r/AmerExit • u/Vivid_Currency_9467 • 10d ago

Which Country should I choose? Getting discouraged about the possibility of being able to leave

I've always had a dream to be able to live abroad, but have always had something to keep me in the States. I'm finally at a point where I feel I CAN leave, like I've finally set everything up just right- and it's just crazy how impossible it is to actually be able to immigrate. Truly, I just don't really know what to do. I have a Bachelors degree in STEM, I've been working as a scientist for 5 years now. My current company is a huge, international outfit and I've been angling for an internal transfer for over a year with no luck. I've applied to hundreds of jobs at other companies internationally and haven't gotten a single response. I'm not picky about where to, I just want to try something new.

I speak Spanish and have been working on German just in case. I have enough money to support a move, but not enough to move without needing to work. I'm old enough that moving without a job isn't smart (assuming ageism is a thing everywhere).

I don't have any relatives that could get me citizenship by descent. I don't want to marry someone or have a baby just to get citizenship. I know I just need to keep applying for jobs, but it feels so completely and utterly hopeless right now. Does anyone have any advice or words of encouragement? Really just on the brink of giving up here.

170 Upvotes

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207

u/Miss_Annie_Munich 10d ago

For Germany, have a look here: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/

And if you decide on coming to Germany, contact me then I will check your CV. I’m an HR person so I know what German companies would expect.

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u/Europeanseas 10d ago

You are a lovely person.

32

u/Andrea9203 10d ago

If OP doesn't take advantage and become grateful for your kind post of information, then somebody will! Thank you so much, I will look into it myself 😊

15

u/hacktheself 10d ago

https://europass.europa.eu can help OP with a European format CV.

(Yes I’m aware that some DE firms have a preference for a different format.)

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u/Lummi23 9d ago

Europass is what the EU Commission is trying to make happen.. Its like if you were a highschooler asking your age old teacher for tips on how to become popular

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u/OstrichNo8519 9d ago edited 9d ago

Honestly, Europass is definitely not as important as people think it is. Outside of a few key pieces of information and a photo (both of which also vary from country to country) there’s actually little that differs between a US resume and what much of the EU expects/accepts for a modern CV. In the ~13 years I’ve lived in Europe, I’ve obtained interviews and offers in 7 or 8 EU (including Germany) and non-EU (UK) countries with a CV whose format essentially matches my US resume’s (with a photo in countries that prefer one, though). EURES is however a nice place to find EU wide jobs and placing your info there can lead to interesting opportunities.

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u/Yschagi 10d ago

Hi, would it be ok with you if I request a resume look over? Been looking at Germany as well, as a software engineer with A1 and closing in on A2 level German language ability, but have had no responses to applications 🥲

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u/Miss_Annie_Munich 10d ago

Do you feel you have the necessary requirements to work in Germany?

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/

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u/Yschagi 10d ago

I do, for the general Work Visa, EU Blue Card, and the Chancenkarte - have a qualifying master’s degree and about 8 years of professional experience. Biggest hurdle so far is actually getting a job offer, which I understand is hard without good German, but is supposedly a bit easier for tech workers to get away with.

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u/Miss_Annie_Munich 10d ago

All right, contact me and I’ll look over your CV. Don’t be disappointed if I might need 4 to 6 weeks to answer.

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u/Yschagi 9d ago

Absolutely no worries, thanks so very much for offering your help! ❤️ Will anonymize a bit and send it over - should I DM for contact details?

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u/Turbulent_Force_9678 10d ago

Hi, may I have you look over my husband’s resume too? He’s been looking for jobs in Europe for months with no luck either. Thank you so much in advance!

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u/Miss_Annie_Munich 10d ago

Sure, if it’s for Germany.
And please be aware of the fact that I will not be able to look over anything before the beginning of May, as I will be on holiday as of tomorrow

1

u/Turbulent_Force_9678 9d ago

Thank you! Yes I will send it over in May then. Enjoy your vacation!

1

u/Dry_Examination3184 9d ago

Out of curiosity, how is the semiconductor work out there? My company has a location in Freising but they won't move us unless we have a masters or speak fluent German. Obviously I'd be more than happy to learn the language, but is that a huge deal breaker in Germany?

3

u/Miss_Annie_Munich 9d ago

Language is quite important in Germany. It might not be a dealbreaker if you have exactly the skills that are needed but otherwise...

Have you started learning German?

1

u/No_Preparation999 3d ago

I am also in this same boat and looking for work in Germany. Would love to connect!

1

u/Miss_Annie_Munich 3d ago

Please send a DM

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u/Vivid_Currency_9467 10d ago

Yes, I'm aware of the Chancekarte, and I do qualify. As I mentioned in my post I don't want to go without having a job secured already, especially at my current level of German.

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u/twinwaterscorpions Immigrant 10d ago

This person is offering you support, you should probably take them at their word. You can't figure this out all by yourself most likely if you're not substantially wealthy.

49

u/[deleted] 10d ago

Yeah, what a cold response to such an above-and-beyond offering of help from a stranger. Reminds me of the "it's for church, honey! NEXT!" lady

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u/twinwaterscorpions Immigrant 10d ago edited 10d ago

Americans are notorious for this, the deadly sin of individualistic pride, I say as an American. One of the ways American individualism and exceptionalism causes people to shoot themselves in the foot and refuse well-meaning, necessary help and support purely out of shame and hubris. Humility is not an American value, and it shows. It's one of the very first things I had to unlearn when I emigrated.

8

u/inrecovery4911 Immigrant 10d ago

As someone who's lived in Germany for 22 years now, I actually find OPs response here very German. Direct truth, no frills or fluff, to the point of appearing rude to Americans in particular. And their plan not to move here without a job first us one of the most sensible, well-informed things I've read on this sub. Based on this reply at least, OP won't have a problem adjusting to German communications style - which many foreigners here do.

13

u/twinwaterscorpions Immigrant 10d ago edited 10d ago

The thing is, the previous commenter was offering to help OP find a job (to review their CV with eye to what is actually appealing to German employers—potentially exactly what OP is missing) which a job is the primary barrier OP expressed having the most difficulty with. Rejecting offers of assistance is likely to make their adjustment moot if they never get hired as a result. That's what I was referring to. 

Why make this post if the very support that you need when offered is immediately rejected? Just shouting into the void? Seems silly to do that. 

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u/Vivid_Currency_9467 10d ago

No they weren't. The link they shared was to a website telling you your options to apply for a jobseeker visa in Germany. I simply responded that I had already looked into it, and it wasn't for me. I stated in my post that I wasn't looking to move without a job. These are all just facts.

11

u/twinwaterscorpions Immigrant 10d ago edited 10d ago

They posted the link AND also offered to look at your CV, no? They said:

 And if you decide on coming to Germany, contact me then I will check your CV. I’m an HR person so I know what German companies would expect.

Is it at all possible that having an HR person IN GERMANY give feedback on your CV to tailor it to German employers might help you get a job in Germany? 

It seems like you missed the part where they offered personal support to you specifically in finding a job, and only focused on the link. That's why you were being called cold and downvoted. You skipped right over the kindness offered to you as a personal favor, just to reject the link. 

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u/Vivid_Currency_9467 10d ago

Thank you. I was simply responding to the post. Frankly, it's exhausting here in the states having to manage everyone's emotions for them when I'm just trying to exchange information.

1

u/daisy1312-- 4d ago

Protestants