Job search
Employment in the US
Read our following advice on employment in the US.
The employment situation
- Contrary to popular belief, America does not welcome the poor of the world but is interested in people with money, education and professional training
- You must obtain a visa which often proves difficult
- They favour English over any other language
- As of October, 2012 the unemployment rate was 7.9%
- Currently a high unemployment rate and difficult economic conditions mean that it is not easy for a foreigner to get a job in America
- If you do have the fortune to get in, be prepared to work hard for what you get. For an American company, you’re just another production factor which is rated by its rate of productivity
- Job security is now regarded as a thing of the past and most corporations regard their employees as disposable resources to be exploited and discarded at will
- Unlike European companies, US companies aren’t liable for any redundancy payment and can lay off workers quickly when business is bad.
Finding a job
- As usual, target national newspapers such as The New York Times for highly qualified jobs and local newspapers for things like work in restuarants etc.
- The internet is always a valuable resource with the following search engines:
- www.careerbuilder.com , www.careers.org ,www.hotjobs.com , www.jobcenter.com,
- www.jobweb.com ,www.jobtrak.com , www.craigslist.org
- State employment service centers: There are some 2,000 local Employment Service Centers spread across the US. These centers are operated by the US Employment Service and provide extensive databases of job offers, free counseling, training and other types of support (usually for semi skilled or unskilled workers)
- Private recruiting agencies and headhunters: Private job agencies play an important role in the American labor market, especially for highly qualified jobs and senior positions. If you are asked to pay for this service make sure you do your reseach about what you are paying for as good recruitment agencies will usually be paid by the employer.
- Networking, using personal contacts
- Career fairs
- Chambers of Commerce often want to fill positions with specific nationalities, it may be worthwile to research this.
- Be confident! Approaching the employer personally can be seen as a sign of good initative
- work experience tends to be emphasised first
- the CV shouldn't be longer than a page, it should be a brief overview- time is money in the US
- you don't need to include a photo
- You should keep the cover letter brief, clear and direct. Feel free to express your expectations regarding the job you apply for.
- Never use the word ‘I’ or directly refer to yourself in any way. For example, instead of writing "I was responsible for sales" put "Responsible for sales". Also mention personal achievements (i.e. “increased sales from $1m to $3m”) as US employers are very achievement-oriented.
- Be proactive and follow your CV up with phone calls.
- Being on time is absolutely essential
- Dress conservatively
- American interviews are typically formal and efficient. Expect introductions, handshakes and an exchange of business cards.
- If you are offered a position, you might have to pass a drug test before getting your contract, which in European countries would be considered an infringement of your private life.
Job search
Top eBooks Under $5 on Volunteering
With so many options for volunteering, it is often difficult to choose the best option or even to know where to begin. With these eBooks from Amazon.com and all under five dollars, you can begin your quest to helping others.
*Note: All ratings are out of five stars.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Soul
by Robert Clancy and Hugh O'Brian
Price: $4.11
Rating: 5
by Steve Morris
Price: $3.58
Rating: 4
Dream Trekker: A glimpse into international volunteering
by Gabriella Louise Sheldon
Price: $4.47
Rating: N/A
Your Guide to Volunteer Travel
by Sarah Palmer
Price: $3.54
Rating: N/A
How to Fundraise for Volunteer Opportunities Abroad
by Julia Ramos and Carolyn Luck
Price: $2.11
Rating: 5
Strategic Volunteering: 50 Ingredients to Transform Your Life and Career (Part 1)
by Mark McCurdy
Price: $3.50
Rating: N/A
How to Organize Successful Charity Golf Tournaments
by Patrick Cash, Ann Westlake and Johanna Socha
Price: $3.59
Rating: N/A
by Cheryl Antier
Price: $3.50
Rating: N/A
by Susan C. Daffron
Price: $4.86
Rating: N/A
How To Be A School Volunteer (Educating Our Children)
by Amy Vigilante and Waln Brown
Price: $4.82
Rating: N/A
by Nathan Youssef
Price: $4.07
Rating: N/A
Related Articles:
- What are eBooks?
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Resumes
- Top eBooks Under $5 on How to Find a Job
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Discrimination in the Workplace
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Interviews
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Cover Letters
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Working Abroad
- Top eBooks Under $5 on College Preparation
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Communication
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Reference Letters
- Top eBooks Under $5 on How to get a Promotion
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Networking
- Volunteering
- Medical volunteering
- Animal volunteering
- Volunteering with children
- Volunteering in Africa
- Local volunteering
- Volunteering ideas
Blog
Top eBooks Under $5 on How to Get a Promotion
Need help figuring out how to advance your career? Amazon.com has several resources to help guide you through the process. These eBooks are just a few examples. Why eBooks? For a start, this list has suggestions that are all under five dollars. Also, eBooks are easily accessible, whether you choose to read them on your smart phone or eReader, that is up to you! Check out these eBooks on how to get that promotion!
99 Ways to Win Promotion (Managing Your Career)
by Rob Horlock
Price: $3.59
Rating: N/A
The Little Brown Book of Corporate Advancement
by Nicholas Noyes and Kerren Barbas Steckler
Price: $3.81
Rating: N/A
Get That Promotion With the Law of Attraction
by Community Press
Price: $4.70
Rating: N/A
47 Tips You Can Use to Get a Job Promotion (Career Success)
by Karen S. Roberts
Price: $3.59
Rating: 5
How to Get a Promotion: 21 Leadership Strategies That Will Get You Promoted Fast
by John Bradford Love
Price: $3.58
Rating: N/A
by Jamie Palmer
Price: $4.03
Rating: N/A
How To Get A Promotion (Career Assistance Series)
by David Chitester
Price: $3.58
Rating: N/A
by Jane Wilson
Price: $3.58
Rating: N/A
Related Articles:
- What are eBooks?
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Resumes
- Top eBooks Under $5 on How to Find a Job
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Discrimination in the Workplace
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Interviews
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Cover Letters
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Working Abroad
- Top eBooks Under $5 on College Preparation
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Communication
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Reference Letters
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Networking
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Volunteering
- 14 Tips on How to get a Promotion
Blog
Top eBooks Under $5 on Networking
"It's not what you know, it's who you know." Sound familiar? Though this saying often times is very true, it doesn't help if you don't know how to network and get to know people. These eBooks, all under five dollars and from Amazon.com, help guide you through networking.
*Note: All ratings are out of five stars.
Networking Awesomely (The Least You Need to Know)
by Colin Wright
Price: $1.19
Rating: 4
Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-how for Business And Career Success
by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Price: $3.60
Rating: 5
How To Win Friends and Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
Price: $3.33
Rating: 4.5
Networking Superhero - Secrets To Forming Powerful, Long-Lasting Relationships, Fast! (Superhero Success) by TW Walker
Price: $1.19
Rating: 4.5
Build Your Professional Network: The How-To Guide
by Jan Hill and Vook
Price: $1.02
Rating: 2
by Jade Craven
Price: $3.58
Rating: 4
Related Articles:
- What are eBooks?
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Resumes
- Top eBooks Under $5 on How to Find a Job
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Discrimination in the Workplace
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Interviews
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Cover Letters
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Working Abroad
- Top eBooks Under $5 on College Preparation
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Communication
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Reference Letters
- Top eBooks Under $5 on How to get a Promotion
- Top eBooks Under $5 on Volunteering
- Networking
- Fraternity and Sorority Networking
-
Blog11 years ago
Sorority Recruitment
-
Resume and CV12 years ago
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) ?
-
Resume and CV12 years ago
Letters of recommendation / references
-
Resume and CV12 years ago
Which Resume Format Should I Choose?
-
Cover Letter12 years ago
The cover / motivation letter
-
Resume and CV12 years ago
Basic rules for writing your resume
-
Sample Resumes, Examples and Templates12 years ago
Reference Example
-
Cover Letter12 years ago
Europass CV