Tips on writing a US CV?

[Bug&Bug 147]

1 hour ago, Celebi said:

Same. And I think I'm suffering from Impostor Syndrome 😩

Story of my life!

[Bug&Bug 147]

Well job searching has been rough. I am so happy I finally got an offer. 

 

If this is of any use to others:

 

- I found writing a resume very difficult, people here gave me loads of good advice and it still took me like 3 months to get something acceptable. I eventually started using Resume Worded and it was so bloody useful I paid for the subscription. Its an AI that gives you tips on your resume and the premium option helps you tailor it to job postings. Also used Canva (free) to give it a sleek design ( something I had never bothered doing with my european CV since im not in artsy career paths).

 

-  US experience seems to matter a lot. I have got SO many rejections for jobs Im totally qualified for because " we want someone with local experience" or " you dont have US experience" or " how can we be sure you are here to stay". Its depressing.

 

- On the other hand, I found there was a lot of openings at least where i live, much more that when i was job searching in london years ago, so every day i was sending out 2-3 applications on average. 

 

- The vacation is brutal. Like 2-3 weeks per year is considered normal. This was quite a reality check, but it is what it is. Seems unpaid leave is not too frowned upon so im going with that.

[TBoneTX 45,567]

6 hours ago, Bug&Bug said:

I finally got an offer.

This is wonderful, and a tribute to your persistence.  Thanks also for your meaningful insights into what you learned during this process -- others will surely benefit.

 

Just avoid endangering your job by taking too much unpaid leave; this is often frowned upon.

 

Keep us informed of how things go, and ask if there's anything that we might help with.

[Bug&Bug 147]

4 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

This is wonderful, and a tribute to your persistence.  Thanks also for your meaningful insights into what you learned during this process -- others will surely benefit.

 

Just avoid endangering your job by taking too much unpaid leave; this is often frowned upon.

 

Keep us informed of how things go, and ask if there's anything that we might help with.

Thanks!! All the rejection has been tough to deal with but happy to finally have something. Its lower level than where I am careerwise but im so taking it and seeing it as an oportunity.

 

What in your experience is considered too much? I feel so out of touch with what is considered normal and what is not here. 

 

Im also terrified at the concept if "at will" working, its so foreign to me 

[TBoneTX 45,567]

I would work my butt off for at least 4 months, preferably 6.  Show them your capabilities and unquestioned commitment (both are crucial).  Give massive advance notice of any time that you plan to take off, and ask all relevant managers whether it will hamper productivity targets.  If you perceive any hesitancy, be prepared to postpone or shorten your planned absence.  Offer to work overtime before or afterwards, regardless.

 

The above applies to "discretionary" absences (vacations, a day off here or there to handle commitments, etc.).  Everyone has doctor appointments, car breakdowns, and similar.

 

"At-will" employment simply means that you or the employer can terminate your employment "at will."  Unless some action is intolerable (theft, harassment, violence), most employers will follow standard approaches to disciplinary actions (verbal warnings, written warnings, written probation) before termination.  Your Human Resources Department might have given you material about this.  However, if you stick to business with a positive attitude and are congenial toward all, no worries.

 

If you plan to resign from your job for whatever reason, it's typical to give 2 weeks' notice; if you're in a sensitive position, they might ask you to clean out your personal things from your desk that day when you submit your resignation letter (it's nothing personal toward you).  However, I would say that you should bear any dissatisfaction quietly until you've built up "U.S. work experience" so that you have more flexibility to work elsewhere.

 

The best news is that if you're overqualified to be doing what you're doing, you have every chance to "show your stuff" and shine, which can lead to pay-raises and promotions.  

Edited May 1, 2021 by TBoneTX

[millefleur 5,047]

On 4/30/2021 at 6:44 PM, Bug&Bug said:

 I found writing a resume very difficult, people here gave me loads of good advice and it still took me like 3 months to get something acceptable.

That's typical in today's world here. In fact, 3 months is even considered fast compared to others' experiences. My husband searched for 4 months and applied to over 800 jobs in his field (yes, we kept count and tracked all of it with a spreadsheet) before eventually landing a job. Out of the 800, he only got interviews with less than 20 and only heard follow up replies after that from about 5 of those.

 

On 4/30/2021 at 6:44 PM, Bug&Bug said:

-  US experience seems to matter a lot. I have got SO many rejections for jobs Im totally qualified for because " we want someone with local experience" or " you dont have US experience" or " how can we be sure you are here to stay". Its depressing.

That "how can we use sure you will say here" sounds dangerously close to discrimination. I'm shocked they would say something like that. The local experience, OK I can get that, but implying you're going to just up and move merely because you're an immigrant?? You have every right to file a complaint against that company for saying that because it's not a legit excuse to use someone's immigration status to judge them.

 

On 4/30/2021 at 6:44 PM, Bug&Bug said:

- The vacation is brutal. Like 2-3 weeks per year is considered normal. This was quite a reality check, but it is what it is. Seems unpaid leave is not too frowned upon so im going with that.

Average in the US. It's just how it is here. Only certain jobs and industries will be more generous. If you work for a smaller, specialized European owned company (rare but they do exist), that's the only time I've seen generous time off across the board for all workers.