Most jobs today are found online. The exceptions are local businesses in the community such as restaurants, hair salons, childcare facilities and some grocery stores. There are many companies that hire refugees, and many different places to look. If you are ready to start looking for a job, you may want to try the below websites. Most of them are in English. If you need help with putting together a resumé or would like to speak with someone for advice about potential jobs, please see the Support Getting a Job section.
Jobs for refugees, including with Amazon, Google and more.
Airport Jobs is a branch of Port Jobs that helps clients with job search, online job application assistance, resumes, airport ID badge test preparation, education, and more. Many Afghans got hired at the Seattle-Tacoma International airport with assistance of Airport Jobs. See current job opportunities here:
- Listing of current jobs at the Airport.
- Job fairs and jobs events these in-person events help you learn about potential jobs.
- Tip: you can contact Mohammad Sorush (Mohd), and Afghan American who speaks Dari and Pashto and works for Port Jobs at m@portjobs.org
Back of House Hospitality Jobs
This site provides entry-level and advanced jobs at hotels including as prep cooks, in the laundry room and engineering.
- Tip: you can contact Ahmad Ansari, HR Director, who is Afghan and speaks Dari and Pashto at 425-500-8691 or at ahmad@bohconcepts.com
This site provides a variety of entry-level retail jobs, as baristas, bakers, and shift supervisors, and Starbucks has made an active effort to reach out to and hire Afghan arrivals.
- Tip: When looking for jobs, please look around your address or zip code. There are a lot of Starbucks stores in Washington State!
Amazon is currently offering refugee support and employment, which includes assistance for the citizenship process, legal support, and mentorship.
Security guard positions are stable and require limited English. You do not need a weapon.
Many refugees start in the warehouse packaging produce in Kent, Washington.
Gategroup Careers are offering entry level positions such as cooks and truck drivers. Some require a US driver’s license.
Security guard positions are stable and require limited English. You do not need a weapon.
There are many jobs available at many community colleges across Washington State. You can search by college location (e.g. North Seattle College or South Seattle College), keyword, or job title.
All jobs at the University of Washington (all three branches and medical centers) are posted here.
Seattle School District
The Seattle School district offers trade jobs such as working as an electrician or plumber: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/seattleschools/transferjobs
The Seattle School District offers two transportation jobs: bus monitors which make sure students get on and off busses safely and maintain safety on their bus, and crossing guards who make sure students can cross the streets safely: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/transportation/jobs/
First Student School Bus Driver (requires Commercial Drivers License)
Job Search Engines
Job search engines identify many different types of available jobs and typically allow you to apply for them online. You can narrow your options by choosing your city (e.g., Kent, Lynnwood, etc.) or zip code. You can also search by keywords. On many of these sites you can sign up for alerts when a potential match is found and/or upload your resume so hiring organizations can contact you. You might consider creating a unique email address for your job search to keep everything in one place.
Getting the most from job search engines is something with which the organizations listed in the Support Getting a Job section can assist you.
Some of the most common job search engines (in alphabetical order) include:
LinkedIn Jobs (requires a LinkedIn account)
USA Jobs (federal government jobs)