UK resident with US citizenship
Feb 2nd 2011, 6:45 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Silicone Valley
Posts: 1,730
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Yes I can often be found staggering about the place on a friday and saturday night
Feb 2nd 2011, 6:51 pm
#17
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Well, if the OP really wants to live in the Bay Area then Ireland really isn't going to cut it ...
To the OP - you said that you had returned to university to get your MSc and your other comments suggest that you have at least some real work experience although you don't say how much. The good news is that while the US economy still isn't doing particularly well, there are companies here in the Bay Area that are growing and actively hiring new people. The not so good news is that there is a large pool of available talent for them to choose from.
Your best bet is to network like crazy, get on sites like linkedin and get in touch with anyone any everyone you ever knew either in industry or academia that now works anywhere in the US (not just the Bay Area) and try to get some leads and referrals from them.
You are correct that actually being in the area and immediately available for interviews is going to be important, but remember that accommodation out here isn't cheap and part time jobs like bar tending are also very hard to come by. Do you have friends or relatives out here that you could stay with for a few months?
To the OP - you said that you had returned to university to get your MSc and your other comments suggest that you have at least some real work experience although you don't say how much. The good news is that while the US economy still isn't doing particularly well, there are companies here in the Bay Area that are growing and actively hiring new people. The not so good news is that there is a large pool of available talent for them to choose from.
Your best bet is to network like crazy, get on sites like linkedin and get in touch with anyone any everyone you ever knew either in industry or academia that now works anywhere in the US (not just the Bay Area) and try to get some leads and referrals from them.
You are correct that actually being in the area and immediately available for interviews is going to be important, but remember that accommodation out here isn't cheap and part time jobs like bar tending are also very hard to come by. Do you have friends or relatives out here that you could stay with for a few months?
I don't have any friends or family in the states. I know that accommodation is very, very expensive but the fact that people do work in bars and shops and do make a living suggests that it can be done. Precisely how difficult this would be I'm trying to ascertain. I know people that have done it and I know it can be done, but living in a very expensive state like CA is the thing that is unique in my position.
Feb 2nd 2011, 7:09 pm
#18
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Yes, I was there talking to some nasty, nasty wench (eek) when some random dude handed her a feather. Some random dude handing out feathers! Needless to say, I was somewhat taken aback by the turn of events as such a sight is not normal to me and is typically frowned upon in Glasgow. It was only later I was told that he was a drug dealer and used this as his calling card to signal he had joints to sell. This amazed me given that I neither do drugs, want to ever do drugs or expected to see such a shady character in such a wealthy area. Needless to say I eventually left, but not after eloping with a little Thai number that told me "yo' accent so sex-ry!". A very, very strange night for a simple single guy from Glasgow!
Feb 2nd 2011, 7:31 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Silicone Valley
Posts: 1,730
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Yes, I was there talking to some nasty, nasty wench (eek) when some random dude handed her a feather. Some random dude handing out feathers! Needless to say, I was somewhat taken aback by the turn of events as such a sight is not normal to me and is typically frowned upon in Glasgow. It was only later I was told that he was a drug dealer and used this as his calling card to signal he had joints to sell. This amazed me given that I neither do drugs, want to ever do drugs or expected to see such a shady character in such a wealthy area. Needless to say I eventually left, but not after eloping with a little Thai number that told me "yo' accent so sex-ry!". A very, very strange night for a simple single guy from Glasgow!
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:23 pm
#21
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 88
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Like others here I highly recommend you just come over and look for jobs in your field. You can easily get a flat share. And there are lots of tech jobs in the Bay Area. I'm a web designer and this is the place to be. (I'm British and 10 years in SF). Here are some resources for you:
- put your info and resume on this site: http://www.linkedin.com/ -- it really works. Start connecting and get people to put references on there too.
- you've probably heard of craigslist? Not very utilized in the UK, but here it's the go-to place for everything: flats, jobs, etc: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/
- remember to file your taxes every year
Use http://turbotax.intuit.com/
-- very easy!
- join one of the many meetups,to get connected. eg: http://www.meetup.com/brit-92/
Enjoy!
- put your info and resume on this site: http://www.linkedin.com/ -- it really works. Start connecting and get people to put references on there too.
- you've probably heard of craigslist? Not very utilized in the UK, but here it's the go-to place for everything: flats, jobs, etc: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/
- remember to file your taxes every year
Use http://turbotax.intuit.com/-- very easy!
- join one of the many meetups,to get connected. eg: http://www.meetup.com/brit-92/
Enjoy!
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:28 pm
#22
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Like others here I highly recommend you just come over and look for jobs in your field. You can easily get a flat share. And there are lots of tech jobs in the Bay Area. I'm a web designer and this is the place to be. (I'm British and 10 years in SF). Here are some resources for you:
- put your info and resume on this site: http://www.linkedin.com/ -- it really works. Start connecting and get people to put references on there too.
- you've probably heard of craigslist? Not very utilized in the UK, but here it's the go-to place for everything: flats, jobs, etc: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/
- remember to file your taxes every year Use http://turbotax.intuit.com/
-- very easy!
- join one of the many meetups,to get connected. eg: http://www.meetup.com/brit-92/
Enjoy!
- put your info and resume on this site: http://www.linkedin.com/ -- it really works. Start connecting and get people to put references on there too.
- you've probably heard of craigslist? Not very utilized in the UK, but here it's the go-to place for everything: flats, jobs, etc: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/
- remember to file your taxes every year
Use http://turbotax.intuit.com/-- very easy!
- join one of the many meetups,to get connected. eg: http://www.meetup.com/brit-92/
Enjoy!
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:28 pm
#23
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Hi,
I am looking to immigrate to the US over the following months. I am lucky enough to have full US citizenship so I have no problem living or working over there.
I have recently graduated (after returning to university) with an MSc. in Computer Science at a very good university here in the UK (Edinburgh - actually, the top rated university for Comp. Sci). At present, I am looking at either finding a job here in the UK, or moving to work in the US. To me, this decision is a no brainer and I intend to move to the San Francisco/San Jose area.
Since I suspect the chances that a company would be willing to fly me from Scotland to the US for an interview would be very small, I am looking to move over there, get a stupid part time job (perhaps in a bar) and look for a real job when I'm over there.
Has anybody out there done this before and would it be a recommended choice of action? Are there other possibilities that I'm not considering?
Kind regards,
Steve
I am looking to immigrate to the US over the following months. I am lucky enough to have full US citizenship so I have no problem living or working over there.
I have recently graduated (after returning to university) with an MSc. in Computer Science at a very good university here in the UK (Edinburgh - actually, the top rated university for Comp. Sci). At present, I am looking at either finding a job here in the UK, or moving to work in the US. To me, this decision is a no brainer and I intend to move to the San Francisco/San Jose area.
Since I suspect the chances that a company would be willing to fly me from Scotland to the US for an interview would be very small, I am looking to move over there, get a stupid part time job (perhaps in a bar) and look for a real job when I'm over there.
Has anybody out there done this before and would it be a recommended choice of action? Are there other possibilities that I'm not considering?
Kind regards,
Steve
just do it mate......
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:30 pm
#24
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Are you also a UK citizen? If not have you thought of doing that before moving to US, makes things nice and easy if you happen to end up back in UK. Or are offered a job transfer to Europe in general.
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:32 pm
#25
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
Feb 3rd 2011, 2:41 am
#28
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: UK resident with US citizenship
You'll need a Social Security number if you've not already got one - be prepared for some hassle as they don't normally like it when an adult US citizen applies for a Social Security number the first time. They'll want to know why it was not done before.
Also, if you haven't registered for Selective Service - do it now. If you wait until you are 26 they won't accept registration and it can cause you problems later on. http://www.sss.gov
You say you're a British citizen - but were you born in the UK? If no, you need to understand how being British "by descent" will impact whether any future US born children you have are entitled to British citizenship.
Feb 10th 2011, 10:37 pm
#30
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
