To quote that fella from one foot in the grave.. “I don’t believe it”…

After a long, frustrating, annoying search, and after being ignored by about 99% of all the employers I’ve applied with..

I actually got a job interview and an actual job! While the job isn’t in my field it’s a lot better than nothing! I ended up with a very decent government office job normal working hours and not too far from home. The pay rate could be better but, it’s a lot better than being unemployed and it isn’t anything near minimum wedge.

Although I did get asked some strange questions at the job interview:

Oh do you use Microsoft over there? (my thoughts were.. oh my what is this Microsoft?) I replied with a firm and very polite yes as I showed various certificates which certify my use of, in and to tutor MS office.

Feeling I should be honest with a potential employer and to try and make a good impression.. I showed my past experience and certifications as a Desktop Support Technician. The response was.. You’ll be working with computers here.. (my thoughts again.. next time I won't even try!)

When asked about a drivers license.. my attempts at explaining why I didn’t need or have a driving license back home was met with an expressionless response . Luckily for me the hiring manager appeared to have lived in Europe before and understood exactly what I meant!

When hired.. I was asked for my Learners License and Green Card. I presented my Passport with I-551 stamp which they didn’t quite understand & Learners License. When I asked if they wanted my Social Security Card the shocked manager said “oh I didn’t think you’d have one” even though my number is on my application and all over the paperwork?

Well at least I’m employed now and very grateful I am too for being employed ! It’s almost exactly one year to the day since I left my previous job back home. I’m very excited about working here.. haven’t been let loose with the natives in a work environment before.. does anyone have any advise?

Good luck to all those who are still searching, keep going in the end something will come up!

I don't have any advice but I'll say this.....

YAY AIDAN!!!!

Thanks, it’s very much appreciated!

LOL....you're welcome!

Congrats on the new Job...... way to go.... :-)

Wow...congratulations !!

Congratulations !!! Sounds pretty good!

congratulations, aidan!!

it must feel like such a huge burden off of you--at least, i know that's how anthony is going to feel when he's finally allowed to work.

Congratulations and well done on your new job. I knew you would get one. All the best Aiden. WOW you lucky .
Kath.

Thanks everyone!

It does feel like a massive weight has been lifted off not just me but I’m sure the wife as well. It’ll be nice to not be so skint all the time!

Congratulations

Congratulations to you Aidan that is brilliant news, hope you enjoy

Congratulations Aidan !!

My 10 months as the lone Brit in an American office environment has been a very positive one. Take for granted the fact that you WILL stick out from your colleagues but rather than try and avoid this, I chose to embrace it. There are always jokes floating around "backwards Britain" etc.. but I give as good as I get I think its actually helped me to fit in. Its much easier to get yourself known when you stand out from the crowd so go with the flow and fingers crossed you'll have just as good an experience.

Compared to my last employer in the UK (IBM) my work environment is MUCH better than the office I left behind. Free starbucks coffee all day, free snacks (not always the best thing for a greedy guy!!) and more free lunches and events than you can shake a stick at have all been great.

The only shock to the system has been 10 days vacation compared to 24 in the UK.

Best of luck with the new job..

Mark

Hopefully that is a joke, or do they really think this? I mean, some people I bump in to really do think the UK is backwards compared to the US. I tell them to take a trip there, and then tell me if they still think the same....

Well done, Aidan!

Thanks Mark,

I think I’ll be going you’re route. It’s almost impossible to hide the fact I’m Irish.. all I have to do is talk loud enough to get stared at! I intend to embrace it and use it as best as I can. I’m sure I’ll have a good experience, the office seemed very nice.. almost like one of them American offices I’ve seen so many times on TV!



Thanks!

I don’t know if that’s a joke but I seriously got asked if we used Microsoft ! Although I’ve a feeling the person that asked me that question didn’t spend too much time in front of a computer and 0% of their time outside of the US.

GREAT news, Aiden! I remember reading your post a long time ago about how broke you were (could relate..lol)and asking for ideas...I believe I suggested a yard sale... Anyway, terrific to read about people moving ahead with their lives here...congratulations! M.

Congrats!!!!! Good luck on t he new job

Oh Aidan, give me a break.... You all have that genetic 'charm' thing going on. Work that accent. It's worth its weight in a pot o' gold........

Nickname your stapler, and occasionally carry on conversations with it... and always, always eat the baked goods the ladies bring in from home and say "WOW those are the best ____ I've ever eaten!"

You'll do great, and congrats. I can relate somewhat as I've been trying to get so much as an interview here in canada for two months and haven't received even one phone call.... I thought my skills were transferable!

Congratulations!!! Well done

I agree with Luv2Teach...you will definitely get comments and will probably wear on you at times. David has been asked ad nauseum about where he was from ("are you from Australia" got on his nerves ) and inane questions constantly and asking him to repeat himself.

The best one was when he was working at Lowe's last year and was in the garden center for a while...he assisted a woman with picking out a Christmas tree and when she went to go pay for it the cashier asked who had helped her and she said, referring to David, "That Mexican guy out there". I still crack up at that one.

I tried to explain that people don't mean any harm by it (or the unending jokes) and are just trying to make conversation...he felt like a monkey in a zoo at times, but I just told him not to fling poo. Especially around here, the average person doesn't meet someone from England every day and really have no idea what to even say. Sometimes I think they just like to hear him talk.

If you can succeed in letting the idiotic comments roll off your back then it will ease a lot of your frustration. A great accent can get you a long way, use it to your advantage.

Best of luck to you and enjoy the new-found wealth!

Broke wasn’t the word.. we were beyond all known forms of skint! The Yard Sale was a great idea I have to admit! It’s just a pity no one really showed up, although a few dozen of the kids from next door brought some stuff. I think the big church Yard Sale during the same weekend and smaller signs didn’t do much to help our cause.


I don’t know.. I think I’ll stick to quoting from the Lucky Charms TV advert while holding the Lucky Charms cereal in the store for attention. It almost never fails to make the wife laugh!

Aidan I am very happy with your news, congratulations.

I know how you have felt all this time, as I am going thru the same. I am waiting for my EAD but using my time constructively in getting A+, Net+ and MCP. My A+ exam is next Monday and all 3 should be complete before New Year (which is when I expect my EAD to come). There are really good IT jobs in Charlotte area and IBM is one of the top 10 employers here.

I hope you get a great job in your field (IT) but you are right, anything is better than nothing and being skint most of the time...right now I have about $6 in my pocket lolz...ofcourse my wife is very supportive but cant wait to get to working.

We wish you every success!

Jahan & Christine.

Well done Aidan My hubby knows how you felt as he didnt work for ages either once he was here. But he's happy to be working now. He gets all the crazy questions im sure you will get, ie: do you speak english?? wth lol Anyway best of luck on your new job
Gary and Mary Lou

Thanks again to everyone who responded, you’re comments are very much appericated!

Aidan i just read this thread this morning, congrats man. Thats great news that you got a job. From personal experience its great to be earning money again and finally afford things.

That’s a good idea; I wish I’d have thought to do the A+ while I was waiting. I never needed the A+ back home, I’d been trained certified and had plenty of experience. I’ve been going over the A+ stuff though an online course before I got this job offer. I’ll finish up the course and take the exam. Maybe it’s just me but I find parts of the A+ inconsistent, outdated and at times misleading. Ah well it has to be done. Good luck on you’re exam, don’t let them weird questions trick you!

I wouldn’t mind a job in my field although at this point any job is better than nothing. I’m extremely happy to actually have a job, and a decent one too after all this time.


Thanks,

I’m half expecting all types of weird, stupid and silly questions. If anything I should get a good laugh out of it all!

Good luck at your new job!

Thanks Donal,

I’ve a feeling I’ll know exactly what you mean when I get my get to my first pay day ! I’ll be nice not to be so skint all the time! I have to admit; although this isn’t an IT job I’m looking forward to it.

Aidan, just read your post. Congrats!! It's great news and you both must be thrilled!!

This is all too mad, approved, got a job and just today I find the Green Card is in the mailbox!

Congrats on the new job.... best wishes for a prosperous career!!!!

Good luck!

Green Card arrived and a job in a week! Fair play! Happy it's working out!

Microsoft....whats Microsoft? Do they make toilet tissue? Oh software! Oh ok...does it run on the latest Atari 64 like the ones just introduced in Ireland?

I am lucky enough to have been able to organis(z)e a job before my arrival in IT, otherwise I'd say I'd still be looking. But they say that getting a job from a job is easier so keep your eyes open on the IT side and I am sure you'll find something. But at least now you are working, you'll meet people, get paid, stay sane which is great.

I have to admit I’ve thought a few times about the “Microsoft” question. I can only assume that interviewer may have been well … less than well versed on IT. I’m half expecting to get asked if we have electricity and running water back home when I start work.. I’m sure there are other funny questions to be asked! I’m sure it’ll be good craic!

That’s excellent that you got things sorted before you moved. I’ve been a whole year in this country and a whole year without a job! I’ve no doubt you’re right, finding a job from a job would be easier, although this isn’t a bad job at all. There is little or no commute, decent pay for what I’ll be doing, good benefits, paid holidays & sick time.

Congratulations on the new job (and the green card), Aidan!

I have worked as an intern AND been a student in the US had a couple of funny conversations.

One business teacher at the US university said that the English economy was strong due to joining the Euro..... noone dared to speak up and correct her.

Another occasion at a party there were a few English and a couple of our friends were from Northern Ireland (We were all put in the same residence).

Well some sorority girl came up to one of the Irish girls and said that her English was really good considering it was her second language...and no she wasn't joking.


The other thing I have got is being mistaken for Australian - TWICE!!! (I have a general northern accent).

However at work the fact you are from a diferent country is usually a huge plus and just addes to the office banter.