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Hi jmuthe,

I can understand that you are looking for a 100 % risk-free plan for your move to Malta. But I don't think that will work.

There are several issues beyond your control like:

Getting a job but loosing it again during the trial period or after the contract period.

You not getting along well with the lifestyle in Malta after the initial honeymoon period (even if you have been to Malta several times living here is something else, even with family).

If you get invited for a job interview it will probably be on short notice meaning that your travel expenses will probably be much higher than if you can plan longer term.

As an electronic technichnician is a highly qualified and probably rare profession in Malta it might be difficult to schedule one job interview around a certain date as there has to be job on offer at the most a few weeks before the date concerned (for example July next year). It might just not happen.

So if you really want to make the move ( and there will still be a risk that it won't work) I think you should consider making the move around a promising job interview and consider the 'doing anything' option if the job doesn't work out. If you wait until next July there might not be a job offer then and even the wedding might fall through ! Who know's ...

Maybe you can use a 'skype' interview as an option to be considered a 'serious' candidate before booking your travel.

Otherwise I don't really see any other way of going forward. In the end you will have to make a decision on plan A,B,C or even D and terminate your job in the US amd make the jump.

You will probably always find a job for around the minimum wage.

I wish you luck.
Ricky

Hiya Jmuthe,

Wear Sunscreen.

I have to agree with Ricky but also would also like to understand why you would want to make the move.

The reason I ask is that you do seem to be a very safe person, i.e. you are looking for a 100% risk free move. So why change what you have at the moment ??

The main things are this, and unfortunatley you may still not be satisfied with the answers but this is how Malta is...

1. Skype interviews are a great way to get yourself brought forward in the Interview stage - You will still have to come to Malta for other interviews (Would you take on someone you havent met in person ??)

2. Jobs are harder to get in Malta if you are not here - I got offered a Job after 2 skype interviews and 2 formal interviews that i had to fly into Malta for - Although I have been offered work a lot since being here.

3. Moving here with money in your pocket i.e. save first then move so that you can realistically support yourself for 6 months say would be probrably the best option as you will have money in the bank and will be actively searching for work whilst being available at any opportunity. If you have family here then maybe it would be cheaper if you lived with them.

I would probrably say that if you are more cautious than slightly risk taking then a move to another country is not for you, as things can get thrown up at any opportunity with accomodation, sickness etc.. and if you are not ready to handle this at the time then this would just turn into a 6 month holiday with you moving back to the States afterwards.

Sorry to be blunt but I think that this is the best way to be so that you see what it is. I do wish you luck and Malta is an amazing country with a variety of cultures and people, there will be things that will annoy you and things that will make you thank yourself for being here...

All of this you may think is again not to your satisfaction and you may wait another 6 months to see if anyone else can give you information that you think is better and that is obviously upto you....

Trust me on the Sunscreen

Julian.

I want to thank you all for you responses. I am sorry for asking the same question again but I just thought that maybe there was a very small chance that someone could figure out a way for me to get a job in Malta risk-free. I knew that it would probably be a small chance but I thought that it wouldn't hurt to ask.However, I now realize that the only practical way to do it it to save some money, move to Malta, and try to find a job as quickly as possible.
I wanted to ask a few additional questions. I think that it might take a while to find a job as an electronic technician in Malta so I was thinking of quickly finding any low-skilled, minimum wage job temporarily and, while I am employed, I could then take my time looking for a job in my field. Does anybody know of any type of job or company where I could easily and quicky find a job. I don't really care what the job is. The only real requirement  I have is that the job will allow a foreigner who doesn't know much Maltese to work there. I would also prefer if the job was in Gozo since that is where I would be staying but if it is located in Malta, I will commute there. Lastly, is there a time of the year when it is easier and quicker to find a low skilled job or is it about the same throughout the year.

Look at the ETC website and Times of Malta website
Also you can register with Keepmeposted

It will be a start for you to see what sought of jobs are going.
And if I were you I would start brushing up on the Maltese language, you will have a better chance if you speak Maltese

Regards

Great Advice from Lesley, ALthough the Maltese Language side isnt to much needed.

Call centres are taking on all the time

Centrecom are looking for Customer Care Staff
Northway Brokers
HSBC

All looking for workers and paying from 12000 to 15000

Hope this helps

Julian

Hi Scubaboy
I mentioned the Maltese language as being an asset because when I have applied for some positions I was told that not speaking Maltese would be a problem.  But I have now secured a job with a UK company.
Regards

To be honest Lesley most companies speak English and unless its Admin such as Insurance and things like that then its not to much of a problem.

I did however start learning Maltese for myself.... BLOODY HARD !!! but enjoying it

Julian

Hi Scubaboy
My son bought me a cd ‘Learn MalteseÂ’ so I am learning too.  But, my pronunciation is pants!!!!! With a Yorkshire accent )))

Hi jmuthe,
Just to share my experience of trying to find a job before settling in Malta. I contacted a company advertising in the Malta Times for a position in a managerial role  requiring extensive media experience and offering a very good salary by Malta standards  They phoned me in London and requested that I attend the interview in Malta and to be attired in 'business dress'. I flew to Malta a few days later and arrived at the interview. The room I was shown to had another 5 people sitting there already, which I assumed was part of the interview panel. To cut a long story short, after the 10th person had arrived I realised that we were all there for the same interview conducted by one person from the company - all of the applicants interviewed simultaneously! The advertised salary turned out to be a nonsensical figure, with 'ifs' & 'buts' and all sorts of conditions attached to it, with the possibility of a managerial position sometime in the future 'once one had proved oneself'.
To me the saddest thing of all was that it was a British company operating out of Malta, so one couldn't even use the excuse that it was a Malta style interview. Jmuth, I would advise you to listen to the 'Sages' that give you advice on the forum - they do know what they are talking about