In
the United States, great value is placed on being employed.
Therefore, working and becoming self-sufficient is one of the
most important priorities for newly arrived refugees. You will
be expected to take a job, even if it is not highly paid or
in your former occupation.
One
of your first goals after arriving in the United States will
be to find a job. While you may receive some help from employment
services which have been established to help refugees find
jobs, your personal efforts and attitude are even more important.
Employment is not guaranteed by the government or your resettlement
agency. You will be competing with others for the same jobs,
so it is essential to develop a positive attitude and demonstrate
that you are ready to go to work.
Your
first job will almost certainly be one of several that you
will hold, and it will be an important step in establishing
a work history in the United States. As your English skills
improve through study and informal contacts with other Americans,
your chances of moving to a better, higher-paying job also
improve. Staying on the first job at least six months is an
important step in creating a good work history. It is also
important that you try to use English as much as possible,
at work and elsewhere in the community.
Both
men and women work in the United States. Women make up half
the work force and perform the same jobs as men at all levels.
Although it may not have been acceptable for women to work
in your homeland, it is normal for them to do so in the United
States. Having two incomes in the family will further your
family's progress towards financial self-sufficiency. Children
over the age of 15 may also work part-time, and many young
people start their first job by working after school and during
vacation time.
While
your first goal should be to take any job, you should also
begin setting long-range employment goals. These might be to
acquire skills to get a better job or enter a new field, or
return to your former profession. This will take careful planning,
an understanding of the job market, and learning about special
requirements to obtain certification or licensing. You will
need to be patient during this process. You may find help and
information from an employment counselor in your community,
at your resettlement agency, or at a nearby community college
or university. Above all, remember that the United States is
known as a land of opportunity for those who work hard. Most
Americans believe in the importance of adults working to support
themselves and their families rather than relying on cash assistance
from the government. Most refugees continue to work on English
language skills while they are employed, because a better command
of the language often means better job opportunities. While
life in the United States may seem confusing at first, as time
passes you will learn more about your new country and the opportunities
it provides.
Finding
a Job
Your attitude is a key element in the search for a job, and potential employers
will judge this by your appearance and behavior. Even if you speak little or
no English, a smiling face and eagerness to work will help a great deal. Arrive
on time for the job interview, looking clean and dressed appropriately. You will
probably be quite nervous, but try to relax. Everyone feels anxious in this situation,
regardless of how long they have lived in the United States. Don't be discouraged
if you aren't hired after your first interview. It may take many interviews before
you are hired. This is normal for all job seekers in the U.S.
You
may receive help in finding your first job from resettlement
agency staff or a refugee employment service. Staff at your
resettlement agency are experienced in dealing with refugee
employment. They have helped many other refugees find their
first job in the United States. Discuss your ideas with them,
but listen to their advice. They will try to provide a clear
picture of the type of job you can expect to find with your
skills and experience. In addition, every state has public
employment agencies which can help you without charging a fee.
Your resettlement agency can tell you where those offices are
located.
Friends,
relatives, and members of the refugee community who arrived
before you are also important sources of information about
job openings. Ask if they know of any job vacancies where they
work. Most newspapers in the United States have "Help
Wanted" or "Employment" sections which list
job openings.
There
are also private employment agencies which charge a fee for
helping you find a job. Some of these fees are quite high,
and you should be certain that you understand their policies
before signing a contract. If you do not understand, ask your
resettlement agency for assistance.
Day
Care
In many American families, both the mother and father work full time. This means
they must make arrangements for their children to be cared for either all day
or, in the case of older children, before or after school. Some schools, employers,
and private companies provide this service, but usually the parents must pay
a fee. Private individuals can also provide day care at home or in the neighborhood.
Your resettlement agency staff can advise you about day care services in the
community.
Types
of Employment
There
are three general types of employment in the United States,
demanding different levels of experience or training:
*
Entry-level jobs
are those which require little training or experience,
such as hotel housekeeper, restaurant helper, or factory
worker. They usually pay an hourly wage and don't require
a high level of English. Many refugees work in these
jobs while studying English or learning other skills.
*
Skilled
labor jobs usually pay more, but
require formal training, a higher level of English,
and a demonstrated skill. Auto mechanic, beautician,
electrician, or computer repairperson are examples
of skilled labor jobs. Generally, skilled jobs
pay an hourly or weekly wage which is higher than
for most entry-level jobs, and even higher than
for some professional jobs. Many skilled jobs require
licensing or membership in a union; licenses from
your homeland may not be accepted.
*
Professional jobs
usually require at least a college degree, advanced English,
and specific skills in that field. These take a long
time to obtain, and may involve repeating training you
already had in your homeland. Many professional jobs,
such as medicine or dentistry, also require a license
or certification for the state in which you work. Even
if you are licensed in your own country, additional study
and recertification tests will be required before you
can practice in the United States. Most professional
jobs are salaried, which means that the pay is a fixed
amount for regular weekly or monthly time worked, rather
than an hourly wage.
When
developing your short-term and long-term employment goals,
keep in mind that you will probably have to work at several
different jobs before reaching your final goal. Perhaps this
is different from what you experienced in your home country,
but most Americans change jobs more than three or four times
during their working years.
Pay,
Deductions, and Benefits
There are federal and state
wage laws which apply to all types of work. Before
accepting a job, always determine what the regular
pay will be. If you don't understand, make sure to
ask. In addition to the actual pay, a variety of
benefits may be included. Ask about these also. Once
employed, you will be required to complete a form
which reports your earnings to the Internal Revenue
Service, the government agency which collects taxes.
Your
paycheck will be given to you at the end of a regular period
of time. This may be every week, every two weeks, or once a
month. Some smaller companies may pay in cash, but you should
always receive a pay stub or receipt that lists all hours worked,
gross pay, net pay, and deductions. The first paycheck can
be very confusing to a new worker, so ask a friend, relative,
or your resettlement agency to explain it to you if you do
not understand. It is important to check that payment and deductions
have been figured correctly.
Gross
pay is
the total amount earned during the time period before
any deductions are made. Look at the pay stub to
check that the gross amount matches the wage level
at which you were hired, multiplied by the number
of hours you actually worked
Deductions are
the amounts taken from your gross pay during a pay period.
Most deductions are required by law and include money
for federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare
tax, and, in most states, a state income tax. In addition,
you may choose to have additional money deducted to pay
for such things as medical insurance, union dues, life
insurance, or a company savings plan.
Net
pay is the amount you actually receive
in your check after all deductions have been made.
Benefits are
provided either by the employer directly or by the government
through the taxes that are deducted from your pay as
described above.
Health
insurance is a benefit an employer
may provide either at no cost to you or by your
paying part of the cost. Some companies offer health
insurance as a benefit to employees after they
have worked for a set period of time, such as three
months or six months. In many cases, your family
can also be included in the insurance plan if you
pay an additional amount. Not all employers pay
health benefits, but many do. Health costs can
be quite high in the United States, so this is
an important benefit to consider.
Additional
benefits which
may be offered by your employer include sick leave,
vacation time, and retirement plans. Company policies
differ greatly, so you should learn as much as possible
about your employer's policies when you are hired.
In some cases, benefits change the longer you work
for the company. For example, workers who have spent
a number of years with an employer receive more vacation
time than newer employees. It is important to ask
questions of your employer's personnel office, resettlement
agency staff, friends, sponsor, or others who can
help you gain full and accurate information about
benefit programs.
Other
work-related benefits include the three described below.
Social
Security is a federal government
retirement insurance program. The cost
is shared between the employer and employee.
Social Security benefits are based on your
U.S. wage history and are available to
workers who have contributed to the program
through taxes.
Unemployment
insurance, supported by
taxes pid by the employer, is available
to those who lose their jobs through reasons
outside their control.
Workers'
Compensation is
available in most states and provides some
salary and medical coverage for workers
injured on the job.
Employment
Rights
As
a refugee, you have the same employment rights in
the United States that every American citizen has.
An employer may not discriminate against you because
of your refugee status or deny you a job or a promotion
because of your age, color, handicap, marital status,
ethnic or national origin, race, religion, or sex.
There are, however, some jobs that are open only
to American citizens, such as most jobs with the
Federal government. Employment laws also protect
workers from unsafe working conditions and sexual
harassment in the workplace.
On
the Job: Tips for Success
Resettlement
agencies and many refugees find that there are several things to
keep in mind when you first start to work in the United States.
They are important not only in helping you keep your job, but also
in helping you advance and find better jobs in the future.
Be
on time for work. Punctuality is a highly valued quality in
the United States, and you will make a positive impression
on your employer if you are always on time. If you arrive late
to work, your pay may be reduced by any time missed. Take time
off for illness only if you are very sick. Most Americans continue
working if they have a minor cold, and many pride themselves
on never missing a day at work. Always call your supervisor
if you are going to be late or absent for any reason.
Be
friendly with your supervisor and co-workers. Lunch hour and
break times can be a good time to socialize. Casual conversation
topics in the United States include the weather, weekend activities,
food, and sports. There will also be many opportunities to
share your culture with them, especially around traditional
holiday periods.
Be
productive at work. You can be friendly without spending too
much time talking to co-workers or friends. Ask questions if
you don't understand the job, but avoid personal conversations
and phone calls during work time.
Ask
questions. If you do not understand something, don't be afraid
to ask a co-worker or your supervisor. You will do a better
job and your employer will respect you.
Take
the initiative to learn new tasks and responsibilities. Advancement
in any job can begin with your demonstrating an interest or
willingness to assume additional responsibilities.
You
may switch jobs to take a new or better job with a different
company. However, always give your employer at least two weeks
notice. Never quit one job before finding a new one, and try
to keep the first job at least six months to establish a good
work history.
