ri_mischief

Hi All,

In the processing of looking for my first job outside my sponsoring company over here....

I had this down pat in the UK - there were a number of websites that I used, also a number of specialist agencies (I'm in the Logistics / Supply Chain field). Anyone got any experience with job hunting over here? I know about monster, are there any other similar websites? This is a very small hope - but anyone out there in the same field that knows of agencies in the RI, MA, CT areas for management placements?

Any help GREATLY appreciated....

Gannett

I've been looking for work since May, my experience is that the job application process here is so slooowww compared to the UK, so be prepared to wait..and wait...and wait! I've found it so frustrating.

There are so many job sites (at least here in California) you don't know where to start. You see long lists of possible jobs, but on closer inspection it's all 'work from home, earn $$$s fast' type schemes or vague employment agency ads. It really is like looking for a needle in a haystack trying to find legitimate job ads.

Sorry I can't help you find sites/agencies specialising in logistics jobs - I'm looking for higher education admin - but the online job search here is light years ahead of the UK, you're bound to find something soon.

Good luck!

Pennywell

I am going through this myself. I don't know if this works yet but why not try people that you know in the UK, a friend of a friend etc.
It is very frustrating here doing job hunting as UK qualifications are not a natural fit. Onwards and upwards, as they say
Try career builder, yahoo hot-jobs, if possible use a phone number first, rather than the internet. Good luck!

cindyabs

I guess think outside the box? My DH worked in shipping for 30 years in the UK AND we thought he'd have no problem getting on here with the Savannah Ports, but instead came an opportunity within 2 weeks of him getting his EAD (and we really couldn't afford to wait any longer), he got on in warehousing. A bit different, but it worked out well enough.

OiOi

I find networking is extremely important over here. I use sites such as linkedin to network and seek out potential companies and job opportunities.
What is it they say, over half the jobs are not even advertised.
Good luck.

poppett62

Hi there, i am no expert but whilst looking for jobs for me and hubby here in the uk i came across these sites may be useful to you, or someone else i dont know, just wanted to try and help if i can,

edjoin.org i think this is just educational jobs not sure on that one

caljobs.com lots of jobs in california

monster.com

maybe worth a try for someone searching similar threads if not your cup of tea.

good luck.

Dan725

No doubt about it, job hunting here can be a mare. Rudeness is rife; seems to be acceptable to ignore you, leave you hanging, string you along; even offer you a job which then takes weeks to materialize.....or not materialize at all. The arse current state of the economy is not helping either.

Best thing to do is make sure that you thoroughly research and join any worthwhile professional organizations for your industry; make sure you get some recognized certifications, etc. If you at not got at least a Bachelors degree here, understand that you are immediately on the back foot, no matter what experience you have. Not impossible to get by on experience alone, but you will have to work 5 times as hard as if you had a degree.

Professional orgs as described are a very good source of contacts; as has been said, networking (gawd I hate that term, makes me want to barf) is very important - as it is in the UK to be honest - it is not until you leave the UK that you realize just how important it is when you leave your network behind you.

So, puke inducing or not, networking is what you have to do. What ultimately worked for me is applying for jobs off one of the open websites, etc - then consulting my professional organization members listing for the email and phone number of the likely hiring managers - to whom I'd get in touch with direct after applying online, thus sidestepping the box ticking HR folks to some degree.

Good luck!

ri_mischief

Thanks to all for the help and encouragement, also the links.

I have a batchelors and an MBA - English Universities not US but pretty well qualified. I think one of the things is that a lot of jobs at my level (Senior Manager / Director) aren't advertised....

Anyway - thanks again for everything - I'll keep you posted!

Lord Lionheart

My favorites are the professional recruiters ( headhunters) who are you best new friend ever....................... until about 10 seconds after the interview for the job you don't get, and you never ever hear from them again

Gannett

Another thing to bear in mind if you have a degree is that you will need to get your qualification(s) evaluated.

I was offered a part-time job with a local university, but they needed me to get my degree evaluated to make sure it wasn't just some diploma-mill print-out. I had to order transcripts from my university in the UK, which took about a week, then the evaluation took another 4 weeks (and cost $195!), by which time the university had found someone else for the job (it was only an informal offer of some casual work - why they needed a degree, I don't know).

Put 'degree evaluation' into Google, and there should be something local to you who'll do the job.

ri_mischief

Really????? Has anyone else got any experience of this - or could this just be because you're in an academic field maybe?

Michigan Man

When I came over here to work in 1994 I had to get my qualifications ratified to American standards, as did the other ex-pats who came over. It was part of the Visa process, I had a Post Grad Diploma and an MSc. it could depend on what type of Visa you have. However it can't hurt to get it done because you can then say in interviews that your qualifications are the equivalent of "X" in the American system of qualifications, you need every bit of backup you can possibly get for successful job hunting, right?

ri_mischief

Had L1A now got greencard. No qualifications rating was required.

Reading a bit about it on previous posts seems like employers have their preferences for which "rating" company to use anyway so....

Significant amount of work experience too - so I don't really know how relevant the degrees are...in the UK they tend to focus on the work stuff more than academic in my experience - I don't know if it's totally different here.

cindyabs

It depends-before he got his work authorization, my DH was looking at a position with the Port here. The job that was advertised was no doubt within his capability, BUT they were looking for someone with a degree in that field, which he did not have-just 30 years practical experience.

penguinbar

try craigslist