Iraqi refugees learn U.S. job style
Even with an impressive skill set, many Iraqi refugees have trouble finding jobs in the U.S. To help, a nonprofit group in Washington, D.C. is working to help bridge the communication gap. Janet Babin has more.
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Renita Jablonski: Iraqi refugees who used to work for U.S. interests in Iraq can end up sitting ducks in their own country. Many have been killed. Those lucky enough to make it here often find themselves underemployed.
A new workshop today in Washington D.C. hopes to help these Iraqis find good jobs. Marketplace's Janet Babin reports from North Carolina Public Radio.
Janet Babin: Experience: um . . . spotting rogue terrorists, avoiding suicide bombers, escaping from kidnappers.
Iraqi refugees have impressive resumes. They've helped Americans do business against a dangerous backdrop. But in the U.S., their skills can get lost in translation.
Kirk Johnson founded The List: Project to Resettle Iraqi Allies. Today his group, along with another nonprofit and Manpower Inc., will to teach refugees how to write resumes and network here. Johnson says Iraqis need tips on how to communicate U.S. style:
Kirk Johnson: Sometimes they'll come on too strong, for example, and they'll find someone who might be interested and then they'll e-mail them day after day after day after day, you know?
The refugees will also have a meet-and-greet with potential employers.
The List Project has helped at least 100 Iraqis who worked with the U.S. in Iraq to resettle here. At least 1,000 more are hoping to get in.
I'm Janet Babin for Marketplace.
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