My Professional Journey Continues in the USA

Every career goes through phasessome steady, some transformational. For me, the decision to continue my professional journey in the United States came after years of experience in international business operations. I had reached a point where the opportunities around me no longer matched the ambition I had for personal and professional growth.

The U.S. economy, known for its innovation, diversity of industries, and structured career pathways, presented an ideal environment to scale my contributions and redefine my future. The move wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. It meant starting fresh, but not from zero—because the experience I carried with me became the foundation for this new chapter.

A Career at a Crossroads

Prior to relocating, I had built a solid track record managing teams, streamlining processes, and executing regional growth strategies. Yet after a while, it became clear that I had outgrown the environment I was in. Advancement opportunities became limited, my daily responsibilities felt repetitive, and most of the challenges were operational rather than strategic.

A 2023 Gallup survey showed that 59 percent of employees worldwide feel disconnected from their work goals. I saw myself in that number. I needed a setting that pushed innovation, valued cross-functional collaboration, and rewarded measurable results.

The U.S. market stood out, not only because of its scale but because of its openness to professionals who bring global experience and are willing to adapt.

Understanding the Barriers

Relocating to a new country to continue a career means facing a different professional culture, a new job search environment, and unfamiliar networking expectations. I quickly learned that what worked in my home country such as word-of-mouth hiring or generalist resumes was not effective in the U.S.

Job applications here are screened by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), and resumes must be tightly tailored to each role. A report by Jobscan states that over 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to filter resumes. Without the right keywords and formatting, many qualified candidates are overlooked.

In addition, networking is an essential part of career advancement in the U.S. According to LinkedIn’s data, over 80 percent of professionals say networking has helped them find a new role. Without a local network, I realized I needed to build my presence from the ground up.

Building a Professional Identity

To address this gap, I focused on developing my LinkedIn Profile to Career Success. My profile became more than just a digital resume it became my introduction to a new professional market.

Here’s how I approached it:

• Rewrote my headline to reflect the roles I was targeting
  
• Added a clear, data-backed summary showing years of experience, industries served, and key outcomes
  
• Updated my skills section with keywords matched to U.S. job descriptions
  
• Requested endorsements and recommendations from past colleagues and global team members
  

According to LinkedIn research, users with complete profiles receive 40 times more opportunities than those without. After updating my profile and staying active—liking, commenting, and sharing relevant contentI started receiving outreach from the U.S.-based recruiters.

My Next Stage: Creating a Career Strategy

The core of this transition has been what I now define as My Next Stage. It is not simply about landing a job in a new country. It’s about planning a long-term career direction that reflects who I am today and what I want to build going forward.

I created a structured weekly approach:

• Research and apply to 5 tailored roles per week
  
• Connect with 2 new professionals in my industry every week
  
• Join and engage in 1 professional or industry-specific LinkedIn group
  
• Set aside time for targeted upskilling aligned with U.S. job market demands
  

These steps added direction to the search process and made it easier to track progress. A Harvard Business Review article highlighted that job seekers with a consistent routine report higher success rates and less burnout during transitions.

To further strengthen my profile, I completed two online certifications one in project leadership and another in data-driven decision-making. Both were hosted by U.S. universities through Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Adapting to the Interview Process

One of the most significant adjustments was preparing for U.S.-style interviews. Employers here expect candidates to speak clearly about their impact using structured examples. I prepared using the STAR method focusing on specific situations, tasks, actions taken, and results achieved.

In one instance, I explained how I led a process redesign across three business units, reducing turnaround time by 30 percent. In another, I shared how I implemented a training program that improved team productivity by 18 percent over six months. These examples made my contributions measurable and relevant.

Interview feedback confirmed that the clarity and structure of my responses helped me move forward in the hiring process.

The Results: A Strong Start to My Next Stage Career

After three months of preparation, targeted networking, and role-specific applications, I received an offer from a U.S.-based company in the logistics sector. The role aligned with both my experience and growth goals. It involved cross-functional team leadership, operational strategy, and exposure to digital tools that are shaping the future of the industry.

My Next Stage Career officially began with this opportunity. It is still evolving, but I now feel aligned with a market that values growth, learning, and measurable impact.

Moving Forward with Purpose

My Professional Journey Continues in the USA, and with it comes both challenge and possibility. The transition has required discipline, adaptability, and commitment but the rewards are already visible.

For anyone considering a similar move, I recommend starting with clarity. Know what you want, research your market, and update your tools, especially your LinkedIn profile. Connect intentionally, apply selectively, and prepare thoroughly for interviews.

My Next Stage is about more than employment. It’s about building a career that reflects where you’ve been and where you’re headed. And the USA, with its open systems and evolving industries, remains a strong destination for professionals ready to grow.