Logistics of moving back home (US)
Posted by Anxious-Tangerine982@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 16 comments
My family has been living overseas in Germany for a couple of years and plan to return home next year. I know now is not a great time for the US in general, especially the labor market.
I will need a job secured before moving and will be moving to a large city. My questions are:
-
Is it better for my resume to list that city as my residence, then explain in an interview that I haven't relocated yet? Or is it better to be upfront on the application that I'm living abroad? I obviously couldn't attend an in-person interview.
-
I'm assuming a relocation package would be difficult to come by as there is not a lack of talent available thats already local. Has anyone successfully negotiated any relocation expense coverage?
If you've made the move back to the US before from abroad, I'd love to hear your experiences as to any things logistically you wish you would've known, or what worked/didn't work.
And to note: My current company doesn't have any transfer options to the US unfortunately.
Ok-Fail-4280@reddit
Not sure if relevant anymore I realized you posted this awhile back.
I did a transfer but when I was interviewing, I had my LinkedIn set to the city in the US I wanted to move to help companies find me and on the first call with the recruiter or whoever I would explain I’m in Germany but want to move back.
Most people didn’t seem concerned about where I was physically but more if I had work authorisation and what was the timeline of my move.
Some thing Americans companies won’t understand is the 3 month notice that you usually have to give in Germany. They expect you to start in weeks. I mentioned it up front to a couple people and they were taken aback so it depends on the company timeline or maybe I would just negotiate it later if/when I get an offer. If anything, you can negotiate with your German company too for a quicker end date.
I did negotiate a relocation but it was not a lot and the hiring manager has to fight for me for it.
Anxious-Tangerine982@reddit (OP)
The 3 month notice is a big question mark for me still. Honestly my boss and team are really great and I am in a bit of a niche role so I don't want to slight them by doing much less than 3 months. I think for now my plan is to put in my 3 month notice, start applying for companies in the US when I have 8 weeks left (since it will take weeks to get responses anyway), and if I am not locked into a position by the end of the 3 months, I will stay with family for a bit while I continue my search.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
oshunbleu87@reddit
FYI. You're not alone. After 6 years living in Europe we are returning to Colorado in 2 weeks. Best of luck to you 🤗
Anxious-Tangerine982@reddit (OP)
Thank you! How was the job search process for you?
oshunbleu87@reddit
I'm retired (early). Lol. Idk but my son's have trades. One in electrical, one in HVAC and they (thank God) haven't had any problems. Good luck 🤞
davidswelt@reddit
This so much depends on your job market and your industry, and your level of seniority. Can't be answered in generality.
vixenlion@reddit
Look for a German company that needs someone in the US ? Maybe get with a recruiter.
You should Mention the area you will be in and yes it will be difficult
StriderKeni@reddit
I think that you can briefly mention in your CV introduction that you're living abroad, but making your path back home, and willing to relocate without the need for a visa, etc.
For point 2, that's tricky. Maybe you will have to carry the relocation cost yourself. You have to think in a way that you're applying as a "local", and the only difference will be that it could take longer to join the company because of relocation matters, but nothing else.
That's my take, though. I'm unsure, and maybe some US companies can cope with the fees.
Anxious-Tangerine982@reddit (OP)
CV introduction is a good idea. For point 2 it is definitely tricky. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by offering up front to pay relocation if they would've assisted with it. However I also don't want to potentially lose offers over it because in the end I am OK with paying the relocation expenses if needed. Thank you for your reply!
Cojemos@reddit
Yes. Every CV should have a cover letter.
gadgetvirtuoso@reddit
Don’t indicate anything at all that you’re not in the location where you’re going to be expecting to be working. They will just pass you over for someone already there. Some companies don’t even consider people that aren’t in the city/state.
Unless you’re an executive most companies do not offer any kind of relocation options. Some will have them if the state offers tax incentives for relocation to the state. Ohio is one such state but then you have to live in Ohio.
The-American-Abroad@reddit
I would just act as if you’re already in the US. If you get to the point of an interview, mention that you’re abroad temporarily for family and about to be back in the near future.
If you put your current location as abroad, it’s very likely that your resume will just be discarded before you even get to an interview.
corporatehippiemusic@reddit
Can confirm. The market is so competitive right now, I would forget relocation assistance entirely.
Toxigen18@reddit
I moved from Mexico back to my home country after 5 years of living abroad in different countries.
On the résumé I put my address in Romania at my phone number I put my Romanian one with an *. Available only on WhatsApp until date X. Before I arrive in the country I started the process for 2 jobs, first discussions on the email, then a phone screening and as soon as I arrived I went to f2f interview. I started applying one month before I came. It took 2 weeks until I got the first discussion
amoursurlahaine@reddit
I was recently hired in the US whilst living abroad & included it in my cover letter. My new manager was thankful for my honesty & I was given a little over a month to move back + settle before starting my new role. Of course, some companies I applied to didn’t like it & rejected me, but the places I interviewed in told me thank you for my candor.
Anxious-Tangerine982@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your reply! Adding the info in the cover letter is a good idea. Glad to hear it worked out for you.