Difficulty with finding a job!
Feb 6th 2002, 11:32 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi,
My husband moved here the end of November from Australia. Since then, he has got a
social security card, a work authorization card, and a TX driver's liscence. It seems
like it is impossible for him to get a job. He worked for 2 major US companies in
Australia and he just can't seem to even get an interview here. He is a Systmes
Analyst and has extensive IT experience, but he can't seeem to get hired anywhere. He
has even gone to places like Wal-mart, target, Lowes, home-depot, etc, and no one
will even talk to him. He even had to places ask him where he was from and then they
told him not to even bother filling out an application since he wasn't a US citizen.
(It was for a job that paid $6.00 and hour, so it's not something that required a
secrity clearance, but it was a job and he was willing to do it). It has really
started to get him down. It seems that when he applies for those kind of jobs they
question why he's applying since he has so much IT experience and then they act all
suspicious. But he just wants to work and have some kind of income comming in, but
that doesn't seem to be the right answer. I feel bad for him because he's really
smart, reliable, and has lots of experience, but no one wants to give him a chance.
Does anyone have any suggentions?
Nicole
Thanks, Nicole
My husband moved here the end of November from Australia. Since then, he has got a
social security card, a work authorization card, and a TX driver's liscence. It seems
like it is impossible for him to get a job. He worked for 2 major US companies in
Australia and he just can't seem to even get an interview here. He is a Systmes
Analyst and has extensive IT experience, but he can't seeem to get hired anywhere. He
has even gone to places like Wal-mart, target, Lowes, home-depot, etc, and no one
will even talk to him. He even had to places ask him where he was from and then they
told him not to even bother filling out an application since he wasn't a US citizen.
(It was for a job that paid $6.00 and hour, so it's not something that required a
secrity clearance, but it was a job and he was willing to do it). It has really
started to get him down. It seems that when he applies for those kind of jobs they
question why he's applying since he has so much IT experience and then they act all
suspicious. But he just wants to work and have some kind of income comming in, but
that doesn't seem to be the right answer. I feel bad for him because he's really
smart, reliable, and has lots of experience, but no one wants to give him a chance.
Does anyone have any suggentions?
Nicole
Thanks, Nicole
Feb 6th 2002, 11:57 pm
#2
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,388
Has he been applying for IT work via the internet? Is he willing to relocate to another state? Are you? While a lot of people have been laid off because of the economy slump, there is still a need for IT workers and companies would prefer to hire workers who already have permission to work in the US than to hire from outside of the US and spend the money on procuring an H-1B visa for those workers.
I don't know what the problem is with his being turned down for not being a citizen. I doubt that that is even legal.
Good Luck
Rita
I don't know what the problem is with his being turned down for not being a citizen. I doubt that that is even legal.
Good Luck
Rita
Feb 7th 2002, 12:02 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Has he tried temp agencies? Has he tried one of the 2 major US companies that he
worked for in Oz?
Michael
worked for in Oz?
Michael
Feb 7th 2002, 12:23 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Reggie Perrin was able to chuck an advertising exec. job and got hired to swill
pigs and then to clean the scum off the outdoor tanks at a water reclamation plant.
When you want a $6.00/hour job you dont go advertising and carrying a resume that
deails your graduate thesis and describes the years of previous experience as a
systems analyst.
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pigs and then to clean the scum off the outdoor tanks at a water reclamation plant.
When you want a $6.00/hour job you dont go advertising and carrying a resume that
deails your graduate thesis and describes the years of previous experience as a
systems analyst.
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Feb 7th 2002, 1:47 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
A few suggestions....
1. As another poster mentioned, try temp agencies, a lot of people who I know found
their current full-time jobs via a temp agency.
2. Go over your cover letter / resume again. Remember, this is what "sells" you to
the company. Get the company excited to want to talk to you. If he is not getting
any interviews at all (depending of course on just how many places he has
submitted his resume), I would start looking here. In my opinion, a resume / cover
letter is 90% sales. Have someone with experience in sales go over it and offer
suggestions. So many people "qualify" themselves for a position, when in fact you
should be "selling" yourself to them, convince the company that passing up an
opportunity to talk to you would be a mistake. Givin the current economic
situation, touch on how you can reduce costs for example.
3. Has he considered doing contract work or starting his own consulting company (or
something along those lines?). If he has experience in this area this may be a
route to take.
4. Sometimes (and I find this is especially true in the IT field), it has a lot to do
with who you know that gets you a job or an interview. I would have him attend all
the technology seminars in your area that he can, I have found that a lot of
professional people in the IT field show up for these (at least in my area).
As I have mentioned in a previous post, I live in probably one of the least "tech"
areas in the US (Oklahoma). I am also in the IT field. I have not had a problem
getting interviews for jobs.
DJ
1. As another poster mentioned, try temp agencies, a lot of people who I know found
their current full-time jobs via a temp agency.
2. Go over your cover letter / resume again. Remember, this is what "sells" you to
the company. Get the company excited to want to talk to you. If he is not getting
any interviews at all (depending of course on just how many places he has
submitted his resume), I would start looking here. In my opinion, a resume / cover
letter is 90% sales. Have someone with experience in sales go over it and offer
suggestions. So many people "qualify" themselves for a position, when in fact you
should be "selling" yourself to them, convince the company that passing up an
opportunity to talk to you would be a mistake. Givin the current economic
situation, touch on how you can reduce costs for example.
3. Has he considered doing contract work or starting his own consulting company (or
something along those lines?). If he has experience in this area this may be a
route to take.
4. Sometimes (and I find this is especially true in the IT field), it has a lot to do
with who you know that gets you a job or an interview. I would have him attend all
the technology seminars in your area that he can, I have found that a lot of
professional people in the IT field show up for these (at least in my area).
As I have mentioned in a previous post, I live in probably one of the least "tech"
areas in the US (Oklahoma). I am also in the IT field. I have not had a problem
getting interviews for jobs.
DJ
Feb 7th 2002, 2:01 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
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I think it is easier for americans than for foreigners. I have also sent about 400
applications so far during the last 6 months. With lots of experience as a computer
consultant and degrees in finance and management with honors. I got my first
interview last week. And, I have applied for every possible job. Even those that I am
overqualified for. I haven't been able to get anything through temp agencies either.
Not even 10 dollar an hour accounts payable jobs. The temp agencies just sais that it
is so hard to find any jobs now, so they can't help me. But, luckily I made enough
before I came to the US, so I have some money left over. But, it is definitively
harder for foreigners. I don't have a single american friend that I graduated with
last august that hasn't gotten a job. Even those with way worse results and way less
experience.
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I think it is easier for americans than for foreigners. I have also sent about 400
applications so far during the last 6 months. With lots of experience as a computer
consultant and degrees in finance and management with honors. I got my first
interview last week. And, I have applied for every possible job. Even those that I am
overqualified for. I haven't been able to get anything through temp agencies either.
Not even 10 dollar an hour accounts payable jobs. The temp agencies just sais that it
is so hard to find any jobs now, so they can't help me. But, luckily I made enough
before I came to the US, so I have some money left over. But, it is definitively
harder for foreigners. I don't have a single american friend that I graduated with
last august that hasn't gotten a job. Even those with way worse results and way less
experience.
Feb 7th 2002, 2:14 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am a recent immigrant as well.....only been in the US for 4 months now 
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[usenetquote2]> >A few suggestions....[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >1. As another poster mentioned, try temp agencies, a lot of people who I know[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > found their current full-time jobs via a temp agency.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >2. Go over your cover letter / resume again. Remember, this is what[/usenetquote2]
"sells"
[usenetquote2]> >you to the company. Get the company excited to want to talk to you. If[/usenetquote2]
he
[usenetquote2]> >is not getting any interviews at all (depending of course on just how[/usenetquote2]
many
[usenetquote2]> >places he has submitted his resume), I would start looking here. In my opinion, a[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >resume / cover letter is 90% sales. Have someone with[/usenetquote2]
experience
[usenetquote2]> >in sales go over it and offer suggestions. So many people "qualify" themselves for[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >a position, when in fact you should be "selling" yourself[/usenetquote2]
to
[usenetquote2]> >them, convince the company that passing up an opportunity to talk to you would be[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >a mistake. Givin the current economic situation, touch on how[/usenetquote2]
you
[usenetquote2]> >can reduce costs for example.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >3. Has he considered doing contract work or starting his own consulting company[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > (or something along those lines?). If he has experience in this area this may[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > be a route to take.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >4. Sometimes (and I find this is especially true in the IT field), it has[/usenetquote2]
a
[usenetquote2]> >lot to do with who you know that gets you a job or an interview. I would have him[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >attend all the technology seminars in your area that he can, I[/usenetquote2]
have
[usenetquote2]> >found that a lot of professional people in the IT field show up for these (at[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >least in my area).[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >As I have mentioned in a previous post, I live in probably one of the[/usenetquote2]
least
[usenetquote2]> >"tech" areas in the US (Oklahoma). I am also in the IT field. I have[/usenetquote2]
not
[usenetquote2]> >had a problem getting interviews for jobs.[/usenetquote2]
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[usenetquote2]> >A few suggestions....[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >1. As another poster mentioned, try temp agencies, a lot of people who I know[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > found their current full-time jobs via a temp agency.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >2. Go over your cover letter / resume again. Remember, this is what[/usenetquote2]
"sells"
[usenetquote2]> >you to the company. Get the company excited to want to talk to you. If[/usenetquote2]
he
[usenetquote2]> >is not getting any interviews at all (depending of course on just how[/usenetquote2]
many
[usenetquote2]> >places he has submitted his resume), I would start looking here. In my opinion, a[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >resume / cover letter is 90% sales. Have someone with[/usenetquote2]
experience
[usenetquote2]> >in sales go over it and offer suggestions. So many people "qualify" themselves for[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >a position, when in fact you should be "selling" yourself[/usenetquote2]
to
[usenetquote2]> >them, convince the company that passing up an opportunity to talk to you would be[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >a mistake. Givin the current economic situation, touch on how[/usenetquote2]
you
[usenetquote2]> >can reduce costs for example.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >3. Has he considered doing contract work or starting his own consulting company[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > (or something along those lines?). If he has experience in this area this may[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > be a route to take.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >4. Sometimes (and I find this is especially true in the IT field), it has[/usenetquote2]
a
[usenetquote2]> >lot to do with who you know that gets you a job or an interview. I would have him[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >attend all the technology seminars in your area that he can, I[/usenetquote2]
have
[usenetquote2]> >found that a lot of professional people in the IT field show up for these (at[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >least in my area).[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >As I have mentioned in a previous post, I live in probably one of the[/usenetquote2]
least
[usenetquote2]> >"tech" areas in the US (Oklahoma). I am also in the IT field. I have[/usenetquote2]
not
[usenetquote2]> >had a problem getting interviews for jobs.[/usenetquote2]
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Feb 7th 2002, 2:17 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Does anyone have any suggentions?
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I don't other than to keep trying. I had extensive IT experience and ended up taking
a level entry tech Support position to get a foot in the door. Once I got it in...I
managed to move up the ladder pretty quick....so quick I hardly get time to post in
here any more. I have no idea where you are but most companies struggle to fill phone
support jobs. The turnover of people is amazing.
Grinch
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I don't other than to keep trying. I had extensive IT experience and ended up taking
a level entry tech Support position to get a foot in the door. Once I got it in...I
managed to move up the ladder pretty quick....so quick I hardly get time to post in
here any more. I have no idea where you are but most companies struggle to fill phone
support jobs. The turnover of people is amazing.
Grinch
Feb 7th 2002, 2:24 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
.......
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When there is no response to this paper barrage, and you are ready for the everyman's
job as a stopgap measure, toss that resume, forget the past and get yourself that
GED. A GED shows that you had been an American highschool dropout and immediately
earns you the cool-hood you deserve. It would immediately wipe out your
foreigner-ness. You could be a schoolbus driver and make $10 an hour, easy !
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I do not know a single american citizen who needed an H1B visa to get an IT job.
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When there is no response to this paper barrage, and you are ready for the everyman's
job as a stopgap measure, toss that resume, forget the past and get yourself that
GED. A GED shows that you had been an American highschool dropout and immediately
earns you the cool-hood you deserve. It would immediately wipe out your
foreigner-ness. You could be a schoolbus driver and make $10 an hour, easy !
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I do not know a single american citizen who needed an H1B visa to get an IT job.
Feb 7th 2002, 2:27 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
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advertising
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Oh man....I loved that show. Mr Rossiter was a veritable God. Thank you for
reminding me.
Grinch
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advertising
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Oh man....I loved that show. Mr Rossiter was a veritable God. Thank you for
reminding me.
Grinch
Feb 7th 2002, 3:41 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Good luck.
I'm a USC in the IT field. Unless you know UNIX, Oracle, C (any form) or XML its a
pretty rough market out there.
As for the h1-b's, they fill the "highly" skilled IT jobs most of the time. I worked
with 3 on a project last year and they were so advanced (I'm 24, fresh out of college
with a CIS degree) that it blew me away. These guys eat, sleep and crap IT stuff
daily. Plus they work extra hard and longer hours than us lazy americans. I got lucky
through this recession to work for a company with a growing and young IT department
(there are 7 of us for a 200 person company. Best bet is to wait out the rough seas
of the end of the recession. Business will be picking up again, which means new
projects and new positions. He'll get something.
Best of luck...
--
__________________________________________________ _________________________
Wanna know what I'm up to? Click here!!! http://www.projectgoodtimes.com
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I'm a USC in the IT field. Unless you know UNIX, Oracle, C (any form) or XML its a
pretty rough market out there.
As for the h1-b's, they fill the "highly" skilled IT jobs most of the time. I worked
with 3 on a project last year and they were so advanced (I'm 24, fresh out of college
with a CIS degree) that it blew me away. These guys eat, sleep and crap IT stuff
daily. Plus they work extra hard and longer hours than us lazy americans. I got lucky
through this recession to work for a company with a growing and young IT department
(there are 7 of us for a 200 person company. Best bet is to wait out the rough seas
of the end of the recession. Business will be picking up again, which means new
projects and new positions. He'll get something.
Best of luck...
--
__________________________________________________ _________________________
Wanna know what I'm up to? Click here!!! http://www.projectgoodtimes.com
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Feb 7th 2002, 8:02 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
I don't know where you live. From my trace it seems you live somewhere around
Austin,Texas. Mmmmmmmm. Texas used to be a HUGE IT positions plaec. But that's a
while ago.......
I've been searching for an IT job the past 2 months now. And NO RESULT till now. I
did have 2 interview though. One at a temp agency and one at a consultancy company.
Both of them had NOTHING. Because the market is JUST REALLY BAD. You might have seen
the news/newspapers. Currently the US is in a recession. And so it will take a while
before everything gets back to normal again.
The temps and consultancy comps told me though, that it's NOT the problem of your
education/knowledge/expertise/etc. The WHOLE PROBLEM is the budget. Managers at big
companies currently have NO MONEY to hire people. She (the staffing specialist I
talked to) gave me some examples. Like one major company (70,000 people working for
them) currently have 7 people working on there support department. This used to be 25
last year. Everybody is working 3 times as hard as they used to. They NEEEEEEEEED
people like you and me (NT systems engineer for 9 years). They just don't have the
money for it......
Hopefully the second quarter of this year will be better again. But it's just
waiting..........
I still don't have a job either. Sucks....... But nothing to do about
it. Just keep looking. Newspapers, online, etc. etc.
Good luck,
Daniel
[email protected] (nikki)
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Austin,Texas. Mmmmmmmm. Texas used to be a HUGE IT positions plaec. But that's a
while ago.......
I've been searching for an IT job the past 2 months now. And NO RESULT till now. I
did have 2 interview though. One at a temp agency and one at a consultancy company.
Both of them had NOTHING. Because the market is JUST REALLY BAD. You might have seen
the news/newspapers. Currently the US is in a recession. And so it will take a while
before everything gets back to normal again.
The temps and consultancy comps told me though, that it's NOT the problem of your
education/knowledge/expertise/etc. The WHOLE PROBLEM is the budget. Managers at big
companies currently have NO MONEY to hire people. She (the staffing specialist I
talked to) gave me some examples. Like one major company (70,000 people working for
them) currently have 7 people working on there support department. This used to be 25
last year. Everybody is working 3 times as hard as they used to. They NEEEEEEEEED
people like you and me (NT systems engineer for 9 years). They just don't have the
money for it......
Hopefully the second quarter of this year will be better again. But it's just
waiting..........
I still don't have a job either. Sucks....... But nothing to do about
it. Just keep looking. Newspapers, online, etc. etc.
Good luck,
Daniel
[email protected] (nikki)
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Feb 7th 2002, 11:02 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
My husband had similar problems, and the best advice I could offer has already been
mentioned several times: keep trying! It took 4 months for Simon to find a job. It's
not what he exactly wanted to do, but it is $ (though not what he feels he should be
earning, given his degree) and more importantly, experience in this country in a
business field. Just keep encouraging him; something will come along!
Dawn
mentioned several times: keep trying! It took 4 months for Simon to find a job. It's
not what he exactly wanted to do, but it is $ (though not what he feels he should be
earning, given his degree) and more importantly, experience in this country in a
business field. Just keep encouraging him; something will come along!
Dawn
Feb 7th 2002, 1:50 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
in message
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[usenetquote2]>> I think it is easier for americans than for foreigners. I have also sent about 400[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> applications so far during the last 6 months. <<snip>>[/usenetquote2]
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I did actually graduate from american high school...
[usenetquote2]>> But, it is definitively harder for foreigners. I don't have a single american[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> friend that I graduated with last august that hasn't gotten a job. Even those with[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> way worse results and way less experience.[/usenetquote2]
>
I don't need a H1B visa either. I have a visa, and the company does not have to do
anything else in order to hire me compared to hire an american.
>
[usenetquote2]>> I think it is easier for americans than for foreigners. I have also sent about 400[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> applications so far during the last 6 months. <<snip>>[/usenetquote2]
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I did actually graduate from american high school...
[usenetquote2]>> But, it is definitively harder for foreigners. I don't have a single american[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> friend that I graduated with last august that hasn't gotten a job. Even those with[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> way worse results and way less experience.[/usenetquote2]
>
I don't need a H1B visa either. I have a visa, and the company does not have to do
anything else in order to hire me compared to hire an american.