Does depend on the industry job...casual work does seem to not see folks dressing up.

Congrats though, great stuff!

You have to submit a DRUGS test for a job at Walmart?! What type of background checks are they running?

Yep, drugs test. Background is just criminal history.

Exactly right. Especially in a new country.

And for the poster who expressed surprise, some states restrict the testing to jobs involving public or workplace safely, but some don't. From what I've heard & seen, drugs testing can be common here in some industries.

Yes, I've been tested for high end professional jobs in the past. It's a liability thing.
Fortunately they didn't test me for alcohol

What about low end menial jobs? Been tested for those?

Never applied for one so I don't know but I think shop floor employees in places like Home Depot here in CA do get drug tested.

My point was that the comment 'high end professional' was nothing more than an ego boost.

Nothing to do with ego.
Just pointing out that there are many types of jobs that require testing these days. Low end to high end.

After having spent nine months unemployed looking for a new job in my 50's I certainly have little ego to be boosted.

Not true.
What about the people who dance and twitch at the side of the road dressed up as the Statue of Liberty or a Doughnut or thing?

You mean they don't dress like that normally?

Related Question - I have heard 'use' LinkedIn a lot.

From a relative novice to LinkedIn networking; does this mean message people randomly or just add them and write to them/email them?

What strategies are the most effective?

No, don't message people randomly. I don't think you can, anyway, you need to be either connected to the person (1st connection) or have a connection in common (2nd connection). I would start by creating a profile and building up a network of contacts and following companies in your field of work who will often post jobs (there's also a job search function on there). I often get contacted by recruiters who have searched the site for people with the credentials they're looking for. Depending on what you do, a lot of people also write articles/blog posts and put them on their profiles, or comment on other articles they find interesting.

If you know people well enough it's worth asking them to write you a recommendation on there too.

Depends on your occupation.

Obviously, connect to people you have worked with and know, it'll build your network and you can see who they are connected with and ask for introductions to people that way to companies you might see jobs you are interested in.

Join related groups and industry events, chat in those groups and make more contacts that way.

If you don't have a contact at a company, search the company out, search the people out. You'll be able to make a guess at who the likely hiring people actually are and look at their experience to see what you could include in your cover letter.

Chances are, you'll also find someone, probably in HR, who has their company email address on display. With that, you've got company email structure, whatever it might be, [email protected] for instance. Go back to the person you think might be doing the hiring, use the name in the email structure and contact directly to avoid HR.

Thought I would resurrect this as it is a New Year and traditionally the month when folks start their new job/new plans etc ...

So ... I have been following all the advice; been using LinkedIn/Social Media ... As I plan to be in the US from March 26th, I have a rough timeline of what I want to do job-hunt wise ...

Jan-Mid Feb: Keep collecting contacts, and being active on Social Media etc.

Mid Feb: Start sending out speculative letters to as many contacts as possible about meeting at the end of March with my resume/contact details.

March: Have at least 10 people to meet with at the end of March for informal interviews/chats ...


Do you reckon that is a workable timeline? Any suggestions on how to refine and improve my chances of success? I have been offered some work, but it isn't paid ... it would be good exposure, but then I worry about devaluing my services ... would any of you work for free?


Hoffage