Seeking employment

Can't help with job possibilities but you should never agree to work for cheap, especially in a location like the USVI that is expensive to live.

I agree with Alana. Do not devalue yourself regardless of where you are. Our local phone company, Innovative, has openings for network support, but not sure where they're listed online.

Check Department of Labor's website http://WWW.vidol.gov or com.

Thanks for the advice. I will chnge my stance on working for cheap, but just want to get my foot in the door and go from there. Im not the smartest guy but I learn very fast. I looked at the website you mentioned but the page for job seekers isnt working. If I pass you my resume could you maybe pass it to your HR team or give me a contact? Best regards

Keep trying the website or Google virgin islands department of labor.

Sorry, not willing to distribute resume for someone I don't know.

You can try posting on the classified section of the message board.
Think there was someone awhile back looking for IT employees.
Also on Craig's List.

If you do find something, get everything in writing from prospective employer before setting foot on a plane. It's expensive to live here so by the time you find a place to live, pay, first, last and security deposit, set up utilities and pay those deposits, buy furnishings, supplies, groceries and a car, you can run thru considerable savings.

I can definitely understand that. Sorry, didnt think about that aspect. You would be vouching for a stranger. But hey, doesnt hurt to ask right 🙂

would 50k in savings be enough to cover me for awhile? Reading the forums it doesnt quite seem like the paradise Im envisioning. Work hard, and walk to the beach and eat seafood after work.

Paradise exists only in someone's imagination.

No, it doesn't hurt to ask!

Found your companies site online and applied for one of the positions. Thank you for the info.
Ben

$50K should be more than adequate. Depending on your needs. Cheaper and easier with no pets, kids to relocate with.
May wish to look over some other past posts as it regards living in the VI.

Island life is not for everyone but you won't know unless you try.
The worse that can happen is you find it not to your liking and move back to the states. That can be a bit of a financial hit but as ms411
said, Paradise exists in one's imagination.

Do you homework before you make a move.

You're welcome, Ben. I don't work for Innovative. I saw the job posting somewhere.

Good luck!

Reading the forums it doesnt quite seem like the paradise Im envisioning. Work hard, and walk to the beach and eat seafood after work.

Have you also read all the general information available here (top of page pull-down menus)? There's a ton of material there and you should read all of it. Good luck!

You might want to check for federal jobs, if you worked for Defense.

Have you been to the VI? You might want to consider a longish visit to see if this is paradise for you and to network with people in your field. So many people send resumes, make phone calls and send e-mails, but lots of employers want to see you in person.

I have no doubt the island life is for me. I have read over most of the forums here. Im 45, traveled the world and looking to REALLY slow it down outside of work that is. Jimmy Buffet style if you know what I mean. But Miami is always a hop skip and away if I need some "up" time. You guys have been GREAT, which makes me more wanting to come there.

You may want to come for a pre-move visit before deciding.

I have no doubt the island life is for me. I have read over most of the forums here. Im 45, traveled the world and looking to REALLY slow it down outside of work that is. Jimmy Buffet style if you know what I mean. But Miami is always a hop skip and away if I need some "up" time. You guys have been GREAT, which makes me more wanting to come there.

For many it's sometimes a lesson hard learned that "island time" doesn't exactly translate to a slowing down of life outside work "Jimmy Buffet style"! f you've not already been here - or only visited on vacation - best advice is to spend a couple of weeks living as best as possible as a local. It's very difficult to even get a prospective employer interested in you unless you're physically on island and a PMV will not only allow you to get a taste of island living but enable you to approach employers in person. If you really have read everything on this site then you probably already know this but it's always worth repeating.

Im 45, traveled the world and looking to REALLY slow it down outside of work that is. Jimmy Buffet style if you know what I mean.

Just to expand a bit on what Old Tart said - Life in the islands doesn't really "slow down" but rather routine things "take longer" to accomplish. For instance, when a repair man says something like "I'll be there tomorrow" it doesn't always mean "tomorrow" it means "not today". That "tomorrow" can sometimes really mean in about 3 or 4 days and trouble is you are left waiting around because no one will call to tell you they are not coming "tomorrow". Or, your refrigerator need a special part but it's not available on the island and has to be shipped in from Florida and that takes 10 days unless you want to have that $25 part sent by Fed-Ex for an additional $95. You get the idea.

My point being, everything moves on "island time' which may sound refreshing to someone who's use to rushing around a big city but it does get frustrating for some people. Some adjust easily, others never get comfortable with ALWAYS having to wait for things to get done. Life on a Caribbean island is a bit like living in a small town without the ability to leave that small town.

Yes, Miami is only "a hop skip and away" but that hop is going to cost you around $425 to $450 each time you make the trip. The costs for the trip can add up quickly if you are the type of personality that finds he//she needs a dose of civilization every 6 or 8 weeks.

Keep these and and the comments made by others in mind as you evaluate and contemplate your future in the islands - look at the reality not the imaginary life in your mind. It will help you determine if island life is for you.

For those who can adjust, living in the Caribbean can be a very rewarding experience, those who can't find that dream can easily become a nightmare. The only way to know if island life is for you is to do a lot of "hands on" research and get first hand experience in the islands. All the comments and opinions on this (and other) forums are just that comments and opinions. What matters is how YOU view things.

Good luck following your dream. I hope it all works out well!

Dang u need skyscanner app. FL
RT for $150. I got AZ for $300 few months back.

OP: Bring your 50k and come on down. Stay 6 months and have fun. If you don't mind spending some of that savings, I wouldn't even work for a couple months. Get your bearings - not stress about work - enjoy the water. You'll find something for sure but be flexible. If you don't like it - consider it an extended vacation. I kinda of did that and I'm glad I did as it was a nice smooth transition with very little stress.

I think because you've traveled the world you have a good sense of how life really works. I usually harshly reccomend a PMV for people who've lived in their little bubble their whole life. Most worldly travlers "get it". I think that's one reason we've assimilated so well, we travel a lot. We're used to rolling with the punches. Flight delays, getting stuck in random countries overnight or more, living out of a suitcase in the middle of nowhere. not speaking the languages etc. Island may not be for you but hey, why not give it a shot!

Ps. Quit selling yourself short.

Dang u need skyscanner app. FL
RT for $150. I got AZ for $300 few months back.

OP: Bring your 50k and come on down. Stay 6 months and have fun. If you don't mind spending some of that savings, I wouldn't even work for a couple months. Get your bearings - not stress about work - enjoy the water. You'll find something for sure but be flexible. If you don't like it - consider it an extended vacation. I kinda of did that and I'm glad I did as it was a nice smooth transition with very little stress.

I think because you've traveled the world you have a good sense of how life really works. I usually harshly reccomend a PMV for people who've lived in their little bubble their whole life. Most worldly travlers "get it". I think that's one reason we've assimilated so well, we travel a lot. We're used to rolling with the punches. Flight delays, getting stuck in random countries overnight or more, living out of a suitcase in the middle of nowhere. not speaking the languages etc. Island may not be for you but hey, why not give it a shot!

Ps. Quit selling yourself short.

Here's a story. I hope it supports my desire to move to the islands. Several years ago I was looking for a last minute, cheap trip, to the South Pacific. Not possible. During my internet search I found an online, discount, South African Safari broker. I shot them an email, got a quote and was off to Kenya for a safari in LESS than 2 weeks. Other than my airline tickets, which they Fedexed to me, the only othe "voucher" I had was an email that someone would be in the airport in Nairobi with my name on a sign. There was. I went solo and it was a trip of a lifetime. Could not have been better at 10X the cost ($3000.00 for a week) on one of my flights between Safari camps, the pilot of the small plane said there was a change of plan. The plane was going to land and I was to get off. 20 minutes later a plane was supposed to land and pick me up and take me to my final destination. My plane landed, they threw me and my luggage off and departed. I was left standing at a dirt runway, in the middle of Africa with only a mud hut and a Masai Warrior. His job was to keep elephants off the runway and keep lions away from me. I tipped him VERY well! Sure enough, 20 minutes later a plane landed in a cloud of dust and welcomed me onboard. Roll with the punches,.....you'll usually end up with a great story!

Thanks for the great read. I have applied but so far no answers. Im a little leery of coming there with no job offers so its not looking to good. Thanks guys!

Thanks for the great read. I have applied but so far no answers. Im a little leery of coming there with no job offers so its not looking to good. Thanks guys!

As has been said it's virtually impossible to land a job when you're not here which is why a PMV is essential in so many cases. Employers for the most part won't even respond to approaches from off island BUT if you have a PMV set and let them know that you'll be on island during a particular time period they'll often be rather more willing to consider your application.

Look at it from their perspective and it's perfectly understandable. Hundreds of people every year think they'd like to move here but less than a handful follow through and out of that handful only a very few end up staying for more than a few months.

All the best whatever you decide to do but a PMV of a couple of weeks would be a very wise investment!

And you have to be flexible. Most people take wait or bartending jobs so they can network and have money coming in. They either leave when they find something in their field or find the money from service is sufficient so decide to stay.

There are very few employers here that I would trust honoring a job offer to someone not here. Things can change by the time you land, and you may find the position is no longer available.

PM me your resume.