Need Employment

I too am looking for employment since November. I have applied over and over again.

I have looked tirelessly in the St Croix Avis and sent in resumes. I have only gotten maybe a 20% response to acknowledge receipt of the resume. For the interviews, I've had inappropriate questions asked of me, that in the human resource environment would be considered illegal.

I don't know, but it seems to me that you have to be related to someone on island to get employment.

It seems that I may have to return back to the mainland as employment options may be better.

Frustrated Job Seeker STX

Arts,
Just curious...what type of questions have you been asked? What type of job are you looking for?

To help a lil on this. I was having the same problem that is why I decided on massage school to pay my way down there and give me a good gig. The other option I went with is getting a job in a hotel chain first on the mainland and then transfering down there. This way you know their systems and you will be more in demand down there.

I will tell you I do not know this for fact because I am not there yet, but the Hilton is transferring me to St Thomas in November from Seattle at my request. Simple as that.

Have a great day and good luck!

jkleman

Unfortunately I am already here so this doesn't help me. Thanks anyway for your suggestions.

Arts-N-Crafts Teacher,

I'm not getting any responses never mind 20%. It is quite frustrating.

Rose

Island Mike, I'm surprised you're having a hard time on STT but I know on STX it would be hard to get a hotel cleaning job. That may sound silly, but there is simply not the high turnover you see stateside in this like of work. Most of the ladies doing it will be there for decades. Have you tried going into business for yourself and posting flyers everywhere or an ad in the paper? I know on STX there are always people looking for a reliable housekeeper.

If you have good office skills (organized), familiar with office suite or quickbooks, try applying for some office manager/administrative jobs. A very good portion of jobs here will let you dress causual. All that is usually required is some decent looking pants or nice shorts and a nice short sleeve top.

Your first job may not be your ideal, but getting that ideal job means being here long enough to network and get to know people so that you can find your dream job. Finding that great job here does mean getting to know people. Just get your foot in the door anywhere. 🙂

And definitely go fill out the paperwork for a VI govt job, it may take a year but they do have some good jobs with benefits.

I don't know what kind of job either of you are looking for, but I can tell you our experience.

Ric answered an ad for a beach attendant. It didn't pay much and took about 6 weeks to go from the first interview to an actual job. He loved it and worked for about 3 months when the HR director called him in and asked if his wife (me) was looking for office work. I'd just retired and was looking, but not hard.

That was about 4 years ago. Ric, after a year as beach attendant moved into managenent at the Buccaneer. I have worked in two different departments. I've taken medical leave three times, 2 knee replacements and my fathers surgery and they give me the leave and take me back without problem.

My experience is - if you take a job, any job, work hard, and COME IN EVERY DAY YOU ARE SCHEDULED, you can fimd work.

What kind of jobs are you looking for? Maybe we can help with actual suggestions.

And I would definitely suggest going into the Buccaneer HR and applying, I know for a fact that they are hiring in several areas.

Linda J

I am looking for full time employment doing either housekeeping at a hotel or some kind of data entry job. I would also consider a retail sales position if it was casual. I don't want to dress up. Been there done that.

Rose

You should definintely apply at the Buccaneer.

And let me say one thing -- you say you don't want to dress up and we don't at the Buccaneer, but when you go in to apply, wear long pants or a skirt, a top that covers you up (or the like) and closed shoes or sandals. Flip flops and bare midriffs are not appropriate apparel for job applicants. You'd be suprised how some people come in to apply for a job looking like their next stop is the beach..

Islandmike/Rose said she's on stt, Buccaneer is on stx.

Linda J, When I worked in HR at a resort in Florida, we had a young man come in one day in swim trunks and barefoot and no shirt. He had been told to dress for the position. He was applying for lifeguard. He was not allowed to fill out an application. I don't remember for sure, but I think he came back at another time, appropriately attired and maybe got the job.

Thanks for everyone's help. This is one of my favorite places to come virtually on island.

I have applied mostly for all jobs that are administrative that have been in the Avis Newspaper (not an on line paper, BTW) And one's I know I have qualifications for. Looking for daytime work, with limited evening shifts, and I live mid-island.

I just printed some business cards out, advertising house cleaning services. I can manage to do that, I figure. Any suggestions. Apartment clean-ups, weekly errand runs, grocery service.

I make some jewelry and things, willing to take them out for wholesale or consignment. I was thinking of offering face painting services. Know how to teach computer skills (Microsoft/Windows). I can do many things, but I tell you, I am frustrated on the Big Island of STX. All the things I know I can do, I figured would be transferable.

As far as Interviewers & Pre-Employment Screening, I have been asked, "what brings you here?" "who do you know?" I personally don't think people should be digging into your business so much, during a pre-interview.

Frustrated STX Resident

Arts n Crafts, stx does have a much smaller job pool then stt. Admisitrative can be hard and it helps to know some people. Are you opposed to restr and hotels? You did not mention them and as Linda J said the Bucaneer is usually hiring, the same could be said for carambola or divi. Did you go down the vi employment center (i always forget what its called) its behind kfc around golden rock, and fill out an application?

I would put some flyers (not business cards) for cleaning services up at places like schooner market or message boards around condo offices. I don't think you get many people wanting a grocery & errands run, but I could be wrong, many people want it but few want to pay for it. I don't think you would make much doing face painting, things like jump ups are too far apart. The jewelery market is pretty flooded, if its a passion keep at it, but look at it as a long term goal, not a money maker for now.

Things are transferable but there are usually more people then jobs here. So you have to be flexible and hussle alot in the being. And make contacts! Make friends! Once people since what a reliable/hard worker/experienced you are, you'll be surprised how many people will tell you about job openings or offer you a job.

Trust me the questions you were asked arent that bad, they will ask questions that are clearly no no stateside because they will get you sued. But its a employer market not an employee's. I prefer to freelance but it takes time and contacts...

I lost track. Is Arts-n-Crafts Teacher on STX? I think so.

I thank you for you insight. I will look at getting flyers out and posted up.

I am on the registration list VI Govt Office near Golden Rock. I visit there weekly checking for updates.

Carambola has listings in the paper today's Avis and I will be applying quickly. I was trying to avoid driving to Divi or Buccaneer, but it looks like I have to be more open to it and consider my transportation.

Again, Thanks!

Hi All,

Does anyone have any opinions on working at Point Pleasant Resort? Is there anyone that has worked there that can tell me what it's like? Thanks for any help you can give.

Rose