Career advice for Software QA/Test Engr with a year gap (applying, interviews)

[talijay]

I worked for 4 years in an IT/software company in Philippines and left my job to relocate here in CA, US last May 2010, I'm a permanent resident and have a green card.

Since then, I didn't get hired. I posted my resume on different online job boards like monster, careerbuilder and dice, I do get a lot of calls especially from job agencies, saying that they got a job opportunity that fits my profile, and that they will submit my resume to their client. But after that, I don't hear again from the recruiter, and when I follow up, they say it's either that position is already filled up or they didn't got response from the client.

I did got some interviews, some didn't went very well, where the interviewer were asking about skills and experiences that I don't have. But some, I believe went very well, where I answered the questions properly and the skills and experiences they were looking really fits mine. But still, I didn't get the job offer.

I think it has something to do that I don't have a working experience here in US, that leaves a negative feedback to employers. And now that it's more than a year that I'm not working, the gap is also an issue.

I self studied for a Software testing certification (ASTQB), and got certified last April 2011, but looks like it didn't helped finding me a job. I also applied to entry level/jr level positions, but got no response from employers.

What should I do now? Should I just go to school to learn more and probably get a job once I finish it? (by the way, I have a BS electronics engineer degree in Philippines). Should i get a labor job so I can get a working experience in states?

Can someone please help me or give me advice?

[gnomatic]

Originally Posted by talijay

I worked for 4 years in an IT/software company in Philippines and left my job to relocate here in CA, US last May 2010, I'm a permanent resident and have a green card.

Since then, I didn't get hired. I posted my resume on different online job boards like monster, careerbuilder and dice, I do get a lot of calls especially from job agencies, saying that they got a job opportunity that fits my profile, and that they will submit my resume to their client. But after that, I don't hear again from the recruiter, and when I follow up, they say it's either that position is already filled up or they didn't got response from the client.

I did got some interviews, some didn't went very well, where the interviewer were asking about skills and experiences that I don't have. But some, I believe went very well, where I answered the questions properly and the skills and experiences they were looking really fits mine. But still, I didn't get the job offer.

I think it has something to do that I don't have a working experience here in US, that leaves a negative feedback to employers. And now that it's more than a year that I'm not working, the gap is also an issue.

I self studied for a Software testing certification (ASTQB), and got certified last April 2011, but looks like it didn't helped finding me a job. I also applied to entry level/jr level positions, but got no response from employers.

What should I do now? Should I just go to school to learn more and probably get a job once I finish it? (by the way, I have a BS electronics engineer degree in Philippines). Should i get a labor job so I can get a working experience in states?

Can someone please help me or give me advice?

Where in CA are you located? Location could be one problem...

As you found out, certification for software testing doesn't matter much. I think part of the problem could be you are applying for entry level positions when you have 4 years experience. You might be out of the running for those position just because you do have the experience.

But for more senior positions, it's almost all about networking. So you are at a disadvantage there too. Does your school have an U.S. alumni chapter that you can tap into? Do you have your profile up in linkedin?

Going to school to update your skills set could be an option, but do it at somewhere that have a good internship and/or alumni program (don't do it at a for profit school).

The problem isn't that you don't have US work experience, you don't have relevant US work experience (and more importantly the connections).

[talijay]

Originally Posted by gnomatic

Where in CA are you located? Location could be one problem...

As you found out, certification for software testing doesn't matter much. I think part of the problem could be you are applying for entry level positions when you have 4 years experience. You might be out of the running for those position just because you do have the experience.

But for more senior positions, it's almost all about networking. So you are at a disadvantage there too. Does your school have an U.S. alumni chapter that you can tap into? Do you have your profile up in linkedin?

Going to school to update your skills set could be an option, but do it at somewhere that have a good internship and/or alumni program (don't do it at a for profit school).

The problem isn't that you don't have US work experience, you don't have relevant US work experience (and more importantly the connections).

I'm in fontana, about 50mi away from LA. I've also mentioned with the recruiters that called me that relocation is not a problem and that I'm willing to relocate.

Yup, I have a linkedin profile, but it was just recently that I created my profile, about 3 months ago.

Actually it was just lately that I applied for entry level positions, I have also applied for mid level and senior positions, but I guess your right, I don't have connections on the companies that I'm applying for and don't have the relevant US work experience.

I believe my school has an alumni chapter here in states, let me look into it..

Thanks for the advice!