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Working with someone who understands the job market in your area can be helpful in getting a job. Many organizations offer services to help you:
Prepare your resume (download this template as a start);
Learn more about the job hiring process;
Get advice on types of jobs suited to your experience or using job search engines; and
Help finding training for your career.
Below are some organizations providing refugees and immigrants with support in obtaining a job in King County and outside King County.
Asian Counseling and Referral Services
ACRS will help you prepare for and apply for jobs, specializing in job seekers with limited English proficiency.
JFS has a program for refugees that includes job readiness training, resume writing, career resources, job search help, job training, and career re-entry.
- Tip: in addition to the website, you can contact Kendall Archer at 206-573-8262 or karcher@jfsseattle.org.
MAPS-MCRC (Muslim Community Resource Center)
The Muslim Community Resource Center at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS-MCRC) helps Afghan refugees find employment opportunities and provides limited training assistance.
- Tip: You can contact Afghan-American Fareeda Khojandi by email at fareeda@mcrc.mapsredmond.org.
Neighborhood House offers pathways to success for refugees and immigrants such as work readiness programs that assist individuals who have difficulties learning English.
No One Left Behind
If you are an Afghan here under Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status, you can get help finding a job through No One Left Behind. Contact Ismail Khan at ismail@nooneleft.org.
Refugee Federation Service Center
A community-based organization providing job training and assistance to the community. Visit the services section of the web site to see if you are eligible for one-to-one support via DSHS planned programs including Prime, LEP (Limited English Proficient) and BFET (Basic Food Employment and Training).
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)
An employment case management service that helps refugees and immigrants with a 20-hour Job Readiness training. Employment services such as job search, resume prep, and preparing for interviews are offered online and in Kent, Washington offices.
You can find job information online and in-person at some branches (Ballard, Rainier Beach, and Central Library branches). The web site includes good resources for career discovery and job skills. You also can set up an appointment to talk with a career services specialist via the phone, email, or text messaging. If you need Dari or Pashto interpretation, you or a friend can call 206-386-4636 to request this.
Trac Associates helps people build sustainable careers to achieve self-sufficiency. They provide training, counseling, rehabilitation, and support finding employment.
- Tip: you can contact the following Afghan-American who works at Trac Associates for help in Dari or Pashto:
- Jawad Jafari, jawad.jeffery@gmail.com
Upwardly Global provides free 1:1 career coaching, interview prep, and free certifications from Microsoft, Google, Udemy, and more! These services are specific to immigrants and refugees. You are eligible for their career coaching if you have a bachelor’s degree or professional equivalent, an intermediate or advanced level of English, and have work authorization
This provides support for internationally educated professionals entering the job market in their field of study. It is primarily for refugees with college degrees and/or specialized skills or training, such as medicine or engineering. English level 3, high proficiency is a requirement for many of the certification programs.
You can click on Job Seeker to get access to career information as well as things like workshops and hiring events.
Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement
The Diocese of Olympia offers services such as resume development, job application, and preparing for interviews.
Refugee Immigrant Services NorthwestFind case management, work experience, job search preparation, job placement assistance, and other services combined with English teaching services (English as a Second Language, or ESL) for newly arrived refugees. This organization serves the following counties: Snohomish, Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan & Island Counties.
Find work readiness training, including resume building and interview practice.
Employment services such as job search, resume prep, and preparing for interviews. This office is in Richland, Washington.