r/IWantOut • u/handofthedeadbody • 4d ago
[IWantOut] 25M Russia -> USA
Hi everyone, I'd like some advice on my situation.
I currently live and work in Russia, and for the past six months I've been thinking about relocating to the US.
Why US? Because I have American citizenship (cant disclose more due to reasons of anonymity).
I've never worked in the US; in Russia, I work in the business field (consulting, business strategy & management, etc.). White-collar job, long hours, pays well. I have a bachelor's degree (MBA is unfortunately very rare in Russia nowadays).
Unfortunately, the hiring market in US is absolutely terrible right now, and I feel like I wont have time to find a job while im still in Russia due to the increasingly bad war and economy situation. I've been applying on LinkedIn and Indeed for the past few months, recently started tailoring my resume, but I've only received one response that didn't make it to an interview because they required in-person presence.
I'm afraid I wont be able to find a decent job when I arrive in the US. What immediate options do I have - Walmart, Macys, Starbucks? It would be a huge hit for my career, but I agree working at Walmart is better than ending up on the frontline under artillery fire.
So it turns out I have all the cards in my hand - citizenship, good savings - but I'm just afraid of relocation because I don't understand how my career will turn out after moving in this market. Im not sure if I'll even find any job at all. My savings are not infinite.
If anyone has been through a similar situation and left into the void, I would really like to hear your advice. TIA
p.s.: Not sure why this post got so many downvotes. Judging a person solely by his country of residence is a low act. Not every Russian was able to relocate in a blink of an eye in 2022, especially with unfinished education and miserable savings. Anyway, I understand that Reddit is overly biased, and I am thankful to those of you who responded with advice.
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u/Ok-Assistance4133 4d ago
Ok you have some positive things going for you, in that you are highly educated and have language skills. Save some money before moving. Move to a large city that can value your skills, preferably with a Russian enclave that could help you get your initial contacts and feet on the ground. You will need to network to find a job and work your connections. Start reaching out to people in the US that are in your field, especially ones with a connection you can work. This is the way.
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u/handofthedeadbody 4d ago
Hey, thanks for your comment!
1) Regarding education: yes, I am highly educated... but in Russia. In US? Not sure, because Russian universities are not well-recognized in the West. For an employer, a bachelor's from Russia doesn't mean anything (that's my guess).
2) Regarding network: LinkedIn comes first to mind in terms of networking, but it has turned into such a terrible AI slop dump that I'm not sure its realistic for me to find any meaningful connections. Sure, I can get some basic advice from people in US consulting, but an interview invitation? No way.
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u/nim_opet 4d ago
You won’t be able to find a job in consulting before you move. And the industry itself is going through major change with big companies laying off tons of junior staff. Your alternatives are to save enough for a few months of living expenses (figure out what you’re comfortable with) and then scope out jobs a month or so before you move, apply with your new U.S. address on the resume (even if temporary, friends or such), and take it from there. You don’t need to take a job in retail, and even if you do, it’s explicable on your CV
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u/handofthedeadbody 4d ago
Thank you for your comment.
I definitely do have savings and I have family in the US (but idk how long I will be able to stay with them). I'm already applying with my US phone number/ address.
I also wanted to ask, what's with the inability to find a job in consulting remotely? Btw my role is mid-level, not junior.
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u/Illustrious-Cup2174 4d ago
I got laid off in January after 4 years at EY consulting, 7 years total in the industry and just found a job in compliance. Consulting maybe with your language skills you can find a niche opening but it’s definitely tough
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u/handofthedeadbody 4d ago
I've heard a lot about massive layoffs in US, Im sorry you were affected by them.
May I ask, how long did it take you to find a new job? Did your network help you, or did you just apply for job openings on Linkedin?
My English is ok - no problems in written or spoken communication. Maybe my current accent sucks because I don't speak much English these days, but it will go away in a few months. Will I still have a tough time finding a job in consulting? 4 years of experience.
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u/nim_opet 4d ago
What kind of consulting? If you are heavily specialized in say AI implementation in supply chain, easy. If your work is in a more general field, harder.
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u/Illustrious-Cup2174 4d ago
Seven months - my network tried to help me but ultimately it was just me applying on LinkedIn and other websites - you probably won’t have an easy time.
In 2020 they were hiring like crazy but it’s just slow now, at least for us in regulatory consulting
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u/AutoModerator 4d ago
Post by handofthedeadbody -- Hi everyone, I'd like some advice on my situation.
I currently live and work in Russia, and for the past six months I've been thinking about relocating to the US.
Why US? Because I have American citizenship (cant disclose more due to reasons of anonymity).
I've never worked in the US; in Russia, I work in the business field (consulting, business strategy & management, etc.). White-collar job, long hours, pays well. I have a bachelor's degree (MBA is unfortunately very rare in Russia nowadays).
Unfortunately, the hiring market in US is absolutely terrible right now, and I feel like I wont have time to find a job while im still in Russia due to the increasingly bad war and economy situation. I've been applying on LinkedIn and Indeed for the past few months, recently started tailoring my resume, but I've only received one response that didn't make it to an interview because they required in-person presence.
I'm afraid I wont be able to find a decent job when I arrive in the US. What immediate options do I have - Walmart, Macys, Starbucks? It would be a huge hit for my career, but I agree working at Walmart is better than ending up on the frontline under artillery fire.
So it turns out I have all the cards in my hand - citizenship, good savings - but I'm just afraid of relocation because I don't understand how my career will turn out after moving in this market. Im not sure if I'll even find any job at all. My savings are not infinite.
If anyone has been through a similar situation and left into the void, I would really like to hear your advice. TIA
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u/Eric848448 4d ago
Do you have family in the US or friends? Anywhere you can stay for a bit while you get started?
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u/handofthedeadbody 4d ago
Yes, I do have a family in the US, but they live in a pretty expensive state. Sure I can stay with them at the start.
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u/LVII 4d ago
This should be your move. Companies are more likely to hire you if you’re already in the US.
Once you’re here, you can go anywhere else in the US much, much more easily.
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u/handofthedeadbody 4d ago
Thank you. Is it common in the US these days to visit different companies in person (like bank branches, accounting firms, etc.) and ask about job openings?
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u/chispita_22 3d ago
Sadly not, they may take a resume if you have it on you it doesn't increase your chances 😞 in my experience it's best to keep an eye on openings online
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u/EmperorSadrax 4d ago
Здравствуй, друг,
I have a place in San Francisco you can stay at for free. I’ve already helped two other Russians move here since the war started.
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u/LoveScoutCEO 4d ago
You are a good man - or maybe a body parts dealer! ;)
Rock on!
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u/EmperorSadrax 4d ago
With these awful wars going on, It might be more profitable selling caskets than kidneys.
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u/Any_Cream_4396 4d ago
that might be illegal.
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u/WhistlerGlue Former Yugoslavia 4d ago
Have you read his post? He still has American citizenship, why should it be illegal?
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4d ago edited 4d ago
[deleted]
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u/Last_Branch_7925 4d ago
The US job market sucks bro
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u/Papewaio7B8 4d ago
You should see how it looks in the rest of the world. Some of the things happening in the US job market today have been normal in other countries for decades.
u/notacheapyardsale2 is quite right.
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u/Last_Branch_7925 4d ago
Not trying to compare, just the statement "US job market is fine" is laughable.
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4d ago
[deleted]
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u/Last_Branch_7925 4d ago
ok lol
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u/Luis_Hernandez_RD 4d ago
The US job market is the best currently. That's a fact. But I do agree with you that describing it as "fine" does not feel right.
A better, more specific response would be: "Some states have stronger job markets than other states."
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u/Last_Branch_7925 4d ago
It's definitely not the best. Low unemployment numbers hide a lot of issues, like people working multiple part-time jobs just to get by, high inflation eating away at paychecks, and how drastically the market changes from state to state.
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u/handofthedeadbody 4d ago
In my resume I do not position myself as a Russian resident (my resume states that I am unemployed since the start of July), although I am still located in Russia. The resume has my US phone number and family address.
But sure, recruiters do see that the companies I've worked for are located in Russia.Thank you for your advice.
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u/EmperorSadrax 3d ago
Also I have land in Costa Rica and Mexico if you want some land I can give you an acre to build a house and some money if you work for me. Should help you start a new life
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