GUYS: Taking a temporary/low paying job while waiting on permanent one . . .

[Shari 6]

I know there must be many others in this boat, but guys, what kind of jobs have you taken on a temporary basis until you found a permanent one? My husband is so down and depressed as he is getting no responses (like everyone else), but finances are almost nil. He even sent resumes to the temporary agencies (Manpower) who have not gotten back with him. Is the only solution retail (Walmart, etc.)? He is a 40-something year old engineer who has had his spirit broken, or as he said today, his "soul destroyed" because no one is getting back to him. Yes, we know it takes time. That is hard when groceries need to be bought for a family of 5, gas needs to be purchased for cars, and bills need to be paid. He is on the computer at LEAST 6 hours a day checking job sites, applying for jobs, and searching, searching, searching. I know he knows he has to find ANYTHING now, but I also hate him having to do something so way below his qualifications (not that there is anything wrong with retail at all). So guys - what have you done in the interim - stocked, delivered pizzas, ran a cash register, etc.? Are they any more "manly" jobs out there that I haven't thought about for interim jobs. I hate he is so sad!!!!!!!!!!

[joej 0]

It was very hard for my husband too. His degree was in Computer engineering and we sent well over 30 applications with 0 return calls. Finally he went for an interview at a temporary place and can you believe they didn't call him. We feel so lucky about the job he ended up with, even though he is way overqualified for it. He is doing computer technical support. During his first week one of the veteran employees at his work asked him if he new what a keyboard was. haha. Anyway he is using the job as a stepping stone, but it has been hard.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My wife is working in retail while she looks for better work and prepares for the test required to start the process of becoming a teacher. But she's relatively young and has done this kind of work in the recent past, so that's not what has hurt her ego. What's hurt her ego is that she's making less now than she did before and that pisses her off bigtime.

[raymaga 25]

It has only been a few short weeks since your husband got his EAD and I think he just needs to keep doing what he's doing and one day, he'll get two offers.... that's always how it goes.

It took me 4 months to get my first job in the U.S. after getting my EAD, and then the pay was low, but I took it just to get out of the house and help with the household expenses.

Now, I'm looking again and have had several calls back, but the pay has been so bad, I won't even consider it. I made FABULOUS money in Canada working in a union paid health care position, and it's very hard to work for so much less here.

All I keep telling myself is, we will survive even if I don't work, so a job that is fulfilling and gets me out and about is all I need right now.

Good luck with the job hunt.... don't give up.... something will come along.

[onwa 6]

During his first week one of the veteran employees at his work asked him if he new what a keyboard was. haha. Anyway he is using the job as a stepping stone, but it has been hard.

Haha. Man. Someone at church tried to explain to my husband how the powerpoint came from a computer from that "box in the balcony." If they only knew that being from Africa does not mean you've never seen technology before. He's much more sophisticated than me (in thechnology) and I'm not that bad.

Try other temp agencies. My husband is the employee of at least 6 agencies. That way, if the 2-3 month jobs he has doesn't work out...he has alot to fall back on. Some of the temp agencies were great and some sucked. The main thing is not to get too discouraged.

[daisy16 0]

I can so relate to your husband's feelings; it's just not guys that feel this way! Some of my readjustment issues have to do with the fact that I can't work in my chosen field without recertification which will cost me almost $1000. This is ridiculous, cause the more I find out about the NY education system, the more I realize that Ontario's is far superior, yet everyone here assumes that no one can compare to here. What they don't realize is that of course no one can compare, cause it's so bad!.......sorry, off topic. On top of that, the pay/benefits for teachers come nowhere near to comparison to Ontario.

Anyhow, for finances, and self esteem, and just to get out of the house, I worked at a dog kennel 3+ days a week, cleaning them out, feeding, grooming, etc. By the end I was fuming that here I have all this education and I'm mucking out dog runs. Now in my new job, I'm highly overqualified, basically babysitting after school as the director of an afterschool program. I really resent it already and want to quit, but I know in the long run that I have to stick it out till the end of June at least, until my certification is processed.

I think it's tough for professionals who have trained, had an established career with all the rewards that go along with it, and then come here and get treated like uneducated nobodies.

[perfect 39]

I can relate to how you feel Shari. Until I got my job about 2 months ago we got to the stage where we literally had $30 in the bank and had the everyday bills to pay. I registered with probably a dozen agencies and online with Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com etc and actually most of my job leads came from those websites. It did take a couple of weeks for people to start getting back to me once I had registered my resume but once the calls started coming they didn't stop and I was fortunate enough to be able to turn down four opportunities before finally accepting this job which is the mostly highly paid of all the offers I had.

My husband was unemployed for 18 months before we married which led to major financial problems but when I suggested he take "any old job" just to pay the bills, he wouldn't do it.

I guess it's each to their own and maybe women are different to men in that regard, but I think you'll find if Keith is able to broaden his scope of potential opportunities to more agencies, websites, maybe even do some in-person introductions in local companies he will soon get a job he enjoys and which will help you pay those bills. Tell him to "work" his English accent! That seems to be one thing that all companies comment on - they see it as a bonus!

Hope it all works out and that your worries begin to diminish.

[rebeccajo 14]

Yeah, it's probably more of an ego-buster for guys, especially the more mature ones like Keith and my husband.

But how easy is it for a USC to find a job these days? Not easy. Doable, but not easy.

Mark (luv2teach) talks a lot about networking, and I think that's the key. USC or immigrant. I am not a 'computer person' but I have tried hard to tap all my 'tekkie' friends and acquantainces for sources for Wes. And I am not one bit shy about it - I'm polite but I make no bones about how we need the help. And most people are glad to give it.

What Wes might have to end up doing in the interim I have no idea. He has told me he will work in WalMart if he has too. As far as I am concerned, that makes me just as proud of him as if he landed a big job.

[Linda&Dave 0]

I can relate to this thread. I have been in IT for 28 years, everything from computer operator to Novell Certification Manager. Currently working on the grill in McDonalds for $6 an hour. Hardest job I've ever had (and I worked a lot of jobs before getting into IT). 'Flipping' burgers may seem easy but being bent over that grill for 8 hours at a stretch kills the back. After two hours the upper back starts to burn (I am over 6 feet tall) and then the feet and legs come out in protest too - man it is a long, long day. I get home around 4:30pm most days and just collapse into a bath, absolutely cream-crackered. I am registered with most of the popular job sites and keep submitting applications for any IT jobs, anywhere in the US, that I believe I am qualified for. Had nothing yet (after two months of trying) but I figure that the more applications you sling in the more chance there is of getting a nibble. I passed all the tests for working at an aluminum plant (Alcoa) so am now just waiting for new vacancies to appear there. It will be 12 hour night shifts hauling aluminum extrusions around but it's $14 an hour plus 53 cents an hour shift differential so at least it will be a lot more money than at McDonalds. That will do (if it don't kill me) until I can hopefully get something in IT again.

The things we do for love!

Dave

PS: The sodding ignition lock broke in my sodding Chevy Corsica yesterday and it is no easy task to fit a new ignition cylinder so as I am due to work this weekend, my McDonalds career might be coming to an abrupt end if I can't get the local mechanic to look at it this morning before work.

[britbird 4]

I worked in a sandwich shop for a few weeks - started just after I got my EAD. Sure, I was earning way less than I should have been, doing a job with frankly stupid people, but I had fun (catering is hard on the body though...get good shoes).

I made sure I had a part time flexible job though so that I could go to interviews. The first job I interviewed for I got and I'm very very happy with it. Again, I could be earning more, but the benefits are outstanding and more than make up for it.

BTW I never used online job search engines...they are ####### for the most part. I looked in the local papers and got in contact with companies etc I knew were local. That was by far the best way to do it, much more personal because it allows you submit cover letters aswell which is very important.

hope this helps.

[Cdnwmn 0]

LOL I think a few people know my story about applying for simple stocking jobs at retails stores and being turned down.

I've registered with Kelly Services and have heard nothing despite having worked for Kelly Services in the past in Canada. They are constantly advertising for office jobs which I definitely have the qualifications for.

One time while in a retail store I noticed a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. I made an inquiry with the two older clerks standing at the register about it and was told the manager would be in on "such and such a day". I mentioned that I had no retail experience and asked if that would be a hindrance. Next thing I knew the one woman looked at the other and said, "Hmmm I think (first name of manager given) may already have someone in mind. HUH?

I went and applied at a local police department, had a great interview and felt great coming out afterall I had worked for two police offices in Canada. I got a rejection there. Ok fair enough, I realize maybe someone better qualified got the job or possibly someone knew someone. Some months later the same position came up and I applied again (shows I'm really interested right?) and this time around I was not even acknowledged. The police department had no problem taking me on as a volunteer. Imagine that.

This past Tuesday, I applied for a job with a local investigation services agency. I had an over the telephone interview and was told after the interview by the woman who interviewed me that she would call me back on Friday to set up a face to face interview. Never heard from her despite sitting in all day long waiting for the call. Ok I'll give her the benefit of the doubt; perhaps she was sick, perhaps she got really busy and will call Monday.

There are two openings for an attendance secretary in two high schools. Off I go to submit my cover letters, applications and resumes on Monday.

Oh and yes I did get hired by Wal-Mart back in October 2003 and quit after two days. I had never quit a job in my life because it was that bad.

I refuse to give in. I will get a job!

[kc456 0]

If at all possible, I would avoid Wal-Mart. Pay is very low with no benefits. If you are considering retail, then a grocery store (like Safeway) is a lot better in terms of pay and benefits. These types of jobs are often called "survival job" -- and a lot of highly qualified people had to take them during the recent downturn.

If I had to take one, I would probably look at places that I enjoy. If your husband likes coffee, for example, then he could look at Startbucks or Peet's. Another job that may be okay is a bank teller -- I worked as one for about 6 months, and although I did not quite like it, the working conditions are decent, and they even offered health insurance.

As another poster suggested the key is to get a job that would still allow you to look for the "real" job, so you don't get stuck in it.

[Peggy 1]

There is not to many jobs here to choose from either.

So its going to be either a Bank, Conference Call Center, or Fast Food joints or Walmart for me. I dont really care where I work to start. I just want to get out of this house and work and meet some new people.

[sweetestcherry 0]

It has definitely bruised my husband's ego. He's a carpenter, and unfortunately, most jobs require a driver's license (still working on that), your own truck (which we can't afford right now), and your own tools (most of his are back in the UK and due to finances, we can't afford a lot of the more expensive ones). It's very frustrating to know that my husband is extremely talented and a hard worker, and see the doors slammed in his face before he can even knock. Right now, he's taken a position doing construction, which he seems to enjoy for the most part, but for which he is grossly underpaid.

Edited February 13, 2006 by sweetestcherry

[nickels&dimes 0]

I just wanted to remind people that your local Dept of Labor is a very good place to look for work, as well as do free workshops on resume writing, job-hunting networking clubs and so on.

I did a resume writing course 2 weeks ago and had my resume critiqued by a certified career coach/professional resume writer along with some very good advice.

I joined an agency (Office Team) and they interviewed me, skills-tested me and then 2 weeks later offered me a plum assignment that I needed to briefly interview at (very prestigious school here in CT) and I was working there the next day. It's a senior Admin position and everyone is incredibly friendly/helpful and supportive. I am in one of the coolest departments ever (a dream!) working for an incredibly dynamic Professor.

I have just finished my first week there and have been invited to apply for the permanent position, which will include amazing perks like totally free healthcare (falls over in amazement!) Of course, I haven't got it yet, but I wanted to share my story because it can and does happen this way.

I was terrified I wouldn't get a job, I spent hours reading posts like these and panicking, wondering "if these people can't get jobs, how the hell will I?", especially as I do not have a degree.

It was also serendipitous for my husband, whilst talking to the husband of a long-term acquaintance from when we lived here before, her husband (who happened to be VP of his company said, what do you do and once he found out the ins and outs said, hey, our company specializes in that area......you should send me your resume`...he did and now he works for a subsiduary of a large bank here in New England.

That all said..........my husband also applied at Walgreens and Stop & Shop for interim jobs, he was drugs tested and told to call back, he did so and never got the job!! Now, he's in a job earning around $7k more than the UK with a quarterly bonus scheme that pays around $9k p/a, something we would never have achieved in the UK.

Please take heart guys, it will happen