Try to find a job first, they’ll help with immigration. Finding a job abroad is like 90% of the initial difficulty, especially without knowing local language.

Easiest way is to work at a multinational company, and push for a transfer / internal application after a few years. That’s how I did it, from east EU to the west, but you have to be great in what you do. Second good option imo is to have highly demanded specialist skill like SW dev or doctor.

Third option is take whatever you can in most likely the service industry (e.g. bartender in Malta), and work your way up - they are going to love getting an American in tourist related roles. If you do this, might make sense to be already in the chosen country with tourist visa, and calling/walking around places to get a job, the other 2 can be done online.

Good luck!