Seriously considering moving to St Croix

Hi Sudha.

If you look here, https://www.vimovingcenter.com/employment/wages.php#b11-0000, you will find wages for various types of managers. Many folks who are here with aspirations to be managers start off in an entry-level position just to pay the bills and work their way up. Employers generally prefer to promote from within because they have become familiar with their employees and have some confidence that whomever they promote will be around for a while. If you have management experience in a field that especially needs qualified people then you will have a much better chance of realizing a management opportunity immediately. For specific suggestions from folks on this board you'll need to indicate your educational background and experience.

Things move slow here, so be prepared (financially and emotionally ) to wait, wait, wait. We moved here in August and it took my husband 2 months to get an entry level job at a resort. He's been in a professional position for 20some years, so people were hesitant to hire him for entry level. Since August he has also been exploring professional jobs in his line of work. He has now been hired by the Gov't and will begin mid-June. So, 2 months with no work (scary and anxiety provoking) and then 10 1/2 months to a professional position. When we told someone my husband will start with the gov't in JUne, they were shocked he got the position so "quickly"!
So, bring lots of 'back-up' cash and be prepared to have to work at something else for maybe the first year or so. It just takes time here to "get your foot in the door". There are jobs in the paper everyday, but you may have to settle for something different than you want for awhile. Its a beautiful island and culture, so for us it is all well worth it.

Hello there. Although I am not in the HR business, I know people who are. Like much of the information above, most large businesses and the hotel/hospitatlity industry seem to have often an HR person.

There seems to be a cultural 6 month mark for promotions, hiring for professional jobs, etc., at least on St. Croix. It would seem that no place is going to hire someone until there seems to be a good liklihood that they are going to stay.

If you can plan your resources so you can make it on an entry level or close to entry level position and make it for 6 months, you may (depending on your skills and references, education, etc.) may find upward movement in position and salary after that.

If you are financially prepared for a period of time, I would surely suggest a pre-move visit to check out the employment and housing, cost of living, etc. climate before jumping. I did so, and have been doing quite well, but did gather a tremendous amount of information first.

If you do a PMV on STX, and need a place to stay that is inexpensive and private both, please email me at Affiliationllc@aol.com. I have been supporting people with "looking before they leap" for some time in this manner, and in general, it seems to be economical and crucial. Many of the folks will be moving here, however they went back after the visit with more information to work with regarding housing, work, where to live, etc.

I hope this has been of some help. If you have any specific questions, please email me at Affiliationllc@aol.com My name is Dan.

Warm regards from what I consider my home. I couldn't think of living anywhere else at this point.

Dan