The Job applicants - Jobseekers fall in here to share your experience

[Roy&Chanel 109]

Hey guys,

I am currently looking for a job right now. I believe that some of you are in the same situation. Let's share some experience and updates on our job searching...

So currently I have been submitting through companies websites that I've known around my area due to transport accessibility. And also on job searching websites such as Indeed, GlassDoor.

What about you guys?

It's been around 2 weeks of job search for me, still no responses as of to date.

Good luck everyone! Hope you get a job soon!

[draga 14]

We've been searching 3.5 months and still nothing

[A-square 31]

I was unemployed for around 6 months (I used the first three months in the US to focus on preparing my wedding celebration here), and I am going to start working next week. Although it's not in my field but I like this job too, so thank God for that.

I actually got this job by turning in my application in person. They interviewed me right away and got the job on the same day. Weird how I got asked for some other interviews that are within my field just a couple of days after I accepted the teaching job. Oh well, be grateful for what you have now.

Don't give up and keep looking! If it is your first time looking for job in the US, make sure sure to apply for another opportunities outside your field too.

[mallafri76 1,012]

I use Indeed and Monster. I'm in hotel management so I've also driven around to the hotels in my area, picked up business cards to the General Managers and sent them my resume. I just started looking for jobs a week ago. Already got an offer that I turned down due to the salary being too low for me plus got two interviews next week. Exciting.

How successful you are in finding a job depends a lot on your education and relevant work experience as well as your industry. They love college degrees in the US and a lot of jobs here are not advertised, so networking and just sending open applications to companies are important.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Got a conditional job offer after my interview last week and it's for a job I really want and I was able to negotiate a good salary too, yayyy. Naivly, I thought that meant I would start work this week but I should have known better. After all, it is America, land of complicated. I have since learnt that when you get a job offer in the US, count a minimum of one week before you can actually start your new job because here they do background checks for pretty much all jobs, not just the ones involving money and children. They also contact three references and you have to do an online personality test of some sort, like that test is gonna tell them who you are?! ?

[mbalih 35]

Got a conditional job offer after my interview last week and it's for a job I really want and I was able to negotiate a good salary too, yayyy. Naivly, I thought that meant I would start work this week but I should have known better. After all, it is America, land of complicated. I have since learnt that when you get a job offer in the US, count a minimum of one week before you can actually start your new job because here they do background checks for pretty much all jobs, not just the ones involving money and children. They also contact three references and you have to do an online personality test of some sort, like that test is gonna tell them who you are?! ?

Well, congratulations!

[mbalih 35]

I've been here for a month now, and I get that being in New York, it might be harder finding employment, too many people, enough competition here. I actually started applying out of my field, frustrated, I don't like not being able to work. My background is events /hospitality.

Not giving up!

I was unemployed for around 6 months (I used the first three months in the US to focus on preparing my wedding celebration here), and I am going to start working next week. Although it's not in my field but I like this job too, so thank God for that.

I actually got this job by turning in my application in person. They interviewed me right away and got the job on the same day. Weird how I got asked for some other interviews that are within my field just a couple of days after I accepted the teaching job. Oh well, be grateful for what you have now.

Don't give up and keep looking! If it is your first time looking for job in the US, make sure sure to apply for another opportunities outside your field too.

Nice. Congratulations.....

Still looking.

[caliliving 606]

Got a conditional job offer after my interview last week and it's for a job I really want and I was able to negotiate a good salary too, yayyy. Naivly, I thought that meant I would start work this week but I should have known better. After all, it is America, land of complicated. I have since learnt that when you get a job offer in the US, count a minimum of one week before you can actually start your new job because here they do background checks for pretty much all jobs, not just the ones involving money and children. They also contact three references and you have to do an online personality test of some sort, like that test is gonna tell them who you are?! ?

WAHOO!! CONGRATS!!!!

I would say you need good solid experience in your field.. the fact that you obivously worked in the hotel industry,and i am sure it was a hugee upside that you worked internationally in the hotel and tourism industry:) good job!!

i agree about the waiting to work thing, although i have gotten a full time salaried job and asked the start the next day! LOL!

I would say to people looking.. companies love american work experience, and experience in your field! not sure what types of jobs you are looking for, i would say in ameica job experience is much more important then a degree. of course, if you are in a STEM program, then having some solid US work experience helps!! it can be tough but dont give up:)

make sure your resume is americanized as well!! Americans love one page resumes!! I got in trouble because mine was 3-4!! Cover letter as well and tailor it to that job!

get on linkedIn..find people that work for that company and send them a private message!! that always helps with me in getting my resume to the person doing the hiring (or the director that you would be working for). So if you find the job on glassdoor.. find the hiring person on linkedin and send them a private message

also, in america companies want to know what you can do for them.. for example i am in sales, and i would just reiterate that i have strong connections at all the top accounts and i can get this product into all the top stores and get the best placements ect. I would always say "I would love the opportunity to work for ... because I know that I will grow this company and bring it to the next level and i already know all the head buyers and i have strong relations with them"

not sure what types of jobs everyone is looking for but i hope this was some insight:)

I also found interviews alot more laid back! everyone really wants to get to know you and see if you will be a good 'fit'. I know in some countries interviews are more formal. but honestly, dont be nervous just go in there with a strong, positive attitude and really showcase that you are a great addition to their team and can get along with them:) alot of my interviews are veryyyy laid back! i think it depends on the industry as well, but from what i heard american interviews are much more laid back then other countries! even if you dont want to hang out with these people after work (who does! HAHA!) you really have to show these people that you are someone they would want to hang out with:)

I hope this helps!!!

[A--dawg 3]

My personal experience, I started looking for jobs on January 2016 after I received my EAD and was only able to sign a contract on April 2016. The waiting felt like forever though and I felt hopeless most of the time because of receiving rejection emails one after another even for those jobs which I personally felt I was a perfect fit. I also heard that most of the jobs posted online are fake or have been filled up already.

The right job may take a while to come but don't lose hope and also learn new things while you're at it.

[UnaMexicana 153]

If you have a bachelor's or higher, give "upwardly global" a try. Goigle it, it's free.

[Roy&Chanel 109]

Thanks definitely will look at that. My most important issue is my driving transport to any work locations. Cant drive yet

[ItsGonnaBeWorthIt 191]

I got my job through the temp agency and I been hired on for four years now and they increased my pay when they hired me on by $7. so once my husband got his social and state ID I went right to the same temp agency and his English isn't good so they let me help him out with the test and interview. that was last week and he started working Tuesday, he landed in USA on 4/29. might not be what you want at the moment but its something. temp to hire positions at the temp agencies could be a good start. my job only hired through the temp agency so if I never went to the agency I would of never found this place. anyways just another take on job searching. good luck!

[amicablebride 25]

I recently got a job that is a little out of my field. I have to keep reminding myself that I came to the U.S. to be with my fiance / (now husband).

I'm from Canada. My job there was pretty decent pay (not the best, but not terrible), but we always had excellent human resources, I'd get 2 paid 15-minute breaks per shift plus a paid lunch break.

Moving to the U.S., I'm really starting to regret my life choice. I love my husband but work is killing me. It's highly stressful and they treat their workers like #######. I haven't had a break yet and I've worked 40 hours last week. My husband says that in the U.S., small businesses do not have to abide by labor laws. Oh, and I have to ask permission to use the toilet which I find humiliating and very elementary. I'm hoping that this isn't the practice of most jobs down here.

It's really hard to find a job here also. In Canada, at least in Manitoba, jobs were plentiful. So I hate to whine and be the negative one in the group... every American I've come across here has been telling me at least I have a job, and "a bad job is better than no job" but I'm burnt out and ready to go back home. I'm finding it really hard to adjust now that I've began working....

Edited June 13, 2016 by amicablebride

[Dal&Rose 45]

Federal laws do not dictate lunch and breaks, but most state laws do. I would look-up the State laws and find out.

Now that you do have a job, and "American" work history, look for about position that will make you happy. Another saying here is, once you have a job, it's easier to find another one.

I did this personally, I had job for 3 months before starting to look for a better one that would make me happy. And I found one and started 6 months after my first one in Colorado. I love my current job and just finished my 6 month's review.

Good luck.

[mallafri76 1,012]

WAHOO!! CONGRATS!!!!

make sure your resume is americanized as well!! Americans love one page resumes!! I got in trouble because mine was 3-4!! Cover letter as well and tailor it to that job!

I also found interviews alot more laid back!

Thanks.

That's very good advice about the resume.

They want one page resumes in the US and remember that the size of the paper is different. Most other countries in the world use A4 sized papers, but the US have shorter and wider paper so make sure the resume fits that paper size.

I think the interview style depends on the job you're applying for. My interview was three and a half hours and was conducted by the general manager and a senior director and went into extreme detail. It was the toughest job interview I've ever been too.

Moving to the U.S., I'm really starting to regret my life choice. I love my husband but work is killing me. It's highly stressful and they treat their workers like #######. I haven't had a break yet and I've worked 40 hours last week. My husband says that in the U.S., small businesses do not have to abide by labor laws. Oh, and I have to ask permission to use the toilet which I find humiliating and very elementary. I'm hoping that this isn't the practice of most jobs down here.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having second thoughts about moving to the US. It's definitely a different lifestyle and culture in the US, that's for sure. I'm also not too happy about living here, it's not a country for me but I knew that before moving here so can't complain. What makes it durable for me is that my husband, the USC, doesn't want to live in the US either so as soon as he can move, which won't be for a few more years yet, we're moving to a different country. I really want to move to Canada but my husband hates the cold so we're looking at Australia now.

Yeah, the labor laws are like non-existing in the US. At least for us coming from other Western countries like Europe, Canada, Australia and so on. What particularly gets to me is the culture of living for work, like if don't spend at least 10 hours overtime, they think you're not interested in the job. In Scandinavia it's the other way around, if you continue to do overtime, your boss will have a chat with you to see why you can't finish your work on time.

Edited June 16, 2016 by mallafri76