Moving to US - advice needed

[Heather82]

Hi all

Hope you can help, I just need some general advice or a reality check. I'm British, 26 and have lived in the UK all my life apart from the first 6months when I was born in the US (my parents were working out there for a few years). This means I have US citizenship, I have my US passport and I'm currently applying for my Social Security number.

I have wanted to move to the US for years but only now do I feel ready to do it. I have set May 2009 as my deadline and I have booked flights to NYC (I don't plan to stick around in NY).

My concern is basically that I don't have a plan yet and: -

- I have no friends or relatives in the US
- The current unemployment rates scare me

So what I want to know is am I taking a very stupid risk if I go over to the states in the current climate? I currently work as a marketing exec in London where I'm happy and the salary is good. I just want to experience america, not too fussy as to where. At the end of the day I'm single with no ties and I feel I'll never forgive myself if I don't at least give it a shot.

Ideally I'd like to do the tourist/traveller bit initially and then look for a job. I will have about £3000 capital.

If anyone could advise me on the best way to do this. Am I taking a big risk not having a job lines up before I go? Are there any places/ cities I should focus on that perhaps have a lower unemployment rate? Any resources or advice that might be of use I'd be extremely grateful!!

Thanks all

[Bevdeforges]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Well, you've certainly got the tough part sorted out (i.e. that you don't need a visa either to visit or to work). But it would probably help if you worked up some sort of plan for yourself. As you say, the current employment situation in the US (and most other countries) is not looking good and there are no guarantees about finding work, etc.

The other factor that will be difficult is that you'll have absolutely no credit record in the US. (Your UK record is useless in the US.) That can make it hard to rent a flat and to set up your initial utilities, accounts (credit cards, cable tv, etc.) and most forms of insurance. Not impossible, but be prepared for a few challenges - usually overcome by paying up front. For young adults your age, the usual procedure is to have Mom and Dad co-sign for the first flat, car loan, credit card, etc. But the assumption is that Mom and Dad are in the area and have their own (excellent) credit history.

You may want to start a job search now, while you're still employed in London. See if your current employer has any contacts or branches in the US where you could apply using your current boss as a reference. US employers normally want references they can phone (so that comments are "off the record").

Starting a job search now will also give you some idea of what sort of reception your current CV will receive. The usual response is to hear nothing at all. If you can get a couple replies suggesting that you contact them when you reach the US, you have a shot.

The other thing I'll mention is that £3000 won't last you long as a tourist. You may do better to save it for the inevitable "start-up costs" of living in the US (rental deposits, deposits for utilities, misc. living costs until your first pay check comes in). I visit the US a couple times a year, and I usually run through half that amount in the four weeks I spend over there - on just accommodation, car rental and food - and I'm living more or less like a local, not doing much "touristy" at all.

Not trying to discourage you, but given the current employment uncertainties, you may very well want to start looking for a job well before you go.
Cheers,
Bev

[dvedsctt]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

You may want to start a job search now, while you're still employed in London. See if your current employer has any contacts or branches in the US where you could apply using your current boss as a reference. US employers normally want references they can phone (so that comments are "off the record").

Not trying to discourage you, but given the current employment uncertainties, you may very well want to start looking for a job well before you go.
Cheers,
Bev

I agree with Bev... it would be wise to search for work in advance of moving. I am a risk averse person, though. You might be far more comfortable with the idea.

Best of luck with your decision!
Scott

[synthia]

You will need to work up an American-style resume rather than a CV. Some things that are typical on a CV are either not advisable or are actually illegal in the US. For instance, it is illegal to include a resume or any information that indicates race. American resumes do not contain hobbies, interests, or membership in any organization other than professional groups. Most UK-type qualifications such as 'clerical level 3A' are totally meaningless in the US. Even professional courses, such as "IBM VSAM for Systems Programmers" are generally omitted. In fact, the word 'qualification' has a different meaning. In the US, your qualifications are proven skills and experience. In the UK, qualifications are courses you have finished and certificates you have recieved.

Also, you need to have the spelling and grammar Americanized, or employers are likely to think they are errors. So drop the u's (color), that doubled consonant (traveling), and the plural form with group words (the team is).

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by synthia

Some things that are typical on a CV are either not advisable or are actually illegal in the US.

Er.....no! It might be illegal at certain stages of the application process for the employer to request information on your race/national origin/age/familial status/immigration status/etc, but it ain't illegal for you to put it on there. Not sure why you'd want to though!

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Heather82

Am I taking a big risk not having a job lines up before I go?

You're young, single....sounds like a good plan to me. Your capital is a little low, though I've moved countries with less when I was your age. Go for it. Always keep enough cash for a return airfare.

[Heather82]

Thanks to all for your advice,

I'd love to have a job lined up before I go but part of me wants to have a bit of a look around first before I commit to somewhere and perhaps just get bar/ restaurant (hopefully don't need CV for that) work to tide me over initially as I know my money won't go far. I think though like you say if I get my CV out to some companies then hopefully I will have at least some contacts and maybe even an interview when I do go. I'm quite keen on Chicago so perhaps I should focus there to start with.

I will work on Americanizing my CV... I forgot about the spelling and admit I didn't know about them not including hobbies... I sent my CV to my uncle who has contacts in Boston and he said that I should put some community/charity work on there because apparently that is important? I did some charity work last year so thought I could use that.

I think accomodation is going to be a big issue, although I may have a friend of a friend who could put me up in NY for a bit. Does anyone know if hostelling is pretty safe in the US for a lone female traveller?

[aimee_lee2008]

Originally Posted by Heather82

Hi all

Hope you can help, I just need some general advice or a reality check. I'm British, 26 and have lived in the UK all my life apart from the first 6months when I was born in the US (my parents were working out there for a few years). This means I have US citizenship, I have my US passport and I'm currently applying for my Social Security number.

I have wanted to move to the US for years but only now do I feel ready to do it. I have set May 2009 as my deadline and I have booked flights to NYC (I don't plan to stick around in NY).

My concern is basically that I don't have a plan yet and: -

- I have no friends or relatives in the US
- The current unemployment rates scare me

So what I want to know is am I taking a very stupid risk if I go over to the states in the current climate? I currently work as a marketing exec in London where I'm happy and the salary is good. I just want to experience america, not too fussy as to where. At the end of the day I'm single with no ties and I feel I'll never forgive myself if I don't at least give it a shot.

Ideally I'd like to do the tourist/traveller bit initially and then look for a job. I will have about £3000 capital.

If anyone could advise me on the best way to do this. Am I taking a big risk not having a job lines up before I go? Are there any places/ cities I should focus on that perhaps have a lower unemployment rate? Any resources or advice that might be of use I'd be extremely grateful!!

Thanks all

It's better you stay in London... you have great job in the Uk.. The economy is really bad in the US..Thats what my husband told me his the US now... business is going down
lots of business jobs are depriatiating....

if you were medical.... education...thats pretty much you wont get laid off...

my advice.. ..moved to not a highly urbanized cityl... cost of living is too high...

You can go to the US if the economy is doing better

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Er.....no! It might be illegal at certain stages of the application process for the employer to request information on your race/national origin/age/familial status/immigration status/etc, but it ain't illegal for you to put it on there. Not sure why you'd want to though!

Just a cautionary tale... Like you say, it's not at all illegal to volunteer "excess" information, but it can hurt your chances. I sent a copy of my European (i.e. UK) format CV to the US head office after I had been hired by a US based company in Germany.

One of the company executives accused me of providing extraneous information (regarding my age, and marital status it was - common, in fact mandatory, on a European CV at the time) in order to be able to sue them if they hadn't hired me or if they fired me later on. (In fact, I did get fired from that company - and I did soak them for a "severance" bonus I wasn't legally entitled to... but it had nothing to do with discrimination or what was or wasn't on my CV. )
Cheers,
Bev

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Heather82

Thanks to all for your advice,

I'd love to have a job lined up before I go but part of me wants to have a bit of a look around first before I commit to somewhere and perhaps just get bar/ restaurant (hopefully don't need CV for that) work to tide me over initially as I know my money won't go far. I think though like you say if I get my CV out to some companies then hopefully I will have at least some contacts and maybe even an interview when I do go. I'm quite keen on Chicago so perhaps I should focus there to start with.

I will work on Americanizing my CV... I forgot about the spelling and admit I didn't know about them not including hobbies... I sent my CV to my uncle who has contacts in Boston and he said that I should put some community/charity work on there because apparently that is important? I did some charity work last year so thought I could use that.

I think accomodation is going to be a big issue, although I may have a friend of a friend who could put me up in NY for a bit. Does anyone know if hostelling is pretty safe in the US for a lone female traveller?

Bar work and restaurant work are going to be increasingly difficult to find if this recession continues like it has done.

The community/charity work is generally a good thing on a resume, especially for someone with limited work experience (i.e. just about anyone in their 20's). Traditionally, employers like to see evidence that someone worked their way through university - supposed to make you appreciate a white collar job more and taught you the "value of a dollar." Charity or other community work is a means of demonstrating that you take initiative and go beyond the bare minimum of what is required.

Contact the American Youth Hostel Association Hostels to reserve in the United States, USA with accommodations in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, California, Miami, Washington DC, Boston Hostelling International USA - US Hostelling Stamp for info on hostels. They're really meant for those who are backpacking, rather than providing serious accommodation over a longer term. I think many hostels have limits on how long you can stay (like 2 or 3 nights, tops) and some make you clear out during the day - they're only open from 4 or 5 in the afternoon until 8 or 9 am.
Cheers,
Bev