Hi,
After a total of 22 months from our application I finally arrived in S.C. on the 24th November. Now perhaps myself, Jucal and my step daughter Nickey will be able to live as a family instead of visting for a week or two at a time. Incidentally I needn't have worried about immigration at Newark, it was all completed in less than twenty minutes. Much quicker than any other time when I have only been visiting!!.
Now, after a week of marital bliss, I have to take a reality check and start looking for work. I have been looking all week but so far without success as there does not seem to be anything available that I am qualified for. Also many of the sites I have found only appear to have jobs that were posted six or more months ago!.
I am also puzzled when they ask for education details, what are C.S.E. and G.C.E. qualifications considered as in the States?. Plus as these exams were passed in '76 I have no idea where the paper proof of these results may be even if I still have it. Will I be required to furnish proof of the results at any interview I may attend?.
Does anyone have any web sites to suggest for finding work in the Summerville/Charleston area or any employment offices around here?. As our finances are VERY tight (we both have our debts) and my wife is unable to work for the forseeable future, it is important that I find work quickly.
Thanks to those who have helped us out so far and I will welcome any suggestions for finding work.
Jucal and Martin
Congrats and good luck with the job hunt smile
(sorry can't help though)
Sorry not much help as not in the states, but just wanted to Congrats at all being together finally. Have a wonderful xmas. smile smile smile
Great to see you have made it over smile Sorry, can't be much help with your questions.
It took me about seven months to find work and then I believe it was a lucky break and down to a combination of the accent, novelty factor and previous experience (in that order).
Hopefully your location is a bit more geared towards the types of jobs you did in UK. I was in a rural area and had to look outside of it and then commute 150 miles a day.
I had my certificates in the UK and had them scanned and e-mailed over. I printed out the scans until the originals made it over via the snail-mail. Actually, no one has ever asked for them but it was reassuring to have them.
To be honest, for the two jobs I have had here, it has all been down to the interviews and impressing there.
True, you have to pass the initial application stage so I just said I had GED equivalency and a Bachelor's degree equivalent. This was never questioned and I've never been asked to produce certificates. The interviewers were far more interested in who I was, why I was here and how I could help them.
Congrats on getting this far and now fingers crossed that things continue working out and you can find some work soon.
Best wishes
Pilgrim
Welcome to the USA, a very good site for job hunting is
http//www.monsterjobs.com/
Often they supply direct email addresses for companies so you can email your resume at will razz
Good luck with the job hunting, Have you considered signing up for the post office temps to cover Christmas?
Congrats on your arrival!! Im in the same position as yourself with regards to looking for work. December too isn't exactly the best time for looking for work either! You can expect to wait a little while for your first paycheck either Ive been told it's common to like wait a week or two before you get your paycheck.
The tip about Monster.com is a good one. The oldesr ways are most effective too so check your local paper on-line if you can and also check out hotjobs.com it's run by Yahoo and works pretty well.
With regards to qualifications I have GCSE's which is like the old GCE's? Anyway that's like finishing high school GED's Ive been told.
Being from England people have trouble working out the whole qualification thing on my education too. I wish you well in your search you will find something.
smile
I know that it is a long shot, buy if you guy's or indeed anyone else out there is looking, or know someone who is looking for work in engineering, I am looking for a CNC machine tool service technician.
PM me for further information.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by ebyegumlad on 2002-12-02 0000 ]</font>
Hi there,
I live down the road in Conway (nr Myrtle Beach), usually if I am looking for work, I either check the local papers, or the SC unemployment office (called SC Job Bank) or if I know some companies I am interested in, check there websites. Heres a link that gives quite a few site links for jobs in the area http//www.sciway.net/jobs/ Good Luck!
Angela
Good luck to you - try all the avenues suggested, also try your local newspaper. Trade on your UK accent for all it's worth (they love it). What is your trade/profession??
Lizzi
Thanks everyone for all the tips, monster.com seems an OK site and I have been looking through the local press as well as many of the other employment web sites. However I am still having difficulty in finding something I am qualified for. I did spot a post for a librarian, half decent pay, good hours and benefits and training given. The problem?, they wanted four years experience AND a Masters Degree!!. All respect to librarians but where does the degree come into it?.
In answer to Lizzi, I am by trade a Silk Screen Printer but after 22 years in that job I have been ready for a change for sometime. However, in my safe little life back in Runcorn I had no real reason to leave my job and it was a secure job too. So now I would like to look for something else. Don't get me wrong I would take another screen printing job tomorrow, I would just like to find something else.
Thanks again everyone, I have to go. Got to fill out some application forms for various occupations and finish working on my C.V., sorry I mean resume!.
Martin
Sorry can't be of much help on the job front. Just wanted to say Congratulations on finally making it over here. Good luck to you & your family.
Louise
Well done to the both of you!
I am very pleased that you're together and happy.
My advice re. jobs would be to find out which companies are based in your area and then look on their websites for jobs. I know some of them round here advertise things on their sites that never make it into the papers.
Good luck with it all, and make sure you let us know how you're getting on.
Stel.