How tough was it for an african american to get a job in the north after the civil war?

During the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War, many African Americans relocated to the North. Most of them settled in the North urban areas such as: New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland. Black migrants became known at that time as "Exodusters". Those who stayed in the South mainly lived in desperate rural poverty. In the North free African Americans faced competition for jobs. Most of them were without education and did not have the skills that were needed. Teachers and churches tried to give to black population the opportunity to learn. But still, they faced discrimination in hiring practices. Manny skilled workers had to work as cooks or waiters. Women were often hired as domestics. In general, getting a job was very difficult for African Americans after the Civil War.