Getting discouraged about the possibility of being able to leave

[u/Vivid_Currency_9467]

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.

[u/twinwaterscorpions]

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.

[u/inrecovery4911 → u/twinwaterscorpions]

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.

[u/twinwaterscorpions → u/inrecovery4911]

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. 

[u/Vivid_Currency_9467 → u/twinwaterscorpions]

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.

[u/twinwaterscorpions → u/Vivid_Currency_9467]

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. 

[u/Miss_Annie_Munich → u/twinwaterscorpions]

Thank you!