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Working in America

Looking for a Job There are many ways to look for a job in the United States. To increase your chances of finding a job, you can:

Ask friends, neighbors, family, or others in your community about job openings or good places to work. Look in the newspaper “Classifieds” section under “Employment.” Look for “Help Wanted” signs in the windows of local businesses. Go to the Employment or Human Resources offices of businesses in your area to ask about job openings. Visit community agencies that help immigrants find jobs or job training programs. Check bulletin boards in local libraries, grocery stores, and community centers for notices of job openings. Check with the department of employment services for your state. Search for jobs on the Internet. If you are using a computer at your library, the library staff can help you get started. The following websites are helpful: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com http://www.monster.com http://www.careerbuilder.com
Head hunters/recruiters - Contacting a local recruiter may help in finding a job if you are a professional. Recruiters are paid by the company who hires you and will be the “middle man” from start to finish of your application and interview process. The recruiter may ask that you come to his/her office so that you can meet. Recruiters can usually be found on the internet, or your local business magazine. Since recruiters make a living by placing job candidates with hiring companies, they may try to convince you to take the job even if you don’t want to. Some of these recruiters can be very rude and pushy (at times even insulting).
Applying for a Job After you have found some jobs that interest you, the next step is to apply for them. You will almost always need to complete resumes or application forms and cover letters. Later, you will probably need to go on interviews to meet with employers face to face.

Resumes give employers written evidence of your qualifications and skills. The goal of these documents is to prove—as clearly and directly as possible—how your qualifications match the job’s requirements. Do this by highlighting the experience, accomplishments, education, and skills that most closely fit the job you want.

A good resume:

Has your name, address, and phone number. Lists your past jobs and includes dates you worked. Shows your level of education. Shows any special skills you have. Is easy to read and has no mistakes.
Writing an effective resume is the most important part of the job-hunting process. A resume template can be found on various internet sites, including the job search sites. The resume business has also gotten popular these days, with companies offering to write or edit your resume for a fee.

When it comes to resumes, people in the US do not hesitate to be boastful. It is actually expected by everyone, that a resume contains all the outstanding accomplishments of a person and even more. People do not (well some people do, but they usually get caught) lie on their resumes, but they certainly exaggerate, and this is welcomed.

If you don’t tell people about your accomplishments, they will assume you don’t have any and will not even ask. For example, if you finished your college study in 3 years instead of 4 years, by all means put that in your resume. Maybe a good way to think of your resume, is that it is a marketing tool which is trying to sell the product of “you” as an employee.

Check with local community service agencies to see if they can help you write a resume. Private businesses can help with this, too, but they charge a fee.

When sending a resume, most people include a cover letter to introduce themselves to the prospective employer. Most cover letters are no more than three short paragraphs. Your cover letter should capture the employer’s attention and follow a business letter format.

Most employers will ask you to fill out a job application. This is a form with questions about your address, education, and past work experience. It may also ask for information about people you have worked with in the past. These are called “references,” and the employer may want to call them to ask questions about you. You may need to create a “resume” with a list of your work experience. A resume tells your employer about your past jobs, your education or training, and your job skills. Take your resume when you apply for work.

The Job Interview Employers may want to meet with you to talk about the job. They will ask about your past work and your skills. You can practice answering questions about your past work and your skills with a friend or family member so you will be ready. You can also ask questions of the employer. This is a good chance to find out about the job.

An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.

Preparation:

Learn about the organization. Have a specific job or jobs in mind. Review your qualifications for the job. Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job. Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Practice an interview with a friend or relative.
Personal appearance:

Be well groomed. Dress appropriately. Do not chew gum or smoke.
The interview:

Be early. Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake. Use good manners with everyone you meet. Relax and answer each question concisely. Use proper English—avoid slang. Be cooperative and enthusiastic. Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch. Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site. Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made. Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands. Send a short thank you note.
Information to bring to an interview:

Social Security card. Government-issued identification (driver’s license). Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment. References. Employers typically require three references. It may be better to get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references. Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
 




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