UKskydiver

Hi my name is Simon. My friends call me Shandy (old army and rugby nickname). I have recently moved to Murrieta in Southern California. Was coming out to Lake Elsinore Skydiving with the Royal Engineer Regiment (TA) for the last few years and then met my wife Katie. Am currently getting my head around the US employment process as it seems a little retarded. Being an NVQ 3 carpenter in the US doesn't seem to mean much although I was running three companies in the UK!! and have 20 years experience.
Recently went for a filler job as a general labourer and was told I didn't meet the minimum requirements. LOL Only in America. I still love California though.
Currently looking for employment. Any advice from USA residents would be most helpfull. Feel free to check my profile and look at my online resume.

Have a good one

Shandy and Katie.
PS - Do they prescribe any medicine for over exposure to brainless commercials and chain restaurant food. Thank god for Fresh and easy and Trader Jo's.

MrsFychan

Hi Shandy and Katie

best place for this sort of information is on the USA forum

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=57

lots of lovely people on there who may be able to give you a heads up

Good Luck

bakedbean

Hi there and welcome to the forum . I see you've found the USA forum ok, so I'll leave you to it.

Bob

Welcome to BE and good luck!

As for the job front, few threads recently that might help, but it's all down to networking. Might have local trade association that could help, if nothing else for the networking

MostlyYank

LOL! Large amounts of watery and oversweet hangover-causing beer apparently

I don't know the CA market but wouldn't hesitate to explain what your grade means or even include info on it with your applications. Tooting your own horn is expected.

Also don't hesitate to ask your interviewer why you're having a hard time. And too perhaps speak to your local union hall, although responses could range from helpful to insulting. Don't be discouraged, stiff upper lip and all that, 'what what'

Good luck, and welcome to the US!

Pete

SanDiegogirl

Have you contacted Trade Associations and/or Union groups?

The US is fairly well unionized in many skilled professions, so it would be useful to know what the 'market' requires in terms of skills/qualifications in order to break into it.

No-one would know what an NVQ is.

Rosemary

Hello and a big welcome to BE.

Excellent information can be found in the BE Wiki, not forgetting the Living and Moving Abroad forum that will help you, another set of great help is the permanent threads at the TOP of each forum, they are very pertinent to that particular forum and makes sensible reading.

Moderators deal with any problems that arise such as inappropriate posts, spammers etc, you will find their names at the bottom right hand side of each forum's index in bold font.

Please contact me if I can give you any further help.

Rosemary