Workplace Bias???

[no name 1]

I think it is immigrants in general having a difficult time finding a job.

That's a pretty broad statement there, isn't it? Each time Nani wanted to find a job (we moved a lot because of my jobs), she had one within a matter of 1-2 weeks.

And that's a misleading statement. I've never lived anywhere & gotten a professional job within 1-2 weeks of moving.

I must have missed the word "professional" preceeding the word "job" in the statement I replied to. In fact, I still don't see it. Will have my vision checked.

Perhaps you should go back to the beginning of this thread, and it was discussed in detail about NOT being a $10/hour job....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think it is immigrants in general having a difficult time finding a job.

That's a pretty broad statement there, isn't it? Each time Nani wanted to find a job (we moved a lot because of my jobs), she had one within a matter of 1-2 weeks.

And that's a misleading statement. I've never lived anywhere & gotten a professional job within 1-2 weeks of moving.

I must have missed the word "professional" preceeding the word "job" in the statement I replied to. In fact, I still don't see it. Will have my vision checked.

Perhaps you should go back to the beginning of this thread, and it was discussed in detail about NOT being a $10/hour job....

The difficulties of securing a professional position applies to non-immigrants all the same, does it not? All I am saying is that I don't think that the much voiced perception that immigrants have a harder time finding suitable employment is valid. In some fields, sure, becuase those may require actual familiarity with local customs and culture or require an individual that is well connected in the local community. But in general, I just don't think that immigrants are treated unfairly in the hiring process. Personally, I know far more immigrants that secured appropriate employment with relative ease than those that struggle to find work. One might have to compromise a bit at first. I know I did.

[athena_ny 1]

When I came here from England, I found I had to set my sights a little lower than back in the UK.

I have 12 yrs UK exp as a HR Manager, try getting an entry level here in HR its impossible.

Here there is the opinion "well we have different laws here"......yes you do America and they are learnable..the basic principles of HR do not from the UK to the USA.

Try telling that to my boss when I tell him I no longer want to do HR Administration (for almost $1000 less than I made in England) and would like to move up within the dept.

To me some companies have no idea what immigrants have to offer!

HR is a ridiculously hard field to get into. A woman I work with got her HR certification and everywhere she applies for an HR position, they tell her, "You aren't experienced enough." Which, okay, she gets - to a certain extent. But how can she become experienced enough if no one will hire her!? //rant

This is why we're both doing paralegal studies now.

[homesick_american 1]

When I came here from England, I found I had to set my sights a little lower than back in the UK.

I have 12 yrs UK exp as a HR Manager, try getting an entry level here in HR its impossible.

Here there is the opinion "well we have different laws here"......yes you do America and they are learnable..the basic principles of HR do not from the UK to the USA.

Try telling that to my boss when I tell him I no longer want to do HR Administration (for almost $1000 less than I made in England) and would like to move up within the dept.

To me some companies have no idea what immigrants have to offer!

Surely there must be a course or two you can take to overcome that (weak) argument.

[homesick_american 1]

Did the company that you worked for in London do reference checks etc to the degree that they are done here. I think that may be something to consider.

I never had the same level of reference checks in all the jobs I've worked in the UK other than merely calling references. I was actually kind of shocked when I came back how much info they wanted on me!

I do think it's the references, the lack of understanding about education credentials from other countries, etc, rather than immigrant bias. Though I suppose some employers may be concerned about a candidate not getting the "American" way of doing things.

Whenever I hire, someone from another country often has an edge, especially if they speak languages. But then, we are a very international company. I hired a Brazilian girl last year who speaks 3 - and her english (and work ethic) is better than some of the Americans.

In my experience in the UK, references are rarely checked. Nobody has ever contacted any of my references in the six years I've been here.

I do think there is some academic prejudice in the UK, or it may be because I'm from Texas. Whenever people ask me what state I'm from, they always blanch when I say "Texas." I then quickly add, "But don't worry, I didn't vote for Bush" and they smile again, and the tension is eased. I think being from Texas and having a degree from the University of TEXAS at Austin has hurt me immensely in looking for jobs.

I've also encountered recruiters who refused to forward my CV to employers because even though I had a bachelor's degree, I did not have GCSE or A-level qualifications in any subjects. I did point out to them that in America, you have to take lots of different subjects to get a liberal arts degree and even US university math and English is a HIGHER level than A-level math and English, but that didn't make any difference to them. One of them even told me I should get some A-levels. That's like being told you have to go back to high school.

Maybe it's just Yorkshire, I don't know...but there's a lot of academic prejudice around here.

[Cassie 8]

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

That would then apply to non-immigrants from the 49 other states and the District of Columbia all the same, no?

[Cassie 8]

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

That would then apply to non-immigrants from the 49 other states and the District of Columbia all the same, no?

yep. Oklahoma is one big good ole boys club. It doesn't help that I'm not from good ole US of A either.

[no name 1]

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

What job makes you show a BC anyhow?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

That would then apply to non-immigrants from the 49 other states and the District of Columbia all the same, no?

yep. Oklahoma is one big good ole boys club. It doesn't help that I'm not from good ole US of A either.

There are many other states to choose from...

[tom&tata 2]

I agree with the "downgrade". My current job is below my last job I held back in Indonesia. It is in the same field, but less responsibility & exposure/risk.

Personally, I have no complain because I do not want to have the same level of responsibility & stress. I imagine I would have been disappointed if I was hoping to get same level of job.

I understand the "downgrade" portion, because the US recruiter would not know how to "compare" your foreign experience with the US experience. Personally, only the location is different. Everything else is pretty much almost the same - except for less vacation & holiday

[Cassie 8]

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

What job makes you show a BC anyhow?

They don't. My point is: my considerable experience was not in Oklahoma, my education was not in Oklahoma, I was not born in Oklahoma. 3 strikes.

I am convinced that because I am not from Oklahoma, I probably will not get a chance in my field unless I magically produce a Oklahoman birth certificate . I have been stymied at every turn.

That would then apply to non-immigrants from the 49 other states and the District of Columbia all the same, no?

yep. Oklahoma is one big good ole boys club. It doesn't help that I'm not from good ole US of A either.

There are many other states to choose from...

and other countries. Believe me, we are considering all our potential options.

Edited May 17, 2007 by Cassie

[no name 1]

They don't. My point is: my considerable experience was not in Oklahoma, my education was not in Oklahoma, I was not born in Oklahoma. 3 strikes.

I cannot believe there is a state that discriminatory. I'd be getting the heck out of there, yesterday, though.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

They don't. My point is: my considerable experience was not in Oklahoma, my education was not in Oklahoma, I was not born in Oklahoma. 3 strikes.

yews nawt fum aroun hea izya?

[Cassie 8]

They don't. My point is: my considerable experience was not in Oklahoma, my education was not in Oklahoma, I was not born in Oklahoma. 3 strikes.

I cannot believe there is a state that discriminatory. I'd be getting the heck out of there, yesterday, though.

'Tis just my personal theory, because I haven't been able to figure out why I haven't gotten even a call back. I am perfectly qualified for the jobs I apply to and nothing. I have been able to find other work, just not in my profession, which makes me sad, seeing as I would be snapped up in a heartbeat at home. So I have to blame it on something to make myself feel better!