Looking for some job related advice

[kakkaroto 1]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forums and I need some advice, I am married to a USC and we are currently living in London, We are looking into the possibility of moving to the USA (specifically Houston). I'm just a little concerned of how difficult it may be to secure a job once there mainly due to some of the posts I have read on the forums.

I am a mid-level IT Professional, I haven't got a degree but I do have some very relevant IT certs, to test the waters so to speak I created a resume and uploaded it to a few website (which had a local US number on it) just to see the kind of response I would get and to my surprise the response I received was pretty good I have had 2 telephone interviews both of which wanted me to come in for a face to face and and two other employers that emailed directly to arrange an interview and recruitment agencies leaving messages and emailing about potential roles offering anywhere from $60,000 - $75,000 a year.

With all this in mind is it advisable to pick up and try my luck in the US?

[landr 126]

I've heard that Houston and Austin are good places for IT-related professionals. However, what about your husband? What does he do and what are his employment prospects in Houston?

I'd cost it all out to see if it makes financial sense for both of you to move to the US, to include cost of living differences and future earning potential.

[kakkaroto 1]

I've heard that Houston and Austin are good places for IT-related professionals. However, what about your husband? What does he do and what are his employment prospects in Houston?

I'd cost it all out to see if it makes financial sense for both of you to move to the US, to include cost of living differences and future earning potential.

I'm the husband my wife currently isn't working, she used to work retail in the US before she moved here.

Cost of living in the UK and specifically in London is sky high it is near impossible to afford a property on what I earn here and is one of the main reasons I'm look to move.

[kakkaroto 1]

My other question is whether $60,000 - $75000 (I would hope to be on the higher end of that) is decent pay for an IT professional?

[landr 126]

I'm sorry, I don't why I thought you were female rather than male. I'm based in London, albeit, I bought my house 10+ years ago. Recently, London prices, especially in my area, have indeed sky-rocketed. I have read that it's particularly hard for first-time buyers in London as the financial institutions are being a lot more strict on mortgage lending.

I'd still cost it out using different scenarios, including whether your wife works or not. Perhaps you can also provide a little more information about which area of IT you work in as I'm sure there are some areas that are more in demand (and therefore attract higher salaries) than others.

[kakkaroto 1]

No worries about thinking I am female you had a 50% chance of getting it right.

My wife probably would work (and likely continue her studies) I should probably sit down and guesstimate how much different scenarios are likely to cost me.

As for which area of IT I work in, I am a Systems/Exchange Administrator and a Virtualisation Engineer. and certs wise I have an MCSE, VCP5, ITILv3, and an EMCISAv2 probably get a couple more before the move would be finalised.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forums and I need some advice, I am married to a USC and we are currently living in London, We are looking into the possibility of moving to the USA (specifically Houston). I'm just a little concerned of how difficult it may be to secure a job once there mainly due to some of the posts I have read on the forums.

I am a mid-level IT Professional, I haven't got a degree but I do have some very relevant IT certs, to test the waters so to speak I created a resume and uploaded it to a few website (which had a local US number on it) just to see the kind of response I would get and to my surprise the response I received was pretty good I have had 2 telephone interviews both of which wanted me to come in for a face to face and and two other employers that emailed directly to arrange an interview and recruitment agencies leaving messages and emailing about potential roles offering anywhere from $60,000 - $75,000 a year.

With all this in mind is it advisable to pick up and try my luck in the US?

From what I see, Houston economy is doing well. The north side (Spring and The Woodlands) is booming with construction of new business and housing and roadways. I drove I-45 a few weeks ago and counted 23 giant construction cranes that I could see from the freeway. There's plenty more that aren't so visible.

Look up Exxon Mobil to see the huge complex arising from the woods between Spring and The Woodlands. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2014/05/a-closer-look-at-exxon-mobil-s-new-campus.html?page=all

Two of the major downtown hospitals have broken ground in that area with multi-million dollar projects too. All those places will have IT departments.

Then there's downtown Houston proper and the Medical Center with more hospitals than you could count on all the fingers and toes of your whole family. And the areas to the west of the city toward and in Fort Bend County (Sugarland and Katy). The job market should be there if you have the skills to land the job.

Housing is cheaper in the suburbs and people do commute by car daily. You aren't going to find any mass transit systems that will be useful. With all the new growth north, it's like major employers are moving to the 'burbs so living near work would be more possible there.

Look at houses on HAR.COM to get an idea of homes.

Do you have relatives in Houston or why did you pick it?

If you aren't familiar---

It's hot and humid much of the year. Everything is air conditioned.

No snow

Bugs and critters you aren't used to

The land is flat as a pancake... No mountains or hills.

Beaches or lakes about an hour away.

You will each need a car because we drive everywhere. Petrol is way cheaper than England.

People are very friendly and will go out of their way to help a stranger or welcome a new neighbor.

Customer service is much better than I have experienced in England.

Cost of living is less than many areas.

We are one of the few states without a State Income Tax.

Sorry I don't know IT salaries around here. My kids and their spouses are in accounting, consulting, and commercial construction and well exceed $100k with degrees and experience. My niece just graduated with honors from UT Law School and was offered $180k. What?? I know crazy, huh?

Edited June 30, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[kakkaroto 1]

Yes both I and my wife have family in houston and I was aware of the weather not the critters though.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes both I and my wife have family in houston and I was aware of the weather not the critters though.

My English husband is creeped out by common critters like roaches, mosquitos, Junebugs, fire ants, Black Widow Spiders, snakes, lizards, possums, armadillos.... Have you ever noticed your kin have screens on all their windows to keep the bugs out on those rare days you open up the windows?

Last night he came in and said "what would make a mound of earth in the garden with a hole the size of a broomstick down the center"? Crawdads was my answer without looking.

None of the above have ever attacked me except fire ants. Ouch! Mosquitos do seem to love him and cause crazy red bites and swelling. Maybe you get immune to them after growing up with them. After 5 years here, they don't seem to cause such a strong reaction anymore.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can check out salary.com and get an idea of salaries by job and area, just for a ballpark reference.

[Stuart and Katie 13]

Hi,

I am an English mid-level IT professional too, the jobs I am targeting have a broad salary range from 40-80k! The salary varies so much depending on the company, but $60-75k sounds very good considering Houston has a lower cost of living than the DC area where I live. We're managing on 1 salary so if you can get a job you like I'd say go for it. I'm originally from Bedfordshire and never ever felt the desire to commute to London for IT work, even with the higher wages.

[kakkaroto 1]

Thanks, I am leaning towards making a move for the most part, just need to work out some of the finer details and get a realistic picture of what our expenditure would look like once over there.

[Stuart and Katie 13]

Great, you sound like you are being very thorough so I am sure you will find success. Good luck to you!

[kakkaroto 1]

Thanks, I read through your thread earlier and I wish you the best of luck with your career change.

[Stuart and Katie 13]

Thanks, I'm thinking of going into GIS as it's something I've always been interested in, but just not sure of the job growth outlook in that field. Seems everything I'm interested in has a poor outlook for future growth unfortunately! Still looking for IT jobs in the meantime, DC not the best area for IT jobs when you're not a citizen and can't get security clearance but I'm not giving up yet.