Moving to the US: Navigating (and waiting on) an offer

[This article is part of a series called “My experience: Moving to the US”].

Welcome back to the second installment of my series! In this article, I’ll share my experience of navigating an offer to move to the US. If you’re contemplating a similar move or are simply intrigued by my journey, stay tuned for more insights in the upcoming articles.

Patience is a virtue?

I’ll be honest – I’m not the most patient person. I like having a plan and being in control of my own destiny. But when it comes to relocation plans, patience really does become a virtue. Unless you’re moving on a defined transfer or assignment scheme, relocating for work involves a complex web of teams and individuals within the company, which can make it feel like conversations are taking place that you’re not party to, or as though decisions are taking a lifetime. In reality, it was only a few months from my initial conversation about the role to receiving a firm offer, but the stakes felt high and the anxiety palpable.

During this waiting period, the planner in me struggled with the uncertainty of not knowing where we were in the process, or whether I’d be accepting the new role. This uncertainty, coupled with a hectic workload and a lack of time for self-care, made this period the most challenging. My husband and I were in limbo – we couldn’t make plans for the future until we knew the outcome of the job offer. Every little decision, from whether to replace a broken hairdryer to cancelling a girls’ trip I’d planned for months, heightened my anxiety about the unknown.

Luckily, I was supported through the process by colleagues who I consider friends. Sharing my concern and challenges with them made the waiting game a little more bearable. Despite feeling like I was doing keepie-uppies in a headstand on a unicycle whilst blindfolded, that support helped me feel like I had the full team cheering me on. Being authentic in these conversations only deepened our relationships, so allowing myself to be vulnerable paid off.

Life lesson 2: Don't forget to live while you're waiting. Give yourself space and time for fun, happiness… real food and exercise.

Assessing the fit

From the first conversation about the new role, my interest was piqued. While I loved my global marketing role, I had reached a point where I was stagnating and the itch for changing was looming. It’s easy to stay in a familiar role, but it’s crucial for any leader to periodically reflect on the value they’re bringing and the satisfaction they’re getting to ensure the position is still aligned with the individual’s goals. However, I wasn’t seeking change for its own sake; I needed to purposefully evaluate whether the new role aligned with my aspirations.

Setting aside the relocation aspect, I delved into introspection about my career trajectory. I carefully weighed the paths available within my current role against the opportunities presented by the new position. Given the partial overlap between the new regional role and my existing global responsibilities, I was fortunate to have already collaborated with many of my prospective stakeholders and colleagues. This allowed me to have several informal conversations to understand the challenges and gaps this role could fill, evaluating not only my interest but also the impact I could deliver.

Over the years I’ve identified three key elements that give me job satisfaction. I call them: Learning, Earning, and Loving. For me, fulfillment comes when at least two of these areas are met (with bonus points for the unicorns where all three align). Everyone’s trifecta is unique and may also evolve over time based on personal circumstances and priorities. Acknowledging this, I assessed how the new role aligned with my own trifecta and career goals.

The prospect of being closer to customers after years of operating in a global capacity excited me. Additionally, the opportunity to actively participate in growing the regional business offered me a fresh challenge. While my previous role involved coordination across multiple time zones, the new position promised a more regionally focused approach, providing a welcome sense of structure and balance.

Some friends and colleagues expressed concern about the perceived demotion in title, as I transitioned from ‘Global Head of ServiceNow Marketing’ to ‘Senior Marketing Manager’. This might be a deal breaker for some, but I’ve always prioritized substance over titles. What mattered most to me was the meaningful work I’d be doing and the lifestyle my salary would afford. Ultimately, I concluded that the role aligned with my aspirations and offered ample opportunity for impact and growth.

Life lesson 3: Get comfortable in knowing that you’re not right for every opportunity, and not every opportunity is right for you.

Navigating the offer

Let’s talk about the nitty-gritty of evaluating the job offer. Researching local market rates and creating a budget to estimate a similar standard of living are the obvious steps. One caveat for my situation was that I wasn’t sure whether my husband would be working immediately, so I had to ensure that we could live on my salary alone.?

It’s not quite as simple as comparing cost of living and salaries though. Regardless of moving, I always advise people to consider a total remuneration package rather than only a base salary. Some of my other considerations included:

Health insurances: Transitioning from a country with predominantly free healthcare to a privatized US system was daunting. The notion of a small health incident costing several months (or even years!) of my salary scared me. I had to consider the cost of health insurance and weigh it up against my salary to ensure financial stability. I also wanted to be covered from as soon as we landed, as my travel insurance would not cover us for the trip as we were relocating rather than on a temporary visit.

Taxes and retirement schemes: Similarly, understanding tax differences and retirement schemes was an important factor. Both work slightly differently from what I was used to in the UK. For tax, I’d always relied on ListenToTaxman which is super handy for helping you estimate UK taxes, and I found a similar tool by Forbes to help me navigate Texas. For pensions and retirement schemes, there are different structures and tax incentives between the UK and US. On top of that, there are cultural differences in typical company matching schemes to be aware of. Older-you will thank you for this one.

Relocation expenses: We’ll cover this one further in my fourth article, E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e will want your money, which might give you a glimpse into the reality of a relocation. I compared my estimated cost to make the move with the support on offer to understand the total cost I would be responsible for.

Stability & security: As if that wasn’t enough, the visa process added another layer of complexity. I grappled with questions around the stability and security offered by the L1 visa, considering the limitations and implications for my employment and residence status in the US, for example, what would happen at the end of my 3-year visa validity period.

The L1 visa is also company-dependent and non-transferrable (unlike the H1 visa), so in the unlikely event that my role would no longer be available, I would only have a 2-month grace period to leave the US. The idea of not being able to feel ‘settled’ or secure in my new life was the most daunting aspect for me. I raised these discussions from the very start so I could understand milestones to permanent residence (a Green Card), and any assurances I would have in place.

Making the decision

Despite any uncertainties, my husband and I ultimately decided to take the leap of faith. No calculation or single conversation can provide absolute certainty, so at some point you just need to decide on the level of risk you’re willing to take when it comes to the unknown. Three months in, I can confidently say it was the right decision.

Life lesson 4: There will be tons of things you don’t understand first time – and that’s OK! Ask the stupid questions, build up your knowledge, and be comfortable taking an informed leap of faith.

Have you experienced similar challenges or triumphs in your journey? Share your stories, tips or questions in the comments below! I’d love to continue the conversation.

Next week I’ll share an article on Getting the L1 visa: from prep to approval. Stay tuned!