I work for myself (and have done so in many countries). I need to find new work every few weeks. It is the same everywhere. Here are some of the things to remember:
o Internet job sites are a waste of time. You might get lucky, but don't hold your breath.
o Most professional jobs end up going to people with great references. Great references are the ones where you know people who already work there.
o The best way to keep your career going is to FIND SOME OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING IT NOW. LOCALLY. Go out - have some beers with them. Keep in touch. Be one of their friends. If you are in IT, go to every user group meeting that is even remotely related to what you do. Since you have a lot of free time, prepare some presentations to wow the socks off of people there.
I gets calls (not every day, but at least every week) for great jobs. (mostly contracts, but of the $100/hr + variety). Obviously, I'm not taking all of them. People I've worked with and I trust end up with them more often than not.
You hear that networking is the key from everyone, right? Here's what that means.
The best way to handle the job sites (Monster, etc...)
o Figure out who is posting leads the most often for the type of job you want (contracts are your best bet). Call them. Every week. Be friendly, see what they need, etc. Hopefully (if you are in a big city), you will find a headhunter local to you.
o REMEMBER, these are sales people. They only make money when you are working (they don't care what or how). Meet them for drinks some time. Make sure that they call you first - before they post anything on Monster or whatever.
o Be on their short-list. When they think they have business they might close, you want them giving you advance notice about it. They will do this because they are greedy. They want their customers to get people immediately (this makes them more money, and is less work for them).
I hope this helps someone. I've been doing this for quite a while now, and it has worked well for me.
QUOTE(rebeccajo @ Feb 10 2006, 07:43 PM) 
Yeah, it's probably more of an ego-buster for guys, especially the more mature ones like Keith and my husband.
But how easy is it for a USC to find a job these days? Not easy. Doable, but not easy.
Mark (luv2teach) talks a lot about networking, and I think that's the key. USC or immigrant. I am not a 'computer person' but I have tried hard to tap all my 'tekkie' friends and acquantainces for sources for Wes. And I am not one bit shy about it - I'm polite but I make no bones about how we need the help. And most people are glad to give it.
What Wes might have to end up doing in the interim I have no idea. He has told me he will work in WalMart if he has too. As far as I am concerned, that makes me just as proud of him as if he landed a big job.
I can relate so much to how Wes feels.
I have not got my EAD yet but I already feel sad with my job situation and we live in a real small town. I can't imagine finding anything in my field in this area. I even started asking around 18 months ago when I first visited. I'm a PhD Biochemist with 10 years experience working in government DNA research - we asked at the University here too but they say it is unlikely anything will come up 
Once I get my EAD, I'll work in WalMart or Pizza Hut if I have to - it will be a terrible self confidence buster ( 
) but at least I can help pay the bills! 
The long wait (layoff in 2001, then due to recession very few jobs available in 2002 and 2003 to apply for) was quite nasty for me. At one point, I actually sent Pras a "set free" letter (which she rejected).
This is what I try to tell my husband - I am the USC:
I DON'T CARE if you get a super job right out of the gate - I have lived here all my life and had to start at the bottom when I first went into the work world. I'm a realist. The good money will come later.
I DON'T CARE if you don't get a job in your field - that doesn't say to me that you aren't qualified. That's the way it is America in this economy right now.
I DO CARE that you are hurting. I DO CARE that you are humiliated. I DO CARE that you find something to do each day that makes you happy and does more than pay the bills.
As the USC spouse, it speaks to me that you are worried about us financially. It speaks to me that you have the courage to start over. And I know it will speak to others. That what you really want will come to you, but it will take time.
And most of all, that I love you - and am so proud of you for finding it in you to begin again. And that I will help you through this - by help I don't mean financially. I will help you get to the happiness - whatever it takes.
I DON'T CARE if you get a super job right out of the gate - I have lived here all my life and had to start at the bottom when I first went into the work world. I'm a realist. The good money will come later.
I DON'T CARE if you don't get a job in your field - that doesn't say to me that you aren't qualified. That's the way it is America in this economy right now.
I DO CARE that you are hurting. I DO CARE that you are humiliated. I DO CARE that you find something to do each day that makes you happy and does more than pay the bills.
As the USC spouse, it speaks to me that you are worried about us financially. It speaks to me that you have the courage to start over. And I know it will speak to others. That what you really want will come to you, but it will take time.
And most of all, that I love you - and am so proud of you for finding it in you to begin again. And that I will help you through this - by help I don't mean financially. I will help you get to the happiness - whatever it takes.
back home i was in law enforcement for over 10 years...i have applied for a half dozen or more security jobs in my area and haven't heard a thing from any of them.
go figure.
matt
go figure.
matt
Some update of temp job.
I got one after a month and a half search
The position I am at (administrative assistant at the hospital) is also available as a permanent position and of course I am applying. I will keep you posted how it goes. But for temp it should last about a month at least.
This is one of the most desirable place of employment in this town, so we will see
Take care
Ana
I got one after a month and a half search
The position I am at (administrative assistant at the hospital) is also available as a permanent position and of course I am applying. I will keep you posted how it goes. But for temp it should last about a month at least.
This is one of the most desirable place of employment in this town, so we will see
Take care
Ana
QUOTE(russ @ Mar 5 2006, 11:47 PM)
I work for myself (and have done so in many countries). I need to find new work every few weeks. It is the same everywhere. Here are some of the things to remember:
o Internet job sites are a waste of time. You might get lucky, but don't hold your breath.
o Most professional jobs end up going to people with great references. Great references are the ones where you know people who already work there.
o The best way to keep your career going is to FIND SOME OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING IT NOW. LOCALLY. Go out - have some beers with them. Keep in touch. Be one of their friends. If you are in IT, go to every user group meeting that is even remotely related to what you do. Since you have a lot of free time, prepare some presentations to wow the socks off of people there.
I gets calls (not every day, but at least every week) for great jobs. (mostly contracts, but of the $100/hr + variety). Obviously, I'm not taking all of them. People I've worked with and I trust end up with them more often than not.
You hear that networking is the key from everyone, right? Here's what that means.
The best way to handle the job sites (Monster, etc...)
o Figure out who is posting leads the most often for the type of job you want (contracts are your best bet). Call them. Every week. Be friendly, see what they need, etc. Hopefully (if you are in a big city), you will find a headhunter local to you.
o REMEMBER, these are sales people. They only make money when you are working (they don't care what or how). Meet them for drinks some time. Make sure that they call you first - before they post anything on Monster or whatever.
o Be on their short-list. When they think they have business they might close, you want them giving you advance notice about it. They will do this because they are greedy. They want their customers to get people immediately (this makes them more money, and is less work for them).
I hope this helps someone. I've been doing this for quite a while now, and it has worked well for me.
I've not contracted (had full-time, long term jobs), but that's pretty much how it works in the US. Tough to break in, but when you are on the inside, things get a lot easier.
I'd also like to add another unexpected plus for the working at Walmart (or any other bog superstore) temporary option.
In the UK I worked in small firms, brilliant jobs but small firms, the plus of working at working which I pointed out to hubby the other day is that I have met sooooooo many people both staff and customers. This has meant I have been able to make friends and you never know some contact may lead to something else/better. I realise that if I had gone into a closed office environment these "perks" wouldnt have been available as I'd probably be stuck at my own desk on my own for large chunks of the day.
Take anything that is going, it does wonders for self esteem and make the most of it. Getting one job doesnt stop you looking for the next
After reading most of the posts on adjustment here in the U.S. , I say hats off to those who were wise to anticipate the difficulties in getting jobs or at least ones that could help out. I made a huge mistake when my (husband) then fiance arrived here. I was fully aware of what it takes to live in the US, but I let my emotions get the best of me and spent money on whatever he needed or wanted.
When I realized that I couldn't keep up with that pace, I told him but by then it was too late. His answer was.. it is ok, I'll get a job and help out. Things will be fine I can work and help out. Very positive and supportive. Well, I started using credit cards, knowing better, with that idea in mind. Now we live hand to mouth and most months I borrow from my family to make ends meet. The lesson I learned too late and didn't read about is that coming from another country can take months or years (depending on the qualifications) to really get settled in and it was financial folley for to not plan based on my salary alone. ( I was an immigrant myself 20+ years ago, but straight out of Grad school) I have two children who have cut down on their classes at school just to help mom pay her bills. Talk about the stress on the entire family. My prayer is that I am able somehow to readjust our living situation in order to get a handle on the increased expenses and debt I incurred. Sooo... I've learned a tough lesson.
panamachic
When I realized that I couldn't keep up with that pace, I told him but by then it was too late. His answer was.. it is ok, I'll get a job and help out. Things will be fine I can work and help out. Very positive and supportive. Well, I started using credit cards, knowing better, with that idea in mind. Now we live hand to mouth and most months I borrow from my family to make ends meet. The lesson I learned too late and didn't read about is that coming from another country can take months or years (depending on the qualifications) to really get settled in and it was financial folley for to not plan based on my salary alone. ( I was an immigrant myself 20+ years ago, but straight out of Grad school) I have two children who have cut down on their classes at school just to help mom pay her bills. Talk about the stress on the entire family. My prayer is that I am able somehow to readjust our living situation in order to get a handle on the increased expenses and debt I incurred. Sooo... I've learned a tough lesson.
panamachic
I did temp labor for 4 1/2 months... waste disposal, demo jobs, digging ditches, delivery helper (16 hour days sometimes) etc... sometimes hard and dirty work and not well paid... but the manager of the temp agency gave me excellent references when I applied for my job at the bloodbank... so you see it can pay off
I got my jobs by showing up to the places I wanted to work and talking to people. That worked very well for the first one, then after that little job I got a great reference and got my confidence up to go for the job I have now which is OUTSTANDING. The opportunities here are amazing. I would never have gotten it though if i just relied on the internet and sending out resumes without cover letters.
Hi, Shari & Keith:
We received EAD around the same time, and now I found out that we had been going through a stressful job search! I've been a non-traditional (i.e, not so young), self-supporting doctoral student since 1999. I'd assumed that obtaining EAD would immediately improve my finance because it would enable me to seek more and better job opportunities not only on campus but also off campus. And my assumption was wrong. As soon as I submitted my EAD application last October, I began advertising myself to my friends, my hubby's family, and their friends that I was going to receive EAD and searching a part-time job in community, submitting my resume to all the online staffing agencies that dealt with Japanese companies, taking all the trials for translation/interpretation agencies that I could find, searching job ads in community newspapers/online sites, in addition to searching job openings on campus as usual. When I finally received EAD in mid-January, I thought that all my efforts would make a fruit, especially if all I wanted was a part-time job. And again my assumption was wrong. By mid-February I was pretty stressed out and depressed. One staffing agency offered me a temp full-time job, which I couldn't take because of my school obligations. I began wondering if I just should quit school and give up earning a degree! At the end of February I was feeling rather desperate and was about to go to a nearby grocery store I often shop and ask for a job. Then one night I was having a dinner with my friends/professionals in my field, and they told me that they were looking for a self-employed secretary for their office! I took the opportunity, and now I'm happily working in a friendly environment, though the pay is not so good (the kind of wage that high school students can earn) and I have to learn how to manage tax for self-employment. My hubby and I are relieved that this at least pays grocery for two, gas for my car, my insurances, and my study-related expenses.
I know my situations and conditions are different from Keith's, but I'm wondering if he has thought about the possibilities of getting self-employed by using his past job experiences and skills. Also, my best friend reminded me that finding/getting a right job is like meeting potentially good friends. After making all the efforts you could make, sometimes all you can do is to wait for the opportunities to come to you, and they will.
Wish you the best and keep my fingers crossed for you.
We received EAD around the same time, and now I found out that we had been going through a stressful job search! I've been a non-traditional (i.e, not so young), self-supporting doctoral student since 1999. I'd assumed that obtaining EAD would immediately improve my finance because it would enable me to seek more and better job opportunities not only on campus but also off campus. And my assumption was wrong. As soon as I submitted my EAD application last October, I began advertising myself to my friends, my hubby's family, and their friends that I was going to receive EAD and searching a part-time job in community, submitting my resume to all the online staffing agencies that dealt with Japanese companies, taking all the trials for translation/interpretation agencies that I could find, searching job ads in community newspapers/online sites, in addition to searching job openings on campus as usual. When I finally received EAD in mid-January, I thought that all my efforts would make a fruit, especially if all I wanted was a part-time job. And again my assumption was wrong. By mid-February I was pretty stressed out and depressed. One staffing agency offered me a temp full-time job, which I couldn't take because of my school obligations. I began wondering if I just should quit school and give up earning a degree! At the end of February I was feeling rather desperate and was about to go to a nearby grocery store I often shop and ask for a job. Then one night I was having a dinner with my friends/professionals in my field, and they told me that they were looking for a self-employed secretary for their office! I took the opportunity, and now I'm happily working in a friendly environment, though the pay is not so good (the kind of wage that high school students can earn) and I have to learn how to manage tax for self-employment. My hubby and I are relieved that this at least pays grocery for two, gas for my car, my insurances, and my study-related expenses.
I know my situations and conditions are different from Keith's, but I'm wondering if he has thought about the possibilities of getting self-employed by using his past job experiences and skills. Also, my best friend reminded me that finding/getting a right job is like meeting potentially good friends. After making all the efforts you could make, sometimes all you can do is to wait for the opportunities to come to you, and they will.
Wish you the best and keep my fingers crossed for you.
The job situation doesn't look good for many of us, does it?
I have applied for more jobs during the last two months that I had ever applied in lifetime.... Since I have general office experience I apply to 2-3 places a day (only those who advertise openings).... and nothing..... I have gone on two interviews. I got one temp job that is about to end.
I am currently working at the hospital that has several openings I applied to. Nobody ever called me and the jobs are not getting filled. I don't understand it... I have good references and all the necessary skills.
I already told my husband I am getting ready to go back. We can't make ends meet on his income.
Now I am waiting for the school year to end and wondering if he will follow me there...
All the best to you guys
Ana
I have applied for more jobs during the last two months that I had ever applied in lifetime.... Since I have general office experience I apply to 2-3 places a day (only those who advertise openings).... and nothing..... I have gone on two interviews. I got one temp job that is about to end.
I am currently working at the hospital that has several openings I applied to. Nobody ever called me and the jobs are not getting filled. I don't understand it... I have good references and all the necessary skills.
I already told my husband I am getting ready to go back. We can't make ends meet on his income.
Now I am waiting for the school year to end and wondering if he will follow me there...
All the best to you guys
Ana
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