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I'm 32 years old, went to an "Ivy League" university where I obtained a B.A. in International Relations (2003). Then, I went to live in Italy for the past ten years where I obtained a law degree (LLB, NOT JD). The Law system is totally different. I have two passports -- US and UK (EU). Due to the employment situation there, I was never able to find a meaningful or interesting job, so I spent the better part of my days teaching English (a dead end job considered by many to be for losers). I felt totally unsatisfied because the work was "below" my intellectual capacity but continued at it until I decided to return here to the US. I did manage to get a university teaching position in Rome, but unfortunately it was only a substitution and the glory was short lived -- all good things come to an end. For the last three years, I also managed to find some work in attorney' s offices as an assistant: trademark law, international law, comparative law. But all those were temporary positions. Due to the terrible unemployment situation now in Italy, I decided to return to the US and have been here since December 2012 -- living at my parent's house (unfortunately). I have been unable to get a single job here (NYC area), despite my credentials, trilingual language skills and international experience. As time passes, I get more and more frustrated and feel there is no way out - I send out my resume to dozens of Craigslist and other job site posts a day and still manage to get no response 99% of the time, having secured only two meaningful interviews since December. Is this normal?
I know it's not my resume because recruiters have told me that I have an "awesome" resume. Is it being "overqualified? Does the lack of US experience hurt me?
Perhaps it's egocentric to think that I am the only person in this situation but I do feel that the combination of factors mentioned here contributes to my sense of hopelessness. What suggestions do you have? All of this is terribly depressing and I have lost all desire to continue looking for work. Why bother if they don't even answer e-mails?
Are you only job-hunting in the NYC area? Are you willing to take a job in another part of the US if offered?
Yes, but would really prefer not to since there would be the difficulty of me not having a car or driver's license. The only "carless friendly" city here in the US is the NYC metro area or perhaps Boston and some others. I had a driver´s license but since I was abroad and never renewed it, I have to take the written and road tests all over again.
Go where the jobs are and quit fooling around. Houston TX is booming and you will find a decent job there so move.
In my field, totsuka? There aren't too many choices, anywhere, for paralegals with my particular background. I'll try sending my resume to Houston options, but they seem as limited as NYC postings on job sites.
philly is a decent place to live car-free. the job market might not be so hot, though. portland, the san francisco bay area, chicago, and seattle as well. actually it would probably be easier to list the large cities that you CAN'T get around without a car.
i don't know much about the legal field but i know that my friends with law degrees have an incredibly hard time finding work. and yes, being trained in italian law doesn't seem like it would help you much in the u.s.
it's really hard to stay positive when you're looking in this market, no matter what your situation. all the rejection is hard to take. all i can say is keep trying. also, there is some good advice here: if you’re not getting interviews, read this
you say you've gotten good feedback on your resume, but what about your cover letters?
I know a few people who get around great in San Fran without a car, and it's a great city. I would check into that and Chicago in a heartbeat. Can't hurt to look.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I too know recent law school graduates working for minimum wage, many doing work previously done by paralegals. Seems like the best way to leverage your unique experience is to target companies that do international trade. That means big software companies, airlines and jet manufacturers, oil companies,
auto manufacturers. Italy is not exactly on the top 10 list but Boeing had a parts supplier there, and there's plenty of Italian wine being imported.
Yes, but would really prefer not to since there would be the difficulty of me not having a car or driver's license. The only "carless friendly" city here in the US is the NYC metro area or perhaps Boston and some others. I had a driver´s license but since I was abroad and never renewed it, I have to take the written and road tests all over again.
This should be priority #1 in that case.
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