Finding same level work in the US

[SCOTTANDVICKI 11]

Hello everyone

Hope you are having a good Sunday. I've started exploring my career options in the US once we arrive. My husband already has his new job sorted out, but given that I was the primary earner while we were in the UK the prospect of being unemployed (for the first time in 11 years!) is making me feel a bit uneasy!

Is it realistic for me to expect that I will be able to get a job at the same level of responsibility and rate of pay as the one that I have just left, given that I'm a newcomer to the country? I've been working in communications for the government here (middle management level) for the past 10 years, (native English speaker so that isn't an issue) and we will be living in a major city in the US.

I've spent a lot of time refining my CV / resume and LinkedIn profile, in addition to contacting people in the city we're moving to to make some contacts.

I'd be glad for anyone's experiences / advice!

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

You are starting out right by working on your resume and Linkedin. I had my wife work with me to turn my UK CV into a resume. As I had a good BA and MA I put that first in my resume so employers could see that instead of the lack of US experience first.

I found meeting recruiters helpful, even the ones who didn't have a good job match had lots of useful advice plus it built my confidence in US interview techniques.

I found a temporary job at a top company after 2-3 months of looking that quickly became permanent and the job I have now is better than what I had in the UK and I'm really pleased with it.

Good luck, and focus on that networking! Remember that your UK experience means you can offer something different to employers

[Boiler 43,429]

What are your qualifications, particular skill set?

[SCOTTANDVICKI 11]

What are your qualifications, particular skill set?

A BA in English and 10 years in government communications - particularly around sustainable development, climate change, community regeneration and corporate social responsibility.

5+ Years of project management, managing £1m - £4m budgets and teams of up to 15.

[SCOTTANDVICKI 11]

You are starting out right by working on your resume and Linkedin. I had my wife work with me to turn my UK CV into a resume. As I had a good BA and MA I put that first in my resume so employers could see that instead of the lack of US experience first.

I found meeting recruiters helpful, even the ones who didn't have a good job match had lots of useful advice plus it built my confidence in US interview techniques.

I found a temporary job at a top company after 2-3 months of looking that quickly became permanent and the job I have now is better than what I had in the UK and I'm really pleased with it.

Good luck, and focus on that networking! Remember that your UK experience means you can offer something different to employers

Thank you! I think the common British trait of being quite self effacing is something I'll have to work on first! My husband thinks I have a tendency to downplay my skills and says that just won't fly in the US!

[Boiler 43,429]

A BA in English and 10 years in government communications - particularly around sustainable development, climate change, community regeneration and corporate social responsibility.

5+ Years of project management, managing £1m - £4m budgets and teams of up to 15.

I guess if you are looking to stay in the same field than you are looking at a non profit and they tend to be Washington based. I have a friend who sort of is in the same area, he is in Colorado now but said that if he needs to change jobs he will have to move back to Washington. Where are you moving to?

[SCOTTANDVICKI 11]

I guess if you are looking to stay in the same field than you are looking at a non profit and they tend to be Washington based. I have a friend who sort of is in the same area, he is in Colorado now but said that if he needs to change jobs he will have to move back to Washington. Where are you moving to?

We are moving to Austin, TX. My husband works in the music industry but his job tours so it isn't crucial that we are there. We would also consider Dallas because that's where his family is but given that I've worked in government and particularly environmental stuff we thought Austin would be better. I don't think Washington would be for me - having just escaped rainy Wales I'm looking forward to being full time in the sun!

There seems to be a number of non profits in Austin, but corporate social responsibility is definitely rising up the agenda within most businesses now so I'm hoping that experience might yield something.

Edited May 17, 2015 by SCOTTANDVICKI

[Boiler 43,429]

Sounds to me like it is going to be networking networking networking, very much who you know.

I was going to make a joke about Texas, obviously not something associated with Texas.

[SCOTTANDVICKI 11]

Sounds to me like it is going to be networking networking networking, very much who you know.

I was going to make a joke about Texas, obviously not something associated with Texas.

Yeah definitely not in general! Although Austin in particular is very environmentally conscious with SXSW, Whole Foods etc being headquartered there. I'm actually on the list to potentially speak and run a workshop at SXSW Eco in October (all being well!) so I'm hoping that will be a good networking opportunity if I haven't found something by then.

[subwayguy 100]

Austin has tons of jobs available. Networking works in the finance industry not sure about others.

[j&ana 363]

I live in Austin I think you will have much better luck in Austin then Dallas with the type of job you are looking for. Your husband chose the right place working in the music industry, the music scene is really good here .Austin is consider the live music capital of the world

Edited May 17, 2015 by j&ana

[usmsbow 795]

Another benefit of being in Austin (vs Dallas or another city in TX) is it is the state capital, so perhaps you can get a job working in communications for the state gov't. I have no idea what the citizenship requirements are for state-level employment, but in some states it is easier to obtain a state/local government job than a fed one (I'm talking in general, not for non-citizens specifically).

[lost_at_sea 995]

Austin has a great scene - particularly in arts and tech (I love it there, I've been a bunch of times - such a fun liberal bubble in the middle of TX - I'm going again in July for a friend's tech event).

Since you have project management experience, a job doing that for one of the tech firms there might suit you or at least be a good place to start asking around. Tighten up your CV and boast more than you're used to (American's are a much more confident bunch - they will say "I did" when us Brits would say "We did"), and go out to networking events and make some friends.

I worked for the Gov for a couple years before I moved out here too. I work for a non-profit now (I'm a developer and designer).

Edited May 18, 2015 by lost_at_sea

[Done--Really 331]

We also live in Austin, and while I can't speak to your background, there are far more jobs than people at all levels, so I have no doubt you will be employed quickly unless you are too picky up front.

[JnJ13 13]

We are also in Austin. You shouldn't have much trouble finding work here. There are a lot of non-profits and different startups that might interest you. Networking is key!