Work in New York for a Russian-speaking applicant: how to find it and what an immigrant can apply for

The paths of thousands of immigrants striving for success and self-realization intersect in New York. This is understandable, because the city provides a lot of opportunities for visitors. More than a million factories operate here, and hotel and restaurant businesses are developed. Publishing houses, shops, beauty salons - all these are employers who are ready to hire foreigners.

Many of them allow you to work with minimal knowledge of English, or even without it at all. Add to these advantages the highest salary level in the States, and you will get a comprehensive answer to the question of why the metropolis is so attractive to immigrants.

Despite all thebenefits of working in New York for Russian speakers, nStarting a career in a foreign country can be difficult. The editors of ForumDaily spoke with experts of the platform for migrantss BAZAAR and found out what applicants can expect and where they can find vacancies depending on their level of English proficiency.

The content of the article:

1. What are the current trends in the American labor market.
2. A professional resume in the USA is one of the keys to successful employment.
3. How to find a job in New York.
4. The importance of learning English and understanding cultural aspects.
5. Totals.

Current trendstions of the American labor market

Before you start actively looking for work in New York, it is important to find out what areas of work are in demand among immigrants.

We bring to your attention six professions that are most suitable for foreigners who decide to start their career in the United States:

• Air conditioner repair and maintenance specialist

Your responsibilities will include installation, repair, and maintenance of air conditioning and heating systems, as well as associated utilities such as vent pipes.

Such vacancies are characterized by minimum requirements for applicants. There is no need for special education here, and if we are talking about a Russian-speaking company, then you can do without knowledge of the language. In addition, if you do not have enough skills, start as a specialist assistant.

Earnings range from $17 to $35 per hour - the amount depends on experience, as well as the availability of specialized licenses and certificates.

• Cleaner

Professional cleaning of premises is a service that is very popular in the USA among owners of residential and office premises. In the States, people are willing to pay good money for high-quality cleaning, while the requirements for applicants for this position are minimal.

If you decide to become a cleaner, having a driver's license is a big advantage for you. This will allow you to quickly get to the desired address. In addition, to communicate with clients, at least spoken English is desirable. Age and gender do not matter, but physical condition must be excellent.

To start your career you will have to undergo short-term training. This is relevant only for American companies - Russian-speaking employers do not have such a requirement.

As for earnings, a cleaner can receive from $12 to $20 per hour plus benefits and gifts from clients.

• Amazon fulfillment center employee

Amazon is a global e-commerce giant that is constantly expanding its business, so it is always interested in new specialists.

Working at the Amazon Fulfillment Center involves loading and unloading packages, sorting merchandise, and following internal company procedures.

To be accepted into this company, it is enough to have legal status in the country and not have problems with the law or drugs. Required conditions include physical endurance and minimum language proficiency to pass the safety knowledge test.

An Amazon fulfillment center employee's salary starts at $15,5 per hour and increases by $1 with each year of experience. In addition, overtime hours and work during peak season are paid additionally.

• Plumber

If you're looking for work in New York as an immigrant and have at least some knowledge of plumbing, you might want to start as a plumber. If your knowledge and skills are limited, start with an assistant from a specialist. As you gain experience, you can increase your level.

A plumber's responsibilities include laying water pipes, installing, repairing and maintaining plumbing equipment. No specialized education is required, but it is desirable to have basic knowledge of the English language.

Earnings in this market segment start at $13 per hour and after three years of experience can reach $35.

• Appliance repair specialist

This is another working specialty for which the presence of education does not matter - one month of training is enough. Your responsibilities will include repairing large and small household appliances: washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens and others.

If you provide high-quality services, you can earn up to $65 thousand per year, which is about $33 per hour.

• Loader

A loader or, as such specialists are commonly called in the USA, a mover, is a profession that requires great physical endurance. A mover's responsibilities depend on his knowledge and skills. If you don’t speak English and don’t have a driver’s license, you can only work as a helper - helping with loading and carrying things.

If you have a license, you are allowed to independently transport cargo on a truck, and basic knowledge of English allows you to communicate with customers and fully manage the cargo transportation process.

A loader's earnings depend on his competence - possible income ranges from $20 to $27 per hour. In the future, you can start your own business and increase your income to $200 per day.

A professional resume in the USA as one of the keys to successful employment

If you are looking for your first job in New York without knowing English and cannot yet apply for a high-paying position, you will not need a resume. But this does not mean that it will not be useful in the future, so it is necessary to form it at the start of your career.

Below you will find some recommendations on how to write a resume in the USA:

• Avoid personal information. You should not indicate information about your marital status, nationality, number of children, or date of birth. Moreover, many employers consider even a photograph in a resume inappropriate, since it also serves as a reason for a biased assessment of the candidate.
• Write Summary. This section in a resume would be appropriate if you have significant work experience or, more relevant to this material, if you are a beginner. In our case, the “squeeze” will allow the recruiter to assess the relevance of your knowledge, skills and personal qualities.
• List your work experience in chronological order.. Please note that the last place of work should be placed at the very beginning of the list.
• Please indicate education relevant to the vacancyи. In this section, indicate the educational institution from which you graduated, as well as courses or training relevant to this position.
• When describing soft and hard skills, do not use clichésе. List the personal qualities that most accurately characterize you: do not write standard definitions like “responsible and stress-resistant.” Among your professional qualities, be sure to include knowledge of foreign languages, specifying the level.
• Write a cover letter. In it, tell us why you are interested in the vacancy in this company, why you are suitable for the position. You can also list important facts about yourself that could influence the decision about your employment.
• Make sure your resume is formatted correctly. To write it, choose the language in which the vacancy is posted. Don't create a document that is too long. Its optimal size is up to two pages. If you want to give your resume the perfect appearance, use templates.
• Keep it businesslike. And it's not just about the resume text. Give the document file an appropriate name and send itonly from work email.

Please note that the first stage of selecting a resume for work in the USA is an automatic ATS (Applicant Tracking System) check. The slightest discrepancy with the requirements will lead to the fact that your resume will never reach the recruiter’s desk.

A sample resume in the USA looks like this:

• last name and first name of the applicant;
• the position for which you are applying;
• Contact details;
• summary – “squeeze” from a resume;
• experience;
• education;
• knowledge of languages;
• professional and personal qualities;
• interests.

On the subject: How to Find a Job Fast in 2024: Tips for Creating a Modern Resume

How to find a job in New York

You can search for vacancies in New York in different ways, depending on your experience, professional skills and knowledge of the English language:

1. Finding a job using your feet.This method involves visiting potential employers who are within walking distance of you, such as supermarkets and cafes. For example, Russians can find work offline by studying advertisements on the windows and doors of New York establishments and looking into them for a personal conversation. However, the position is likely to be low-paying and physically demanding.
2. Work for Russian speakers through an agency. There are two types of agencies in the United States - Job Banks and Staffing Agencies. The former offer permanent, and the latter – temporary work. If you do not have experience and knowledge of the language, the services of Staffing Agencies are more suitable for you. However, do not think that you can only find seasonal part-time work here. There are temporary positions are designed for several years, and then they develop into permanent employment.
3. Search for vacancies through recruiters and professional communities. In the United States, it is common practice for companies to hire recruiters to select candidates for their vacancies. For newly arrived immigrants, this method of finding a job is not very relevant, since without an impressive resume they may not be of interest to headhunters. For people without experience, it is much more effective to look for work through professional communities. For example, you can join Russian-speaking self-help groups or business portals.
4. Search for work on online resources. Depending on skills, knowledge and experience, you can use various sites to find jobs in the USA. It is better to look for vacancies for qualified specialists who speak English on Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Sites like Healthecareers, StackOverFlow, and TheLadders target a highly targeted professional audience.

Have you just arrived in the country and are wondering where to look for work in the USA without experience or knowledge of the language? Then ad platforms are suitable for you - the most popular multilingual portal in the USA Bazaar Club. Here everyone can find a vacancy - regardless of profession, qualifications and level of English proficiency. Just enter “Russian Bazaar classifieds” into the search bar in your browser and you will see hundreds of vacancies across the United States, particularly in New York.

The importance of language learning and cultural understanding

If you are active looking for a job in New York, even basic knowledge of the language is a significant plus. And if you get a job as a cleaner or mover in a Russian-speaking company, this will be an undeniable advantage, because it will allow you to communicate with clients and apply for a higher position.

What can we say about skilled work, for which only knowledge of English may not be enough. Many large employers require candidates to provide a language certificate.

In the USA, there are several ways to obtain such a document:

• pass one of the language exams - IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge English Exams;
• take ESOL or ESL courses.

Note: Immigrants have the opportunity to take ESOL or ESL for free. Check out the full list of available courses here.

For successful integration into a foreign environment, only knowledge of the language is not enough - it is important to understand the cultural aspects of the country where you have arrived. Here are a few features of US business ethics that foreigners should be aware of:

• Don't complain. Unhappy with your salary? You should not discuss this with colleagues - argue the rationale for increasing the level of your pay directly to your manager. Are there any controversial issues regarding the project? In this case, also contact the management, and immediately prepare several options for solving the problem.
• Avoid talking about personal topics. Immigration status, marital status, salary are all topics that are perceived as rude and a violation of personal boundaries.
• Don't work overtime without a good reason. In the States, it is not customary to overwork - working hours are strictly monitored by the manager. If there is a need to stay late, the boss will discuss this possibility with you in advance, and overtime hours will be paid at double the rate.
• Be prepared for teamwork. American companies value communication very highly. Here everyone feels that they can count on the help of their colleagues. It is considered the norm to contact other departments to exchange experiences.
• Admit your mistakes and don't judge others. If you made a mistake, it is better to admit it in time and do everything possible to correct it. If you notice a colleague’s mistake, do not report it to your manager in an accusatory tone. It is permissible to offer options for getting out of the situation.

These simple tips will help you quickly adapt to a new workplace and organically integrate into the culture of a foreign country.

To summarize

New York is a city that offers exciting prospects for immigrants. It’s possible to find a job here even without experience or knowledge of English. If you develop and learn, you will be able to apply for a prestigious, highly paid position in the future.