Advice on Moving to CA from Germany (San Francisco: foreclose, rentals)

[missmargaret]

Hi Everyone!

I am in need of alot and some good advice. Hang in there with me and let me describe my situation. I am an American (from Milwaukee) but I am currently living in Berlin Germany. I moved over here in Sept. 2007 after I graduated college (B.A. in Fashion Merchandising Management and Business Administration) and I came seeking full time employment. I came over for my boyfriend who is German and we are still together. Well...I am still here in Berlin but no full time job, but my German is always improving at a great rate. The truth is, the job market here is really really tough, so I am looking to go back to the States. I really can't handle not having a full time job yet, I'm starting to go nuts over here. We have decided this may be the best option for both of us; looking for jobs and a new life in CA.

So here is the problem: After a year of relentless job searching and repeatedly hearing "tut mir leid, aber nein!...sorry but no"...I am completely frustrated. It tires me and worries me that I will be doing the same thing over but in the States now. I don't now where to pick everything up and begin. I don't know anyone in CA, so it is ideal that I would tr to secure a job before I up and move...also financially I couldn't do that.

So I guess I am, I am looking for advice on how to go about doing this. Cities that I should be looking into....Job search engines (anything but Monster) that could be helpful...where to find a directory of campaies that are in my field. Anything to help get on my feet.

Thanks for your time!

[TimC2462]

missmargaret,

CareerBuilder.com can be a great job search engine online. But you would have much better chances going job hunting in person. Good luck on your move.

Tim C.

[CA central coast]

California Job Service:: CalJOBS:: Employment Resource

[timelesschild]

What about the alumni services from your college or university?

[wendyjo]

You have a degree. You will find a job with no problem. Be confident in that. It may not be your dream job, but so what? Get working for a big enough company and you will have options.
My experience living in Europe is that they cherish jobs for their local people and do not want lose them to an American. That's probably been your only issue over there. (It wasn't you or your credentials).

If you want to stay in the fashion side then you would probably been looking for San Francisco or LA area. What interests YOU?

If you are interested in working for the government then try Federal:
USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site or State: Home - State Personnel Board - spb.ca.gov
or search by county and city. They may also have links to local company websites.
Good luck!

[missmargaret]

Hey thanks everybody for taking time to read this.

I would love to go to my college and seek help with finding a job but unfortunately I went to a private college (it has its pros and cons, this being a con) and we don't have a careers center that helps you with placement. The only thing they were able to help me with was getting my resume up to par.

As far as job search engines, I have begun to scan regularly careerbuilder, yahoo hotjobs and CalJOBS. I have gotten not so great responses but then again I have only sent a couple out. The replies that I have received back have told me I need to already be located within the CA area...which this feedback makes me nervous. After 1 year of continues "no's" in Germany hasn't left me too optimistic about even getting a job in my own country...and then to hear this. I guess it could be just a fluke. And if it isn't, I have no idea how I would be able to make such a drastic move with no perspectives and such little funds left. Frustrating!

So I guess all I can do at this point is try to get my resume out there some more and see what happens. San Francisco looks like a great are to zero in on but one question...how will I ever afford living expenses there?! I was looking at rentals and they were outrageous! Quite a difference from Berlin!

[ssmkb]

Originally Posted by missmargaret

Hey thanks everybody for taking time to read this.

I would love to go to my college and seek help with finding a job but unfortunately I went to a private college (it has its pros and cons, this being a con) and we don't have a careers center that helps you with placement. The only thing they were able to help me with was getting my resume up to par.

As far as job search engines, I have begun to scan regularly careerbuilder, yahoo hotjobs and CalJOBS. I have gotten not so great responses but then again I have only sent a couple out. The replies that I have received back have told me I need to already be located within the CA area...which this feedback makes me nervous. After 1 year of continues "no's" in Germany hasn't left me too optimistic about even getting a job in my own country...and then to hear this. I guess it could be just a fluke. And if it isn't, I have no idea how I would be able to make such a drastic move with no perspectives and such little funds left. Frustrating!

So I guess all I can do at this point is try to get my resume out there some more and see what happens. San Francisco looks like a great are to zero in on but one question...how will I ever afford living expenses there?! I was looking at rentals and they were outrageous! Quite a difference from Berlin!

Miss Margaret,
I live in California (Bay Area) and jobs are not good here either. housing market is terrible. Be careful about renting, make sure (if a renting a house or condo ) that it's not in foreclose. Just thought I'd let you know, it may not be better here. Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.

[missmargaret]

Hmmm...that's interesting. So if the job market in the Bay Area is not doing well, does that mean all of CA is not doing so well...LA also? I've known about the housing market, I may not have been back to the States in a year but it is all over the news here, so this is no surprise to me. But the job market status in the Bay Area makes me nervous.

Does anyone else have some opinions on this?

[CamaroGuy]

Originally Posted by missmargaret

Hmmm...that's interesting. So if the job market in the Bay Area is not doing well, does that mean all of CA is not doing so well...LA also? I've known about the housing market, I may not have been back to the States in a year but it is all over the news here, so this is no surprise to me. But the job market status in the Bay Area makes me nervous.

Does anyone else have some opinions on this?

You might ask gizmo at the San Francisco forum.

[recon110]

Question: Why CA?
Too expensive to make a full start from scratch. Try other less expensive states. Texas is great for starting out. Look too a Head Hunter service for International Business seekers. Many companies are looking for marketing reps that understand the global market.