Moving to the US and being unemployed there

Dear Toytown,

I find myself yet again before another dilemma and need your experience and advice. I want to move to the US this summer and have already picked a date for leaving. I am currently looking for jobs there but will go regardless whether I find one in advance or not. However I have been told it is better to wait and have a job before I go since being unemployed in the US makes a bad impression on the people who might interview me (this is coming from non-US people). But since I can only quit four times a year, it will prolong my leaving another 3 months (at least). So I wanted to know if this is true, or if the employer will understand that I just moved there and that's why I'm looking for something?

My instinct says it can be taken either way and it depends on the person interviewing me. I appreciate any advice!!!

What is you nationality?
What is your education?
What is your area of expertise?
What is your work experience?

Well, I don't want to give away too much info since I don't want my current employers reading this to know who I am. Suffice to say that I can work in the US and have a BA. I want to change careers as well.

Here's one problem: Typically you don't want to speak poorly of your previous employer, because often times it reflects poorly on you. However, if you use the 3 month window thing as a reason, then my next question would be why 3 months was too long to wait.

It puts you in a bit of a bind.

That being said, I don't see being unemployed as a problem when looking for work.

I don't think that's the case. People will understand that you've just moved and wouldn't expect you to be employed. For the most part, all that matters is if you're qualified for the position or not. That and being able to work in the U.S. legally of course...

Unemployment in the US is 4.5% right now. So finding a job should not be difficult, especially for someone with a Uni degree.

Since you say you "can" work there, I suppose you're an American/Canadian with BA which is from a US/CN Uni? Which would make it even easier for you to move there...

Consider your dilemma in reverse: what is your alternative? Looking from here for a while, hoping some company will hire you from over there? You haven't said your expertise and since you want to change your's it makes it more difficult to comment.

If I were a company interviewing applicants, I would probably put yours in the bottom of the pile unless you were a world renowned specialist. And unless you were locally available for interviews...

What is you new industry target?
Where is this industry mainly located?
Are you moving to that location?

If these questions compliment one-another than you shouldn't have a problem finding a job!

I would venture to say that a prospective employer wouldn't hold being currently unemployed against you in any way. In fact, having the guts to have moved to Germany and work here would prove more mettle than most. Quit here, move, then look for work and say that you just moved back from Germany with TONS of experience and international relations- but you are willing to settle for whatever menial tasks they require. That is, if you can afford to be off from work while looking for a job (or if you have parental support or something).

See that's what I thought, that they would rather have someone already there who can come for an interview immediately. Thanks guys . I already applied for some jobs and one wanted me for an interview and asked if I would be over there sooner. I am giving my three months notice now, so I won't be over for another three months. And if I wait longer than I leave in six months - and I just feel like if I leave it that long I will never leave. Plus there is no guarantee that I will have a job prior to moving then.

And the impression I get is that in the US employment happens fairly quickly, is that true?

@Bumpy, yeah I think it is the same answer for all questions.

If you're on good terms with your currently employer, they may let you go sooner.

I was able to negotiate leaving my last company with only half the kündigungsfrist that I normally would have had to give them but I also left on good terms.

In the US jobs go fairly quickly. Especially good jobs. In most of my experiences normal jobs you can be hired on the spot during an interview. Though there are some companies that take up to a month to decide, this will include 2-3 interviews and paperwork. For the most part the job seeking process is fairly easy as long as you have a good resume, great interviewing skills, and the right experience/education.

Thank you everyone. If anyone else has advice/experiences I would love to hear them.

Think you've gotten some good advice. As long as your legal and know what you're going after you should be fine. If you're making a career switch it could take you longer to find something acceptable to you but there are plenty of temp or hourly type jobs to keep you in pocket change while you search.

One minor headsup, I dont know where you are in your career or what city your moving too but anyone early into their career and using a temp agency in a major city *might* get the hard sell into whatever jobs they've got open. For example, you might feel pressured to accept a low level job in your target industry because your "new to the field" and "its a hard industry to break into" etc. etc. As Bumpy says unemployment is very low in the US - dont be scared into taking a job you dont feel right about just to get your foot into the proverbial door. Truth is, low level jobs are easy enough to come by, they'll be there if you need them. Temp agencies are great for getting odd jobs while you look around but your career satisfaction isn't the very top of their priority list. Do your homework, watch your savings, and dont let them make you feel desperate to accept a job because your making a jump to a new city and a new field.

I just want to reiterate what a few people have already said. Having no job when you are moving back into the country is not a negative. Just be honest with them if they ask about your previous employer. It's not negative. You have international experience - that's a big plus.

Also, it is better to be in the area when looking for a job. I have a friend who owns his own IT placement company and he says that they will not even look at someone who is not living in the area UNLESS, like Bumpy said, you are a world renowned specialist or, more realistically, highly specialized and in great demand.

What State are you going to?

I want to go to NY.

@jml

Thank you, that is exactly the kind of advice I need.

This one is simple regardless of the USA.

1. Companies don't do relocation unless you are some specialist or hot shot OR if the market is so tight that they are desperate.
2. Recruitment is generally about not taking risk and making life easier for the HR/Recruiting Manager so I don't get sourced for jobs in the UK if I put my Munich address on my CV despite having worked in London via Munich over 4 years!!! I make up a London address when necessary...(no one writes letter these days!!).
3. When changing careers you will either have to take a few steps down the career ladder or you will be competing with people who have more experience for their age. So you should/will have to think creatively to sell how your skills apply to the new job/industry to the stupid people in HR OR find a small company that realise that good people are just that good people. Small companies tend to get overlooked from Academic/BA people because they've been sold that business means Goldman Sachs/Merril Lynch/Motorola/GM/Nike or some other BIG comany. Get out there and find some small companies they are so happy to have some one apply direct to them - especially if they are all clued-up... (I've advised this so often over the years and seen it work - even a student colleague in Frankfurt got a superb job after Uni in 2003 when unemployment was at it's highest).
4. Companies in general don't wait 6 six month to source a job (outside of Germany) maybe 3 months but not from what I know. The notice period in the UK is normally 1 month and I wouldn't be surprised if it is similar in the USA so forget them waiting for you.

So I'm with Bumpy on this one - you will most probs best off quiting and working day and night in that period to find a job (getting an address and telephone number via a friend for NY). If not moving and finding a job when you are there.

Last Point:
After the market (Banking) tanked in Frankfurt I saw so many people left stranded in Frankfurt before they realised that they had to just come back to London to get a job...not expect relocation. A friend has just got a job in London via Milan after using a fixtious London address - just to give them the sense that he is there but only working in Milan!!! Anyhow, that is enough of me rambling as I've got a train to catch - last one is 00:43 from Victoria.

See ya.

Very true!

my personal best "speed employment" was:
- Wednesday: Job Fair
- Thursday: Interviews
- Friday: Job Offer (with starting date of Monday, in the California offices)
- Saturday: Pack
- Sunday: fly to Cali
- Monday: 1st day on the job.

will also note that by monday afternoon, the company had fully set me up with laptop, office space, phone, voicemail, company ID, business cards, etc.

so yea, things can move very fast. and yes, it is better for you to BE THERE when looking for a job.

and, what's this about you can only quit 4 times a year??? very strang contract you have there.

ps, in the US it is common for employment contracts to be per "employment at will". This means that NO notice period is required - by the employer or the employee - when terminating the contract. this is both good and bad, just be aware of it.

If you are going to move to NYC, it will be harder for you to find an apartment than a job.

I worked for an agency in the US when I graduated from the University.. I went into the office in a suit, filled out an application and then they asked me to work in their office.

In the job, the temp agency will try hard to place you in a job and as long as you look professional, have some skills, and are friendly, you will get work... temp work pays a reasonable amount and you can quit when you find a job that you really like. you might also find work through temping so I suggest that as an excellent way to test the waters in a new city.

Also remember that your rate of pay is negotiable. You tell them the rate at which you want to work... it will be documented in your file.. if you quote a low rate, they will shove you in all kinds of crappy jobs
:-)

Good Luck Working Girl, once you are there on the spot, I am sure you will have no problems. Hope the career change goes well!

Stop worrying/procrastinating - just hand in your resignation and go already! If you really must work (oh the horror!) I'm sure someone will give you a job.

Thank you all so much . This is brilliant considering I am the type of person to buy into getting low paid jobs and thinking that's all I can get.

@a_t
How do you know I haven't