moving to DC from London (Washington: job market, living, cost of living) - City-Data Forum

coldasice_79 · 08-13-2007, 08:34 AM

I intend to move to DC from London in November and everything has been sorted out except a job. I am currently working as a researcher/analyst for a Japanese energy company here in London but I have no idea what to expect in terms of looking for work over in DC. I speak very French, good German and a bit of Japanese, have lived in France, Germany, Japan, Sierra Leone so I have good international experience.

The reason I am moving is due to the fact that my fiancée will be working in DC and we intend to get married shortly (once visa applications are sorted out).

Does anyone have any good ideas about where I can start to look for work, or the best sites to use? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Guardian77 · 08-14-2007, 01:10 PM

The first thing that comes into my mind after reading your experience is to try the Department of State. I've had a few friends go there and they always wished they had some foreign language skills.

Carrot2000 · 08-16-2007, 09:43 AM

You should be able to get a job at the Brookings Institution or other think tanks:

Employment (http://www.brook.edu/admin/employment.htm - broken link)

Political Advocacy Groups: Think Tanks (broken link)

coldasice_79 · 08-17-2007, 03:31 AM

thanks a lot. will have a look.

JaBradshaw · 08-18-2007, 05:46 PM

Yeah, try the state department, although I thought they had some sort of residency or citizenship requirements.

PenguinSix · 08-29-2007, 05:08 AM

Your language skills could be in high demand from the moment you arrive. While working as a translator might not be your ideal, there are a lot of law firms and other big companies that need 'temp help' on a specific case or issue that requires a translator right away (search in craigslist.org's Washington Job section for translator).

Longer term, you will probably need citizenship to work in the US government, or at the very least a green card. There are exceptions to this rule, but they are few and far between. There are a lot of 'think tanks' in town doing research on energy issues, and a few organizations (financed by the energy industry) that prepare policy statements and the like.

I might also suggets looking at the World Bank and IMF, both headquartered in Washington. Getting a job here is very very tough because it is kind of considered a 'golden ticket' job where the benefits are more on a European standard than a US one (more time off, education assistance, etc). However, it's tough to crack into this market. It is one place where NOT being a US citizen is actually beneficial (they try to hire a broad cross section of nationalities).

ebo202 · 08-29-2007, 10:53 PM

You'll love DC! Very diverse. However traffic sucks. Craigslist.com is a GREAT resource I think. The missus and I have gotten cars, TV's, even jobs from it.

If you drink beer, lemme know and I'll join you for one when you get here!

gemgrl6581 · 09-03-2007, 05:26 PM

Interesting.. I am thinking of moving to DC as well. That or London. Maybe you could help me out with London. Job market? cost of living? etc. thanks =)

PenguinSix · 09-03-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemgrl6581

Interesting.. I am thinking of moving to DC as well. That or London. Maybe you could help me out with London. Job market? cost of living? etc. thanks =)

Start here:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/

Read the good (and the bad) that goes with being an expat in the UK.

coldasice_79 · 09-04-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinSix

Your language skills could be in high demand from the moment you arrive. While working as a translator might not be your ideal, there are a lot of law firms and other big companies that need 'temp help' on a specific case or issue that requires a translator right away (search in craigslist.org's Washington Job section for translator).

Longer term, you will probably need citizenship to work in the US government, or at the very least a green card. There are exceptions to this rule, but they are few and far between. There are a lot of 'think tanks' in town doing research on energy issues, and a few organizations (financed by the energy industry) that prepare policy statements and the like.

I might also suggets looking at the World Bank and IMF, both headquartered in Washington. Getting a job here is very very tough because it is kind of considered a 'golden ticket' job where the benefits are more on a European standard than a US one (more time off, education assistance, etc). However, it's tough to crack into this market. It is one place where NOT being a US citizen is actually beneficial (they try to hire a broad cross section of nationalities).

Thank you for the advice, I was hoping that would be the case as I would like to carry on using my languages as much as possible. I have since got engaged to a lovely American lady and we have just sent off all the paperwork for the fiancee visa. Apparently that may take a while, but I should be in DC for xmas, so I will see if I can have a bit of a wander around to see what I can find.

I have only been to DC as a tourist, and it did not really grab my imagination, but I can guess that it is probably a better place to live than it is to visit.