Work & The Economy
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Originally Sussex Then Oregon Then Vancouver Now Colorado
Posts: 38
Work & The Economy
Hey all
Just wondered how everyone was doing employment wise in this current economic nightmare. Would be interested in seeing how its affecting other Expats.
I am currently looking for another job and considering relocating to another state (been in Colorado for 2.5 years now) and was wondering how other Brits are finding it across the US.
Thanks
WC
Just wondered how everyone was doing employment wise in this current economic nightmare. Would be interested in seeing how its affecting other Expats.
I am currently looking for another job and considering relocating to another state (been in Colorado for 2.5 years now) and was wondering how other Brits are finding it across the US.
Thanks
WC
#2
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by Wildcat_1
I am currently looking for another job and considering relocating to another state (been in Colorado for 2.5 years now) and was wondering how other Brits are finding it across the US.
I am currently looking for another job and considering relocating to another state (been in Colorado for 2.5 years now) and was wondering how other Brits are finding it across the US.
Cheers,
David.
#3
I agree. Ive been looking for IT work, anywhere in the country but preferable Ohio, for 5 months now. Currently working in a department store selling shoes!
#4
Professional Mover
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Derry, NH Via Salem, NH via Ma, NC, ex Manchester, UK.
Posts: 670
Grim here too. I've been looking for production and logistics jobs but theres not much about and those that are seem a lot more specialised than the posts in the UK where they expect you to be cross-functional........
#5
British/Irish(ish) Duncs
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Cambridge MA, via Mississippi and Belfast Northern Ireland.
Posts: 700
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by Wildcat_1
Hey all
Just wondered how everyone was doing employment wise in this current economic nightmare. Would be interested in seeing how its affecting other Expats.
I am currently looking for another job and considering relocating to another state (been in Colorado for 2.5 years now) and was wondering how other Brits are finding it across the US.
Thanks
WC
Hey all
Just wondered how everyone was doing employment wise in this current economic nightmare. Would be interested in seeing how its affecting other Expats.
I am currently looking for another job and considering relocating to another state (been in Colorado for 2.5 years now) and was wondering how other Brits are finding it across the US.
Thanks
WC
regards,
Duncan
#6
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by Wildcat_1
Hey all
Just wondered how everyone was doing employment wise in this current economic nightmare. ....
Hey all
Just wondered how everyone was doing employment wise in this current economic nightmare. ....
#7
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by Pulaski
Unless you work in textiles or tobacco the economy here in NC isn't so bad. My employer is still hiring, and has been through out the past year since I joined the company.
Unless you work in textiles or tobacco the economy here in NC isn't so bad. My employer is still hiring, and has been through out the past year since I joined the company.
Been here 9 months and had 4 interviews, almost got offered one job but the company downsized instead, another job I have no idea why I was interviewed, one interview was to ask me if I lied on my resume!
As far as non IT work is concerned I haven't much luck there either.
NC = No Jobs (Pulaski is employed and is not trying to find a job - don't be fooled by the amount of adverts for jobs, most don't exist or are given internally)
Patrick
#8
Professional Mover
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Derry, NH Via Salem, NH via Ma, NC, ex Manchester, UK.
Posts: 670
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by Patrick
Thats your employer and thats Charlotte, the rest of state stinks, in fact I havent had one reply from the all the jobs I have applied to in Charlotte so I think it is just your company.
Been here 9 months and had 4 interviews, almost got offered one job but the company downsized instead, another job I have no idea why I was interviewed, one interview was to ask me if I lied on my resume!
As far as non IT work is concerned I haven't much luck there either.
NC = No Jobs (Pulaski is employed and is not trying to find a job - don't be fooled by the amount of adverts for jobs, most don't exist or are given internally)
Patrick
Thats your employer and thats Charlotte, the rest of state stinks, in fact I havent had one reply from the all the jobs I have applied to in Charlotte so I think it is just your company.
Been here 9 months and had 4 interviews, almost got offered one job but the company downsized instead, another job I have no idea why I was interviewed, one interview was to ask me if I lied on my resume!
As far as non IT work is concerned I haven't much luck there either.
NC = No Jobs (Pulaski is employed and is not trying to find a job - don't be fooled by the amount of adverts for jobs, most don't exist or are given internally)
Patrick
Very true.... strange how you see the same jobs readvertised month after month.
NC is not good for jobs....
#9
The job market here in MI is poor too... I sent out nurmerous resumes and heard very little from them... just the usual thanks but no thanks and we'll keep your resume on record ... yeah right whatever.
Ash
Ash
#10
Originally posted by Ash UK/US
The job market here in MI is poor too... I sent out nurmerous resumes and heard very little from them... just the usual thanks but no thanks and we'll keep your resume on record ... yeah right whatever.
The job market here in MI is poor too... I sent out nurmerous resumes and heard very little from them... just the usual thanks but no thanks and we'll keep your resume on record ... yeah right whatever.
Have been lucky though with a couple of days here and there of IT Consulting work but nothing permanent as yet.....
Cheers,
David.
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Originally Sussex Then Oregon Then Vancouver Now Colorado
Posts: 38
All
Thats what I thought, that we would all be in the same boat. As I said I've been in Colorado now 2.5 years and also work in the IT industry as a Project/IT Manager with 7+ years experience and about every pro qualification out there (like it makes a difference these day ).
I've had a few consulting positions over the 2.5 years and have also relied on my other skills to start a company but its slow and hard going thats for sure.
I agree that the hands off "you'll be contacted if selected for interview crap" is very disheartening. What adds insult to injury is that you know that although this current economy ripples throughout the globe that realistically we probably would not have the problem in our native country.
Its kind of weird, I said to my wife that I always thought the most difficult thing in our life would be the immigration process, seemed to drag on and you were always wondering what the outcome would be. Then you're approved and as you leave the embassy in London (or wherever you were at) you're on that natural high thinking that the next chapter of your life is pretty much unscripted for you to make of it what you will. Looking back, I never thought the job element would be this difficult I must admit, not when going back to 1995 things were happening like job offers form the US when you were in the UK etc ,now look at us all.
Obviously things change economically, I was here before as I'm sure some of you were when the tragic events of 9/11 unfolded and it was slow going before that but now with so many people out of work and those that are lucky enough to land a full time position wondering how long it will last it certainly is hard to plan that future.
Anyways, sorry to ramble and even more sorry that there are so many of us in the same position. It definately seems though that we'll have hard times even landing retail positions in this market at least thats what I'm experiencing from other people on here as well as my own results.
If there was some niche market we could all be part of. Some business we could run un multiple cities across the US, legally of course
Anyone have any ideas ?
Good luck with the job search guys and girls. I'll certainly be contributing more and wish I had in the past. If I can help in any way whether it be with advice (will try and offer some ), chat or even info on british food and supply stores, DVD's, electronics, etc, experiences etc feel free to contact me.
Hopefully we'll all get there in the end. I'm lucky that I have a supportive wife that at the moment apart from my other business (when the work comes in) is our main source of income but makes life extremely tight for us as I'm sure it does for some of you.
Take care all
Speak soon
WC
Thats what I thought, that we would all be in the same boat. As I said I've been in Colorado now 2.5 years and also work in the IT industry as a Project/IT Manager with 7+ years experience and about every pro qualification out there (like it makes a difference these day ).
I've had a few consulting positions over the 2.5 years and have also relied on my other skills to start a company but its slow and hard going thats for sure.
I agree that the hands off "you'll be contacted if selected for interview crap" is very disheartening. What adds insult to injury is that you know that although this current economy ripples throughout the globe that realistically we probably would not have the problem in our native country.
Its kind of weird, I said to my wife that I always thought the most difficult thing in our life would be the immigration process, seemed to drag on and you were always wondering what the outcome would be. Then you're approved and as you leave the embassy in London (or wherever you were at) you're on that natural high thinking that the next chapter of your life is pretty much unscripted for you to make of it what you will. Looking back, I never thought the job element would be this difficult I must admit, not when going back to 1995 things were happening like job offers form the US when you were in the UK etc ,now look at us all.
Obviously things change economically, I was here before as I'm sure some of you were when the tragic events of 9/11 unfolded and it was slow going before that but now with so many people out of work and those that are lucky enough to land a full time position wondering how long it will last it certainly is hard to plan that future.
Anyways, sorry to ramble and even more sorry that there are so many of us in the same position. It definately seems though that we'll have hard times even landing retail positions in this market at least thats what I'm experiencing from other people on here as well as my own results.
If there was some niche market we could all be part of. Some business we could run un multiple cities across the US, legally of course
Anyone have any ideas ?
Good luck with the job search guys and girls. I'll certainly be contributing more and wish I had in the past. If I can help in any way whether it be with advice (will try and offer some ), chat or even info on british food and supply stores, DVD's, electronics, etc, experiences etc feel free to contact me.
Hopefully we'll all get there in the end. I'm lucky that I have a supportive wife that at the moment apart from my other business (when the work comes in) is our main source of income but makes life extremely tight for us as I'm sure it does for some of you.
Take care all
Speak soon
WC
#12
Good luck to you too! I have no doubt that I'll get a position in tune with my skills & experience at some point, its just a pain in the arse waiting and getting to that point.
I agree with what you say about the immigration process. From the beginning of 2003 we were preparing for my visa interview at the end of March... then, when that was granted we could only really practically plan as far as July 2003 when we left our house to do some travelling in the UK and Europe before heading west to California.
However, it was really a case of "couldn't plan ahead" instead of "didn't plan ahead". I spent many an hour before leaving the UK contacting recruiters/companies in Los Angeles trying to get some leads before moving but NOBODY was interested unless I was actually physically in the US and staying there.
Nostalgia is always good but even if we moved back to the UK tomorrow we'd still have to look for work/housing/etc. so we may as well stay put and keep on plugging away!
Cheers,
David.
I agree with what you say about the immigration process. From the beginning of 2003 we were preparing for my visa interview at the end of March... then, when that was granted we could only really practically plan as far as July 2003 when we left our house to do some travelling in the UK and Europe before heading west to California.
However, it was really a case of "couldn't plan ahead" instead of "didn't plan ahead". I spent many an hour before leaving the UK contacting recruiters/companies in Los Angeles trying to get some leads before moving but NOBODY was interested unless I was actually physically in the US and staying there.
Nostalgia is always good but even if we moved back to the UK tomorrow we'd still have to look for work/housing/etc. so we may as well stay put and keep on plugging away!
Cheers,
David.
#13
Having been here about 15 months now, I initially tried for a couple of months to get work in my field (conventions/events management) without luck, as someone said, loads of applications and "postcard replies" I still get those months after applying for a job. In fact I had one the other day about a job I applied for about 9 months ago.
One of the major problems as I see it is the sheer size of the country and unless you are applying for a job in your area, the application and interview process is made impossible as you can't go to an interview in Seattle on Monday, Miami on Tuesday, Boston on Wednesday etc.
In the UK we are used to travelling short distances, and even if you live in Newcastle and get relocated to London, it's not that far (although expensive)
Many of us have resorted to searching and applying for jobs via the internet, and apart from 2/3 offers of jobs (none of which were suitable) it's virtually impossible.
One company sent me an email saying "sorry" and made the extremely courteous gesture of blanket emailing and so the complete list of emails was on mine, there were over 150 people applied for that job.
In many cases the law states that a job has to be advertised but we all know that most jobs are taken internally, or it's who you know. (which is the same in the UK)
I've found it very frustrating and it's well documented on here that I spent the first 9 months working as a stocker at Walmart (which was very humbling and degrading - the bosses were arseholes)
I've now got a decent job with a government contractor, but, surprise surprise, the job came from my brother-in-law !!
Another problem over here is that when we move, we tend to be completely "out of the loop" and have no or very few contacts.
The only advise I can offer anyone is to take any job, YES even Walmart, just to get into the labour force and get used to the American way of working. Also to take away the frustration and boredom of being stuck at home.
I think (like building up a credit rating over here) that employment in the US, on a resume may help.
One thing I have also expressed on here before, seems to be the total lack of ex-pats "help" between ourselves.
Example: Why couldn't Pulaski put in a word for Patrick ?????????
Anyway I've waffled.
Good luck to everyone in finding a job, and remember all of us that moved over here are virtually starting afresh, so take any job (within reason) just to get established.
One of the major problems as I see it is the sheer size of the country and unless you are applying for a job in your area, the application and interview process is made impossible as you can't go to an interview in Seattle on Monday, Miami on Tuesday, Boston on Wednesday etc.
In the UK we are used to travelling short distances, and even if you live in Newcastle and get relocated to London, it's not that far (although expensive)
Many of us have resorted to searching and applying for jobs via the internet, and apart from 2/3 offers of jobs (none of which were suitable) it's virtually impossible.
One company sent me an email saying "sorry" and made the extremely courteous gesture of blanket emailing and so the complete list of emails was on mine, there were over 150 people applied for that job.
In many cases the law states that a job has to be advertised but we all know that most jobs are taken internally, or it's who you know. (which is the same in the UK)
I've found it very frustrating and it's well documented on here that I spent the first 9 months working as a stocker at Walmart (which was very humbling and degrading - the bosses were arseholes)
I've now got a decent job with a government contractor, but, surprise surprise, the job came from my brother-in-law !!
Another problem over here is that when we move, we tend to be completely "out of the loop" and have no or very few contacts.
The only advise I can offer anyone is to take any job, YES even Walmart, just to get into the labour force and get used to the American way of working. Also to take away the frustration and boredom of being stuck at home.
I think (like building up a credit rating over here) that employment in the US, on a resume may help.
One thing I have also expressed on here before, seems to be the total lack of ex-pats "help" between ourselves.
Example: Why couldn't Pulaski put in a word for Patrick ?????????
Anyway I've waffled.
Good luck to everyone in finding a job, and remember all of us that moved over here are virtually starting afresh, so take any job (within reason) just to get established.
#14
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by Pulaski
Unless you work in textiles or tobacco the economy here in NC isn't so bad. My employer is still hiring, and has been through out the past year since I joined the company.
Unless you work in textiles or tobacco the economy here in NC isn't so bad. My employer is still hiring, and has been through out the past year since I joined the company.
If you work in Charlotte, my guess is that you work in banking. Is that correct?
NC Penguin
#15
Re: Work & The Economy
Originally posted by NC Penguin
If you work in Charlotte, my guess is that you work in banking. Is that correct?
If you work in Charlotte, my guess is that you work in banking. Is that correct?