First Job in US

[xylene]

Hi mga sis...

For those who came as GC holders in USA, ano first job nyo? And how long did it take bago kayo nakahanap ng job? Nakuha nyo ba agad yung career na gusto nyo or nagshift din muna kayo sa ibang trabaho?

I've been here for 3 months at  naiinip nako kakahintay ng results ng mga inapplayan ko.
Hubby's family is telling me naman na normal pa yung time na to na wala pa rin akong work. Minsan nakaka depress na, gusto ko na magwork. Minsan iniisip kong iconsider na mag apply sa job na hindi related sa job ko sa pinas just to start a career dito sa US. Minsan gusto ko mag-aral para makapagshift ng ibang industry/field.

Gusto ko lang din malaman yung mga experience ng mga sis natin na nagstart ng career nila dito sa US.

Thanks!

[jhez]

Sis si hubby ko after 6 months nakakuha ng work. He was Team Manager dito sa BPO then back to agent sya sa america... hindi nga lang bpo pero atleast better than nothing... nun wala pa sya work, online ang ginagawa nya, encoder or kahit na ano sa odesk. Super liit kita nya pero tyagaan lang daw.... GC holder pala sya....
 

[Kristalle]

what is GC holder? ang alam ko lang na GC is gift certificate.  (corny  ) but what is GC?

[lisse]

^sis, GC = green card.

It took me 5 months before ako nagka-work. I arrived here kasi December, so during winter hirap ako magdrive so hindi masyado effort. First job ko is still my job until now = Legal Assistant. I'm a CPA/Accountant jan satin. I am going to school now din kahit fulltime ako sa work para makapag take ng CPA board exam dito. Kaso, because of my legal exposure, parang nagugustuhan ko ng mag shift to be a COurt reporter. Same tuition fees, same length ng study, tapos same din na may mga series of exams and qualifying board exam to practice. We'll see. This fall graduate na ako sa Assoc Degree in Accounting ko e. Tapos papa-revaluate ulit ako kasi some of my subjects jan sa undergrad sa Pinas na-credit eh.

[lisse]

btw sis xylene, if you don't mind saang state ka ba nakatira? minsan kasi mas kokonti ang opportunities sa ibang state as compared sa iba. minsan naman kahit andaming opportunities, stiff ang competition sa ganong industry.

[jtansanco]

I'm not GC holder but here's my experience...

I came to the US in Dec 2013 originally for vacation but my relatives persuaded me to apply for work so I did. For 1 month, I emailed my resume online (at least 10 companies a day). I got 4 interviews (3 job fair types and 1 phone interview). I got hired and started Feb 2014. As for the job, I can't say it's my "dream" job because my dream is to build my own company (which I did and failed in the Philippines). My title is Account Executive for US-based Japan company (startup so far since they're expanding) and so far I am loving my experience. They send me to Japan for training for FREE. I had my first training last month and I'm getting ready to go to Japan again on the 11th of this month.

[xylene]

^wow bro, galing naman!
  Maybe one day you'll still have that dream job but as you said, you're loving the experience, I think ok pa rin yun since hindi lahat ng nagwowork nabibigyan ng opportunity gaya ng sayo.

btw sis xylene, if you don't mind saang state ka ba nakatira? minsan kasi mas kokonti ang opportunities sa ibang state as compared sa iba. minsan naman kahit andaming opportunities, stiff ang competition sa ganong industry.

I'm from MD sis.
Engineer ako sa Pinas and you're right dito konti lang yung opportunities para sakin on the same field (manufacturing) unlike sa ibang state. Yung mga companies na may interview ako so far puro nasa PA.
Yung iba nasa malayong part naman ng MD, mga more than an hour ang drive. Yung mga in laws ko pati si hubby nasa health care ang trabaho. So yung network na nabubuo ko dito andun na rin sa field na yun. Iniiisip ko rin minsan na i try sa field nila, yung mga entry level na hindi kelangan ng experience since totally malayo ang experience ko.

So, i think usual naman pala na for 1st job mejo maiiba ka ng field.

[jtansanco]

^ Yeah, probably save a lot and gain the industry knowledge and experience. Get the necessary contacts. In short, "steal" the information. Haha kidding. But yeah, I like it here now. Everything is expensive but once I go back there, everything will be so cheap. Can't wait for that day.

[snowflakes]

I came here in the US in 2009 wala pa kong 1 month nagka work na ko. Hinde man sa degree ko pero atleast malaking sahod. Physical therapy assistant ako for 2 years. Swerte lang kase don sa unang inaaplayan ko naghahanap sila ng replacement sa aalis na PT assistant. Kaya ayun tanggap agad ako. 

[lisse]

Sis xylene, 3 months ka palang naman. I know nakaka-bored talaga pero why not see if talagang para sayo din naman yung qualifications / what the job entails dun sa field na lilipatan mo if ever. That, or see if kaya ng resources na mag-school ka to upgrade your field of expertise. Iba din kasi minsan if meron ka ng US work experience or US school degree. But then like bro jtansanco, swertihan din minsan. He gave it a shot tutal wala naman mawawala sa kanya. The worse thing that can happen is ayawan niya yung job and hanap ng iba better luck next time. Give it a try, malay mo diba? Stepping stone din yan para mapunta ka sa field na gusto mo. Sometimes pag swe-swertihin ka, within the org na pinasukan mo meron palang opportunity diba. Sabi nga nila, once you're in, you're IN!

A bit of OT lang, dito sa state where I am in, I met 4 Filipinos na degree holders satin. Pero work nila dito ay store clerk and maintenance sa gas station. Reason: may prob sila sa papers nila. So ikaw, di hamak na ang swerte-swerte mo kasi GC holder ka, you can find work and even be choosy lol!

Good luck!

[jtansanco]

@xylene, here's something for you. I talked to a Filipino when I was having my own doubts if ever I will get hired. US has there own structure in making their resumes. Better put that you don't need visa sponsorship and you're authorized to work. Also, they really check on US experience so you can't really find your dream job in your first job. It will take time. I was just lucky in my case since all the stars aligned for me thanks to my horoscope. Haha. But anyway, going back to the Filipino guy I was referring to, it took him 6 months to get a job. He was a business course graduate in ADMU. His first job is not even business - I think it's computer related. So, fast forward to about 5-7 years, he's now earning $100k/year. My advice - be patient and don't stop applying. You'll eventually get there. Just keep moving forward.

[lisse]

^ I agree. I lost a job to another applicant for this office na I was aching to get into because I don't have a US work experience yet.
Also, big plus if meron ka ng driver's license. Usually companies put this naman as one of their requirements.

[xylene]

I have my driver's license na. Pinursue ko na makakuha nun asap kasi ang hirap pala ng transpo dito sa US pag nagcommute ka.

Anyway, thanks sa mga advice. I'll keep those in mind. Siguro nga nabobore lang ako, kasi naman sa Pinas 6 days a week ang work ko. Parang I took a sudden stop then ngayon hinahanap ko yung feeling na busy ako.

jtansanco, check ko rin nga horoscope ko kung kelan ako dapat mag apply. lol.

[greyzie]

@jtansanco, did the company sponsor a work visa or are they applying your gc for you? You're right, the stars aligned for you.

[jtansanco]

^ Actually, I'm US citizen. I'm lucky that they are looking for someone who doesn't need to get visa since my job would require me to travel abroad in the future. I was born in the US but grew up in the Philippines.

^^ Let's just say, 10 years ako MALAS. When I checked my horoscope for this year, everything will be good. Career will be good for 1st half of the year. Love life will come knocking in the 2nd half. I love horoscopes. Hahaha

[mooncake and leaves]

Got a job after a month. Then again, at the time, jobs were easier to come by. This was back in '06.

If I were you, I'd apply everywhere. Mahirap ang walang work sa US. But 3 months is okay. Normal naman ata yan since average daw ngayon is 6 months unemployment? You'll find one eventually. What you can also try, while waiting for a full-time job that fits your needs, part time work and/or volunteer work. Para lang may experience ka

[ljsan]

Hi everyone!

I'm a newbie here. Anyhow, share ko lang ang experience ko. I came here around Dec 2009 and i immediately started jog-hunting. At that time, inaayos ko pa lang papers ko. im eligible to work pero wala pa yung physical green card or yung EAD ata. i forgot. i got an offer after 3 months ata pero because i cant show my physical EAD/GC card at papel pa lang that i have been approved, this big company in Los Angeles rejected me. apply apply din pero mejo choosy din kasi ako. finally, may dumating, although i had to start na parang fresh grad. i was offered that job 6 months after i got here. pero tumawad ako na mag start ako ng august na since wala masyado vacation days sa company na yun. 10 days lang per year. i stuck with them for 3 years before i had enough.

i also went back to school for my Masters kasi kahit na college graduates tayo, taas na ng requirements ng mga company here. so yun. now, im in another company full time and studying full-time also. I just take unpaid leave when i need to be in school for a long time.

Konting tiis lang sis. and let me know if kailangan mo kausap. ako, halos ma-depress nun kasi , with all humility, i experienced a good career life before i got here. so it was a major adjustment especially on the vacation days. that's what i hate the most. (even now)

anyhow, sis, for those who live in LA area, especially around Pasadena area or near the city, it would be good to get to  know you.

Cheers!

[jeune]

My very first job back in 2006 was a part time store clerk at a military clothing store. It only lasted 6 months because I got hired in a financial institution for another part time job that eventually became full time. I worked hard to earn my supervisory position for almost 6 years but had to give it up because of relocation overseas with my husband being in the military. I had a degree in Tourism back in PI and ended up in banking & finance world. 

Fast forward almost 2 years later, I'm still not working. I can't give up traveling

[amandaelaine]

Hi sa inyo mga sis, im so glad na may nakita ako na ganito forum. Xylene, how are you now? my work ka na ba? I came here in Virginia last month at until now wala pa rin work. sobra dami ko na-applyan at inip na inip na ako. GC holder din ako. nagsasabi nga ako sa bro ko na parang gusto ko na umuwi ng pinas. Saan state kayo mga sis?

[shopaholic18]

^since i got my GC, i was eligible for all the board exam here, took it and now i'm just waiting for my license and i have a job offer already in the field that i'm at, (medical). they were willing to hire me while waiting for my official license but gave me a different rate although once i have my license naman daw, they will change my pay. sobrang nabore din ako dito kasi i came as fianće and since ganun nga it takes 6 months to have GC, long process but worth it naman, minsan naisip ko ding umuwi kaso iniisip ko nalang soon i can have a job and makakapag adjust nadin ako and andito nadin buhay ko at husband ko. pag nabobore nalang ako inaasikaso ko nalang husband ko, house chores and its good din na nilalabas ako lagi ng husband ko once he's home kasi alam nya na bored na bored din ako dito sa bahay. were San Diego based so nakakatuwa din nattour ko na yung mga lugar dito at sceneries, at least di na ko parang tourist dito pag umaalis kami.