It is not easy changing careers in any job. New environment plus change in scenery, new people to meet and become friends with, maybe even a new go to / come back from work time schedule. Ether way it's a change and everyone goes through changes. If you are looking for that new change I think I'll be able to help you out.
The World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) is one of those careers that you might steer away from because of the 6 foot plus giants whose arms are bigger than your legs and the female wrestlers who could probably drop you without any hesitation. I'll admit it, there intimidating, but that is what draws the fans to watch wrestling day in and day. It is nothing you see very often and it draws you in. This should be a good reason for you to change careers to be apart of this experience of a life time.
The WWE offers a variety of opportunities that anyone with the right kind of experience and the drive to be successful can soon call this one heck of a career that you will not want to ever leave. From sales to facilities, marketing to media, there is not a job that you can not get here. If you do decide to become part of the greatest entertainment business on the planet, you fell great about yourself because you accomplished something that someone from your old job could never do.
This is not your typical job ether. Depending on what field you go into you could be working in New York, Connecticut, or even apart of the wrestling shows where you travel all over the planet (US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and even visit the troops in the Middle East). You could be traveling to places you only wished about going to and learning new cultures.
Friday, 27 February 2009
The New New York
It was recently reported that the importance of New York City as the center of world finance may be diminishing, to be replaced by other international cities. Tokyo, London, and Hong Kong all seem to be growing in importance and stature, as New York declines. The high profile and very visible struggles of Wall Street seem to have started the slide. But what does this really mean for America?
Right now it's probably more symbolic than anything, unless you live or work in New York City itself. As the Wall Street giants lay off people or go out of business altogether, their legions of multimillion dollar employees will undoubtedly wind up underemployed with far lower incomes. Smaller New York businesses will be forced to lay off service workers, all of which will combine to affect the New York City economy. On a national scale however, the decline of New York as a world financial Center may not be that critical.
What might be more important are the implications of this symbolic shift of power. The United States has long been considered to be the center of the global economy. With American unemployment at a 14 year high, with Wall Street and Detroit seeking billions of dollars in bailout money, and with the new administration trying desperately to jumpstart the economy, things might be changing.
Experts seem to agree that things are going to get much worse before they get any better. For anyone in the world who works for a living, things are tough and getting tougher. Anybody who is concerned about their financial future-which should be everybody-needs to be thinking today about alternatives and solutions to cope with the coming hard economic times.
Despite the fact that New York's decline as the center of power for world finance may be symbolic, the implications are real. People everywhere must face the realities, and provide for their own financial futures, particularly because nobody else is going to step up and do it. If you have a sound and comprehensive financial plan in place that will enable you to survive the coming hard times, the time to start is implementing it is now. Do some online research and identify potential opportunities that will enable you to generate an income should you lose your job, and to preserve your wealth as financial conditions deteriorate.
What happens in New York might not be your problem, but it seems to indicate that things are going to get a lot worse before they get any better. Be proactive and act to preserve your future now.
Right now it's probably more symbolic than anything, unless you live or work in New York City itself. As the Wall Street giants lay off people or go out of business altogether, their legions of multimillion dollar employees will undoubtedly wind up underemployed with far lower incomes. Smaller New York businesses will be forced to lay off service workers, all of which will combine to affect the New York City economy. On a national scale however, the decline of New York as a world financial Center may not be that critical.
What might be more important are the implications of this symbolic shift of power. The United States has long been considered to be the center of the global economy. With American unemployment at a 14 year high, with Wall Street and Detroit seeking billions of dollars in bailout money, and with the new administration trying desperately to jumpstart the economy, things might be changing.
Experts seem to agree that things are going to get much worse before they get any better. For anyone in the world who works for a living, things are tough and getting tougher. Anybody who is concerned about their financial future-which should be everybody-needs to be thinking today about alternatives and solutions to cope with the coming hard economic times.
Despite the fact that New York's decline as the center of power for world finance may be symbolic, the implications are real. People everywhere must face the realities, and provide for their own financial futures, particularly because nobody else is going to step up and do it. If you have a sound and comprehensive financial plan in place that will enable you to survive the coming hard times, the time to start is implementing it is now. Do some online research and identify potential opportunities that will enable you to generate an income should you lose your job, and to preserve your wealth as financial conditions deteriorate.
What happens in New York might not be your problem, but it seems to indicate that things are going to get a lot worse before they get any better. Be proactive and act to preserve your future now.
The American Dream
It appears that the nation is in for some drastic government action in order to "save the economy." No American can doubt that the economy is experiencing the greatest recession since World War Two. I believe this crisis will be remembered as our generation's "great depression." There will not be bread lines or Hoovervilles because of the social safety net. Yet I do hope that this will awaken in all Americans, including the politicians of both parties, the notion that there is no free ride.
President-elect Obama and Congress have a once-in-a-century chance to fix our endemic problems. Programs from Social Security to healthcare to subsidy-driven industry that are mortgaging our children's and grandchildren's futures need to be reviewed and solved. For more than 30 years, our citizens have both collectively and individually lived far beyond our economic circumstances. President Hoover promised a chicken for every pot and our modern-day politicians promise a 72-inch flat screen in every home. Even war against an implacable foe like Iraq demands no blood, sweat, and tears from the general public. We are told, instead, to spend our way out of the problem.
Our elected officials set up false dichotomies between "Main Street" and "Wall Street", suggesting there is a difference. While demonizing the institutions that created the financial ruin, our Congress and President then vote hundreds of billions of dollars to save those very institutions from their sins without demanding any accountability regarding how those funds are used. Under our current system of free enterprise, a bank, a brokerage house or a car company can screws up and be allowed to stay in business by government infusion of money. This money, our money, is given to these large institutions, usually with no strings, under the auspices of saving the jobs of working men and women. Conversely, the small business owner quickly disappears because there is no safety net for him.
Most Americans work for small businesses or, more and more frequently now, simply as independent contractors with no benefits and are required to pay the full percentage of the payroll tax for Social Security and Medicare. They do not have access to the army of lobbyists that banks, brokerage houses and car companies do. What the government has done to date during this crisis is borrowed hundreds of billions of dollars from China and other nations to bail out these big "American companies" and given the bill to future generations of our citizens.
I do not know whether this is the right thing to do or not do. Only time will tell. I do know that if Obama, Pelosi, and Reid continue on the same path as every U.S. administration and Congress has for the past thirty years, then we are doomed to becoming a third rate power. The status quo is not acceptable. We, the American people, must be willing to sacrifice some materialistic things today for the good and future of our nation. It is time for a reckoning for all of us, and it is incumbent upon the Congress to take the lead on these changes. Let's hope the bills they present will be carefully crafted to address the immediate urgent problems we face and not be packed with million of dollars of pet projects for their districts. We need to take a realistic assessment of what we can afford to buy both as a nation and as individuals.
President-elect Obama and Congress have a once-in-a-century chance to fix our endemic problems. Programs from Social Security to healthcare to subsidy-driven industry that are mortgaging our children's and grandchildren's futures need to be reviewed and solved. For more than 30 years, our citizens have both collectively and individually lived far beyond our economic circumstances. President Hoover promised a chicken for every pot and our modern-day politicians promise a 72-inch flat screen in every home. Even war against an implacable foe like Iraq demands no blood, sweat, and tears from the general public. We are told, instead, to spend our way out of the problem.
Our elected officials set up false dichotomies between "Main Street" and "Wall Street", suggesting there is a difference. While demonizing the institutions that created the financial ruin, our Congress and President then vote hundreds of billions of dollars to save those very institutions from their sins without demanding any accountability regarding how those funds are used. Under our current system of free enterprise, a bank, a brokerage house or a car company can screws up and be allowed to stay in business by government infusion of money. This money, our money, is given to these large institutions, usually with no strings, under the auspices of saving the jobs of working men and women. Conversely, the small business owner quickly disappears because there is no safety net for him.
Most Americans work for small businesses or, more and more frequently now, simply as independent contractors with no benefits and are required to pay the full percentage of the payroll tax for Social Security and Medicare. They do not have access to the army of lobbyists that banks, brokerage houses and car companies do. What the government has done to date during this crisis is borrowed hundreds of billions of dollars from China and other nations to bail out these big "American companies" and given the bill to future generations of our citizens.
I do not know whether this is the right thing to do or not do. Only time will tell. I do know that if Obama, Pelosi, and Reid continue on the same path as every U.S. administration and Congress has for the past thirty years, then we are doomed to becoming a third rate power. The status quo is not acceptable. We, the American people, must be willing to sacrifice some materialistic things today for the good and future of our nation. It is time for a reckoning for all of us, and it is incumbent upon the Congress to take the lead on these changes. Let's hope the bills they present will be carefully crafted to address the immediate urgent problems we face and not be packed with million of dollars of pet projects for their districts. We need to take a realistic assessment of what we can afford to buy both as a nation and as individuals.
Travel & Work in NYC
Foreign students travel to United States for summer employment through companies such as InterExchange and others like it. Here are the basics regarding your sponsor, working, finding a new job, and finding a place to live.
Don't Be Scared Of Every Little Threat
First thing I must strongly emphasize is that there is a difference between what InterExchange (or your equivalent) says you can and can not do and reality. The same applies for all the technicalities the Law. On the other hand don't mess with the Law in the United States they don't give much (if any) mercy to foreigners. Very importantly...KNOW THE LAW, but also know how strongly each law is enforced.
Your Sponsor
As a student on a work/travel visa theoretically you are supposed to come into this country with a sponsor, and a work contract. A sponsor is the individual or company that is obligated to give you work, and you are supposed to work for them.
Choosing to stick to your sponsor is a very safe thing to do especially if you don't have any cash to start out with. In many cases it is the best thing to do, but there are downfalls. If you choose never to work with your sponsor I recommend calling them and say so. If you don't....your sponsor mite start looking for you. They may contact InterExchange or Immigration. Then you could have problems... your visa may be automatically terminated or worse. On the other hand, you have a legal contract with your employer saying that you will be working for them. If your employer REALLY needs YOU then he/she may say "Hey, we have a contract. If you don't come to work I'll call the proper authorities". In that case, go work with your sponsor, but chances of that happening are low.
-Pros: With a sponsor you are guaranteed a job, and probably a place to live. With a slow economy it's hard to find both on your own. Even many native citizens don't have it as good as you do, so appreciate it!
-Cons: With a sponsor you pay will be lower then if you find a job on your own. That's why they hire you, your cheep labor. Also your sponsor may not be in the place you want to be. You mite be stuck on an island for 4 months.
FACT: Getting paid without being taxed is illegal in the United States, often called getting paid "under the table". When you get paid in cash and not being taxed you're getting paid under the table. Even though it's illegal MANY establishments do this and this goes back to what I said before, Don't Be Scared of Every Little Threat.
FACT: Every state has something called "Minimum Wage"; it's the minimum you're supposed to get paid per/hour. It doesn't matter that your a foreigner, your supposed to get at least minimum wage, but this does not apply to jobs based on tips like waiters, or if your getting paid under the table. The minimum wage for the state you work in can be found online.
On Your Own
This article is really meant to survive New York City as a summer work/travel student.... there are some essential things to know both from an insider and someone with experience.
When you come to the United States there are some things that are simply elementary to function normally, other then getting a job and a place to live.
Essentials
1. SAVE EVERYTHING - America is a very paper based country - Contracts, bills, documents, recites, emails, and messages...SAVE IT you will need it later
2. GET A CELL PHONE
-Why do you need it: Even though it will cost you a bit of money...it will be well worth it.
-How to get it: If you're in the states for only 4 months or less get a PAY-AS-YOU-GO plan. You'll get a SIM card to put in your phone and you'll add money to your account regularly. You'll need it!!! Life without a cell phone in New York is almost impossible and very dangerous. P.S. SAVE ALL THE PAPERS THEY GIVE YOU!!
3. GET A BANK ACCOUNT -
-Why you need it: A bank as you well know is the place where you keep your money, but its one of the few ways for you to also get your money if you're getting paid by check. You put your check in the bank then you could use the money you earned. Also a bank account can help you in many other ways as well...You'll get a bank card that can be used like a credit card so you don't need to carry cash, you can buy things online, and if it gets stolen all you need to do is report it stolen before anyone uses it and you wont lose any money. If you get cash stolen... well then you just get cash stolen. Also a bank statement....a paper the banks sends to you telling how much money you have is proof that you have money...you may need that....if your finding a good place to live.
-How to get it: To open up a bank account just go to a bank when its open and tell them you want to open us a new checking account, bring all your papers with you... including your documents...opening a bank account could take some time so do it in the morning.
P.S. Don't be afraid of asking the banker anything...like HOW DO I PUT MY CHECKS IN THE BANK? They get paid enough to help you properly.
Finding a job: Your Resume
What is a resume: A resume is a single piece of paper saying your name, how to contact you, your job history, your education, your job skills, and what you want (which is a job). A resume is strictly standard in America; don't bother looking for a job without one, even if you're just going to be washing dishes.
How to use it: When you start looking for a job the fist thing the boss sea's is your resume, and then he'll decide if it's worth seeing you again. SO YOU BETTER MAKE IT CLEAR AND LOOK NICE.
What a Resume Looks Like: No point in describing a resume...the best thing to do is look at examples. Microsoft Word gives some beautiful examples that you can just download and adjust to fit your own needs. Your resume should be no less then the ones Microsoft Word has. I suggest a chronological resume if you never made one before.
Finding a Job: Certificates and Professional Training
Here is something that not many J-1 students are told about.
If your English is good...or even so-so and you could survive for about 2 weeks with just a part time job then here is a piece of golden advice.
GET A CERTIFICATE IN SOMETHING!!!! A certificate is saying that you have been trained or are specialized to do a certain task. As I said before, America is all about paper. You got a paper saying you could do something, and then you're ahead of the game.
A common thing to get a certificate in or a license is BARTENDING. You'll notice quickly how badly bartenders are needed in New York; some don't even need to be experienced. NOTE: BARTENDERS MAKE A LOT OF MONEY!!!
Finding a Job: Where to look in New York City
Now this is a biggie.....it all really depends on what you want to do....what you can do....how much money you need to make...how much you're willing to suffer to make that money.
One thing I must tell you is that finding a job on your own in New York City is NOT EASY, on average you'll need to go to about 50 places to get at least 2 calls back.
Also the places to find a job depends whether you're a girl or a guy..... For example, a guy can quickly find a job as a rickshaw in Manhattan and a girl can quickly find a job as a strip tease dancer in...Almost anywhere.
Top places to find a job:
1. Craigslist.com - craigslist.com is the number 1 place students find jobs and place to live... it's a big site and has lots of great stuff. For a job go to jobs, and start looking for everything and everything but don't go pretending you're a nuclear scientists. You'll be emailing resume or going to the place that needs employees, bring your resume.
2. Newspaper - whether your Russian, Polish, Spanish, or Chinese, New York City has a local newspaper in your language....find it. It has lots of job ads. You could call the newspaper and find out how to post your own ad, most of the time it's for free. Also most of the newspapers have a web site where you could find even more job ads and post your own.
3. Walk around - make 100 copies of your resume, pick a busy area... and GO.... don't leave any stone unturned, walk into every store, office, business, EVERYWHERE. Ask them if they are hiring, and give them your resume, try to catch the manager. Most importantly, if they tell you to come back when the manager or owner arrives then DO IT. Your goal is for your resume to reach the manager, or better for YOU to reach the manager!! Don't be discouraged if you only get 1 or 2 calls back, that's normal. They all take résumé's even when they're not hiring, and sometimes they lie and say they're not hiring, take your resume and call you the next day. This is why you need your CELL PHONE ... for the 'call back'. Very rarely will they tell you that you got the job right away, they make you wait, you gotta wait for the 'call back'... don't ask me why.
4. Job Agencies - If you're really need to find a job fast then you could go to a job agency. A job agency is an organization that will find a job for you. The only drawback is that you will need to give them your first paycheck.
Tips: Nobody has to know that your here for just the summer, giving them that information will only decrease your chances of getting hired.
Fact: '2 week notice'If you're getting paid by check, or cash but still being taxed then there something called a "2 week notice". It means that you must tell that you quite at least 2 weeks in advance in writing. With this said, know that your employer must tell you 2 weeks in ahead that you are fired. This is made so that the employer has time to find a replacement and the employee has time to find a new job.
Finding a Job: Training
For almost any job in America there is something called a training period. Basically, they make you work and pay you very little until they decide to hire you. During this training period you better give it your all. Ask the other employees and your boss how long the training period lasts, and make sure you get paid PROPERLY afterwards.
CAUTION: A VERY typical scam (especially on Brighton Beach) is this, the owner takes you in for training buy never having the intension of hiring you....you work your butt off for two weeks and get very little. In those two weeks the owner has time to find someone else. Your two weeks are up expecting to get hired for the fantastic job you have been doing and he tells you you're fired, all because he has someone new ready and eager to do a good job for another two weeks and get paid pennies. BE CAREFUL
Place to live
The cost of living in New York is very expensive...VERY EXPENSIVE. Paying for rent will take out a big portion of your paycheck. Also the place you work and the place you live should be close to each other. New York has different neighborhoods and each has its own ethnic flavor and price. Finding a decent place too live can be even harder then a place to work, but its not that hard to find at least something.
The Lease
IMPORTANT: - Usually when people rent an apartment or a home they get a lease. A lease is a legal contract saying, I will live here for and X amount of time (usually in 6 month increments) and will pay Y per month. It also says what happens if you don't have the rent in time, and if you want to leave early. Unlike the InterExchange contract the chances of the owner saying "OK, don't worry I'll find someone else live here" are ZERO. If you get a lease READ it carefully before signing it, but I don't recommend getting one at all.
A lease is good if you intend of staying there for the whole period of the lease, and no one will give you a lease for only 4 months, (6 months,yes).
Safety Deposit (or just Deposit)
You usually have to make one payment extra when you rent a place. This is called the Safety Deposit, if you don't do anything stupid like break the windows you'll get it back when you leave.
Place to live: The 5 boroughs
An oversimplified description of each neighborhood is below.
Manhattan: VERY EXPENSIVE
Staten Island: VERY EXPENSIVE
Brooklyn: Depends on the neighborhood, from Moderate to Expensive
Queens: Depends on the neighborhood, from Cheep to Very Expensive
Bronx: Cheep BUT very dangerous!!!! EXTREMELY HIGH MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERY, and ASSAULT rate.
Place to live: Where to look
The places to find a job and a place to live are almost one of the same
1. Craigslist.com - it's very easy to find a place to live on craigslist, much easier then a job.
2. News Paper - Your ethnic newspaper will have lots of cheep places to live.
3. Relaters - Just like Job agencies they will find a place for you to live.... and probably a good one with a good price, but they will want one months rent in return.
Place to live: Tips:
There are some things that can help you find you a place to live and some things that can hinder. Keep them in mind when looking for a place.
1. Some places require proof that you have money, or a job with a large enough paycheck. If you have some money to start then this is when your bank statement comes in handy. That piece of paper from the bank telling you how much money you have on the account. You can also use your paycheck as proof, if you just got a job and haven't gotten a paycheck yet ask your boss if it's ok to give the home owner his contact information to confirm that you have a job.
2. Decide early if you'll get your own apartment, or just a room. The price difference can be huge...but not always.
3. No owner wants young college students to live in their house....from an outside perspective here are some keywords that pop up in their mind.
-Drugs, sex, alcohol, messy, loud, wont be able to pay the rent, and if you're foreign it doesn't make the situation any better.
Don't do anything to encourage those words in their heads.
4. If your by yourself then chances of finding a room are good (if your a girl is even better), if your a few friends or a couple then the chances of finding a room are worse, your better off looking for a studio right away.
Last Pieces of Advice
Make friends - Reading this whole article and following every step above is probably not as important as this one little piece of advice. Be open to everyone; don't discriminate by race or anything at all. You'll never know who'll be there for you when you need it most.
Always appreciate the kindness of strangers - New Yorkers are rood, obnoxious, mean, etc...But every now and then you'll meat some very good people, don't push them away.
Little **** - Little Italy, China Town, Little Odessa, Little Korea etc find your cultural nitch in New York. At the same time don't stay there too long. These places are like capsules in time unaffected by the outside world. They have a negative attitude and have a skewed view of America. People get stuck there for 50 years and still don't know a word of English.
America- Stick to Americans, you'll be better off, they know better on how to survive this country. Preferably an educated one, not the local drug dealer.
Good Luck!!
Don't Be Scared Of Every Little Threat
First thing I must strongly emphasize is that there is a difference between what InterExchange (or your equivalent) says you can and can not do and reality. The same applies for all the technicalities the Law. On the other hand don't mess with the Law in the United States they don't give much (if any) mercy to foreigners. Very importantly...KNOW THE LAW, but also know how strongly each law is enforced.
Your Sponsor
As a student on a work/travel visa theoretically you are supposed to come into this country with a sponsor, and a work contract. A sponsor is the individual or company that is obligated to give you work, and you are supposed to work for them.
Choosing to stick to your sponsor is a very safe thing to do especially if you don't have any cash to start out with. In many cases it is the best thing to do, but there are downfalls. If you choose never to work with your sponsor I recommend calling them and say so. If you don't....your sponsor mite start looking for you. They may contact InterExchange or Immigration. Then you could have problems... your visa may be automatically terminated or worse. On the other hand, you have a legal contract with your employer saying that you will be working for them. If your employer REALLY needs YOU then he/she may say "Hey, we have a contract. If you don't come to work I'll call the proper authorities". In that case, go work with your sponsor, but chances of that happening are low.
-Pros: With a sponsor you are guaranteed a job, and probably a place to live. With a slow economy it's hard to find both on your own. Even many native citizens don't have it as good as you do, so appreciate it!
-Cons: With a sponsor you pay will be lower then if you find a job on your own. That's why they hire you, your cheep labor. Also your sponsor may not be in the place you want to be. You mite be stuck on an island for 4 months.
FACT: Getting paid without being taxed is illegal in the United States, often called getting paid "under the table". When you get paid in cash and not being taxed you're getting paid under the table. Even though it's illegal MANY establishments do this and this goes back to what I said before, Don't Be Scared of Every Little Threat.
FACT: Every state has something called "Minimum Wage"; it's the minimum you're supposed to get paid per/hour. It doesn't matter that your a foreigner, your supposed to get at least minimum wage, but this does not apply to jobs based on tips like waiters, or if your getting paid under the table. The minimum wage for the state you work in can be found online.
On Your Own
This article is really meant to survive New York City as a summer work/travel student.... there are some essential things to know both from an insider and someone with experience.
When you come to the United States there are some things that are simply elementary to function normally, other then getting a job and a place to live.
Essentials
1. SAVE EVERYTHING - America is a very paper based country - Contracts, bills, documents, recites, emails, and messages...SAVE IT you will need it later
2. GET A CELL PHONE
-Why do you need it: Even though it will cost you a bit of money...it will be well worth it.
-How to get it: If you're in the states for only 4 months or less get a PAY-AS-YOU-GO plan. You'll get a SIM card to put in your phone and you'll add money to your account regularly. You'll need it!!! Life without a cell phone in New York is almost impossible and very dangerous. P.S. SAVE ALL THE PAPERS THEY GIVE YOU!!
3. GET A BANK ACCOUNT -
-Why you need it: A bank as you well know is the place where you keep your money, but its one of the few ways for you to also get your money if you're getting paid by check. You put your check in the bank then you could use the money you earned. Also a bank account can help you in many other ways as well...You'll get a bank card that can be used like a credit card so you don't need to carry cash, you can buy things online, and if it gets stolen all you need to do is report it stolen before anyone uses it and you wont lose any money. If you get cash stolen... well then you just get cash stolen. Also a bank statement....a paper the banks sends to you telling how much money you have is proof that you have money...you may need that....if your finding a good place to live.
-How to get it: To open up a bank account just go to a bank when its open and tell them you want to open us a new checking account, bring all your papers with you... including your documents...opening a bank account could take some time so do it in the morning.
P.S. Don't be afraid of asking the banker anything...like HOW DO I PUT MY CHECKS IN THE BANK? They get paid enough to help you properly.
Finding a job: Your Resume
What is a resume: A resume is a single piece of paper saying your name, how to contact you, your job history, your education, your job skills, and what you want (which is a job). A resume is strictly standard in America; don't bother looking for a job without one, even if you're just going to be washing dishes.
How to use it: When you start looking for a job the fist thing the boss sea's is your resume, and then he'll decide if it's worth seeing you again. SO YOU BETTER MAKE IT CLEAR AND LOOK NICE.
What a Resume Looks Like: No point in describing a resume...the best thing to do is look at examples. Microsoft Word gives some beautiful examples that you can just download and adjust to fit your own needs. Your resume should be no less then the ones Microsoft Word has. I suggest a chronological resume if you never made one before.
Finding a Job: Certificates and Professional Training
Here is something that not many J-1 students are told about.
If your English is good...or even so-so and you could survive for about 2 weeks with just a part time job then here is a piece of golden advice.
GET A CERTIFICATE IN SOMETHING!!!! A certificate is saying that you have been trained or are specialized to do a certain task. As I said before, America is all about paper. You got a paper saying you could do something, and then you're ahead of the game.
A common thing to get a certificate in or a license is BARTENDING. You'll notice quickly how badly bartenders are needed in New York; some don't even need to be experienced. NOTE: BARTENDERS MAKE A LOT OF MONEY!!!
Finding a Job: Where to look in New York City
Now this is a biggie.....it all really depends on what you want to do....what you can do....how much money you need to make...how much you're willing to suffer to make that money.
One thing I must tell you is that finding a job on your own in New York City is NOT EASY, on average you'll need to go to about 50 places to get at least 2 calls back.
Also the places to find a job depends whether you're a girl or a guy..... For example, a guy can quickly find a job as a rickshaw in Manhattan and a girl can quickly find a job as a strip tease dancer in...Almost anywhere.
Top places to find a job:
1. Craigslist.com - craigslist.com is the number 1 place students find jobs and place to live... it's a big site and has lots of great stuff. For a job go to jobs, and start looking for everything and everything but don't go pretending you're a nuclear scientists. You'll be emailing resume or going to the place that needs employees, bring your resume.
2. Newspaper - whether your Russian, Polish, Spanish, or Chinese, New York City has a local newspaper in your language....find it. It has lots of job ads. You could call the newspaper and find out how to post your own ad, most of the time it's for free. Also most of the newspapers have a web site where you could find even more job ads and post your own.
3. Walk around - make 100 copies of your resume, pick a busy area... and GO.... don't leave any stone unturned, walk into every store, office, business, EVERYWHERE. Ask them if they are hiring, and give them your resume, try to catch the manager. Most importantly, if they tell you to come back when the manager or owner arrives then DO IT. Your goal is for your resume to reach the manager, or better for YOU to reach the manager!! Don't be discouraged if you only get 1 or 2 calls back, that's normal. They all take résumé's even when they're not hiring, and sometimes they lie and say they're not hiring, take your resume and call you the next day. This is why you need your CELL PHONE ... for the 'call back'. Very rarely will they tell you that you got the job right away, they make you wait, you gotta wait for the 'call back'... don't ask me why.
4. Job Agencies - If you're really need to find a job fast then you could go to a job agency. A job agency is an organization that will find a job for you. The only drawback is that you will need to give them your first paycheck.
Tips: Nobody has to know that your here for just the summer, giving them that information will only decrease your chances of getting hired.
Fact: '2 week notice'If you're getting paid by check, or cash but still being taxed then there something called a "2 week notice". It means that you must tell that you quite at least 2 weeks in advance in writing. With this said, know that your employer must tell you 2 weeks in ahead that you are fired. This is made so that the employer has time to find a replacement and the employee has time to find a new job.
Finding a Job: Training
For almost any job in America there is something called a training period. Basically, they make you work and pay you very little until they decide to hire you. During this training period you better give it your all. Ask the other employees and your boss how long the training period lasts, and make sure you get paid PROPERLY afterwards.
CAUTION: A VERY typical scam (especially on Brighton Beach) is this, the owner takes you in for training buy never having the intension of hiring you....you work your butt off for two weeks and get very little. In those two weeks the owner has time to find someone else. Your two weeks are up expecting to get hired for the fantastic job you have been doing and he tells you you're fired, all because he has someone new ready and eager to do a good job for another two weeks and get paid pennies. BE CAREFUL
Place to live
The cost of living in New York is very expensive...VERY EXPENSIVE. Paying for rent will take out a big portion of your paycheck. Also the place you work and the place you live should be close to each other. New York has different neighborhoods and each has its own ethnic flavor and price. Finding a decent place too live can be even harder then a place to work, but its not that hard to find at least something.
The Lease
IMPORTANT: - Usually when people rent an apartment or a home they get a lease. A lease is a legal contract saying, I will live here for and X amount of time (usually in 6 month increments) and will pay Y per month. It also says what happens if you don't have the rent in time, and if you want to leave early. Unlike the InterExchange contract the chances of the owner saying "OK, don't worry I'll find someone else live here" are ZERO. If you get a lease READ it carefully before signing it, but I don't recommend getting one at all.
A lease is good if you intend of staying there for the whole period of the lease, and no one will give you a lease for only 4 months, (6 months,yes).
Safety Deposit (or just Deposit)
You usually have to make one payment extra when you rent a place. This is called the Safety Deposit, if you don't do anything stupid like break the windows you'll get it back when you leave.
Place to live: The 5 boroughs
An oversimplified description of each neighborhood is below.
Manhattan: VERY EXPENSIVE
Staten Island: VERY EXPENSIVE
Brooklyn: Depends on the neighborhood, from Moderate to Expensive
Queens: Depends on the neighborhood, from Cheep to Very Expensive
Bronx: Cheep BUT very dangerous!!!! EXTREMELY HIGH MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERY, and ASSAULT rate.
Place to live: Where to look
The places to find a job and a place to live are almost one of the same
1. Craigslist.com - it's very easy to find a place to live on craigslist, much easier then a job.
2. News Paper - Your ethnic newspaper will have lots of cheep places to live.
3. Relaters - Just like Job agencies they will find a place for you to live.... and probably a good one with a good price, but they will want one months rent in return.
Place to live: Tips:
There are some things that can help you find you a place to live and some things that can hinder. Keep them in mind when looking for a place.
1. Some places require proof that you have money, or a job with a large enough paycheck. If you have some money to start then this is when your bank statement comes in handy. That piece of paper from the bank telling you how much money you have on the account. You can also use your paycheck as proof, if you just got a job and haven't gotten a paycheck yet ask your boss if it's ok to give the home owner his contact information to confirm that you have a job.
2. Decide early if you'll get your own apartment, or just a room. The price difference can be huge...but not always.
3. No owner wants young college students to live in their house....from an outside perspective here are some keywords that pop up in their mind.
-Drugs, sex, alcohol, messy, loud, wont be able to pay the rent, and if you're foreign it doesn't make the situation any better.
Don't do anything to encourage those words in their heads.
4. If your by yourself then chances of finding a room are good (if your a girl is even better), if your a few friends or a couple then the chances of finding a room are worse, your better off looking for a studio right away.
Last Pieces of Advice
Make friends - Reading this whole article and following every step above is probably not as important as this one little piece of advice. Be open to everyone; don't discriminate by race or anything at all. You'll never know who'll be there for you when you need it most.
Always appreciate the kindness of strangers - New Yorkers are rood, obnoxious, mean, etc...But every now and then you'll meat some very good people, don't push them away.
Little **** - Little Italy, China Town, Little Odessa, Little Korea etc find your cultural nitch in New York. At the same time don't stay there too long. These places are like capsules in time unaffected by the outside world. They have a negative attitude and have a skewed view of America. People get stuck there for 50 years and still don't know a word of English.
America- Stick to Americans, you'll be better off, they know better on how to survive this country. Preferably an educated one, not the local drug dealer.
Good Luck!!
The Place to be in NYC
A pint of chilled bear is what you need after a long tiring day. A cool, classy bar can be the best place to forget all your work tensions. The NYC has a lot of such bars that serve the best drinks and perfect environment to relax. The calm and peaceful surroundings with a perfect company can be the best way to unwind.
The bars in New York mostly open after sunset and close only after dawn. A lot of bars are very famous among the working people who like to visit these places after work. Some of them are:
Sutton Place: The décor of this club is very simple. Around fifteen TV's and 4 projectors are installed that attracts a lot of working class to relax and watch channels like sports and news. This place serves a lot of great drinks at reasonable prices and the quiet atmosphere allows people to forget all their tensions.
Merc Bar: The crowd in this bar is fantastic. The couches in the bar are the best place to sit and chill for some time after office work. The drinks served are also great and the service by the waiters makes you feel like a boss, at least for some time. Merc Bar is mainly famous among the working class. They come here with their colleagues and enjoy a relaxing chilled beer with some snacks.
W New York: This bar has a perfect location to rest. The services offered by this bar are great. You get an ideal atmosphere to relax and have fun with your family or friends or even alone. Basically it is calm and cozy place where you can enjoy your drink after work. Though the drinks are a bit expensive, but paying for best does not matter much.
A calm, classy and cool place is always welcomed by all the working people. They like to go to such places after work. A lot of such bars have come up in New York in last few decades. These bars in New York City offer a fabulous atmosphere to relax and make you feel great, or a boss
The bars in New York mostly open after sunset and close only after dawn. A lot of bars are very famous among the working people who like to visit these places after work. Some of them are:
Sutton Place: The décor of this club is very simple. Around fifteen TV's and 4 projectors are installed that attracts a lot of working class to relax and watch channels like sports and news. This place serves a lot of great drinks at reasonable prices and the quiet atmosphere allows people to forget all their tensions.
Merc Bar: The crowd in this bar is fantastic. The couches in the bar are the best place to sit and chill for some time after office work. The drinks served are also great and the service by the waiters makes you feel like a boss, at least for some time. Merc Bar is mainly famous among the working class. They come here with their colleagues and enjoy a relaxing chilled beer with some snacks.
W New York: This bar has a perfect location to rest. The services offered by this bar are great. You get an ideal atmosphere to relax and have fun with your family or friends or even alone. Basically it is calm and cozy place where you can enjoy your drink after work. Though the drinks are a bit expensive, but paying for best does not matter much.
A calm, classy and cool place is always welcomed by all the working people. They like to go to such places after work. A lot of such bars have come up in New York in last few decades. These bars in New York City offer a fabulous atmosphere to relax and make you feel great, or a boss
Working in New York & Travel insurance
According to a government website, there are approximately 900,000 Australians living and working overseas at any one time. Australians are renowned for their globetrotting - how often have you come across an Aussie serving behind a bar in even the most remote of places around the world?
There are a number of reasons you might be working overseas: maybe you're heading off to work in your company's overseas office; perhaps you're an independent contractor whose skills are in demand all over the globe; you could be studying overseas and need a part-time job; or maybe you're just young and filled with wanderlust but need to fund your travels.
Whether you're a backpacker with a holiday job or an expatriate working in New York you'll need some decent travel insurance. The risk of becoming a casualty of illness or a serious accident increases exponentially with the length of time you live away from home. The potential costs arising from unexpected incidents such as these, could leave you financially burdened for a very long time. For example, hospitalisation in some European hospitals can cost upwards of $1,000 a day. A travel insurance policy will go a long way towards minimising the possibility of monetary losses.
Here's a few things to look out for...
¥ Check to see that your particular occupation is covered.
¥ Be mindful of the fact that your policy may not extend to public liability cover whilst you're at work. Have a chat to your prospective employers - there's a very good chance that you'll automatically have access to public liability insurance through your employment contract.
¥ Please note that it is unlikely that any insurer would cover you at all for any work involving the use of mechanical or industrial machinery. However, if you are, ask them if they can extend cover for you.
¥ Typically, "light" or "non-manual" work such as bar and restaurant work, office work, nursing and even fruit picking would be covered but you will need to check with your insurance supplier.
Don't forget to ensure that you have all your relevant employment documentation with you and check to see if you need a special working visa! You might like to take a look at the Australian Government DFAT website www.smartraveller.gov.au that will give you excellent guidance and information on working overseas
There are a number of reasons you might be working overseas: maybe you're heading off to work in your company's overseas office; perhaps you're an independent contractor whose skills are in demand all over the globe; you could be studying overseas and need a part-time job; or maybe you're just young and filled with wanderlust but need to fund your travels.
Whether you're a backpacker with a holiday job or an expatriate working in New York you'll need some decent travel insurance. The risk of becoming a casualty of illness or a serious accident increases exponentially with the length of time you live away from home. The potential costs arising from unexpected incidents such as these, could leave you financially burdened for a very long time. For example, hospitalisation in some European hospitals can cost upwards of $1,000 a day. A travel insurance policy will go a long way towards minimising the possibility of monetary losses.
Here's a few things to look out for...
¥ Check to see that your particular occupation is covered.
¥ Be mindful of the fact that your policy may not extend to public liability cover whilst you're at work. Have a chat to your prospective employers - there's a very good chance that you'll automatically have access to public liability insurance through your employment contract.
¥ Please note that it is unlikely that any insurer would cover you at all for any work involving the use of mechanical or industrial machinery. However, if you are, ask them if they can extend cover for you.
¥ Typically, "light" or "non-manual" work such as bar and restaurant work, office work, nursing and even fruit picking would be covered but you will need to check with your insurance supplier.
Don't forget to ensure that you have all your relevant employment documentation with you and check to see if you need a special working visa! You might like to take a look at the Australian Government DFAT website www.smartraveller.gov.au that will give you excellent guidance and information on working overseas
New York State Taxes
Income Taxes of New York state ranges from 4% to 6.85% and are based upon the following categories.
1) Sales tax- It was on June 1, 2005, when New York's additional 0.25 percent use tax and sales tax rate expired which resulted in lowering tax rate of New York state on sales to only 4 percent. However, the local rates vary from one place to another and in some different cases the tax rate after combining may be more than 7 percent.
2) Personal income tax- Taxes in New York state for personal income uses a progressive and five-bracket system for its implementation.
For single taxpayers: - for first $8,000 of an individuals taxable income, it is 4% - for income from $8,001 to $11,000; it is 4.5 percent on taxable amount - for income from $11,001 to $13,000; it is 5.25 percent on taxable amount - for income from $13,001 to $20,000; it is 5.9 percent on taxable amount - for income from $20,001 and above; it is 6.85 percent on taxable amount
However, if you are married and is filing your joint returns then the rates would remain same. Only difference would be that income brackets would be doubled. Actually, the due date for submitting the tax forms is April 15 in New York. If there is a holiday or weekend on this day then the due date is postponed to the next business or working day. There are different tax brackets for New York City. The income earned from state is credited with an increase of 30 percent of the federal credit. Taxpayers can use this offset to their advantage so that they can pay for Social Security taxes and increased living expenses. It also helps in reducing the taxes owed. It also helps the taxpayers who were not required to pay any tax as they owe nothing and helps in giving refunds to filers.
3) Real and personal property taxes- The value of the real property decides its tax in New York.
Special districts, school districts villages, towns, cities and Counties raise their funds by use of this property tax so that they can pay for all of the local services.
Tax rates charged by the taxing jurisdictions and the property's taxable assessment is determined by property's tax bill and also depends upon the location of the property. According to the law on most of the properties in New York state, almost every municipalities are assessed on same value percentage. The percentage may range from five to fifty percent but no percentage exceeding beyond 100%.
4) Estate and Inheritance taxes- There is no inheritance tax in New York. Now there is no link between the federal estate tax and estate tax as it had been discontinued in New York state. It simply means that the tax liability of New York state would now be greater than the federal credit that was allowed for death taxes in the state.
Other facts about taxes of New York state are that its status can be checked from the refund tracker of Department of Taxation and Finance. Taxpayers of New York can refer to Publication 3.8 to learn about rights they possess.
1) Sales tax- It was on June 1, 2005, when New York's additional 0.25 percent use tax and sales tax rate expired which resulted in lowering tax rate of New York state on sales to only 4 percent. However, the local rates vary from one place to another and in some different cases the tax rate after combining may be more than 7 percent.
2) Personal income tax- Taxes in New York state for personal income uses a progressive and five-bracket system for its implementation.
For single taxpayers: - for first $8,000 of an individuals taxable income, it is 4% - for income from $8,001 to $11,000; it is 4.5 percent on taxable amount - for income from $11,001 to $13,000; it is 5.25 percent on taxable amount - for income from $13,001 to $20,000; it is 5.9 percent on taxable amount - for income from $20,001 and above; it is 6.85 percent on taxable amount
However, if you are married and is filing your joint returns then the rates would remain same. Only difference would be that income brackets would be doubled. Actually, the due date for submitting the tax forms is April 15 in New York. If there is a holiday or weekend on this day then the due date is postponed to the next business or working day. There are different tax brackets for New York City. The income earned from state is credited with an increase of 30 percent of the federal credit. Taxpayers can use this offset to their advantage so that they can pay for Social Security taxes and increased living expenses. It also helps in reducing the taxes owed. It also helps the taxpayers who were not required to pay any tax as they owe nothing and helps in giving refunds to filers.
3) Real and personal property taxes- The value of the real property decides its tax in New York.
Special districts, school districts villages, towns, cities and Counties raise their funds by use of this property tax so that they can pay for all of the local services.
Tax rates charged by the taxing jurisdictions and the property's taxable assessment is determined by property's tax bill and also depends upon the location of the property. According to the law on most of the properties in New York state, almost every municipalities are assessed on same value percentage. The percentage may range from five to fifty percent but no percentage exceeding beyond 100%.
4) Estate and Inheritance taxes- There is no inheritance tax in New York. Now there is no link between the federal estate tax and estate tax as it had been discontinued in New York state. It simply means that the tax liability of New York state would now be greater than the federal credit that was allowed for death taxes in the state.
Other facts about taxes of New York state are that its status can be checked from the refund tracker of Department of Taxation and Finance. Taxpayers of New York can refer to Publication 3.8 to learn about rights they possess.
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