Stephen Taylor ⋅ Roanoke, VA Carilion Clinic ⋅ 7 years experience

Shane,

I agree totally with Kate's advice. I myself am an executive recruiter/headhunter. You should look up a recruiter in the field that you are hoping to get into. You can use LinkedIn to find some and reach out to. There are recruiters that place people for a fee, so find the recruiters that work for clients and find candidates like yourself. There are many search firms based out of Dallas, but the firm does not have to be in the area to represent a client. Message me if you have questions.

Deb Yeagle ⋅ Tampa, FL Plan To Win, Inc. ⋅ 39 years experience

Hi Shane-
Thanks for your service!
I have conducted hundreds of phone interviews - separated by thousands of miles - and made job offers to candidates based on those interviews and reference checks without doing a face-to-face interview, so don't be discouraged by the lack of geographic proximity!
Submit those resumes to the employers in TX and see if you can arrange personal interviews tied to your family vacation times as Kate suggested. Alternatively, if there are online communities in your career field that would help bridge the geographic gap, then join those and start building your network in TX virtually, and connect with potential employers.
Thanks again and best of luck!
Deb

Joel Padua ⋅ Aurora, IL HIFE- Heartland Institute of Financial Education ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Shane,
First of all TY for your service, my name is Joel, I have a friend who can help you, he lives in North Dallas area, if you want to contact him, il be happy to give you his no. Just let me know, you can email me
Ty
Joel

Charles (Chuck) Postma ⋅ Muskegon, MI Alcoa ⋅ 42 years experience

Hi Shane,
Contract and self-employment is something I have done most of my 45 year career. There are several very large temporary employment companies that will have an office near you in California as well as Dallas/Fort Worth area. You can interview in CA for a long term contract in Texas. Once you have a position get an apartment and stay with your family. While working the contract look for direct employment. The companies you mentioned hire temps for a wide range of positions including management level. If your performance is to their liking they will offer you a direct position. If you like your contract position you can use an offer from another company to leverage your way to a direct employment offer.

Good luck, sir!

Chuck

Jim Jones ⋅ Getzville, NY Fidelis Care ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi Shane. You have received very valuable insights. The best advise I can provide is one suggested by Kate, which is to temporarily relocate to the DFW area. It provides you with a DFW address, plus it gives you a chance to conduct face to face informational interviews. It may also provide an opportunity for you to seek and secure a contract or part-time job. This will help you develop a deeper more robust network and provide some living expenses. As has been mentioned use LinkedIn, family members and any other contacts to assist you with your search.. Good Luck!

Bryon Keim ⋅ Jacksonville, FL CSX Transportation ⋅ 21 years experience

Shane,
look for opportunities with companies that operate nationally but may be based, or have operations in DFW. These companies may offer a moving package to the right employee / new hire. Two companies I can suggest are BNSF Railway which is headquartered in FW and GE Transportation who has a locomotive production facility based in DFW.

Erin Hahn ⋅ Shepherdsville, KY Elizabethtown Community & Technical College ⋅ 12 years experience

Shane,
Thank you for your service to our country. I agree with a good majority of what has been stated in the other answers. A suggestion I might add is to get linked up with the Career One Stop Center in the Dallas area. They have career counselors who can assist you and specialized staff for Veterans as well.
http://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Tips/Relocate.aspx
On this link, you can find information the Career One Stop offers on job relocation. One of those is a link to company search for the area you're moving to.
I wouldn't totally ignore the idea of staffing agencies. Staffing agencies have broad reach. Contrary to popular belief, not all of the offerings are strictly temporary. Most have openings that are tempt-to-hire or direct-hire. In the event of direct hire, the staffing agency has been hired to do the leg work to find viable candidates that will be hired directly by the contracting company. If you search it out, you can find agencies that deal with your specific line of work.
Using a local address has been mentioned several times and it is a Must, really. It gives the company an indication that you have "roots" in the area if you have family and/or friends there.
Feel free to email me if you have any more specific questions I can help to answer.
Good Luck!
Erin

David Dickens ⋅ Forney, TX AT&T ⋅ 35 years experience

Hello Shane,

In 1998 when I was preparing to retire from the Navy and knew I wanted to work and live in the DFW area, my challenge was working the career search from Norfolk, Virginia. Internet connectivity is a wonderful thing and is much better today. Using search engines like Monster as well as looking up recruiters that specialized in military hiring, I flew to job fairs twice and while in the area also managed to locate a rental house for my family to live in. The job fair held in a Westin hotel was very good and nets you multiple interviews because all the company reps get to see your resume and schedule you the same day. I also managed to net a personal interview by knowing my window of time I would be in the area. One trip I stayed in a motel and another I stayed with a recently retired Navy chief like myself. I was offered the hospital power plant job from my personal interview but eventually got the better offer from one of the job fair interviews and went with that for two years. I would say leave all options open because you can do anything. Always a Marine, Semper Fi.

Regards, David W. Dickens MMC(SW) RET
15 years now with AT&T in Dallas.
dd4652@att.com

Richard Filippi ⋅ Rye, NY Financial Industry Technical Services (plus various Global Banks) ⋅ 40 years experience

Try using LinkedIn to expand your contacts in that area in various industries. You can connect with family & friends, old school contacts, groups with similar issues. This will help you broaden your contacts. When a job opening does appear you can ask your contacts to get some inside info so you will have an advantage over others.
In this current global workforce many of the first interviews are held over the phone. If you past muster you will get a Skype interview followed by an in person interview. Another thought is to visit your family in the area and attempt to line up interviews or meets with people you have reached out so they can have a better gauge of who you are.
Best of luck,

Rob Bedell ⋅ Santa Monica, CA RSI ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Shane,

Thank you for your service. I am going to mention something that a lot of people overlook. Use your network. You've been in the service, so you probably know people who already live and work in Texas. Network through the people you know. That's the best way to get the best information about where in Texas you may want to live and the opportunities in each area. Since the military is so vast in Texas, I'm sure you would know colleagues that already are there and may be able to get you in the door somewhere.

Best to you. You'll make it work.

Rob Bedell

Linda Hill ⋅ Renton, WA Microsoft ⋅ 20 years experience

Thank you for your service. It is greatly appreciated. You have received some great advice and I see you are following through on it. One more suggestion is to connect with the local Project Management Institute (PMI) and Business Analysis Professional groups in the local area. I have been a PMP and Certified Business Analyst for many years. These groups are very good for networking. The member like to help one another. Good luck in your journey.

Kate Nolt ⋅ Glen Mills, PA Creighton University ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Shane,

I have actually lived what you are describing to some degree. I left a job of 8 years to move to Austin where my husband wanted to try a new job opportunity. We have kids as well, and like you, I have family (one sister) who has lived there for years. There are a multitude of ways that you can do this: One of course is to get the help of family and friends for a place to stay temporarily while you search for employment. You can apply for jobs with an address that is to be within your intended locality honestly mentioning if asked that you are staying with family and friends. You can leave ahead of your family for a short period, secure the job, and a place to live, and then have your family join you. If you have identified companies you would like to work with, please reach out to them. You know if you don't you will never know what they are willing to do. Some of them may find your credentials worthy of bringing you in personally for an interview (and paying your way to do it). A head hunter in your field can also do a good job on your behalf (they get paid by the company that hires you), and help bridge that gap of geography. One thing I learned from my own experience, was that to make this transition smoothly, accepting some minor changes/sacrifices in living temporarily (e.g., an apartment instead of a house at first), and emphasizing that this only a small blip in your life together as a family, goes a long way in getting you to where you want to go.

I hope this is helpful. I know it might a bit more philosophical than factual, and I hope that's OK too. If you wish to speak a bit more about this transition, please feel welcomed to private message me.

All the best, and good luck!

Kate

Olya Schaefer ⋅ Saint Petersburg, FL ⋅ 9 years experience

As a military wife, I used www.flexjobs.com extensively and had great results.

Gordon Stables ⋅ San Diego, CA Ingersoll Rand Company ⋅ 20 years experience

Shane,
Thank you for your service. These are great suggestions. If you drop me an email, GWST32@Gmail.com, I can help you network with the Lockheed Martin's Veteran Recruiter.
Good luck in your search.

Tim Keefe ⋅ Washington, DC U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 6 years served

I agree with Jim and Judy. Removing your address from the resume is one very good place to start. Not all that long ago, I heard a local DC-area recruiter (mainly for the defense sector) say that if the address and/or phone number isn't in the metro DC area, he would automatically reject it. Seems a bit harsh, but as most of the defense, and government work, is here in DC, it does make sense in its own way.

You want to give the impression that you either live there in DFW, or are just at the end of a relocation and are planning to stay. This gives the employers an incentive to look at you, for they won't be paying your relocation costs.

In addition, temporary relocation is a great way to do some preliminary intel on the area. With the Internet, you can do tons of research before you head out there, but you won't get the feel of it unless you're physically in the DFW area. Things you might overlook -- e.g., housing areas, commute times to corporate offices -- you can experience for yourself.

Bob Farmer ⋅ Atlanta, GA Asset Preservation Advisors ⋅ 35 years experience

Shane-

You have a solid background and that will be appreciated by the companies you talk with.
I would start by making a list of companies in the Texas area that you are familiar with and visit their websites. Often, they will post jobs that are available. I would develop a carefully worded letter and resume that you can send to those companies where you have an interest. Also, I think once you actually move, things become much easier as you can go to face to face interviews.
Best of luck.
Bob-

Gene Salt ⋅ Kayenta, AZ Peabody Western Coal Company ⋅ 41 years experience

Hello Shane
Stuff you love to do would drive you because that will make your family happy, strong and healthy.

Tony Miorin ⋅ Gunter, TX Raytheon ⋅ 20 years experience

Hello, Shane,
I can't add a whole lot more to the great advice other advisors have given you. That said, I know that a lot of the Fortune 500 companies (and probably others too) you may be looking at may offer a relocation package. Or maybe find a company that has facilities in multiple states, including CA and TX. If it comes down to it, get your foot in the door in CA then look for an opportunity to transfer to TX. (I work for Raytheon in TX, and we are continually moving work from CA due to labor rates). Good luck with your search, and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Shane Snyder ⋅ Fallbrook, CA U.S. Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant ⋅ 17 years served

Hello Everyone,
Thank you all very much for the responses. I will carefully try to respond to them all. If I forgot to answer something or missed something I apologize, there's a lot of information right and I really appreciate it.

Hi Kate - Yes, I have considered going ahead of my family and job hunting for a short amount of time and it makes sense. My wife and I have actually discussed and agreed that if I were offered a job out of state that she and my children would stay behind until the end of summer. As of right now I don't have any family that lives in the area and two friends at the time. I know, seems a little strange that I would want to move somewhere where we don't have any family. My mother lived in the DFW for a better part of 15 years and I loved it every time I went to visit her. I look for headhunters in the area as well. I appreciate your response, ideas and suggestions.

Hi Deb - I am glad to know there are companies out there willing to do this. I have a applied for numerous jobs outside of CA and have always felt that I never heard anything back because of the city and state on my resume (I don't put my actual home address). Thank you for the suggestions regarding the groups. I will seek them out and begin to network within them. I'd never really thought of that.

Hi LaVera - All companies leaving CA is another thing driving me to want to leave CA. Not that all the businesses will disappear, but it just goes to show that CA is not really business friendly (taxes). I know Toyota came to TX and brought 5,500 jobs with them. Carl's Jr./Hardees has recently left and moved to TN. The companies that really intrigue me is Capital One, JP Morgan and Chase, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and SWA. I know there are a lot of companies in the area I don't know about, but am willing to learn about. By trade (military trade) I worked in distribution and logistics. However, I'd like to get into Project Management or Business Analysis. I'd like to think that I have plenty of management/supervisory experience, just maybe not in the areas of business I'd like to get into. Project Management experience, yes. Business Analysis, not so much.

Hello Stephen - Shortly after posting my initial question (here and on LinkedIn) I have started trying to connect with recruiters. I'm actually talking with a gentlemen from one of my target companies at the moment. Hoping, if nothing else, to get some good advice on how to get my through the door. Thank you.

Hi Judy - Yes, I have done a lot or research on the DFW area to include the school districts, etc. I have already targeted some suburbs where I would like for my family to live. McKinney, Katy, Coppell, and Plano to name a few. Richardson may have been one of them, I'd have to go back and check. Some of my target companies would be Capital One, JP Morgan and Chase, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Southwest Airlines. There are many more, but these are the ones that stand out the most. I will send you an email within the next day or so...I'm in my last term (8 weeks of school and it's been a little crazy to say the least).

Hello Mike - Yes, I got your request, I really appreciate you sending it and all the information you have provided at this point. I am actively pursuing my PMP ( I have the contact hours and approval from PMI to test, to be honest I've already sat for the exam once and was not prepared for what I encountered...now I know). It was a night and day difference of what I studied. If I am not working by the time I graduate from school I will use that down time to prepare for my exam again. I have well over the 5,000 hours that PMI will accept for PM experience and it is definitely a target market for me to enter. That or Business Analysis, after taking a Quantitative Research Methods class I found that I enjoyed it.

Again, thank you all very much for your responses, input, and information. It has been a great help and given some direction on how to go about this. Before I felt like I was trying to do it blindly and it was not getting me anywhere. I greatly appreciate it!

Kind Regards,
Shane

Michael Olmsted, MBA - former US Army ⋅ Janesville, WI State of Wisconsin ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Shane, all great answers from the folks on the network. I may add that you should connect with the local veterans representatives. They may be able to make connections for you. I do agree with the comment that a PMP certification will help. You certainly have the experience but PMP designation is good way to put a stamp on it. If you havent already hook up with LI groups in Dallas\Ft Worth. I've found people like to help people when they know what you are looking for. I think doing phone informational interviews can work as long as you offer to help whenever you are able. I have sent you LI invite please let me know if you think I can help.

Good Luck

Mike

Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Richardson, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 30 years experience

I live in Richardson just North of Dallas and would recommend Dallas as a great place to live. (Be sure you buy or rent a house in one of the suburbs for Dallas Schools are not the best.) First, I would remove your current address from your resume....If you want to use an address on your resume, borrow one from family or a friend who lives in the area. When asked to interview, tell the recruiter you are relocating to the area. May I ask what companies you are specifically interested in? There are many companies in Dallas that seek out Vet Candidates....and there are some Veteran Headhunter organizations who are available to help with your job search. Send me an email and I will provide you with a list to help begin your job search..... tomlinsonjk@aol.com