway.

Another frustration I have is that before I decided to move across to be with my American wife I obtained a postgraduate diploma in management but now I feel like it was a waste as I might have to start from a lower level.

Feeling very low to be honest, most days I am stuck at home and do nothing but watch TV, now I'm finding it hard to motivate myself.

Can anyone recommend a profession that is easy to train i order to increase my changes of getting an entry-level job and working my way up the ladder again? I'll consider anything. I was thinking of becoming a real estate appraiser but the fact that I'd likely be receiving no income for 2 years while I train is a huge red flag, my wife and I want to start our life together properly and to do that we need 2 incomes.

Just need to hear something that gives me some hope!

[shxn 2]

Have you tried contacting any I.T. recruiters out there? You could start off doing contract work and build your profile that way.

[Darnell 8,478]

basic q's - I apologize if you've already addressed this:

1. redo yer cv to look like an American resume? yes? no ?

2. at the bottom of your resume - include a line that says "Legal to work in USA without sponsorship"

3. gotten out to the AITP chapter meeting in your area, several times?

4. gotten out to any of the local ACM chapter meetings in your area, several times, dropping namecards ?

Most of the problems I see is that recruiters not easily transpose a UK CV - also thinking you need sponsership.

Usually folk at a professional meeting will give you some inroads to back-room hiring practices at their companies. Yes, that means a face-to-face, you attend a meeting...

[Stuart and Katie 13]

Have you tried contacting any I.T. recruiters out there? You could start off doing contract work and build your profile that way.

I have thanks Chxryl, with poor results. I don't want to work in I.T. anymore and figure if I have to start from the bottom I may as well train and/or apply for something I'd actually enjoy.

basic q's - I apologize if you've already addressed this:

1. redo yer cv to look like an American resume? yes? no ?

2. at the bottom of your resume - include a line that says "Legal to work in USA without sponsorship"

3. gotten out to the AITP chapter meeting in your area, several times?

4. gotten out to any of the local ACM chapter meetings in your area, several times, dropping namecards ?

Most of the problems I see is that recruiters not easily transpose a UK CV - also thinking you need sponsership.

Usually folk at a professional meeting will give you some inroads to back-room hiring practices at their companies. Yes, that means a face-to-face, you attend a meeting...

1. Yes I have an American resume thanks

2. I have the line in my summary and also put it in my cover letter.

3 & 4. I haven't done this before so appreciate your advice but I'm determined to get away from I.T. once and for all now. It's just a profession that has made me very unhappy and unfulfilled, even when I earned well from it.

[Darnell 8,478]

you could teach IT stuff at a 2 year school in USA, easily, i think but must apply for those gigs.

i'm an IT jockey but usually I run a company doing software development contracting or branding. I'm retired now and mostly clueless.

[JohnR! 5,495]

My 2-cent worth is that you are not interviewing well.

In this country you would not be overlooked or disqualified for being an alien. That you made to the interviewing stage indicates that your resume has the appeal but somehow you are crashing at the interviews.

Before you consider changing careers, Google terms such as 'tips for a good job interview' and the likes and compare information from those sites against your actual interview behavior. Perhaps you just need to adjust your interviewing techniques and overall behavior. You may be projecting the wrong image to those interviewing you.

True story: A couple of weeks ago I interviewed a candidate whose resume was nothing short of stellar, for a Sr. managerial position. We talked for 45 minutes, during which he made eye contact with me for no more than 5. In addition he kept playing with and picking on something that was stuck on the sole of his shoes. I don't need to tell you he never made it to a second round of interviews.

[Stuart and Katie 13]

My 2-cent worth is that you are not interviewing well.

In this country you would not be overlooked or disqualified for being an alien. That you made to the interviewing stage indicates that your resume has the appeal but somehow you are crashing at the interviews.

Before you consider changing careers, Google terms such as 'tips for a good job interview' and the likes and compare information from those sites against your actual interview behavior. Perhaps you just need to adjust your interviewing techniques and overall behavior. You may be projecting the wrong image to those interviewing you.

True story: A couple of weeks ago I interviewed a candidate whose resume was nothing short of stellar, for a Sr. managerial position. We talked for 45 minutes, during which he made eye contact with me for no more than 5. In addition he kept playing with and picking on something that was stuck on the sole of his shoes. I don't need to tell you he never made it to a second round of interviews.

No I don't think my interviewing behavior needs any work. My last job I got in the UK I was offered the job at the end of the interview - I know exactly how to prepare and conduct myself. It's not a question of being overlooked, it's a question of if they have a US citizen and a non-US citizen, they will go with the US citizen every time. Here in the DC area there are so many jobs I'm instantly excluded from because they need a US citizen or someone with secret security clearance. The ones left are probably flooded with applications from Green Card holders like me. It's gotten to the point where I want to explore other options even if it means starting all over again.

[AmyWrites 593]

Once I read you're in DC.... yep, you'll have a hell of a difficult time finding IT work as a non-citizen in DC. My husband has been trying to get a DC job (since that's where it'll be easier for me to work) for two years. No luck. We're in Des Moines now. I'd seriously look into moving to another state if at all possible.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

OP: Interview protocol differs from country to country. It is possible that what is collegial in the UK appears different here in the US. Maybe you didn't come off confident enough or something. I think it is a good idea to consider improving on your interview skills; we all can use improvement.

Of course you can start over, but I think people are going to see that you are management level in IT, have been searching for just a few months, and want to give up?

[Stuart and Katie 13]

OP: Interview protocol differs from country to country. It is possible that what is collegial in the UK appears different here in the US. Maybe you didn't come off confident enough or something. I think it is a good idea to consider improving on your interview skills; we all can use improvement.

Of course you can start over, but I think people are going to see that you are management level in IT, have been searching for just a few months, and want to give up?

Believe me I did research this before I even moved here, interview protocol in USA and UK is exactly the same. The only difference is the salary negotiation if you reach that stage, which I am also prepared for. Of course I'm not saying I performed perfectly and am always looking to improve, but it is irrelevant in this situation.

[JohnR! 5,495]

No I don't think my interviewing behavior needs any work. My last job I got in the UK I was offered the job at the end of the interview - I know exactly how to prepare and conduct myself. It's not a question of being overlooked, it's a question of if they have a US citizen and a non-US citizen, they will go with the US citizen every time. Here in the DC area there are so many jobs I'm instantly excluded from because they need a US citizen or someone with secret security clearance. The ones left are probably flooded with applications from Green Card holders like me. It's gotten to the point where I want to explore other options even if it means starting all over again.

You may have something there. There are certain jobs that require the applicant to be a US citizen but such a condition is disclosed in the job posting, so you would know even before you apply for the job.

I don't believe that in a series of interviews you would have been passed over for being an alien. That is not common practice anywhere in this country.

Having said that however, you will never be sorry for looking to expand your knowledge into other careers, so getting a new qualification can't do you no harm.

Good luck!!

[elle13 15]

OP: I am familiar with government sector recruiting and honestly, if you're making it to interview stage, I don't think you're being overlooked just because you're an alien. If they needed US nationals and citizens only, it would be clearly stated on the job description (due to security clearance issues - totally legal) and even if it wasn't stated in the ad, you wouldn't be called to interviews if the job was for citizens only.

Sorry you're having such a hard time, but you didn't specify how long you've been looking? If since end of Feb, 3.5 months isn't actually very long at all. I know it seems like an eternity, but moving to a new country without a job lined up is going to have its challenges. You sound like you've had some good experience, so I'm confident you'll find something, and in the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to network and keep plugging away. I moved from the UK too, and had a wonderful job there before I left. I'm now in a job that's one title lower than my previous job so I had to settle for a less senior role. The things we do for love! No regrets!

[Stuart and Katie 13]

You may have something there. There are certain jobs that require the applicant to be a US citizen but such a condition is disclosed in the job posting, so you would know even before you apply for the job.

I don't believe that in a series of interviews you would have been passed over for being an alien. That is not common practice anywhere in this country.

Having said that however, you will never be sorry for looking to expand your knowledge into other careers, so getting a new qualification can't do you no harm.

Good luck!!

Sure I realize that but it's just that I keep finding jobs I like then read to the bottom and see I can't apply as I'm not a citizen and it's very demoralizing. I am just trying to figure out something new to do with my life now.

OP: I am familiar with government sector recruiting and honestly, if you're making it to interview stage, I don't think you're being overlooked just because you're an alien. If they needed US nationals and citizens only, it would be clearly stated on the job description (due to security clearance issues - totally legal) and even if it wasn't stated in the ad, you wouldn't be called to interviews if the job was for citizens only.

Sorry you're having such a hard time, but you didn't specify how long you've been looking? If since end of Feb, 3.5 months isn't actually very long at all. I know it seems like an eternity, but moving to a new country without a job lined up is going to have its challenges. You sound like you've had some good experience, so I'm confident you'll find something, and in the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to network and keep plugging away. I moved from the UK too, and had a wonderful job there before I left. I'm now in a job that's one title lower than my previous job so I had to settle for a less senior role. The things we do for love! No regrets!

Yes sure I've been looking for 3.5 months or so, when I came back to the UK from travelling a few years ago I was unemployed then for about 10 months so I know what it's like believe me! I just figure as I'm having no luck it might just be worth finally going ahead with the career change I've wanted for so long rather than keep applying for jobs I know I'll hate. Thankfully we manage OK on my wife's salary but I want us to be able to buy our own home, get a new car etc and if I'm not earning I feel a bit useless!

I was wondering if anyone has a story of changing their career path but I think maybe I should start another thread for that as this one has kind of trailed off.

[yuna628 9,668]

When we are married my fiancé will be looking for jobs in the IT sector, as well. We are near to DC obviously, but can look outside to other areas. The tech hub of the DC/MD area is rather broad, and yes there are a lot of government jobs. He has a good degree in computer sciences/programming and has a current background in technical support and I hope that will help him here in the future. I have been researching jobs that he could apply for. Yes there are tons of government security clearance jobs, but there are some tech jobs that don't seem to mind someone with a GC, and yes some of them even have security clearances with them. I suppose this all depends on what sector of IT you are experienced in. Remember that the job market here is a bit difficult for everyone. Many who wish to work in DC drive from all over. Have you considered looking in VA, MD, or PA? I would say remember to stay positive, keep oneself humble, and always re-evaluate. If you're thinking of a different sector entirely, the same rules apply -- you may have to be willing to travel outside the area, nor reach for the job with the biggest cash draw either. Networking is also important. I remember when my Dad, in middle age was laid off from his job in the 90s. He was at a loss for months and became very depressed. All he knew was a particular field and no one wanted someone his age. At the urging of my Mom, she got him to put feelers out to friends and relatives, and eventually his brother who is the CEO of a company offered him a job in a completely different field that he had no experience in. With some training, as it turns out, being a salesperson fit my Dad to a tee. Much the same for my fiancé, who had a long period on unemployment in the UK. It can be depressing. All I can say is don't give up.

Edited June 17, 2014 by yuna628

[JohnR! 5,495]

Sure I realize that but it's just that I keep finding jobs I like then read to the bottom and see I can't apply as I'm not a citizen and it's very demoralizing. I am just trying to figure out something new to do with my life now.

Keep in mind that you just go here - 3.5 months on the job market in this economy is not really all that despairing. Surely it doesn't make it any easier but at least you know the job market is bad all around right now. You are recently arrived so you also need time to get used to the cultural differences and to get into the swing of things, so to speak. If you have not done yet, create a profile in sites such as Linkedin and Monster.com where your resume will have more visibility.

As I said it doesn't sweeten the pot at all, but don't give up. It's much too soon for despair.