Ready to go! Now I just need a job.

To work in the restaurant industry, you will need a Health Card. Every place that you apply to will ask you if you have one...you might want to make getting one a priority of your PMV (be prepared to leave a stool sample)...you can get one at the Community Health Center, located in the same building as the Hospital, enter from the back.

Thanks Marty! That comes in handy to know that places will want it before I interview. What's are they looking for with the stool sample? Diseases? Drugs? Blood Work?

I think they are checking for TB...but I'm not 100%...others that actually have a Health Card may chime in.... But, I believe you are also allowed to 'do your business' at home and bring it with you in a baggie...or pop it out when ya get there...up to you, I think. Anyone?

The stool sample is for parasites.

Even if you get a health card, securing a job during a 3 day stay will be difficult. Most jobs are open immediately. You can make contacts during your stay but I doubt anyone will commit to holding a job for you until you are here and ready to work.

Hi Dan, and welcome to the forum.

Three days isn't really much of a PMV, so be sure to read as much as you can on this forum. Lots of good info here. What are you hoping to accomplish during your PMV? The big question is when do you plan to make the actual move? If you move down in November/December, jobs are more plentiful in your fields, but apartments are less plentiful and at higher season rates. October seems to me to be a good month. Businesses are starting to gear up for the season, but more apartments are still available.

I personally wouldn't bother with the health card (food-handlers card) until you actually make the move. With only 3 days, the process will take up a good part of that, and then you may wind up in a retail job, or something else. I have worked in the restaurant business here, and we always gave new employees a few days to get the card after they were hired. Or they may hire you but not actually start your shifts until you get it. Also, the card is good for a year, so if you aren't making the move anytime soon, you'll just be wasting time on the card.

A good area to look for restaurant jobs is Red Hook (east end of STT). That is also a good area to live, and it's easy to make friends, particularly in the restaurant/bar scene.

Good luck.

A three day pmv is really about 2 day depending what time u land and depart good luck. Justin

They're looking to see if you have worms... Woof!

Dan, there was a posting in the Virgin Islands Daily News last week (I think) for an assistant restaurant manager (I think). The job may still be posted on their website http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com. From what I remember, the restaurant wasn't identified, and the ad seemed to have been placed by a corporate group that owns/manages more than one restaurant.

Duffy's in Red Hook and Tickles in Crown Bay seem to have frequent turnover, so it won't hurt to check those places.

It would be extremely difficult to get the health card in one day. I don't think they test your sample while you wait, so you have to go back and get the results and then take the cleared form to the hospital and have your picture taken for the card. They don't take the pictures every day 9-5, and the camera doesn't always work. Like others have said, your employer will give you time to get the card if you're hired.

Other online sources for VI employment are http://www.career.vi and craigslist/caribbean. Good luck!

Thank you to everyone for helping me! I will definitely check out Red Hook, as well as Duffy's and Tickles. I think I am going to hold off on the health card until after I go through my first day of interviews, then I will see if I need it to keep searching. If I don't get a management job on my trip, I will be looking for lesser jobs (server, host, bartender) Can someone survive on STT on a waiter's salary? I am very good at my job and know that whatever job I get, I will be successful. But does a successful waiter, host, front desk attendant make enough money to make it in St. Thomas? Thanks to everyone again for your help.

One other detail is that I will be moving there between the middle of August and the end of September. I think this will be good time based on what I have read and been advised on. (Thank you Juanita)

Thanks
Dan

Okay, if it takes 60 hours to earn a good living in Big America, it will take MORE than that here...

It will take you several days to get a heath card. Most employers will put you on the payroll in a non customer contact position.

Make sure you have the correct id also.

billd

Good point about the ID. Social Security card is a must here for almost anything "official". If you have lost yours, go ahead and apply for a new one.

The Assistant Restaurant Manager position is in the Daily News again today. It's for the airport. jobs@cintl.com or fax 404-681-4724.

you can almost always get a job at Duffy's. That tells you how bad the place is. I would suggest that you can not make it on a waiter's salary alone.

billd