Why a legal inmigrant can not find a decent job in this USA?
Asked by mash06
Im 43 years old, very good looking woman married with a succesfull career fo more that 15 years in Social Comunications and Costumer Service in Colombia. I moved to USA with my son, tree years ago because I married an american. Since then and for the first time in my life I have been unemployee. I was trying to let the things settle down working hard as a house wife, to keep everything on track. Now, after what I thought, it is going to be the perfect time to come back to work... I can not get even one interview. What is going on! my background in Colombia does't worth a peny in this country? I am a legal inmigrant who deserve to have faire oportunitys ... I can not use my background in my resume? So, I have to fake a resume, with fake experience, and fake jobs? to show some kind of experience working in the states? I am really sad. I know many people, here in USA ilegal, working with fake documents! I am trying to do everything in the corrrect way, what I am doing wrong?

Best Answer:
it is because all the jobs have been taken by illegal immigrants who are working for less pay and no benefits.

do the right thing.
Answered by splonge

Oh okay
Answered by Cold Comfort

because alot of people dont like them because they sometimes dont do a good job and thery sometimes take americians jobs
Answered by Brandon M

they don't like us
Answered by king

Stick it to the Man, that's what you have to do. Do what is necessary.
Answered by Garter C

because our legal system is screwed up!
Answered by V

if u are legal then yes u can work and ppl will hire you however if they can giv the job from an american of the same nationality then will do so its not racism its just nationalism thing
Answered by Josh B

its america, especially now. not a lot of people can get a decent job anymore. it may b the wealthiest country, but only a few r wealthy
Answered by neenee_b

if they know your an immigrant, they prob wont take you.. most people assume immigrants are unskilled, and stupid, it could be a stareo type, or too, but its even hard for us citzens to get jobs. try hard, cheat if you ahve to
Answered by IRideABike

I know someone with the same problem, he was a music teacher in his country but that knowledge is worthless in the USA so he works in the mail room of my job. I heard of the same thing happening to other people as well, what you did in the country of your origin means nothing here sometimes and I really don't know why.
Answered by sparrowszealot

Go to an employment service, they will get you working.
Answered by mtchndjnmtch

I am so sorry this country is being unfair to you. You are doing nothing wrong. In fact, you are staying honest and moral even though everyone around you is not. You are amazing. It looks like our country rewards people for lying. I would do something to help you if I could, but I am only 16. Best of luck to you and your family.
Answered by flying_pig319

Start your own import business with your former country. you will be a multimillionairess in no time
Answered by boc wton uk

Nothing, the fact is to just jump into a great job in the United States is difficult. Usually employers will factor in your education or people who have been with them for awhile tend to get more opportunities then outsiders. But don't get down, it might be also depending on where you currently live, and the industry you are trying to get into. Moving might be the only way, but take advantage of your background in Colombia. Have you tried a government job, currently translators and people with knowledge of South America are needed for a lot of Government jobs. Especially with the border issues we are currently facing.
Answered by Ezz17

are not there people that can assist in finding a job that take your resume match it to jobs wanted by company's?
Answered by raysmithson1

perhaps its simply because you are an immigrant , legal or not, ..and the jobs are scarce these day everywhere, Alot of people prefer hiring americans first. I'm sorry, but this country is getting ridiculously over crowded ..and the americans are losing out on jobs left and right due to all the immigrants coming here and working for next to nothing , even though they have no experience at anything.. As far as your situation, i dont know why you havent been hired.........and no, i dont believe your experience in columbia is going to do you much good here, ..the same as if i went there.
Answered by MiChAeL's AnGeL

Social communications... and you are a foreigner. Your english is probably at an average level. Which isn't what people will PAY for in a primarily english speaking country . in your field. BTW im Australian, so don't see me as being bias.
Answered by BIG AL

That's odd. I know a ton of legal immigrants with jobs and many that own their own business.
Answered by Ye Olde Tyme Moustache

I think the state you live in haves allot to do with it ,if you live in Florida allot of jobs want Spanish speaking people ,and are even working with them to get more money because they give more to people that can speak more languages.
Answered by sehoy

Given what you have written in this post I suspect it's your resume that is problematic. I don't mean to be harsh here, don't misunderstand me. Your English is fine, but it needs a bit of work. Keep in mind that an employer in the US, when faced with the choice between a candidate who writes and speaks as a native vs one who isn't as proficient, will choose the former vs the latter most of the time (well, it does depend upon the position, I am generalizing here). Have a native speaker review your resume and correct all the errors, that will help tremendously in the process. A spelling or grammatical error is a sure way to have your resume discarded without even getting to the point of being considered for an interview. Then practice your interviewing skills with that same person. You'll win out in the end for your efforts. "a" very good looking woman; "successful"; for more "than" 15 years, "customer" service, moved to "the" "U.S."; "three" years ago; "unemployed", etc. - these are just a few errors I spotted in your post.
Answered by Lobo

If you are a legal immigrant than you should not lie on your resume. Even if your experience is over in Colombia, as long as it is the truth than they can not hold anything against you. This is called discrimination. If you lie and they find out about it, which they probably already have, than I can tell you right now you will never get a job. So tell the truth and if you think you have been discriminated against than you can contact the proper authorities. You may want to try going to an employment agency. They can really help you. You may have to pay part of your first months paycheck to them, but it may be all worth it. I wish you lots of luck in finding a job.
Answered by UPESKYMO

It is the same in foriegn countries, I have been wanting to work in Ireland but they have to hire one of their own first unless they can not find one qualified to do the job then they can hire me. I would imagine it is the same here with jobs of skill and education.
Answered by Velvet Brooks

I don't know how you are finding the jobs, but very few people get jobs through the newspaper ads or online. Being bilingual and having customer service experience is a plus most places. I suggest you get out the yellow pages and find customer service companies in your area and call them to find out if they have openings. I know here in Tampa there are lots of customer service companies who love people who can speak Spanish. I wonder what your resume looks like. Does the objective say you are looking for a customer service position where your knowledge of Spanish and English will be an asset or is it one of those ridiculous ones about wanting a job with personal growth. Is everything spelled correctly?
Answered by kadel

Its tough for anyone to get a job im America these days, even Americans are having it rough. I have 3 college degrees and I am working in a call center! Its a bad economy and many companies are laying off workers; job growth is slow in most states. I used to be able to have a job within a week whenever I needed one, but now it takes months to even get an interview. Yes, employers tend to hire qualified American applicants over foriegn applicants, just like I am sure if went to Columbia a Columbian would be hired over me. Hang in there! You are doing it the right way. I know many immigrants that were educated overseas and have good jobs here in their chosen fields. Cheating and lying your way into a job may get you employed for a while, but you cannot keep up the lie forever and it will hurt you in the long run. Good luck!
Answered by darjeeling_girl

If your resume looks like your question, quite honestly I wouldn't interview you - there are at least15 spelling errors in your question. Most employers won't even bother with a resume with spelling or grammar errors, especially if they have more than one error. Get someone to go over your resume and see if that's the problem. Good luck.
Answered by Judy