You or your spouse's fiirst job in the US

[pnrmbr975 1]

My wife's interview turned out okay for her but she's quite apprehensive of the results. I can understand how stressful job interviews can be. Meanwhile, it would be great to know your (non-USCs) first job (title/position and salary) in the US. Did you land the job of your choice or liking, or settled for something else irrelevant to your education/previous work history in your country? What were your main compelling reasons back then? If you choose to share your personal experiences to us, thanks so much!

Edited September 17, 2007 by pnrmbr975

[Mononoke28 135]

My husband is a Systems Engineer (IT), but since he doesn't speak English our plan is for him to work with my brother in-law who's a general contractor while he goes to night school to learn English. Once he feels comfortable with it, he plans to get certified in other IT courses and then get a job in his field.

Diana

[athena_ny 1]

My husband's first job of any mention was as a jeweler for a small company that hand crafts and sells fine jewelry whole sale. He got it before he had work authorization and he started at very close to min. wage but is up to what still isn't considered fabulous, but pays the bills. He tried to find another job when he got his GC but nothing paid close to what they were paying him, which is sad.

[pedroh 21]

warmup at mickey d's @ the grill for 1 month.. then asst manager at the Rshack!!

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth worked in the kitchen for the Hyatt. She is very petite so some of the lifting requirements were very strenous for her. One of the supervisors didn't like all her blabbling either so she finally got fed up with it all and quit.

[pnrmbr975 1]

@Mononoke28,

That seems to be a good plan! It is best to let your husband decide when he will be most comfortable to enter the job market. That is what I'm doing for my wife. Moving to another country is stressful enough, add the USCIS paperwork, DMV, SSA office, bank trips, and marriage adjustments, job applications and I get one very unhappy wife! And all I can do is support her the best way I can.

@meow,

Very sad indeed. In our area, we are hopeful (if not hopelessly wishful) that my wife gets the job she truly deserves, and will make her happy. Easier said that done I know but I have to keep my hated job to pay the bills & to give her more time and flexibility in making career choices.

Update:

My wife just called, she got a call from the HR dept. and is negotiating her hourly pay (she did this on her own), the final approval is yet to happen within a day or two. She's now wishing she kept her mouth shut and negotiated for the lowest range.

Edited September 17, 2007 by pnrmbr975

[athena_ny 1]

@Mononoke28,

That seems to be a good plan! It is best to let your husband decide when he will be most comfortable to enter the job market. That is what I'm doing for my wife. Moving to another country is stressful enough, add the USCIS paperwork, DMV, SSA office, bank trips, and marriage adjustments, job applications and I get one very unhappy wife! And all I can do is support her the best way I can.

@meow,

Very sad indeed. In our area, we are hopeful (if not hopelessly wishful) that my wife gets the job she truly deserves, and will make her happy. Easier said that done I know but I have to keep my hated job to pay the bills & to give her more time and flexibility in making career choices.

Update:

My wife just called, she got a call from the HR dept. and is negotiating her hourly pay (she did this on her own), the final approval is yet to happen within a day or two. She's now wishing she kept her mouth shut and negotiated for the lowest range.

Yes, sad. But, hopefully when he gets his degree things will be better. His dad brought him here when he was 17 and he couldn't afford international student rates, so the only classes he's taken are ESL. So hopefully now his earning potential can increase once he's done with school in a few eyars.

[Emancipation 2]

Same job in the US as back in Canada - Office Management

I actually got a raise which the increase cost of living promptly took care of

[Tegan 0]

I'm the non-USC and my first job was and still is at a coffee shop (seattle's best coffee) when I started it was min.wage and it's still half what I used to get every 2 weeks back home but it helps out a lil and I get tips too. it's not my ideal job. but it's on the mil base where my hubby's stationed it's more convenient than antything else. I want to work with animals, I'm also thinking about starting a course in computers (don't know much now) which should be good in the long run as well.

Tegan

[JamalNTam 1]

After hearing how hard it can be to geta job here, it gave the choice to rethink my career path (customer services - which i hated) and I decied the way forward to work in health care over here. Paid well and almost always in demand. Luckily I've had the chance to attend college full time to train as a Dental Assistant, which is almost guarenteed me a job after 9 months, so I'm hoping the 1st job I work in the states iwill be as a Dental Assistant. I plan to work my way towards becoming a hygienist in the future.

[Lyuba 0]

My first job was in Victoria's Secret as a sales person. I worked there for 5 months while looking for something more challenging and rewarding. My next job was in high school working with ESL students (because I am a linguist). My present job is an executive assistant. You can certainly see a positive trend but I am still not where I want to be.

It is really hard to find a job if you don't have any experience in America. So any experience counts!

[no one 0]

Special Education instructional assistant.

Love love LOVE my job, but it doesn't pay nearly enough and the school's not giving me full-time hours.

I'm making 1/4 of what I used to make as a certified teacher back in Canada. Took this job because California doesn't recognize my teaching credentials and I'm not sure if I want to jump through all the hoops again.

Used to have my career path all planned out, but now I'm kind of lost

[pnrmbr975 1]

After hearing how hard it can be to geta job here, it gave the choice to rethink my career path (customer services - which i hated) and I decied the way forward to work in health care over here. Paid well and almost always in demand. Luckily I've had the chance to attend college full time to train as a Dental Assistant, which is almost guarenteed me a job after 9 months, so I'm hoping the 1st job I work in the states iwill be as a Dental Assistant. I plan to work my way towards becoming a hygienist in the future.

All the best to you! In a matter of time you'll have more opportunities knocking at your door.

My wife was in the same dilemma a few weeks ago. My father actually suggested that she grab whatever opportunity that comes her way, my mother, on the other hand, coached her to try another industry, healthcare. But she decided to test the waters first by using her previous education and work experiences in her country, regardless of what she has had been told (she's mildly stubborn, yes). I don't want to burst her bubble, at least not yet. I want her to try it on her own and see how it is finding a job here. All her firsts can be her powerful teacher, I just hope it's positive news!

[pnrmbr975 1]

Special Education instructional assistant.

Love love LOVE my job, but it doesn't pay nearly enough and the school's not giving me full-time hours.

I'm making 1/4 of what I used to make as a certified teacher back in Canada. Took this job because California doesn't recognize my teaching credentials and I'm not sure if I want to jump through all the hoops again.

Used to have my career path all planned out, but now I'm kind of lost

Teaching is one of the best professions there is, aside from being a parent It is unfortunate that most teachers (except in the universities) are underpaid, at least those that I know of.

That is what's killing my wife, she's torn between choices: having a job that she hates but with a decent pay OR having a job that fulfills her but pays poorly. It isn't easy for her to find one that pays and is rewarding at the same time, this first interview, days ago, seemed to be "it". I really hope she gets good news, nothing but!

Best of luck to those searching for jobs here in the US!

Edited September 17, 2007 by pnrmbr975

[pnrmbr975 1]

Claudeth worked in the kitchen for the Hyatt. She is very petite so some of the lifting requirements were very strenous for her. One of the supervisors didn't like all her blabbling either so she finally got fed up with it all and quit.

So life is fair after all How was your wife when she got home after quitting? This is what I'm afraid of, she can get cranky and frisky to take it on me!!