So how long is reasonable for getting a job in the US

[vaneskygh 1]

I was wondering how many applications and resume you guys submitted before getting your job. I just moved to another city and finding a job is becoming a nightmare since I don't know anyone in the area. I've already applied to several jobs... and still waiting I would love to hear your stories. They might encourage myself to keep trying.

[Inky 1,110]

I looked at your previous topics and see you are a military spouse. Through my experience -

Over 50 applications and a year and a half to find a job as an immigrant military spouse. Applied for all spectrum of jobs, retail, stocking, jobs with my diploma etc.

1, issue I ran into was a lot of jobs have no idea what a green card is and would tell me they cant hire me because i need a work visa - which we do NOT need one. No matter what I said they would not listen.

2, issue I ran into was people in our state do not seem to like hiring military spouses because " they cant see job security with military familys moving all the time " - I have no idea how to get around that one.

3, issue I ran into - trying to apply for positions on base they seem to hire you only if you know people who know people who know people. That was really frustrating.

Keep trying. Do not give up. Change your resume to suit the jobs your applying to make sure its a " american style resume " short to the point no extra flowery things on it.

Make sure you call, and keep calling and asking. The more you call the more they think you are interested in the job you are trying to get. I snagged my job by calling them frequently, and was even told by them that no other applicants really called or showed interest that they wanted the job.

[perfect 39]

A lot depends on the type of job you are applying for and where you are looking.

I was unemployed for 9 months after being laid off - submitted 580 applications, got 56 interviews and was offered 5 jobs. (southern California)

I was wondering how many applications and resume you guys submitted before getting your job. I just moved to another city and finding a job is becoming a nightmare since I don't know anyone in the area. I've already applied to several jobs... and still waiting I would love to hear your stories. They might encourage myself to keep trying.

[X Factor 1,110]

Try networking. That has proved to be a valuable resouces for many. On Google do a search on "how to network for a job".

[GandK 168]

I was wondering how many applications and resume you guys submitted before getting your job. I just moved to another city and finding a job is becoming a nightmare since I don't know anyone in the area. I've already applied to several jobs... and still waiting I would love to hear your stories. They might encourage myself to keep trying.

Just to give you my numbers. I am probably one of the lucky case.

I submitted about 25-30 applications since new year, heard back from about 6-7, got 2 phone interviews, 1 face-to-face interview and one job offer.

I don't have any experience and I was applying for mostly entry level engineer positions which is few and far in between.

I spent half of my time job hunting and the other half studying, learning new softwares and keep my technical knowledge updated which helped me greatly during my technical interviews.

It's just a matter of the right fit and the right job to come along, it can take times. Don't give up!

Sometimes, I kept looking and looking for over a week and couldn't find any position that I was qualified to apply.

My best advice is to practice interview A LOT. After my first phone interview which I ###### up royally, I realized that I was spending too much time applying for jobs and was totally unprepared for interviews.

My next phone interview performance was like day and night which led to a face-to-face interview and I NAILED it with confidence ( A result of countless of hours talking to the mirror lol )

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I was wondering how many applications and resume you guys submitted before getting your job. I just moved to another city and finding a job is becoming a nightmare since I don't know anyone in the area. I've already applied to several jobs... and still waiting I would love to hear your stories. They might encourage myself to keep trying.

My first job was the first one I applied for. I applied though an agency.

This second one, no idea. But again i was hired through an agency.

I personally recommend an agency (obviously). They help tailor your resume, they do some calling around for you (but you should still look yourself). They discuss wages, do the testing (in my case computers/typing etc).

On the other hand I know a lot of people that have applied for hundreds of jobs over the last 3 or so years and have had a few nibbles but no bites.

[vaneskygh 1]

Thank you for sharing! Inky you just gave me a great advice. Honestly, I was constantly asked on interviews about why I changed jobs so fast and how long I was planning to stay in the area, even at a store on base they asked me for how long my husband was supposed to be in his command because they wanted to hire someone able to commit for a longer period of time. It crossed my mind to say.. really? this is how you support military families? but oh well i didn't. It is very frustrating, but I'm trying to focus on the bright side Also I'm thinking how unprepared I am for interviews, since I spent lots of effort on applying every kind of job, pretty much everything under the sun I'm qualified for. I gotta try my luck again and keep applying.

[Tupuna 0]

Depends on the field. I've heard anywhere from 10-400.

[Rob & Rachel 24]

One thing that really helps is to prepare. If you have a good idea what kind of questions you are going to get, be ready to address them right away. Also, keep in mind, that you need to give them a reason to hire you over someone else. Don't be afraid to ask them this if you are in an interview. Say something like "I know you are going to interview a lot of people, what single thing is going to put one applicant over the others?"

Then show them you are that person, based on the answer. Even asking a question like that will score you a lot of points.

[vaneskygh 1]

Good point. Next time I will try to be more confident and ask that question. I was always afraid to ask something besides the job conditions.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

It really depends like some have said, but I sent my resume to about 30 different places, got interviewed at 3 different places, got 1 offer and took it. I had also submitted my resume at an agency and they weren't much help. I found my current job via Craigslist.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

- Victor from Russia.

I have to repeat others - depends on where you live and how picky you are about jobs. I wasn't too picky because I just needed a job to have an income after getting my EAD, and my Amy's income definitely wasn't enough for us to live on, so while I was unemployed, our savings were getting less and less with every month. Just for info, we live in mid-size city in Midwest. When I got a EAD, I started to apply every day to several places, and I got first real offer (they were going to send me to drug test and hire after getting results) after a week since my job search start, it was an entry-level position in grocery store. I didn't take this position because they offered really awkward shifts and I didn't like it. I got 2nd real offer (quality control on pharmaceutical factory) about 3 weeks later, but denied it too it because it was temporary position for 2-3 months and night shifts, I wanted someting permanent. A week later I finally got offer I considered good for me (part time merchandising job in high-level department store). So, overall, it took me about 5 weeks to get a first job, including 2 job offers I denied because didn't like them.

But of course, if you're looking for some nice office job with high wage or live in a small town with 10-15 thousands of people, I assume it can take much longer.

[ananeafari 0]

Hi guys my issue is different, hear me out. I've been here for almost three months and haven't found a job because my permit is not ready yet, what do I have to do or now cos its becoming somewhat difficult for me just sitting at home doing nothing.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Hi guys my issue is different, hear me out. I've been here for almost three months and haven't found a job because my permit is not ready yet, what do I have to do or now cos its becoming somewhat difficult for me just sitting at home doing nothing.

Everybody who comes here on K-1 visa has to wait for EAD (work permit) few months, I got mine 4 months after arriving US. That's why petitioner signing affidavit of support - to prove that he can support beneficiary financially while benefeciary might wait for documents, look for a job... I understand that life is different from how it should be, and often no petitioner neither beneficiary have income/savings, and then situation is hard to survive, but you can do pretty much nothing because you can not work legally before EAD unless you got special stamp at POE allowing you to work for 90 days. The only way to get a job now - to work for cash for somebody and never mention it anywhere, but it's illegal so I wouldn't advise to do it unless situation with money in your family is really critical. IMHO.

- Victor

[JLDNNYC 2]

I've been here for over four months and have easily applied for over 100 jobs. I've landed five interviews and I am currently waiting on the outcome of the one I had very recently. All I can say is that it depends on your job experience/educational background, and on luck. Widen your horizon and see where you can apply your qualifications as you might be surprised where you could potentially end up working. But, above all, be patient and don't give up! Good luck!

I was wondering how many applications and resume you guys submitted before getting your job. I just moved to another city and finding a job is becoming a nightmare since I don't know anyone in the area. I've already applied to several jobs... and still waiting I would love to hear your stories. They might encourage myself to keep trying.