how is job search?

[Twomoles 8]

I just wanted to know how is job search here? After all visa process its probably next big thing to do. How does employers treat immigrants. Can you find the same decent job you worked in home country. How do they look on language barriers? Please, share experiences!

Thanks!

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

It took my husband four very long months, and around 100 resumes later to finally land a job yesterday! He thought his interviewers were extremely nice, the company is a top rated employer and he will be making double of what he made back in the U.K even despite the horrible exchange rate.

So a bit of patience I guess is in order, some have no problems at all finding employment others do.

[homesick_american 1]

It took my husband four very long months, and around 100 resumes later to finally land a job yesterday! He thought his interviewers were extremely nice, the company is a top rated employer and he will be making double of what he made back in the U.K even despite the horrible exchange rate.

So a bit of patience I guess is in order, some have no problems at all finding employment others do.

A lot of it is luck, definitely.

Also, you can enhance your odds of success by living somewhere where the job market is buoyant, particularly for your industry. If you're a programmer, don't bother with small New England towns or mid-size cities in the Rust Belt, for example. If you do scientific research, focus on cities where the leading research institutions are located.

Your qualifications and your grasp of the English language will greatly affect what kind of job you can get. If your native language isn't English, that will probably knock you down a rung or two on the career ladder but it should only be a temporary setback.

If you don't have a network, start one. It's easier for people in certain industries (like mine, for example) to build a network pretty quickly but it pays to meet people, make friends, meet the neighbors, etc. as quickly as you can. You never know where a big lead may come from.

Good luck.

[Emancipation 2]

I sent my resume's before I left Canada, and I had a job offer waiting for me when I was Employment Authorized. An aquaintence of my husbands gave me a job and it has been SUCH a life saver to know it's there when I was ready/ allowed to work!

[Dan J 277]

About 60% of people in the US find thier job through networking with family, friends and colleagues. Generally my experience has been that I have found better jobs networking than through any other means.

[brtlmj 0]

I just wanted to know how is job search here? After all visa process its probably next big thing to do. How does employers treat immigrants. Can you find the same decent job you worked in home country. How do they look on language barriers? Please, share experiences!

Job hunt can be very frustrating, unfortunately. Imagine sending a resume after resume and getting no replies. Posting your resume on Monster or Dice and getting only scam emails. Actually, I'd like to use this opportunity to WARN EVERYBODY. If you post your resume online, and then get an email that:

- has a subject line like this "<your name>, regarding your online resume"

- contains a fake link - if you move cursor over it, you will see that the link has your email address embedded in it

- promises that you will be contacted one, two or three days after you apply

beware - this is a scam. If you apply, your email address will find its way to several spam lists. Identity theft has also been reported.

OK, back to subject Regarding the lack of replies - I have no clue whether my definitely non-American name was a factor here. But, when I finally got a call and went for an interview, they only seemed to care whether I could work legally in the US. Any language problems weren't too important for them - after all, I am an engineer, not a salesman. Engineers communicate in binary code if they have to

My wife's friend, who used to work as a recruiter, said that "90% of jobs are never advertised". So, I second the advice to build a network and then use it to find a job - if you can. And keep on sending out resumes - you never know which one will get you a phone call, interview and a job.

Good luck!

[Twomoles 8]

I go volunteer. At least I will have some references from them about me. Who knows, maybe they will might hire me later oneday, maybe not, because thats why there is volunteers.

[Nancy2015 2]

I just wanted to know how is job search here? After all visa process its probably next big thing to do. How does employers treat immigrants. Can you find the same decent job you worked in home country. How do they look on language barriers? Please, share experiences!

Thanks!

I don't think employers even care if you're an immigrant or not, but unless you are in some technical field where you don't need to speak too much, English language skills are a biggie. People who can't speak well are doomed to work in low level jobs.

I'm still trying to come to terms with the necessity to get jobs through networking, because I'm not a "people person" at all, and it's very hard for me to meet people, let alone make friends. But even I managed to get a job that isn't too bad after all. I should also mention that I have a degree in the field that automatically makes a person unemployable

[sereia 0]

OK, back to subject Regarding the lack of replies - I have no clue whether my definitely non-American name was a factor here. But, when I finally got a call and went for an interview, they only seemed to care whether I could work legally in the US. Any language problems weren't too important for them - after all, I am an engineer, not a salesman. Engineers communicate in binary code if they have to

where in california are you? what kind of engineer? how long did it take you to get a job? my fiance is an engineer also and i am so worried about what will happen when he comes here. we will most likely be living in southern california and i am hoping he can get into his field within a year of arriving.

[brtlmj 0]

where in california are you? what kind of engineer? how long did it take you to get a job?

Close to Sacramento, software/firmware engineer, a bit over three months.

[Nancy2015 2]

OK, back to subject Regarding the lack of replies - I have no clue whether my definitely non-American name was a factor here.

It seems that a lot of engineers here in Northern California are non-American - they're either Indian or Chinese. So, I don't think your name was a factor. I have a very American name, and I got like three replies for 150 resumes I sent out when I was job hunting

[Jamie76 0]

OK, back to subject Regarding the lack of replies - I have no clue whether my definitely non-American name was a factor here. But, when I finally got a call and went for an interview, they only seemed to care whether I could work legally in the US. Any language problems weren't too important for them - after all, I am an engineer, not a salesman. Engineers communicate in binary code if they have to

where in california are you? what kind of engineer? how long did it take you to get a job? my fiance is an engineer also and i am so worried about what will happen when he comes here. we will most likely be living in southern california and i am hoping he can get into his field within a year of arriving.

What type of engineer is he? There is a high demand for mechanical, electrical, petroleum in the oil and gas sector. Mechanical, electrical, geological, environmental in the mining sector.

[rob&ana 0]

I live in the Pittsburgh area, I work as an internal auditor and there has been absolutely no lack of offers for me. I dont know if it is because there is a high demand of auditors or if it is because the Pittsburgh job market is good. I reccomend you to send your resume to jobs similar to what you were doing back home. And simply test your territory. The language barrier is definitely a problem, but I've seen people from India and Latin America with very thick accents and not so good english and they are working in good companies.

Before getting my actual job, I went to a LOT of interviews, mostly with recruiters. I used them to practice, sorta get the idea of how were interviews here in the US, and specially with the recruiters I used to ask a lot of questions, like if my experience was going to be valid here in the US, how did they think I would do in the job market (specially because of the language)... I posted my resume in hotjobs.com, monster.com and careerbuilder.com. I still get calls from recruiters and companies that are seeking auditors. So I recommend you give it a try...

Good luck!!

BTW... where in Pittsburgh are you?? I am in the North Hills area...

[Twomoles 8]

North Hutingdon. I am thinking about finishing my degree in ST Vincent, but need my first GK to apply for financial aid. After that maybe my English will be hopefully better. I was looking in translations too. To a miracle, there is need for so rare language as mine from few international companies.