If you’re thinking about starting over completely new, you may wonder how long it will take. Fair question – and here’s my answer: 3 months. Three months is all it takes to drastically change your life, self and all that’s around you. And that’s assuming you have a house, job, perhaps even family as we did. Even as “settled” as we were, it was just 3 months from wondering about getting work overseas to all moved and working overseas.
Our Timeline
23 April 2006 Initial inquiry about a couple jobs
03 April 2006 Telephone interview w/manager
02 May 2006 Face-to-face interview in Prague
05 May 2006 Offer tendered and accepted, to start 3 July 2006
26 May 2006 Wife’s last day of work
31 May 2006 House on market; luckily sold soon from real estate boom
21 June 2006 House sale ‘closed’
5-11 June 2006 Jeff & friend go apartment shopping in Prague
30 June 2006 Jeff leaves for Prague
3 July 2006 Jeff starts first day at work
We moved to Prague, Czech Republic in July 2006. On July 3rd, 2006, I started my first day at work at a new job. Only 3 months before, I was thinking “Our life needs help – I wonder if I should look for something new.” Wow, it didn’t take long and we got what we asked for.
I’m thinking of documenting this whole timeline in a detailed, step-by-step process. But I’m can’t get really into it, unless I know someone out there could use it. If you are interested in such a detailed write-up, please sign-up with your e-mail address to the right. Convince me; then I’m on it.
Thanks, -Jeff
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing this story. I’ve been wanting to “expat myself” for years, and have been putting it off for various reasons. My wife and I have now agreed that this will be our #1 priority once she finishes her Ph.D.
But, where I keep getting hung up is: “Would a company on the other side of the ocean *really* be willing to go to the expense of flying me over for an interview? Wouldn’t they just find a local candidate who is just as talented as me instead?” Is this fear unreasonable? I mean, my current company in the US has had no qualms about flying in candidates from other US cities…but to me a trans-oceanic flight just for an interview seems like a barrier.
Thanks!
(Already responded by e-mail, but I’ll include my reply here for others)
hey Jon,
Got your comment and I wanted to immediately respond to the idea that a transoceanic flight would present a barrier to employment.
I firmly believe – absolutely not a barrier at all.
Take my case here as an example. Four years ago, I had submitted my CV to targeted recruiters in a few, selected cities (my wife and I cut our list down to just Prague, Barcelona & Auckland). The recruiter in Prague let me know of a company interested in a phone interview. The interview lasted less than an hour, ending with an offer to fly me over for 2 days, flight and hotel paid by the company (regardless whether an offer would be extended). Economy ticket and a budget, family hotel, but at the time I was also impressed by the expense.
I did in fact get the job (and am still with them today), but from coworkers I’ve heard the practice is not uncommon. I can understand more now, considering the popularity of foreign workers, particularly native English speakers. Really, what is a 2000 euros investment when compared to securing the preferred employee, from a much wider pool of candidates?
I do hope you keep in touch.
-Jeff
Thank you for your reply, Jeff!
It seems that perhaps my next step should be to seek out a few qualified recruiters in the proper locations and industries.
I look forward to following this site as it grows!