Originally Posted by snowbunny

I have to say that the US jobhunting/interviewing process is brutal for those who are used to it and horrifying to those who aren't.

My Dutch husband has been applying for all sorts of jobs and it seems like an impossible dream to get any of them. We live in an area that is very "desirable" and people are willing to take pay cuts to live here. The workforce is much more educated than the "average" American workforce, so competition is quite keen for *every* job.

It's tempting to think he could return to Holland for a while just to work to restore his confidence, but that would endanger his PR status. It's a hell of a trap. I can't move within the state let alone overseas because of child custody issues, so that option is out. We can live on my wages but not very comfortably or for the long-term.

All I can say is that if I were not American, I seriously question whether I'd immigrate here.... you definitely need a lot of willpower to stick it out and the drive and charm to convince someone to hire you. Job security here is also horrible, so you have to be ready to do it all over again.

Originally Posted by Tracym

I don't know what anyone's job is. He has been in a pretty senior position. Now, I don't think my opinion is the only one that counts, and he will hopefully be getting lots of advice on the matter.

But I had a gap once, with a reasonable explanation, and noone minded a bit. I think it depends. He was not actively seeking employment and unable to find it for long - he was going through the immigration process. Which might be a perfectly good explanation.

So I "possibly" disagree with you. I'm not sure which would be worse, but I'm leaning towards the opinion of avoiding Walmart type jobs. At least at this point.

Originally Posted by Mr Srna

And I second that! Mr Srna has officially joined the forum. Check out my cool user name!

Originally Posted by Bob

that's b*llocks...it'll hurt far more with a gap in employment history than some crap job, because someone will ask if there's a gap, was he just un-employable, a lazy git or locked up etc...easier to explain the crap job, you had bills to pay, far harder to explain lazying on your arse...I should know, I was in that situation...I filled it with a handful of crap temp jobs and bucket loads of voluntary work for a charity.

Originally Posted by Tracym

I don't know what anyone's job is. He has been in a pretty senior position. Now, I don't think my opinion is the only one that counts, and he will hopefully be getting lots of advice on the matter.

But I had a gap once, with a reasonable explanation, and noone minded a bit. I think it depends. He was not actively seeking employment and unable to find it for long - he was going through the immigration process. Which might be a perfectly good explanation.

So I "possibly" disagree with you. I'm not sure which would be worse, but I'm leaning towards the opinion of avoiding Walmart type jobs. At least at this point.

Originally Posted by Bob

A woman could explain maternity leave as a good gap explanation, a bloke wouldn't be...immigration would be worse because they'll just question if he's actually got a greencard or what not, and he's got the greencard, so it shouldn't have been an issue.

Originally Posted by Srna

BoB, I will disagree with you obviously for all the reasons that Tracy's already mentioned and also for the facts that I have already pointed out re my hubby's employment...At the time, I was earning enough money to support my husband and myself, so that he would have more time to spend searching for jobs. Sorry to hear about your bad experience

Originally Posted by Tracym

I have no clue re. immigration. But I do think it is very possible, with his type of job, that his gap in employment could be acceptabley explained to prospective employers.

Originally Posted by Bob

It still doesn't explain a good gap in employment history, it is one of the biggest killers over here for people trying to get back into the employement game.

Going off to study, or to expand experiences are good, doing nothing is bad.

Even menial crap jobs would show you are capable of doing whatever, you can show other assets that could be useful, for example, as a cleaner, you should show time management, communication skills etc, apply that for whatever job....

Originally Posted by Deedee13

WOW, IF U get that from a cleaner can u write my covering letter for me. I am looking for a job, and the stories I am hearing are frightening me to death if i will ever find one. The way u describe a cleaning job - i wont have any problems.

Originally Posted by Bob

Not bouncing back and forth with gaps it wouldn't.

IT is competitive, if you saw a stack of CV's and had a bunch of people who were equally qualified, you'd grab the one with least issues against them, you saw a gap in employment, you might not even bother invite them for an interview to explain it.

Originally Posted by Bob

Not bouncing back and forth with gaps it wouldn't.

IT is competitive, if you saw a stack of CV's and had a bunch of people who were equally qualified, you'd grab the one with least issues against them, you saw a gap in employment, you might not even bother invite them for an interview to explain it.

Originally Posted by farmerwife

Yes - this is very true.
This is what is discussed in the "Bait and Switch" book. "The Gap" is a huge problem... those people that have a gap are usually thrown out at the resume stage....so there is never a chance to explain the situation to the prospective employer.