No job application replies. Not even labor jobs.

[jjbandero 39]

I wonder to what extent those of you with lots of professional experience tried reaching out to professional recruiters to have them help you with the job search? You don't have to pay them, they get paid by the potential employer once you successfully get the job. Also to what extent have you tailored your resume to the US market and the employer? I have seen resumes from Europe and Asia, they can look quite different and emphasize different aspects. Further, many recruiters use key word searches, if your resume doesn't contain such key words, you might be missing out. In general, it's also beneficial to customize your resume to the position/company you're applying for, you do the thinking for the recruiter by telling them why you are the best fit. Just having general facts about your experience is not as convincing as how such experience could benefit them in the long run.

In the interest of information sharing, I work for a large company and there are definitely a lot of labor laws that come into play when HR recruit candidates for open positions. One of the elements is that we're suppose to report statistics on who the candidates are e.g. race, gender etc. apparently, this is one way to monitor employers to make sure that people from different backgrounds are being considered for open positions. A few years ago, there was also this rule that if you open an application from an applicant, then the employer is obligated to consider that person (not necessarily interview), if you do not, then you're in violation of EEO rules, so if there are too many applicants for one position, some of the applications are not even reviewed.

Cheers

[ebe 6]

If you're willing to relocate (and okay with the cold) you might look at states in the midwest. I am from Iowa and companies are actively looking for candidates from different backgrounds, and because there's not a lot of diversity there, you might stand out as an attractive candidate in that respect.

[mumbaidelhi 5]

thanks jjbandero

you gave a brief idea of how things work from an HR point of view.

[Boiler 45,715]

That is what I have been tol, say there are 100 applicants that could be consider an the hiring manager wants the top 10, so a HR junior goes through and chucks out any that do not seem obvious clean candidates.

Then there are the ones that are going to an internal candidate but company policy is that they have to let all apply.

[saddlepatch 6]

Sounds like you're also looking at a bad time for New York. Season has ended, as winter is coming. Most places have hired until Christmas. Keep trying though, might want to lower your standards to to something more like retail, call center or along those lines, gain some work experience in the US to make bigger companies looking up references easier for you. Might try looking outside the state too. Talk to your spouse and see if moving is an option if your search drags out any longer.

The economy is tight, but there are many other factors too, like I said, Season is always a big one. Has nothing to do with you being an immigrant Don't give up!

[Capital Z 51]

Its not about India and Pakistan work place its your attitude when in our own country we might not consider doing a job lower than our level coz of our ego whereas in foreign land we might even wash cars happily. But anyways i wish you guys best of luck for securing good jobs.

[TBoneTX 45,570]

I recommended this great idea to the OP, and it should be helpful to others who are reading:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/466619-what-are-you-doing/?p=6661035

Read that post and the post two down from it.

Edited September 29, 2015 by TBoneTX

[flying_postman 6]

I don't know if you are rooted to NYC (Spouse, Kids etc) but I agree with other posters that you'll need to cast a wider net nationwide and see what you get. Also at some point you'll have to get a US degree; you'll lose points with a foreign degree unless you have a degree from US,UK or Canada.

[mumbaidelhi 5]

thanks flyingpostman

thanks for tips. your experiences help me get a clearer picture of what to do than knowing from a non immigrant.

[Blue Bianchi 77]

That bit about not getting any replies back after an interview, everyone experiences that. It's shitty. I don't know why so many companies don't extend the courtesy of a "No, thank you." anymore. But that's what's happening these days. I agree with other posters: try not to take this personally.

In the meantime, have you had your resume critiqued? Might help. Have you asked a friend to do a mock interview with you? Perhaps go to meet-ups (meetup.com) groups related to your profession to do a bit of networking? Do you follow-up after the interviews to let them know you are still interested in the position?

Hang in there!

I am a mechanical engineer with 10 years of experience , worked for a fortune 500 company at my home country. I moved to the usa almost 2 months ago and been applying for jobs online. I was called for interviews at a couple of places. Both interviews went well and they were impressed. But no call from them for over a month now. Almost getting frustrated with no work . Even small time jobs that I apply dont respond. . .. what can I do. .. its pushing me to a point that I go back .. has this got something to being an immigrant??

Edited October 3, 2015 by Blue Bianchi

[ZaakirahM 28]

That's normal. Don't give up. I have a degree in Electrical Engineering too from Pakistan. After getting here in the US, I applied for a lot of job, But was called only once for the interview. Then i took a job at a grocery store as a stocker. I worked that job for about 8 months and then decided to go to College for Masters degree. After one year of Masters, I got a very good job offer.

Just be hopeful. Don't give up. It is hard to get a job in the US based on a foreign degree and foreign experience. My Bachelors degree is from Pakistan too. You probably need to refresh your memory and translate your Indian education to US one by going to college too.

This sounds similar to my husband's case.

He Has studied electrical/electronics engineering. Wants to get any type of job just to get started...and eventually go back to school to get a Bachelor's degree, as all he has is certificates.

Thanks for this.

[mumbaidelhi 5]

Hi

I do followup both over the phone and email . every time I apply I do modify my resume to suit the job description. those things just don't help . well meetup is something I never heard of but would like to try.

[zaynab 4]

I am a mechanical engineer with 10 years of experience , worked for a fortune 500 company at my home country. I moved to the usa almost 2 months ago and been applying for jobs online. I was called for interviews at a couple of places. Both interviews went well and they were impressed. But no call from them for over a month now. Almost getting frustrated with no work . Even small time jobs that I apply dont respond. . .. what can I do. .. its pushing me to a point that I go back .. has this got something to being an immigrant??

Same think here , for over a year no job yet , not because my resume is bad may be because i have a bad luck, i started applying for any job and the shock is they are apologizing that i'm not the good fit for these jobs too hahahahahaha , i'm more than frustrated, no hope , may be i will never find a job in USA with a base pay even under the pay rage, i have to accept this ,

[mumbaidelhi 5]

My in laws had contacts in a billion dollar company. I applied there. The contact there made sure that I was called for the interview. Interview went well and the manager forwarded my application for approval from her superiors.... waiting to hear from them.Yaay

the company is dollar general, its a warehouse job, minimum wage, they called me only for the contact we had, the interviewer forwarded my application but isn't sure for I am over qualified. ( I did my best to make my resume look simple.)

something is better than nothing.

[TBoneTX 45,570]

Fingers crossed for you.

A good retort is, "There's no such thing as being overqualified to do a good job." You might add that the interviewer could score points if you rise through the ranks of the company.