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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
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Not a question but just - is anyone else having a hard time?

 

This whole process has been so stressful and draining, our local field office is San Antonio so I am not holding my hopes up that I will be getting my greencard anytime soon (we filed mid November), I've spent every waking, breathing moment here worrying about money and just feeling very displaced, unsettled and scared that I'll be sent home packing while USCIS take their sweet time allowing our case file to gather dust.

 

I also am finding it hard to job hunt and haven't had any luck despite having a LOT of retail and office experience and exclusively applying for roles I feel I am probably overqualified for. Feel like my resume must be a huge turn off or something?

 

Bleh I hope y'all are having a nice Thursday.

I-129F sent: 2016-04-27

NOA1 Email & Text: 2016-05-04

NOA1 Received in Mail: 2016-05-18

NOA2 Email & Text: 2016-07-06 (63 DAYS!)

NOA2 Received in Mail: 2016-07-18

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Filed: Other Country: Canada
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I've worked with mental health patients before and honestly, even the healthiest of people in immigration I recommend some sort of counseling or therapy be it as simple as journaling thoughts or finding a support group of like minds.  It's a trying process and to be honest it's partially why so many relationships do fail.

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Norway
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You might be getting turned down for that exact reason, being overqualified. I'm also struggling because I'm highly qualified in my field. Several of the rejection letters have mentioned that they've chosen to go with applicants with "lower expectations".

If it isn't difficult, it isn't worth it.

 

K1 process

9/24/15: I129f sent

9/30/15: NOA1

11/2/15: NOA2

Delayed processing due to work

3/15/16: Medical

4/28/16: Interview (approved)

Delayed entry due to work

8/12/16: POE Detroit

 

9/4/16: Wedding!

 

AOS process:

9/9/16: I485/I131/I765 sent

9/14/16: Received 3xNOAs by text/e-mail (day 2)

9/14-18/16: Received 3xpaper NOAs 

9/23/16: Received biometrics appointment letter (day 11)

10/3/16: Biometrics appointment (day 19)

11/4/16: EAD+AP approved (day 53)

11/16/16: EAD status changed to card shipped (day 65)

11/17/16: EAD/AP combo card received (day 66)

12/30/16: Notice of interview scheduled (day 109)

2/1/17: AOS interview (day 142) - APPROVED

2/8/17: GC received (day 150)

 

ROC process:

11/3/2018: ROC window opens

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5 minutes ago, thrashunreal said:

Not a question but just - is anyone else having a hard time?

 

This whole process has been so stressful and draining, our local field office is San Antonio so I am not holding my hopes up that I will be getting my greencard anytime soon (we filed mid November), I've spent every waking, breathing moment here worrying about money and just feeling very displaced, unsettled and scared that I'll be sent home packing while USCIS take their sweet time allowing our case file to gather dust.

 

I also am finding it hard to job hunt and haven't had any luck despite having a LOT of retail and office experience and exclusively applying for roles I feel I am probably overqualified for. Feel like my resume must be a huge turn off or something?

 

Bleh I hope y'all are having a nice Thursday.

1- Can't answer you about your resume, since I haven't seen it ;) but I did notice throughout applying that the format plays a big role.

2- There is also a risk with applying for positions that you are overqualified for that the employer also finds you overqualified, meaning they can assume you will not be happy with the pay they have i mind for the current position or that you will not be staying. It might not be the case where you applied, but it plays in so just keep it also in mind. Cause at the same time, as you know, they might not value non-US experience as highly so there is also the consideration that you might have to take a "lower" role based on that.

3- I just got offered a job on Monday (through staffing agency but at one out of the two companies that I really wanted a foot in at) but that was after sending out tons of resumes and hearing absolutely nada - nichts - nothing back! This was my first interview. I would recommend posting your resume, if you haven't already on Indeed, Monster and Glassdoor. The Indeed resume I posted got me many calls and emails from staffing agencies, and that is how this job was offered to me.

4- Also with retail, take your resume to them! Go apply in person. I have seen this work for others on here.

 

K1 Visa & AOS

Spoiler

2016-03-19         i-129F Sent
2016-03-24         i-129F NOA1
2016-06-14         i-129F NOA2
2016-07-08         NVC Rec'd
2016-07-12         Case #
2016-07-13         NVC Left
2016-07-14         Consulate Rec'd
2016-07-19         Medical
2016-08-11         Interview Date (approved)
2016-09-06         Issued
2016-09-09         Visa In Hand
2016-10-19         POE Dallas Fort-Worth
2016-10-30         Our Halloween Wedding

2016-11-16         AOS package sent (i-485, i-131, i-765, i-864, g-325a, DS-3025)
2016-11-17         AOS package delivered to Chicago lockbox
2016-11-23         NOA1's by e-mail and text (@ 10:30 pm CT)
2016-11-26         NOA1 hard copies
2016-12-03         Biometrics appointment in mail
2016-12-07         Biometrics (Early walk-in Desoto, appointment was for Dec 13th)

2017-02-17         Notice of card in production by email and text (@8:00 am CT, i-765) - Day 92

2017-02-22         Notice of approval by email and text (@1:00 pm CT, i-765 and i-131) - Day 97

2017-02-22         Notice of card being mailed by email and text (@7:00 pm CT, i-765) - Day 97

2017-02-25         EAD/AP combo card arrived in mail - Day 100

2017-03-03         Notice of green card in production by email and text (@4:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-03         Notice of approval by email and text (@6:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-11          Green card arrived in mail  - Day 113

2018-12-03          First day to file for ROC (i-751)

 

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Oh... and yes... prior to this offer I was contemplating being a stay-at-home wife for all eternity and getting quite depressed about it!! But I am confident there will light at the end of your tunnel also! (F)(L)

K1 Visa & AOS

Spoiler

2016-03-19         i-129F Sent
2016-03-24         i-129F NOA1
2016-06-14         i-129F NOA2
2016-07-08         NVC Rec'd
2016-07-12         Case #
2016-07-13         NVC Left
2016-07-14         Consulate Rec'd
2016-07-19         Medical
2016-08-11         Interview Date (approved)
2016-09-06         Issued
2016-09-09         Visa In Hand
2016-10-19         POE Dallas Fort-Worth
2016-10-30         Our Halloween Wedding

2016-11-16         AOS package sent (i-485, i-131, i-765, i-864, g-325a, DS-3025)
2016-11-17         AOS package delivered to Chicago lockbox
2016-11-23         NOA1's by e-mail and text (@ 10:30 pm CT)
2016-11-26         NOA1 hard copies
2016-12-03         Biometrics appointment in mail
2016-12-07         Biometrics (Early walk-in Desoto, appointment was for Dec 13th)

2017-02-17         Notice of card in production by email and text (@8:00 am CT, i-765) - Day 92

2017-02-22         Notice of approval by email and text (@1:00 pm CT, i-765 and i-131) - Day 97

2017-02-22         Notice of card being mailed by email and text (@7:00 pm CT, i-765) - Day 97

2017-02-25         EAD/AP combo card arrived in mail - Day 100

2017-03-03         Notice of green card in production by email and text (@4:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-03         Notice of approval by email and text (@6:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-11          Green card arrived in mail  - Day 113

2018-12-03          First day to file for ROC (i-751)

 

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: England
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Also keep in mind that companies are like snails getting back to prospective candidates. Several months after applying for heaps of jobs the phone started ringing with interview offers on our end. And unlike the UK, they don't call or write to let you know they don't want you and they don't seem to appreciate being bothered for updates like you can do back home. 

 

Do you have any hobbies that can help you de stress in between job searches? 



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23 minutes ago, thrashunreal said:

Not a question but just - is anyone else having a hard time?

 

This whole process has been so stressful and draining, our local field office is San Antonio so I am not holding my hopes up that I will be getting my greencard anytime soon (we filed mid November), I've spent every waking, breathing moment here worrying about money and just feeling very displaced, unsettled and scared that I'll be sent home packing while USCIS take their sweet time allowing our case file to gather dust.

 

I also am finding it hard to job hunt and haven't had any luck despite having a LOT of retail and office experience and exclusively applying for roles I feel I am probably overqualified for. Feel like my resume must be a huge turn off or something?

 

Bleh I hope y'all are having a nice Thursday.

I know it's hard, even for those that are the most optimistic of dispositions. It's pretty much a given that AOS can take up to a year, and there's not a lot you can do to speed that along. We had assumed that our case was at our local office, but this ended up not even being the case in the end - and when they finally got around to looking at the application stuff finally started moving. The hardest thing was watching my very overqualified husband be rejected by companies that he could have been a very productive member of the team, or simply not getting any bites at all. It took a lot of encouragement to help him not feel so defeated. There are a lot of factors though that may be contributing to you being passed up - the structure of the resume perhaps, selling yourself via networking or recruiters.. but I think the hard reality is the market is saturated with individuals looking for work, and some HR don't know what an EAD is. It's a given that unless you are in a really specific field you will most likely be applying for and accepting a position that will be well beneath you. You will most assuredly be overqualified, but that's okay if you can convince the employer that you are competent and reliable. It wasn't until after he got his green card, a few more tweaks of his resume (he was stubborn and finally listened to the wife), persistence, and some savvy networking that eventually landed him his job now. I knew he had the job the day of his interview - but it still took HR months of dragging feet to officially hire him. That was pretty stressful waiting there too. Is he still overqualified? Yes. Is it not the full time dream job he hoped for? No. But you have to start somewhere. You may also have to look for things outside of your field, which may be lower pay.. but it's something. If you are suffering from anxiety from not being able to do something - don't forget about taking time for yourself to relax.. get out and enjoy the time while you've still got it. There's also plenty of volunteering opportunities if you'd really like to keep busy in the interim.

Edited by yuna628

Our Journey Timeline  - Immigration and the Health Exchange Price of Love in the UK Thinking of Returning to UK?

 

First met: 12/31/04 - Engaged: 9/24/09
Filed I-129F: 10/4/14 - Packet received: 10/7/14
NOA 1 email + ARN assigned: 10/10/14 (hard copy 10/17/14)
Touched on website (fixed?): 12/9/14 - Poked USCIS: 4/1/15
NOA 2 email: 5/4/15 (hard copy 5/11/15)
Sent to NVC: 5/8/15 - NVC received + #'s assigned: 5/15/15 (estimated)
NVC sent: 5/19/15 - London received/ready: 5/26/15
Packet 3: 5/28/15 - Medical: 6/16/15
Poked London 7/1/15 - Packet 4: 7/2/15
Interview: 7/30/15 - Approved!
AP + Issued 8/3/15 - Visa in hand (depot): 8/6/15
POE: 8/27/15

Wedding: 9/30/15

Filed I-485, I-131, I-765: 11/7/15

Packet received: 11/9/15

NOA 1 txt/email: 11/15/15 - NOA 1 hardcopy: 11/19/15

Bio: 12/9/15

EAD + AP approved: 1/25/16 - EAD received: 2/1/16

RFE for USCIS inability to read vax instructions: 5/21/16 (no e-notification & not sent from local office!)

RFE response sent: 6/7/16 - RFE response received 6/9/16

AOS approved/card in production: 6/13/16  

NOA 2 hardcopy + card sent 6/17/16

Green Card received: 6/18/16

USCIS 120 day reminder notice: 2/22/18

Filed I-751: 5/2/18 - Packet received: 5/4/18

NOA 1:  5/29/18 (12 mo ext) 8/13/18 (18 mo ext)  - Bio: 6/27/18

Transferred: Potomac Service Center 3/26/19

Approved/New Card Produced status: 4/25/19 - NOA2 hardcopy 4/29/19

10yr Green Card Received: 5/2/19 with error >_<

N400 : 7/16/23 - Oath : 10/19/23

 

 

 

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8 minutes ago, Ischnura said:

Also keep in mind that companies are like snails getting back to prospective candidates. Several months after applying for heaps of jobs the phone started ringing with interview offers on our end. And unlike the UK, they don't call or write to let you know they don't want you and they don't seem to appreciate being bothered for updates like you can do back home. 

 

Do you have any hobbies that can help you de stress in between job searches? 

I noticed this.... Back in Sweden as well the companies will let you know first an approximate timeframe until you should hear from them, then if you have moved on in the process or not and then finally if the position has been filled. It's considered common courtesy and companies that might not do this are not very well looked upon by ppl applying, because it's an indicator on how they care about prospective workers and therefore also their employees. I had been told beforehand that this is not the case here, so I had tried to adapt my expectations accordingly to not get disappointed lol 

Edited by Suss&Camm

K1 Visa & AOS

Spoiler

2016-03-19         i-129F Sent
2016-03-24         i-129F NOA1
2016-06-14         i-129F NOA2
2016-07-08         NVC Rec'd
2016-07-12         Case #
2016-07-13         NVC Left
2016-07-14         Consulate Rec'd
2016-07-19         Medical
2016-08-11         Interview Date (approved)
2016-09-06         Issued
2016-09-09         Visa In Hand
2016-10-19         POE Dallas Fort-Worth
2016-10-30         Our Halloween Wedding

2016-11-16         AOS package sent (i-485, i-131, i-765, i-864, g-325a, DS-3025)
2016-11-17         AOS package delivered to Chicago lockbox
2016-11-23         NOA1's by e-mail and text (@ 10:30 pm CT)
2016-11-26         NOA1 hard copies
2016-12-03         Biometrics appointment in mail
2016-12-07         Biometrics (Early walk-in Desoto, appointment was for Dec 13th)

2017-02-17         Notice of card in production by email and text (@8:00 am CT, i-765) - Day 92

2017-02-22         Notice of approval by email and text (@1:00 pm CT, i-765 and i-131) - Day 97

2017-02-22         Notice of card being mailed by email and text (@7:00 pm CT, i-765) - Day 97

2017-02-25         EAD/AP combo card arrived in mail - Day 100

2017-03-03         Notice of green card in production by email and text (@4:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-03         Notice of approval by email and text (@6:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-11          Green card arrived in mail  - Day 113

2018-12-03          First day to file for ROC (i-751)

 

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I've had friends, who were out of a job for a while, resort to "dumbing down" their resumes to get jobs that were below their skillsets just so they can get a paycheck coming in. Nothing is wrong with finding something to hold you over.

 

If you are overqualified for a particular job an employer will see you as a flight risk once you find something better. 

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

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Filed: Other Country: Canada
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4 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

I've had friends, who were out of a job for a while, resort to "dumbing down" their resumes to get jobs that were below their skillsets just so they can get a paycheck coming in. Nothing is wrong with finding something to hold you over.

 

If you are overqualified for a particular job an employer will see you as a flight risk once you find something better. 

Many employment agencies recommend tailoring resumes.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

Out of interest, how long is your CV? I worked in recruitment in the UK and would often see CV's longer than a book, but if they read well then that would be fine. Here, if it's longer than one page, it's a problem. It may already be short and I may be teaching you to suck eggs, but that's the first thing I'd recommend is to edit it down to the essentials.

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Make sure a US resume is no longer then 1 page!!! seriously.. it was super hard, but fix the margins and bold the font and you will be able to keep it ONE PAGE MAX!!!!!! take out irrelevant work!

people do not want to hire you for a job you are overqualified for!! its so frustrating.. so make sure you apply for a job you are a PERFECT FIT for or else its a waste of your time/energy.

if you are going to apply for a lower job, then you need to 'dumb' yourself down and take off your resume! you need to delete that grad degree or even undergrad and experience from the resume and not bring it up in the interview.

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Algeria
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I am going to throw my two cents in here...

I am a small business owner....I employ 17 people. And as far as I know....everyone that has replied to you is correct.....

Make your resume short and sweet (list your past employment but not your wages)

Don't list higher degrees (unless asked/required) but focus on work you have done.

Your goal is to get in the door and then shine. 

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Norway
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It is happening to me as well. I had a good job offer from Texas couple of months ago but I didnt take due to EAD issue and also partly due to relocation issue to other states coz my wife is doing residency here in Albany, NY.

 

I have been applying for jobs in NY but no success. I had a one interview last week in Albany, NY but since then I havent heard from them yet, probably they do not want to hire me as I am too overqualified for that position but I am still hoping that will offer me a job.I am getting bore at home and  my savings are almost ending. 

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It's tough, believe me. I have nine years of retail/sales experience including assistant manager and four times -when they looked over my resume, since I drop mine off directly in stores- they let out a little chuckle, "Oh, you're a bit overqualified for just being a sales person. But that's good!" End up not hearing anything at all.

You might want to look into making your resume more 'American'. Simple, short, but catching. Every time people looked over it,  I did get the compliment that my resume looks really good. If you have Word 2016, open 'creative resume' and make something popping but short. It'll always be a little hassle in our lives but don't give up! We'll get there - eventually!

01/13/2016: I-129F filed  07/15/2016: K-1 visa in hand
10/13/2016: Filed AOS + EAD/AP.   07/07/2017: Permanent resident (Conditional)
04/16/2019: Filed ROC  11/17/2020: Approved. (10 yr GC)

 

Naturalization                                                        
09/02/2020: Filed (Online)    09/08/2020: NOA1: (NBC
10/22/2020: Biometrics Reuse Notice.  12/22/2020: Online Status Changed to Interview Was Scheduled.  
01/29/2021: N-400 Interview - PASSED! 01/29/2021: Same-day oath ceremony.  

'Merica. 

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