I've started the process of bringing my Thai Fiancee here to the States. I know that it is pretty early on, but she really wants to be able to work whenever it becomes possibly. She has a bachelors degree in business management. Are there any programs available for immigrants that can help with the transition in to the workforce?

You might try Catholic Charities if they are in your area.

I am not aware of any immigrant-workforce programs, not saying there aren't any though..

Few things come to mind immediately but not all may apply to your situation:

• English (speech,writing,etc) is number one - again, may not apply to your situation
• Having her education credentials evaluated to 'US' standards
• Volunteering (as stated above) is a good way to get out and about (course pays nothing)
• Driving/Driver's License

In San Francisco there are non-profits that assist educated immigrants with finding jobs in the U.S. (sorry, couldn't find the link). There must be something like that in your area. Also, your local Employment Development Department is a good place to visit.

Update: Found the link http://www.upwardlyglobal.org/ There has to be something similar in Wisconsin.

Maybe I'm missing something - but why can't she use the same resources non-immigrants use to find jobs? Classifieds, on-line postings, word of mouth, etc. etc.?

Good point. That's exactly what I did when it came time for me to start looking for jobs. I went online to Craigs list, bought the local newspapers, and checked out government websites.

I ended up getting all 3 jobs I was offered from the local newspaper, though.

Good luck in the job search.

I think there may be a difference between someone finding a job that is a native speaker of English and one who is not. Her English is good, but it's not the same as say a Canadian or someone from the UK coming here. I think there would be some barriers.

I guess - but I dunno, based on what I've seen.

Three examples, concerning Russian women I know.

#1). Spoke excellent English upon arrival - had no problems getting multiple job offers before she even got her EAD. Found these jobs through traditional classifieds and on-line job postings, and one from a flyer I got at the post office and brought home. Ended up working at the post office for all of 1 day, before quitting to take a job at the university as a "fiscal admin assistant" ($30K/year, outstanding benefits) within a few weeks of having her EAD in hand. This person has since taken two undergrad courses (Public Speaking and Financial Institutions & Management) before enrolling in a graduate business program, and has completed a total of 18 credits with a B average.

#2). Spoke poor English upon arrival, took some ESL classes. After being here for a year, took a 5 month course in phlebotomy. Got a part time job in this field ($14/hr) almost immediately. Found job-listing on-line. Still speaks not great English - I have problems understanding her much of the time.

#3). Spoke NO English upon arrival, took some ESL classes. After being here for a year, took a 5 month course in phlebotomy, graduated #1 in her class, got a full-time job, $12/hr with benefits (including education benefits) almost immediately thereafter. Found job-listing on-line. Speaks pretty good English from what I can tell, I understand her most of the time.

So, just based off what I have seen, what it takes for a new immigrant, regardless of their level of English, to get a job, is personal initiative and motivation. "Special programs for new immigrants" are not required.

Just my observation (:

Cheers!
AKDiver

AKDiver,

Thanks. I guess she will have less trouble finding something than I thought. Just general worries I guess.

Very soon I will find myself in the situation of looking for a job. Hope that the fact that I am an immigrant not to be a barrier.

I think the most critical "program" your (soon to be?) wife can have is solid support at home. This requires you to spend a lot of time with her to explain things, help her understand "how it is", how things work, and so forth. This includes everything from how the DMV works, to how taxes work, income, deductions, health care, legal issues, banking, finance, credit, savings, retirement, insurances and so forth. It's really as much of a "field exam" for you as much as a learning experience for her. This is now the time for you to take up everything you have learned about the practical issues of getting along in society and teach it to someone else in a crammed, abbreviated, yet comprehensive fashion. Maybe YOU are the one who will need some support (:

Cheers!
AKDiver

I could not agree more than with this post. Even though I only came from the UK the differences have been enormous and for the most part my husband did not know stuff either (molicoddled by his mother), so I struggled along used my network of friends from work to find out even the most basic stuff like "what's this refill prescription" "what is a copay"

You will certainly be doing her a huge favor if you could start explaining some of the easier things to her now before she comes here.

Good Luck

We have had a number of discussions on the changes she will encounter when she moves here. She talks to a few Thai ladies who have made the move here so I think she has at least some idea of what things will be like. They have been very helpful with explaining the whole visa process to her on her end.

She really wants to find work as soon as she can. On one hand, I want her to take her time to get used to everything before taking that leap. On the other hand, getting a job might help her adjust faster. She thinks by keeping busy, she wouldn't miss home as much. She does pretty well in her current job and sometimes puts in 9 to 10 hour days so I understand where she is coming from on that issue.

That's gotta be your wife!

I moved to the US in May 2006 on an IR1 visa, got SSN, GC in a month and started looking for work. I have an Bachelors degree in Economics, Masters in Financial Management (all degrees recognized in the US by all Ivy league colleges) and also a Certified Financial Planner. Have over 14 years of professional work experience in the financial services sector from Credit Analysis, Structuring financial products, Investment Analysis to Financial Planning. Thought getting at least an average job won't be much of a trouble ... How wrong I was!!

I live in Salem, Oregon. Though the state capital its just a small town. Logically, the creame of all jobs are in the Government. When I attended a workshop conducted by one of the Government departments on how to apply etc. for government jobs, they told me in no uncertain terms that apply only if you have at least a 3year driving and credit record. It doesn't matter what your educational/professional qualifications are, we won't consider your application.

More or less its the same with the private sector, especially with the banks. Some told me, I am simply too qualified for any job they have to offer. Applied for a checker/cashier job at all the major stores, Safeway, Roth's ... they wanted me to have a residential address in the US which they can verify for at least 2 years.

Got interviewed for a financial representative job with an associate company of Merrill Lynch. They told me, I have the best of everything they want but ... I have a foreign accent and they are anxious their clients may not like to deal with someone who speaks differently. So sorry we can't hire you. YES!! Believe it or not.

Eventually, studied and got licensed as a Tax Preparer (Oregon needs you to be one if you want to be a Tax Preparer) and H&R Block hired me for the tax season. It was real good experience and the company is such a wonderful place to work. Took away the little sense of bitterness I was developing for organizations here. Now, that the tax season is over, am out of work and its the same old story.

I know (well hope), if I moved across the border to California, I would get some kind of (even a decent one) job immediatley. But moving has its own problems, first the financial cost, then the cost of living in California is exhobirant compared to Oregon. But staying put in Oregon is like letting my abilities and skills rot. No wonder, Oregon ranks 29th in the affluence list for the states in the Union.

That's pure discrimination, whereas a requirement for a verifiable US address is sheer stupidity.

Seriously, you can sue them for refusing to hire you because of the accent. As long as they can understand you, they can't hold it against you. Gee, this is weird. In Northern California it's hard to find a person without some kinda of accent, and they get jobs just fine.

Did you try looking for work through a temp agency? They are great if you need work ASAP - they place you in a job the next day. Most jobs are short-term, but it's worth it if you can't afford to stop making money.

And yes, move to California

Yes, I know I have grounds to sue them but ... they told me that orally, I have no proof. But then they told the same thing to the employment facilitator at the Oregon State Employment Agency (a government department) who had done the inital screening and forwarded my application to the company. But again, will he want to testify (if it comes to that) on my behalf? Well, I am here so I could be with my wife and make a better life for ourselves and am not upto getting tangled in litigation etc. Good luck to them!! I want to move on with life.

Yes, I am in constant touch with Temp agencies but they echo the same sentiments as the employers and even when I insist that they can put me on to any kind of job they somehow resist sending me for menial jobs. Well, but I am sure of one thing, there have to me some more companies like H&R Block out there, for whom, nothing except my skills, attitude and intelect matter and they are willing to give me a break.

Well, moving to California ... don't know yet.