Looking
For A Job
From
Nowy Dziennik, (Polish Daily News)
February 7, 2002
By Magda Gieorgica
The job market in New York City has shrunk after September 11. But the
owners of employment agencies warn that that the real crisis is just about
to begin. There are still many job offers. But do they meet our expectations?
"People without experience, those who just arrived, come here most
frequently," said Roman who works in one of the employment agencies
in Greenpoint. "We usually have many offers for them. Poles are good
employees - they are determined and hardworking - and American employers
are usually willing to hire them. Also, Polish people have lower expectations
than other nationalities in the New York. When they find a job they treasure
it and take pride in it. After all they work in America, and that in itself
mobilizes them."
"Poles come to America with certain stereotypes," said Basia,
a secretary in one of the employment agencies. "They believe in the
myth that if you just work hard you will soon make a fortune. Young women
who have seen "Pretty Woman" dream of a romance with millionaires.
So when they come to us, they want to work in a house of a rich and handsome
man, who would perhaps be willing to marry them."
Hardly any Pole who visits an employment agency is aware of the criteria
he or she must meet in order to find a well paying job.
"The most important factor is to know the language well enough to
be able to communicate," said Roman. " They dont need
to have the perfect grammar, as long as they are not afraid to speak."
Usually the better the language skills, the greater the possibility of
negotiating the pay. Most employers pay workers who dont have Social
Security between $300 to $550 a week. Besides English its also important
to have employment authorization and a drivers license. Owning a
car and work tools can increase the chances of finding the job of ones
dreams as well.
References are another important factor in the process of job hunting
in New York. Its much more difficult to find a job if one doesnt
have a piece of paper with praises and comments on how wonderful he or
she is. In that case it would be wise to ask a friend to actually write
one. After all, a recommendation from a friend is better than nothing.
"And of course we should not forget about the vigor and cleverness,
but Poles rarely lack them," said Roman.
Employment agencies offer many jobs that require physical strength. Its
not difficult to obtain them, as long as a person is willing to work and
makes a good first impression on the employer. For men, the first impression
is a matter of exposing ones muscles. Women, on the other hand,
should smile and be willing to talk.
"Construction thats the kind of job most men are interested
in," said Kasia, who works at another agency. "Winter is a difficult
time to look for a job, but once summer comes everything should be back
to normal."
Electricians, plumbers and carpenters rarely have problems with finding
employment. Also, college students who come here for the summer can easily
find a job. Its interesting that working with "muscles"
is humiliating in Poland; here students boast about it.
"Women most often look for a job as live-in housekeepers,"
said Kasia. "They think that if they find such a job, they will have
a lot of time to sleep, read newspapers and still get room and board
for free. "There is nothing further from the truth. Everything depends
on who do they work for. Its true, sometimes a woman might work
for an older lady who likes to do everything by herself, and what she
needs is a companion rather than a helper. But we had cases, when women
came to us complaining about the excessive workload which is inadequate
to their pay."
Babysitters, hairdressers, waitresses, and masseurs are some of the other
offers available to women - but such positions require skills. Therefore,
its important to receive some kind of training in those fields prior
to applying for the job.
Many Poles, however, believe that employment agencies are a waste of
time and a waste of money.
"For me job agencies are the last option," said Roman who found
a job as a construction worker two years ago. "Its better to
count on yourself or on your friends."
Often times the jobs agencies are offering are not as great as they appear.
"Besides cleaning, for example, a person may also be required to
cook, do laundry, take care of the pets and sometimes even sleep with
the employer. My wife had such an experience and she had to quit.
Americans know that Poles are very determined in looking for a job. Thats
why they sometimes set criteria which people of other nationalities cannot
meet. Also, agencies take provisions for finding a job. Its usually
a weeks pay, but sometimes they ask for a months paycheck.
Who can afford that?! Its better to look for a job on your own,"
said Roman.
Many Poles believe that its most difficult to find a job when a
person already works somewhere else.
"I am so tired after I come from work that I dont have the
strength to call people up and look for another job. I rather spend some
time with my husband and my little daughter," said Malgosia, who
has worked for a Jewish family in Queens for five years. "I am aware
that washing someones socks its not the fulfillment of dreams
of a person who has Masters degree in Polish. But I have no choice,
if I want to stay here and raise my child to be a good and educated person.
Its difficult but at least they pay me well. But I heard that many
people have lost their hope for finding a better job. A friend of mine
always jokes that if he doesnt sell his face to any
employer, the Image Bank will surely accept it."
Translated from Polish by Joanna Sufin.
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