I keep reading this thread and find many of us in a frustrating search for the job we used to do back home; with not to peachy results. I used to teach newcomers in Canada about this kind of thing, and am now 'following my own advise', which seems to be working. So here are some tips:
1. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Register for some sort of networking website like LinkedIn. You can find professionals in your area, networking groups, the like. It's free and more professional than Facebook by a long haul. Also make use of your old contacts back home and ask them if they know anyone in your new area - they might! Think of your newly made friends: what do they do? ask them if they know of anyone who could use your skills and give them your biz card.
2. Make yourself some biz cards. You can get them at Kinko's quite cheap; or make them in your computer if you can buy a paper you like (they usually come already scored so cutting them is easy). Keep them pro, as in no pictures or cutsey designs (unless of course you are a designer or creative professional). ALWAYS carry them with you and give them at the end of your interview. Other folks recomend to have JIST cards; which are a little bigger and there you can write 5 of your most marketable skills (equipment you're familiar with, languages spoken -we ALL have this one and it's super marketable!-, software, etc.)
3. RUN to your public library, get a card and check out resume books.- Familiarize yourself with the types of resumes most in vogue in North America. I always tell people to "translate culturally, not literally" when it comes to titles. Example: I once was a TDC Associate. WTF????? Translated culturally, that means "faculty developer". Say you were a "Special Consultant". For what? Could it maybe translate into "Marketing Communications Advisor"? Check job sites and see what the names of your old titles are in the US.
4. Many of us find that we have to take level entry jobs 'beneath' our experience. Fine. IF you apply for a job that requires a Bachelors degree and you have a Masters you can either decide to put you M.A. anyways, or forgo it. However, you can "lie by omission" but NEVER put down something you know not to be true.
5. I always recommend the book "Managing Culturally Diverse Employees" by Lionel Laroche. It is directed to hiring managers, but has a ton of info for us immigrants to help us in revamping that resume. One example: in some cultures saying "Received accolades from supervisor in 3 years" is perfectly acceptable; but chances are the US hiring manager will have no idea as to what exactly that means. Maybe rewording it as "was commended for excellence in service/production" will be a better fit. Oh! Same goes for cover letters. ALWAYS attach one.
6. ONLINE RESUMES: Some companies (i.e. Microsoft), only accept text resumes in their websites. This -me thinksss- sux. Yet, the way around it is include a 'keywords' heading with words taken straight out of the job announcement. Example: communication, conflict resolution, 10 phone line, project management, 70 WPM, and the like.
7. Have different types of resumes. I usually have one per position and try to make them fit! Takes a while, kind of 1 hour per resume - after you have your "mother of all resumes" you adapt it to the occasion. Examples:
FUNCTIONAL: focuses on your skills (in categories like "communication", "heavy equipment", "executive support", etc.) Then a quick description of the skills in each heading; then education/credentials (EVEN IF they are foreign, write them down); and work history.
CHRONOLOGICAL: Work history with a one paragraph description of your position, 3/5 key accomplishments.
8. REFERENCES. In this day and age, references can be checked by email (and they usually are) so contact people that you know will give a good note about you. Let them know they might be contacted and ask for their permission to use them as references. Not only supervisors, but coworkers, student colleagues, people you volunteer/ed with, etc. Have another document called "references" including their names, titles, organization and contact information. ALWAYS make sure they're willing to provide a reference for you.
Allrightyyyy, this is my contribution to the job search for the day. Hope it helps someone; and if anyone has tips, DO share!!!! We helped each other during the immigration process and are now in the US (or close to getting here); so we can also help each other in this area. Also remember, any time is a good time to begin rethinking our resumes!
Let's get a job people!!!!!
Lenina.
