USC Petitioner now in the US

[B&ANZ 134]

Hey everyone. I just moved back to the US after living with my husband abroad for nearly 2 years. I am trying to find a job stateside so that I can meet the income requirements for when we get to the NVC stage. Let me tell you, finding a job in America is very hard! I have a bacherlor's and master's degree in geology, and even entry level jobs will not hire me. I have submitted well over 100 applications since December without any luck ranging from data analyst to retail (anything to meet the income requirement). I had a great job abroad related to my field and surely thought my experience there would help as I still consider myself a new graduate, but nope. I have computer programming skills including Python, I have experience with big data analysis, I helped develop company software, field work, laboratory work, I have a paper in revision as well as several published abstracts from my research. All I get is either I am not qualified or overqualified, which makes no sense as I barely have a year of professional experience under my belt aside from academia. 

 

I just needed to rant. Now my husband is worried how he will get on finding a job when I am struggling so much. Is anyone else stuggling?

Edited February 12, 2020 by B&ANZ

[TBoneTX 43,043]

Sorry that you're having so much trouble.  Not fun.

 

Try this idea, previously posted by the member Darnell:
---
Each city has a chamber of commerce. Find it.

Once you find it - talk with the secretary - tell her you want a schedule of events and let her know you'd like to attend.

Then - go in person to the Chamber of Commerce Office - talk with the President of the Chamber, tell him/her you want to volunteer at several of their events.

Attendees at chamber events are business owners and sales geeks, all looking for new business.  It usually is an informal-enough gathering where you can approach people and talk with them.

Now, the cool thing about being a volunteer there - is that you will be talking to everyone at least once - you might be at the reception table, you might be at the greeters table, you might help to run the audio/video system - whatever - but - the point is that you can meet everyone there, face to face.

Attend 2 or 3 of these, and folk remember you. When folk remember you, they will remember you are seeking employment and will consider you, because you're just not some name on a piece of paper - they met you at a chamber event and know that you were volunteering, helping out the chamber.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck!

PS - live in a really small town? go to the biggest town that's within 15 miles of your house.

[B&ANZ 134]

7 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Sorry that you're having so much trouble.  Not fun.

 

Try this idea, previously posted by the member Darnell:
---
Each city has a chamber of commerce. Find it.

Once you find it - talk with the secretary - tell her you want a schedule of events and let her know you'd like to attend.

Then - go in person to the Chamber of Commerce Office - talk with the President of the Chamber, tell him/her you want to volunteer at several of their events.

Attendees at chamber events are business owners and sales geeks, all looking for new business.  It usually is an informal-enough gathering where you can approach people and talk with them.

Now, the cool thing about being a volunteer there - is that you will be talking to everyone at least once - you might be at the reception table, you might be at the greeters table, you might help to run the audio/video system - whatever - but - the point is that you can meet everyone there, face to face.

Attend 2 or 3 of these, and folk remember you. When folk remember you, they will remember you are seeking employment and will consider you, because you're just not some name on a piece of paper - they met you at a chamber event and know that you were volunteering, helping out the chamber.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck!

PS - live in a really small town? go to the biggest town that's within 15 miles of your house.

Thanks for your advice. I live in a major city (4 million + population). I really can't afford fuel to drive around to volunteer events  We need to save all we can because we do not know how much longer I will be unemployed. 

[MarryMe987654 241]

I totally understand how you feel as I was on the same situation.

 

I left the Philippines with a really good paying job (software testing for an IT company in Canada). My husband was optimistic because it is a good, high-paying job in the US and there seems to be a demand for it.

 

I got my EAD in December 2019 and started looking for jobs and sending my application but I couldn't get hired. I was starting to feel like I won't be able to make it as a software tester in the US because my experiences were outside the US (although my job experiences were for US companies) and because my diploma was earned outside the US.

 

I dread not working from home so I knew I had to think fast and decide on what I want to do and re-think of my priorities (work from home, rate, benefits, etc.)

 

After my mother-in-law died in November, I knew I needed to help my husband with expenses as soon as I can. So the job hunting priority has been  changed: work-at-home, more than $12/hour, no benefits is ok as I'm under my husband's health insurance. I contacted my previous employer to see if they will take me in and consider my new location for pay increase (my previous salary would have been awesome in the Philippines but not in the US)--and they accepted me back. No interview, no requirements, no background checks. They doubled my salary. In two weeks, I was back to working for them from home again.

 

I am still applying for other work-at-home jobs and so far, I've had 3 successful applications but I am weeding out the ones that can't work around my current job.

 

I will still want to be able to enter the US software company industry but for now, I know the only way to do it is to gain more experience, get more certifications and possibly get some college credits from a US college. I plan to do that within 3 years.

 

Don't give up. It will get better

[TBoneTX 43,043]

15 hours ago, B&ANZ said:

I live in a major city (4 million + population). I really can't afford fuel to drive around to volunteer events

Houston has a great many "sub" Chambers of Commerce -- Katy/Fort Bend, Hispanic, etc.

Houston's gas prices are around $1.83/gal for regular -- hardly unaffordable.

Go to one, make a friend, carpool next time.

Or explain to the secretary, and he/she might arrange a ride for you.

Just getting out of the house and doing something proactive for yourself will more than overcome any initial expense.

[B&ANZ 134]

Thank you, I will reach out to them. We are also considering canning the US idea, and just trying to make New Zealand work, especially after finding out our case was assigned to Nebraska. The reason why we wanted to come here is because I have a history of brain tumors, and need to be near my Houston doctors for care and follow-ups and because it is tricky to get NZ residency with my health background. I am not even 30 years old. Our entire situation is a mess and I am finding out that my US education means nothing to employers. If I cannot find a job, then I for sure know my husband is going to struggle even more when he does get his visa  . This isn't the American Dream.

[Boiler 43,425]

I recollect a few stories of NZ laws with medical issues, first thing to find out if it is even possible for you to move there.

 

I tend to think of the Oil industry with your location and qualifications.

[B&ANZ 134]

I lived in NZ for nearly two years with my husband. They just said I need to provide mroe medical evidence from my doctors when applying for another partnership visa. Then the residency visa will be the biggest issue, but we are researching now that their may be waivers. Either way, I still will pay for US health insurance overseas so that I can use my same doctors. Its just its a big cost and no gurantee I will get residency. In the meantime of our I-130, we are doing another partnership visa as my current one expires in May. It is good to have the option to return back to NZ in a few months if I cannot get a job by then.

 

Yep, I applied and continue to apply to everything imaginable, including oil and gas industry positions. Even with connections, I am still having a difficult time. The same goes to others as well. It is very hard to get a job. Perhaps I just chose a bad major. 

[Boiler 43,425]

Well I am certainly no expert on this but have come across many people wanting t o move from the UK who have not been able to because of medical issues.

 

US health insurance would be irrelevant to the NZ authorities and anyway would that not require you to be US resident?

[B&ANZ 134]

I am a US citizen so I can purchase health insurance out of pocket through US health insurers. Cigna, for example, has plans specifically designed for US expats. Indeed having US health insurance may not play a significant role to NZ immigration when it comes time for a residency decision, but we hope it helps. In the mean time, I can just get all of my doctor appointments and documentation now while I am here for the medical assesor. Either route, we have an extremely long road ahead of us. At least with NZ, I had and can get employment in my field very easily. Starting life in the US can be great for some, but for us, it may not be the best nor viable decision.

Edited February 14, 2020 by B&ANZ

[TBoneTX 43,043]

6 hours ago, B&ANZ said:

Even with connections, I am still having a difficult time.

Try networking efficiently and effectively, as suggested.  

[Jess_Cah 7]

On 2/13/2020 at 5:30 AM, B&ANZ said:

Hey everyone. I just moved back to the US after living with my husband abroad for nearly 2 years. I am trying to find a job stateside so that I can meet the income requirements for when we get to the NVC stage. Let me tell you, finding a job in America is very hard! I have a bacherlor's and master's degree in geology, and even entry level jobs will not hire me. I have submitted well over 100 applications since December without any luck ranging from data analyst to retail (anything to meet the income requirement). I had a great job abroad related to my field and surely thought my experience there would help as I still consider myself a new graduate, but nope. I have computer programming skills including Python, I have experience with big data analysis, I helped develop company software, field work, laboratory work, I have a paper in revision as well as several published abstracts from my research. All I get is either I am not qualified or overqualified, which makes no sense as I barely have a year of professional experience under my belt aside from academia. 

 

I just needed to rant. Now my husband is worried how he will get on finding a job when I am struggling so much. Is anyone else stuggling?

Oh this scares me! I'm in New Zealand now (with my kiwi husband) and our biggest fear is finding work when we get to the US (fingers crossed we get approved). He won't be able to do his career in the US which is even scarier starting from scratch. I have a Kiwi friend that moved to the US with a degree in Geology. He quickly found a job in Colorado and is doing really well with it. I'm happy to put you in touch with him if you think it would help? Also, side not...I see you we're at the same stage of the process but you've mailed other forms in. How/why did you do that? Did they ask for them or is it a proactive move...Just curious as the process can be overwhelming and I get a bit lost with all the information! 

 

[B&ANZ 134]

Hey there! I recently got back to the US and already miss NZ tremendously! I applied for the 129F since our service centre is Nebraska. Last year, this shortened the processing time. As of right now, it seems to not be working. However, it is free and there is nothing to lose except the small chance of actually getting a K3 visa from it, which is costly and your husband would have to adjust his status in the US which takes ages. During this time he cannot travel or work. Yes, please message me when you get a chance! I would be keen to get in touch with your friend in Colorado! Crossing fingers our husbands will be able to find jobs when they get here!

[SalishSea 16,769]

I'm surprised to hear that people are having difficulty finding jobs with record unemployment the way it is.  Have you looked at civil service/public sector jobs?  The geologists I know have worked  in those fields.

 

Sometimes people have to manage their expectations and standards a bit, in order to get what they want eventually.

 

My husband was a business bank manager for 30 years for ANZ, and was strongly wishing to not work in banking once here.  So, he works at Costco!  Could he do better?  Sure, but it pays the bills and is a jumping off point, since it is easier to find a job when you have a job.  

 

 

[B&ANZ 134]

Yes I have looked and applied to every job imaginable. I removed my qualifications from my resume so I now only have a high school education. Hopefully this helps when trying to get into retail, labor, etc. I just need something to meet the income requirement to bring my husband here. I also applied for a few jobs back in NZ, because at the same time I do not want to through my education away and maybe we just have to stay there. It is so much easier to get a job in my field in NZ. Costco is a good company to work for and I had applied for a cashier position.