Getting discouraged looking for work

[The415 5]

Hello,

I just got my work permit and i have been applyin for jobs, there are lots of opportunities but having no experience is a big obstacle, I went to many interviews and they all say that they cant hire me, and all i applied for is a cachier or a sales floor member on target, starbucks.....for example.

I am an engineer, and i would love to go back to school, and i found it surprising that even though i have many degrees i still get denied. I am from Morocco so i understand your husband's worries about his english.he should not be shy at all, with time he will do great. we live in CA as well.

i wish you good luck

[NikLR 13,227]

Look into trade schools but try to do it as an apprentice. But if not, that's what student loans are for. Is there a field of work he would like to do? Plumbing and electricians are always in demand.

[mallafri76 1,012]

English class should be your number one priority. I've lived in many countries around the world and you need to be able to speak the country's language to get anywhere. Attending English classes can also be seen as networking, as he'll meet lots of other people and can start making friends and connections.

As for jobs, if he's willing to do any kind of job, cleaner in an office or housekeeping in a hotel might be a good start. These jobs usually don't require interaction more than receiving simple instructions on how to do the job. He should make contact with recruitment agencies or whatever they're called in the US, but it's the agencies that hire people and rent out their services to companies.

[MeryAsawa 3]

It sounds like yes he could definitely use a driver's license. But the most important thing will be getting more comfortable speaking English and talking to people he doesn't know. Those are really two different things.

My job has me work in a manufacturing and shipping setting. We have 40-50% immigrants working there and they are from all over the world. English fluency ranges from very good to very poor. So yes those jobs definitely exist. I've worked with them as coworkers, as their leader, and had some as leaders.

I had one employee who was was telling me he was struggling with his English. He spent most of his time with his ethnic group and felt very awkward and quiet outside of it. His English was actually fine, we could speak with little problem. He had a moderate accent and sometimes had to stop and think about how to say what he wanted. So I gave him two pieces of advice. 1) Smile and say hi to people. 2) Asking a question gives people a chance to talk. Well about a week later he came back to me very happy. He said it was hard the first few times. But most people smiled back and said hello. And when he asked questions his coworkers were happy to answer him, and it had led to a few good conversations. By the next year (I was there seasonally) he was really part of the group. He was a good worker, well liked, and his accent had lessened.

So I'd say to your husband pretty much the same thing. Smile and say hello to people in stores, in the neighborhood, cashiers, etc. Don't take it personal if they don't respond much, they might have a sick kid at home or be busy. It's impossible to know what they are thinking. If you are open and friendly with people they will be with you. Actually using the language with a lot of different people is what will get you to improve.

Edited December 13, 2015 by MeryAsawa

[GabbyBird 53]

As tough as it is going to be, you must make sacrifices financially in order to ensure a good future. Whether we like it or not, the USA is very adamant about degrees even for jobs that shouldn't even require one. This is because all American kids are pretty much forced into University these days rather than pursuing trade jobs even if that degree is literally never going to be used (90% of art majors for example).

There are cheaper alternatives out there such as community colleges that while not at the level of prestige of a full fledged university are still respected as a degree and will be a huge step up. There may even be financial assistance for a local school just because you live in a specific town. Since your husband seems to have hands-on skills, look into a good trade school or apprenticeship program.

I would honestly just steer clear of photography/videography. Everyone with a camera these days thinks they are one of those.

Edited December 13, 2015 by GabbyBird

[senah 3]

Dear Shauna i know how does it feel to be in your husbands shoes because i have been there myself little over 20 years ago!!! Came here as a refugee with a two month old baby and husband my english was a zero but thanks God and people here i made it until today!! Beginning is very hard anywhere and it takes a while to start your life but we are humans and we can be very strong no matter what!! Your husband should go to the mosque and meet with people so he can make friends and start feeling more comfy being in USA!! People here are very friendly and because this is multilangual country people wont think anything of his accent... Actually they love our accents ! Thats been always a big starter for conversation! Work wise he should see if there is any Arabic stores around so he can help out and learn some language while making some money.. My fiance should be here soon ( inshAllah) and hopefully he will feel more comfy here because i told him how beginning is so with that said i wish you both good luck and congratulations on your marriage .. You are very cute couple ! Besides i was in Tunisia twice last year !! Wonderfull country and wonderfull people!! SALAM

[Shauna&Wael 211]

Hahahaaaaaaa I thought I was only one noticing chaty people in US, it's so hard for me American can talk and talk ,it's nice but if your not chatty its bit weird

Chatty and a lot of times nosy!!! lol

[Shauna&Wael 211]

My husband took the written drivers test in Arabic here in Georgia. It did take him 3 times to pass though - because the signs are in English. Also one of my Iraqi neighbors gave him a cheat sheet on how to pass the test. They pass this from person to person to new people that get resettled here. If you know any recently resettled Iraqis maybe they will give you a CA version. I almost bet it's the same thing. My husband still isn't working either. He's in full time ESL and in a job training program for immigrants to learn a trade. My husband's itching to work, and I'm stressing to him that he has to learn English and drive ( have a car) before he can get a job. Best of luck!!! I would try to get him driving as soon as you can - get the learners permit, and then have a friend tesch him. Me teaching my husband how to drive ... Not my finest moments

Awesome!! I was pretty sure in CA they give the written test in Arabic too. But I wonder how they compensate for the driving vocabulary to turn it into Arabic lol. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned the practice tests which I think would be just as good as a cheat sheet. I even used those myself before taking the written test. Do you mind giving me the name of the job training program? That would be so awesome if they had one in CA.

Lol he is only learning driving from me, and that may not be a good idea because I have road rage

[Shauna&Wael 211]

Dear Shauna i know how does it feel to be in your husbands shoes because i have been there myself little over 20 years ago!!! Came here as a refugee with a two month old baby and husband my english was a zero but thanks God and people here i made it until today!! Beginning is very hard anywhere and it takes a while to start your life but we are humans and we can be very strong no matter what!! Your husband should go to the mosque and meet with people so he can make friends and start feeling more comfy being in USA!! People here are very friendly and because this is multilangual country people wont think anything of his accent... Actually they love our accents ! Thats been always a big starter for conversation! Work wise he should see if there is any Arabic stores around so he can help out and learn some language while making some money.. My fiance should be here soon ( inshAllah) and hopefully he will feel more comfy here because i told him how beginning is so with that said i wish you both good luck and congratulations on your marriage .. You are very cute couple ! Besides i was in Tunisia twice last year !! Wonderfull country and wonderfull people!! SALAM

thank you so much! wonderful advice and congratulations to you too. when life throws a punch at you tell them you hit like a B*****

[Shauna&Wael 211]

As tough as it is going to be, you must make sacrifices financially in order to ensure a good future. Whether we like it or not, the USA is very adamant about degrees even for jobs that shouldn't even require one. This is because all American kids are pretty much forced into University these days rather than pursuing trade jobs even if that degree is literally never going to be used (90% of art majors for example).

There are cheaper alternatives out there such as community colleges that while not at the level of prestige of a full fledged university are still respected as a degree and will be a huge step up. There may even be financial assistance for a local school just because you live in a specific town. Since your husband seems to have hands-on skills, look into a good trade school or apprenticeship program.

I would honestly just steer clear of photography/videography. Everyone with a camera these days thinks they are one of those.

I agree with the second part of your comment on trade schools. But a degree is 100% NOT necessary in order to make good money. You're right about the US pumping kids straight from highschool to universities, but that makes the degrees even more worthless than before! That's why so many people with degrees are struggling. They're too overqualified for so many jobs, and yet have no job experience because they spent all their time in college!

I will also add (and I've even noticed this with some of my own friends), that some people with a 4 year or higher degree have this air of arrogance that really takes the cake. Not saying you do, but don't be fooled that college is everything. Because it's not.

[Shauna&Wael 211]

It sounds like yes he could definitely use a driver's license. But the most important thing will be getting more comfortable speaking English and talking to people he doesn't know. Those are really two different things.

My job has me work in a manufacturing and shipping setting. We have 40-50% immigrants working there and they are from all over the world. English fluency ranges from very good to very poor. So yes those jobs definitely exist. I've worked with them as coworkers, as their leader, and had some as leaders.

I had one employee who was was telling me he was struggling with his English. He spent most of his time with his ethnic group and felt very awkward and quiet outside of it. His English was actually fine, we could speak with little problem. He had a moderate accent and sometimes had to stop and think about how to say what he wanted. So I gave him two pieces of advice. 1) Smile and say hi to people. 2) Asking a question gives people a chance to talk. Well about a week later he came back to me very happy. He said it was hard the first few times. But most people smiled back and said hello. And when he asked questions his coworkers were happy to answer him, and it had led to a few good conversations. By the next year (I was there seasonally) he was really part of the group. He was a good worker, well liked, and his accent had lessened.

So I'd say to your husband pretty much the same thing. Smile and say hello to people in stores, in the neighborhood, cashiers, etc. Don't take it personal if they don't respond much, they might have a sick kid at home or be busy. It's impossible to know what they are thinking. If you are open and friendly with people they will be with you. Actually using the language with a lot of different people is what will get you to improve.

Thank you, I really enjoyed this story. Cheers to you for improving others' lives.

English class should be your number one priority. I've lived in many countries around the world and you need to be able to speak the country's language to get anywhere. Attending English classes can also be seen as networking, as he'll meet lots of other people and can start making friends and connections.

As for jobs, if he's willing to do any kind of job, cleaner in an office or housekeeping in a hotel might be a good start. These jobs usually don't require interaction more than receiving simple instructions on how to do the job. He should make contact with recruitment agencies or whatever they're called in the US, but it's the agencies that hire people and rent out their services to companies.

Excellent advice thank you!

[Shauna&Wael 211]

Hello,

I just got my work permit and i have been applyin for jobs, there are lots of opportunities but having no experience is a big obstacle, I went to many interviews and they all say that they cant hire me, and all i applied for is a cachier or a sales floor member on target, starbucks.....for example.

I am an engineer, and i would love to go back to school, and i found it surprising that even though i have many degrees i still get denied. I am from Morocco so i understand your husband's worries about his english.he should not be shy at all, with time he will do great. we live in CA as well.

i wish you good luck

I sent you a private message with a website that may help you.

[Shauna&Wael 211]

My wife took free ESL classes at a local community college for a year, until she qualified for instate tuition (we live in the SF Valley). Suggest your husband pursue his ESL and a trade school, and in the meantime look for work as others have suggested (e.g., maintenance, janitorial, etc. that won't require a lot of interaction. Although, why not Starbucks - he is a barrista. Aren't they offering education reimbursement?). Going to the local mosque and networking sounds like a great idea - anything to get him plugged in with daily life is good.

Best of luck!

How did she get it for free? Was it free for everyone or she had to fill out some different paperwork? Thanks for your advice!

[theresaL 408]

Most Community Colleges offer free ESL classes. Check the online websites of the schools closest to you. Also, see if there is a CELTA teaching center that offers free classes. These are the classes that the CELTA trainees teach for their teaching practice. Try to find an English conversation group for him to join too. He will meet new people who are also learning English in a relaxed atmosphere.

My fiancé speaks very little English and we plan for him to attend ESL classes for the whole first year after we are married. We are lucky to be in a position that he won't have to work and can look for jobs once his English is proficient. It's really important that your husband use his English as much as possible and not rely on his first language or his development in English will be delayed. I say this as both a language learner myself and as an ESL teacher.

Good luck.

[NikLR 13,227]

I'll be honest, you don't always need a lot of english to work in the USA. I have at least 3 or 4 people on our stocking team that barely speak a word of english. They do speak spanish so there's always someone who's fluent in both if you really need a translator. A lot of overnight or stocking jobs don't need very much english if the point is to just have a job.