Problems getting work in the US

[AndyR82 8]

Hi all, this is more of a question for the people based over here, has anybody had any issues with obtaining a job you have more than enough experience for?

 

I can't get anywhere even though I've got 14 years of previous experience. Tried for entry level and haven't really got any bites. It seems they only go with what you know here. 

[NatO23 235]

8 minutes ago, AndyR82 said:

Hi all, this is more of a question for the people based over here, has anybody had any issues with obtaining a job you have more than enough experience for?

 

I can't get anywhere even though I've got 14 years of previous experience. Tried for entry level and haven't really got any bites. It seems they only go with what you know here. 

If you don't mind me asking, what field are you trying to get work in?

[abum 324]

One of the questions that recruiters kept asking me is "Do you have US experience?" and since i said NO (have never worked in the US or serving US companies), they said - without it, they cannot consider my application. 

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

As above, it really depends on your field.. for instance, my partner has a bachelors degree in management and hospitality (typical yes); and he has US work experience in NY over two different J-1 visas previously.

 

A couple restaurants he applied for manager/GM level at, they asked if he would be okay with doing even as low as dish washing, which he even said yes, as he should know the system top to bottom. Some seemed, as he put it, 'intimidated' almost when they saw he had a degree which perhaps where he was applying to that was very rare, not sure myself. HE did land a job but is working entry level training up for a coupel months before training for GM..... 

 

It is not uncommon to hear there is a bit of a struggle to find the first door you can get your foot into.

Edited July 19, 2017 by Ben&Zian

[AndyR82 8]

10 minutes ago, NatO23 said:

If you don't mind me asking, what field are you trying to get work in?

I worked for an insurance company was a level 2 handler went for an entry level and got turned down.

 

5 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

As above, it really depends on your field.. for instance, my partner has a bachelors degree in management and hospitality (typical yes); and he has US work experience in NY over two different J-1 visas previously.

 

A couple restaurants he applied for manager/GM level at, they asked if he would be okay with doing even as low as dish washing, which he even said yes, as he should know the system top to bottom. Some seemed, as he put it, 'intimidated' almost when they saw he had a degree which perhaps where he was applying to that was very rare, not sure myself. HE did land a job but is working entry level training up for a coupel months before training for GM..... 

 

It is not uncommon to hear there is a bit of a struggle to find the first door you can get your foot into.

Sounds like I'll have to go for the one place around here to get the experience of working in the call centre environment. I'm currently working at Walgreens as it was the first position offered after getting my card.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

Any chance your finance (or spouse now) is willing to move and you can apply in other states

the foreigners here have no problems getting work / this could be a state problem only

My husband is working with people from his country, Algeria, the Sudan, Syria, Germany, etc

Skip the recruiters and try sites online or go to a temp service as so many places now use a temp to full time (if person works out) policy

[Markip1 71]

Have you considered registering with any temp agencies, if you have any in your local area? I applied to so many jobs without much luck as soon as I got my EAD. I was full of excitement when it first arrived, but it ended up getting pretty disheartening to put effort into so many applications and never hear back from most of them. However, within a week or two of registering with an agency I had a short term placement in my field. I approached the short term job in two ways 1) a great chance to get some of this 'US work experience'  mentioned above, and 2) as a kind of working interview. It worked out well as my short term role ended up turning into a long term role.

 

The other option is to see if there are any opportunities to volunteer in your field, although clearly that has the drawback of not resulting in any income!

Edited July 19, 2017 by Markip1

[NatO23 235]

2 minutes ago, AndyR82 said:

I worked for an insurance company was a level 2 handler went for an entry level and got turned down.

 

Sounds like I'll have to go for the one place around here to get the experience of working in the call centre environment. I'm currently working at Walgreens as it was the first position offered after getting my card.

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I would imagine that for something like insurance where there are fairly strict systems and protocols, country-specific experience would be a pretty big requirement. Same with healthcare, or accounting for example. Are there any courses that you can take fairly easily/cheaply while you keep applying? I'm not familiar with your field, so excuse any ignorance! I just imagine that anything you can do to become familiar with the US field might be helpful. 

 

Good luck with everything, you'll get there in the end!

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Walgreens isn't a bad start. There is huge turnover in call center work so make sure you have online applications set up for every call center in your area and then bide your time. You'll get something. Probably sooner than later. Good luck.

[mallafri76 1,012]

I'm in hotel management with a lot of international experience but no US experience and I had no problems finding a job. It really does depend a lot on your field and where you're living. Fields such as HR, insurance, law firms etc will be much more difficult for a foreigner without US experience to get a job in, because those jobs require a vast knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations.

 

If you want to continue in the insurance field, I would say look into an education or training class focusing on insurance brokerage or similar. Or are there any low level assistant jobs in the field, so you could stay in your field, learn as you go along and work your way up?

[Dutchster 1,107]

I registered with two temp agencies and applied for 9+ jobs per week on Indeed, including Walmart and Walgreens/CVS but mostly (front) office positions. I did have three interview calls and two interviews but they never got back to me, even though I stated I was allowed to work in the US. It wasn't until late April that the hotel I currently work at called me (5 weeks after applying for their front desk position) for an interview and I got hired on spot. Chances are now, after three months, I am being considered to become the general manager when he opens his new hotel in 2018 and this is without zero hotel experience - just 10+ years of customer service and assistant manager experience, so somewhere I do think companies look at experience, depending on the branch. 

What I think is that it always will be a battle for immigrants because why should they hire you? What do you have that a regular American has with the same education/degrees? I felt like I had to stand out more than usual. 

Edit; Mallafri gave you good advice about what to do when you want to continue working in insurance. You might want to look into some schooling or training, some online classes? 

Edited July 19, 2017 by Dutchster

[Coco8 1,042]

Studying or doing some executive program at a university might work. You are relatively close to the University of Iowa. The university is very good and because it is a state school and you are a resident of Iowa, your tuition will be low. For instance, if you have 14 years of experience you can look into doing a Professional MBA or an Executive MBA. Usually these programs are during the weekends and you also have the opportunity to meet other people. 

Also, have you set up a linkedin profile? There are probably not many people in the are where you live with your profile so if you set up a profile, with as much information as possible, you might have people contact you. Also, linkedin alerts you of positions in your area. 

[bob+senga 11]

HI, I assume you've looked at all insurance company websites and applied prospectively. I applied for a couple of positions that were not in my field as such( i was area sales representative back home in the UK) and had a choice of positions. One was with insurance( never done insurance)) they just wanted someone with customer experience_ which you will have in abundance) I was expected to get state qualified sit my exams.THis was with American Family Insurance- maybe try them if you haven't already. I actually took a job working in a bank again no banking experience what so ever, and am really enjoying it- they are teaching me banking. If your interested Woodforest bank are always looking for people- maybe where you live as they don't have branches in all states. I found Glassdoor and Indeed really helpful in looking for jobs and set up alerts for lots of potential positions.  

Never came across the do you have any experience in US- maybe because they saw from CV my work history was UK based. 

Hope this helps.

Keep looking you will get something real son

[JFH 12,190]

I was very fortunate. I got the first job I applied for and actually was interviewed and hired before I even left the U.K. I think it's because of a combination of factors:

 

-it's Seattle. There are lots of jobs available here and it's a culturally and ethnically diverse city and also very liberal. I don't think I'd have had the same success in a smaller, rural, more conservative area. 

- the industry I am in is global with very few regional differences. There is one global set of standards we all follow. If you've worked in one office, you've worked in them all. 

- I was recruited because I'm European. The company was particularly looking for someone with European experience. I speak to London and Barcelona on an almost daily basis and they needed someone who understands how Europeans work and what things are like there. We have a bit of banter and so on. An American just wouldn't be able to have that kind of rapport with Europeans. I also worked in the sane industry in Europe so I understand the industry there.

 

so, is it worth looking into multi-nationals who do regular business with Europe? You have something there that no American can bring to the table. 

[AndyR82 8]

Thanks for all the replies and ideas. 

 

Messaged a local agency yesterday still awaiting a response back from them. Not too bothered about getting back into Insurance but something similar I miss going into the office everyday.

 

Randomly sent an application to a local lawn care company that's mainly working on computers and speaking to people and actually got a response asking me to attend an interview on Tuesday, I was a little surprised!!!