Working Hard or Hardly Working?: Finding a Job in NYC

New York is the city that never sleeps; it is a busy and expensive place, but one where possibilities and opportunities which are found nowhere else can offer a new life to those who try.Well, any who try and have a bit of luck and a bit of money. It doesn’t take long to realize that without a steady income NYC can be a harsh place to live. Finding and keeping a job is crucial to building a life here. So what’s the best way to do that?For internationals who have just moved or are moving to New York, work can be an exciting prospect. This is the land of opportunity, and people in this city generally work extremely hard.

New York City Job Search: Getting started

Obviously, the easiest way to work in New York is by an inter-company transfer. If you’re moving because your company has transferred you here, then your company should make the transition quite simple. Be sure to negotiate moving costs, and consider asking them to either pay for temporary housing or a hotel while you find an apartment. They will likely also take care of your visa – but make sure you still understand the rules, limitations, and requirements yourself. When it comes to immigration law, ignorance is no defense if you end up overstaying or working illegally.If you’re moving here without work already set up, then be sure to remember this: It may take a while to find the job you really want, especially in the current job climate. The financial crash of 2008 and the continuing worldwide economic difficulties are being felt in NYC just as much as the rest of the country. Budget for the possibility of being out of work for quite some time, and make sure you have enough savings to survive in what is one of the most expensive cities on Earth.If you don’t have work permission (either through company sponsorship, a work card, or a resident green card) you cannot work. If you don’t have the proper visa and you work anyway, it’s a violation of U.S. law and you risk deportation. Don’t do it.New York at a GlanceNew York City, along with London and Tokyo, is one of the world’s major financial hubs. There are more Fortune 1000 companies with their headquarters in New York than any other city in the world. NYC is U.S.’s capital for the arts, banking, fashion, publishing, law, accounting, and advertising, as well as being one of the major employers for the healthcare, retail, wholesale, real estate, security, and design industries.If you’re not sure where to look for work, the Department of Labor has information on growing and shrinking business sectors, average salaries, and general workforce statistics; but if you already work in a particular field, then you’ll want to focus on applying directly to companies and networking with your professional contacts. Have a look at New York International’s guide to networking for tips on best practice and ways you can meet potential new colleagues. 

Finding a Job in NYC with Help

Recruiting Centers and Personnel AgenciesNYC has a wide range of employment agencies covering every field of work in the city. Recruitment centers and personnel agencies match suitable candidates with companies who are hiring, and they can be a good source of work if you send them your resume. These services work on a commission basis — you should never pay a fee to a recruiter.Research several recruiters to make sure you find the one that is right for you before applying. Be sure to ask them questions about how many placements they’ve made recently and how long they’ve been operating. Find out what you can realistically expect from the agency and what your commitments are if you’re hired.Temporary Placement AgenciesIn many ways, temp agencies are the perfect place to start if you aren’t fixed on a single career, if you need money quickly, or if you just want to ease your way into the world of New York City jobs.As you would expect, temp agencies send you on various temporary job assignments, often to fill in for staff members who are away. You’ll need to fill out a number of forms in order to apply, and some agencies may test you to see where your natural talents lie before they put you on an assignment.It’s worth asking the agency if they have a record of their temps finding permanent jobs in the companies they were placed with, as this can be a good way in to a company.TimeOut New York has recommendations for some of the top temp agencies in NYC.Executive RecruitersExecutive recruiters are also known as “executive headhunters” and seek out candidates for executive or specialized positions within companies. In this case, “executive” often means a professional who has been working for two or more years in their field. As with all things New York, you can try your luck and see how flexible the rules are; good matches are sometimes accepted and given placements regardless of experience.Be willing to ask questions here, too. For example: ask for references and examples of successfully placed clients. Don’t sign anything you don’t want to, of course, and if the recruiter wants an exclusive on you, find out what the benefits would be.

Searching Around

Job Fairs

Job fairs are large gatherings of businesses, recruiters, and job seekers. At a job fair, businesses and recruiters often have tables where they can present information about their company and the type of employees they are looking for. Job seekers can hand in their resume or fill out applications for the positions which interest them. These can be an easy way to get a feel for a variety of jobs and sort out applications and interviews all on one day. With hundreds of applicants and employers all mingling together, it’s a great opportunity to send out feelers and learn about the latest jobs and industry trends.NewspapersLocal papers can be a fantastic source for the very latest openings (New York Press and Village Voice are worth a read), and the larger papers such as the New York Times often sponsor career fairs themselves. Newspapers’ websites will have listings updated daily and often have links for direct application.Online Job Databases and Internet SearchesGood listings for jobs, searchable by area, can be found on CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, and Craigslist (though job-seekers should be aware that many Craigslist ads are placed by individuals and not companies). Idealist.org also has an extensive job database for the non-profit world.A brief search on the Internet will reveal hundreds of pages for you to scour for listings. Depending on your field, professional associations may be able to help guide you through the New York-specific world, and the Department of Labor’s Workforce New York site has great listings and guides to your nearest career center.As ever, one of your best bets remains the good old Yellow Pages. With over 25 pages of employment agencies listed, a few phone calls and follow-ups should lead you to at least temporary work while you keep searching.Be Your Own BossNew York is a great city for entrepreneurs, and there are countless stories of those who have made it. But a word to the wise: "making it" is luck much of the time. So, again, make sure you have a solid plan and you’re financially secure before you quit, take your savings, and move to New York. Read about the challenges of being a international entrepreneur here.Lastly – good luck. NYC is a city for go getters, risk takers, and the brave. It can be daunting, but the rewards will be worth it in the end. Article updated: December 9, 2014