Starting from scratch

[Yoveeta 36]

Moving to USA gave me opportunity for a new start. While waiting for work permit, I had plenty of time to think what I want to do next.. In UK I was working in production field, but it's not the thing I want to do here.. I want to start carer in totally different area, to do what I like.. So my question is: is it hard to start from scratch? how you prove employers that no matter you don't have needed experience you can be a good employee for them? Now I'm doing some self learning and planning to start studying when will get my GC.. Does anyone have same experiences and have any advices?

[Amhara 460]

I haven't had to start from scratch, and I hope you get your answer or a similar experience posted here. However, one advice I would give is that in applying for new jobs and interviewing, try to highlight the skills you needed for your last career and how they apply to your new career. Then you can demonstrate your value in that way. I have found that many job requirements are asking for a lot of experience and/or education. If you feel like you can do the job, then apply. Just because you don't have the 10+ experience they are asking for, but instead have 7+ years of experience, apply anyway. Cover letters may help you briefly tie in what you used to do with that particular job and can help you get an interview.

I hope you find success!

[aaron2020 11,651]

It's like anywhere else in the world. Would be no different from changing careers in the UK.

[kevz900 5]

I was in production in the UK and when I got to the US I wanted to do something different too. I found it to be quite a big difference to change career path.

My employer in the UK did not issue 'to whom it concerns' references, which potential US employers don't seem to want the hassle of calling the UK, so if possible get all the written references you can.

There is no 'paper trail' of places lived in the US so that can be a problem as is no credit score. Online application forms are difficult because everything is set up for US addresses and phone numbers, so filling out previous job and address sections are a pain.

A good cover letter/CV explaining your recent immigration is essential.

Also do you need medical cover with your new job or not. I had more success with smaller companies than the large ones but with most smaller companies come less benefits.

I have no real qualifications apart from a UK GED but here in Vegas there seems to be a high turnover of jobs so if you start at the bottom there are good possibilities of quick advancement.

I found Indeed.com and the local Craigs list to be the best source of jobs, also there are local 'job fairs' every so often here, so you can meet potential employers face to face which is much better imo.

Hope this helps a bit, good luck.

Edited February 3, 2016 by kevz900

[clairegie 265]

If you have no experience, then your best option is to go back to school and study for the new career path. Otherwise, you need a lot of luck and great convincing skills to get someone to hire you without experience. Let them know you have no qualms about starting from the bottom. Show how passionate you are about this career path. Good luck!

[Yoveeta 36]

What I'm doing is studying all these online courses I can find (like alison.com). Next step as I finally getting my GC is get in National guard, go to boot camp In NG I want to get job related with my preferred carer, and do some studies online (found some nice universities). And of course start working in my preferred area as someone told from the bottom maybe it's a silly plan, but sounds good for me I have some diplomas from my home country , but nor sure if they mean something here