Finding a Job
Depending on your reasons for coming to the USA, you might find you or your spouse looking for a job. While the recession hit hard here, the economy is starting to bounce back and there has been a steady decrease in the jobless rate. That being said, however, it’s not always easy or simple to find a job and you may find the process quite different than finding a job in the UK.
Your first step should be to take a good look at what you did in the UK. If you are interested in doing the same kind of job here, then you’ll want to see what qualifications you’ll need to that job here. You may find that the differences in qualifications are quite noticeable- for example, you need to complete a course and pass a test in order to be a real estate agent here and the requirements for being a social work case manager are more stringent in the UK. For some career paths, having a degree is a necessity.
If you find that the career you wish to pursue does have specific qualifications, you’ll need to find out if you qualifications can transfer. A friend recently moved here was a solicitor in the UK, but found that she wasn’t able to practice law in Florida without re-doing her entire law degree. Needless to say, this was a quite a shock to her! Much of this information can be found on line.
The next step is to write a resume. Resumes are different than CVs and are the preferred format in the US. While the CV can be lengthy and go into a lot of detail, the resume is short and sweet. Typically a resume is no more than a page to two pages (even two pages is considered long). It briefly summarizes your educational qualifications, your past work history and your abilities, as they relate to the job you are applying for.
There are several different formats of resumes and which type you use depends on your vocational history and goals. If you are going for a job that is very similar to the one you did back home and if you have only had a short break in your work history, then the chronological resume may be the best resume to highlight your accomplishments. This resume typically lists the highest level of education you have received and then lists your past jobs, starting with the most recent, and a brief (and I mean brief) summary of your job duties there.
If you are going into a new vocation or are coming back to work after a long period of not working, then the functional resume may be the better option. This resume lists the skills (in bullet points) that you have garnered at your previous jobs. Then it lists your work history, but no details of the job. The point of this is to show an employer the skills you have and how they can transfer them to a new job.
Here’s a breakdown of what needs to be in both formats. Obviously, the point of writing a resume is to have someone look at it and call you up to interview you for a job. They won’t be able to do this if you don’t include your contact details. You should include your name, street address, phone number (cell or home phone, whichever you are more likely to be around) and your email address.
Below your contact details, you’ll want to write a short summary (2 to 3 sentence in length) of who you are and what kind of job you are looking for. Here’s and example : “Hardworking and contentious social worker with 4 years experience. Excellent in assessment and case planning. Seeking a position that will allow me to help children live full, rich and active lives.”
American resumes are a place to subtly brag about yourself. Employers want you to spell out for them what you can do for them and what your qualifications are. It may be uncomfortable to big yourself up, but it’s what American employers expect. Most employers only spend seconds, yes seconds (the average is 15), looking at a resume. You want yours to stand out or at least hold it’s own against other resumes. If you need help, check to see whether you’re eligible for help from the local job seekers agency. They often provide coaching on resumes and interviewing skills. When I moved back here from the UK, the whole job seeking landscape had changed. I met with an employment specialist who helped me hone my resume and show off my skills in the best possible light.
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