Do employers discriminate against immigrants?

[mallafri76 1,012]

How fast and easy you find a job depends on a lot of things like unemployment rates where you live, your previous experience, what industry you're looking in, do you need an American license/certificate for the profession in the US etc etc.

I'm in hotel management and recruit for my department and we don't care if someone's American or a foreigner, as long as they're legally allowed to work in the US. In fact, being a foreigner is usually a plus as it often means they're bilingual.

Like others have said, the important thing is to have an American resume in size and layout. Have your name and local phone number on the resume. Have you tried joining an expat community? A lot of contacts are made through them and I know several people who got their first jobs through contacts they made in the expat community.

[NikLR 13,228]

a) you need to lower your expectations on salary. Very few jobs pay that much out of the gate, even to people with experience. I've worked retail for 10 year and still make under $14/hr. if I was a supervisor I'd make more.

b) widen your search field - you already know this.

c) forget being so strict on the hours you're available. If you need babysitting or child care, get it. The narrower your availability, the less likely you are to get hired. Telling people you need to be done by 2pm won't work here.

d) get that license.

e) also check on work from home like with google or apple.

f) Likely you husband qualifies for some subsidy for child care. The USCs in your family can get WIC and SNAPs and medicare. You can't, but they can.

At least with those things you know you're putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads. That's really the most important thing.

Keep at it, 6 weeks isn't long to be looking. Even out of the military it took my husband 10 months to get a job. Even Best Buy didn't call him for a job and he's an Electronic Technician.

(fyi he was also honorably discharged...)

Edited September 1, 2016 by NLR

[church19 0]

I absolutely feel your pain. This process can be extremely frustrating at times.

My EAD was approved in mid May, 2016. I applied for several jobs and eventually was lucky to get an offer from 1, an entry level job in my field. Problem is, USCIS never sent my EAD card after the approval, so I ended up losing the offer. I have called them over and over again, as the employer required the card, not the letter. I also set up an info pass to resolve the problem, no luck. We have now contacted our house Rep for help. The Field office officer even thought that I may receive my green card, before the approved EAD card,

Very very frustrating process.

[ryna 132]

I will absolutely take a job bagging groceries, it is no shame.

Not sure of schedule though as we have 3 kids one is only 2, and hubby works 2pm to 10.30pm

So it must be a morning job and even then the twins who finish school at 4 will be alone for a couple hours. Not sure how getting a late night would work out.

I know I should be filling out more apps but I am under pressure to get a "good job" from my in laws who sponsored me. They also said it must be full time and full benefits. To comply with those specs I sorted those 15 that hit the mark. But it seems a lower end no benefits job will be all I can get

Don't put too much stress on yourself because of what your in-laws say. I'm a lifelong US citizen with a Mechanical Engineering degree and my full-time, salaried engineering job has no benefits, full or otherwise. And, no, I am not a contract employee. It depends on which state you are in but, in some, full-time, professional jobs with benefits are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

Edited September 1, 2016 by ryna

[ryna 132]

To piggyback on what other people have said, the U.S. job market is a brutal place. Not getting interviews is a pretty common experience for immigrants and non-immigrants alike, especially if you don't yet have any U.S.-based work experience. And really, fifteen applications means you're only just starting in terms of the average job-seeker.

This is very true! Complete silence is the most common response to job applications here. I've even interviewed, onsite and in person, at several companies that didn't even get back to me with their decision afterwards. Rejection by silent treatment! But it is what it is and, unfortunately, very common in the U.S. these days. It's nothing personal or any reason to get discouraged during your job search. Keep going until you get a "Yes!"

[Marrienne 113]

Hey guys thanks for the great suggestions.

I know some of you have followed our journey to an IV, and our requests for expedition of one due to my husband's failing health.
He has just been admitted to the hospital in congestive heart failure. Please keep us in your prayers and send us good vibes.
Looks like we got to the USA in the nick of time. Had we stayed in Greece longer, he would be dead as they wouldn't treat him (he has insurance here).

Thank you so much once again. I will update you. I just came home (they kicked me out so the patients could rest) and will be there in the am again.

[TBoneTX 45,570]

Oh, man... CHF. Medical technology for treating this has come a long way in recent years. Kind thoughts and fervent prayers.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Omg marrianne so sorry to read this i hope he gets better....

[NikLR 13,228]

Wow. Im glad youre able to get him help. Positive thoughts for you and your family.

[RobertM54 36]

Not in technology. My team of four has two Africans and an Indian.

I did not read all of the posts, so this may have already been suggested.

I saw that you want a very specialized position. if that is your singular focus then one strategy is to find the companies that need your skills. Canvas temp agencies to find the ones that work with that company. Take anything the temp agency can get for you for which you are remotely qualified. Even though you are a subcontractor through a temp agency, you will now be on the inside and have a better shot at the type of position you want.

It is always easier to find a job if you have a job.

Good luck!

[RobertM54 36]

Re CHF. My Ex and I were primary caregivers for a relative with CHF for 5 years. She was diagnosed in her 60s. She was remarkably functional almost to the end and lived to 84.

As T-Bone said, the prognosis is much better now.

Back to job search. My particular role is highly specialized and considered "high risk" to fill. An excellent resume does not guarantee a good fit. That is why it is frequently better to be a known quantity. We love to bring in existing employees and give them assignments as part of the vetting process.

[flying_postman 6]

Reading these experiences posted here makes me even more nervous for my upcoming move to the US next year in March. I already got my GC and my SSN. I work in IT (12 years experience, multiple industry certifications, Masters degree from the UK). I got my GC via the DV category and based on my research in terms of job growth and cost of living I'll be hoping to settle in Austin or Dallas/Forth Worth,Texas but I'm willing to cast my job search net coast to coast. But in reading some of these posts I'm wondering if I should start sending out resumes from now.

[EmilyW 1,461]

Honestly, in my experience, you need to be here to get a bite. I tried applying before I got here and was rewarded with a wall of silence. Once I was here and had a US address, cell phone and could turn up to interviews with a day's notice, I started getting traction.

One thing you can do before you get here though is work your networks. I trawled LinkedIn and found fellow professionals in the same geographic area we were moving to. I introduced myself, sent my resume and asked to connect on LinkedIn. I got a great response and, once I arrived, I followed up that contact with a coffee or lunch. This definitely helped in increasing my credibility and in opening doors. It also meant that, in interviews, I could speak confidently about the local industry, key players and the work being done in the area: it showed I had hustle and that I had worked to become part of the local industry.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

I have to agree with a lot of people that it's okay to lower your standards when you initially get here.

A lot of places may be more likely to higher someone with more experience both living and working in the US for higher paying jobs, regardless of degree or time worked in the same field.

Knowing the area, if anything in your field differs from country to country, really does help.


With that said, my husband has an accounting degree. Right now he's working as an overnight stocker at a grocery store making 12$ an hour. Obviously it's not being an accountant or even an accounts receivable position, but he applied for the job the day before his GC came in the mail, had an interview the day his GC arrived in the mail, and was working that next Monday.

A 388$ paycheck per week is definitely better than a 0$ paycheck per week. While he works this job, it gives him the luxury of still making some money and send out applications to the better high paying jobs in his field that he studied for, which can give a nice transition over if any application bites.

Our combined income is 23$ an hour, and we both work for the same grocery company doing what is considered minor jobs. I make 11$ an hour originally as a cashier, then moved to bakery, then being a sample girl, all still for 11$. My husband just stocks overnight My daughter is special needs, which requires one of us to be home at all times. So until he does get a well paying job in his field, this works out for us.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Ash.1101

[Pythos1 24]

Reading these experiences posted here makes me even more nervous for my upcoming move to the US next year in March. I already got my GC and my SSN. I work in IT (12 years experience, multiple industry certifications, Masters degree from the UK). I got my GC via the DV category and based on my research in terms of job growth and cost of living I'll be hoping to settle in Austin or Dallas/Forth Worth,Texas but I'm willing to cast my job search net coast to coast. But in reading some of these posts I'm wondering if I should start sending out resumes from now.

Texas has outproduced most of the rest of the US for many years in a row in job creation and low unemployment levels. It's a great state to go looking for work.