I'll be graduating in December and I would like some advice on how to look for jobs in another city. Should I wait until I move there or should I be looking for jobs now?
Answers
START NOW! Take your address off your resume so they can't tell if you are local or not. Some companies will not consider applicants from outside their area. If you do get a call, use a local address (a friend's address, etc.) and tell them you have a place to stay until you find a permanent address. I've always liked CareerBuilder.com as a job search tool.
Good Luck!
Hello everyone,
I would just like to thank all of you for your responses and wonderful advice. I did look for a job in Chicago, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. However, I ended up finding a position right where I am currently living. I will use your advice to build my network, visit Chicago, and plan to move there in the future. The company I joined has an office in Chicago, so I may have an opportunity to go there with my company.
Thanks again for your words of wisdom.
Margarita
Now...for a couple of reasons.
First, due to the volume of applications, it takes HRs time to weed through them. Unless you are applying for a high-skill, high-demand position with a shallow talent pool, it may take weeks, even months, to find potential candidates. When you fill out your application, you are typically asked for an availability date. If you are a good candidate and the right fit for the job, most employers will wait...if they can afford to.
Second, applying early gives you an opportunity to see what the job market is like. You may be fortunate to be moving somewhere where everything is perfect; solid job market, in the field you want, in your desired area. There is a good chance that you may have to evaluate what is important to you. Your desire to move to a certain location may be overshadowed by a poor job market. If that's the case, which is most important...the job or the location? Establish how far you are willing to flex now so you are prepared when it comes time to make a decision. Plan for the worst...hope for the best.
Everyone wants to have choices and not be forced to settle. You have to create those choices.
Good luck!
Margarita, you've worked hard to complete your degree and probably have an idea of what you would like to do and accomplish in your corporate career. Start with identifying the companies in the area you are going to that may have opportunities in the field you are pursuing. Once you have those, make sure to build a Linked In profile and start reaching out to people at those companies to learn more about the company, the person and the types of opportunities that may present themselves later. If you have difficulty getting a response, I'd call directly to the Head of HR's office (and then the President if the HR person doesn't respond) and say "My name is Margarita and I have/will/plan to transition from active service into the corporate world and I am very interested in ____ company. Would you be available for a 5-10 minute conversation about your company and industry?
Key is to be clear and concise and do as much research on the company before you call.
Once you've had a few of those conversations, then plan a visit to the city and pre-arrange face to face meetings about 1-2 months before you move.
Hope that helps.
v/r
John Kalusa
I agree with Rob and other above. It is never to early to start looking, especially if you have a specified window of time when you will be relocating. Start by learning about the marketplace you will be entering. Look at local job boards, research the industries and large employers in the geogrpahic region. And expand your network as others have advised. Let everyone know you are looking.
Start NOW! Utilize online job searches. I like to use Indeed.com because it pulls job posting from many different sources. Do some google searches on employment agencies in the area you are planning to move to. Also, utilize Facebook and Twitter to grow a network of employment recruiters. There are so many online tools right at your fingertips.
I was laid off in 2009. I spent 10 hours a day looking for jobs online. I did this for three months straight. My personal career is fairly narrow, which made the search more difficult. Your particular career path will dictate the ease of your search.
Margarita,
I completely agree with those that have already responded. At the very least you should begin searching for any opportunities that may be of interest to you in the new city you plan to move too. In addition you may be interested in positions where you could work from home, in that case you wouldn't need to worry about physically moving to begin your new opportunity and you may be able to begin before graduation.
Best of Luck on your new adventure.
Start NOW! Energize and grow your "network", family, friends, former colleagues, etc in your perspective city and get them busy. They may not have any leads for you but they may be able to put you in contact with someone who can help you along. Many jobs are filled by internal referrals so the more contacts you can get in your target companies the better.
Now - Email managers in your field with any actual beneficial experience (trained cross cultural individuals etc) and emphasize on what you can contribute because of your schooling. Keep it Short and easy for a manager with only seconds to skim can easily read.
They can forward it to HR or another manager who might be interested if the job hasn't posted, but they want an inside track on potential interviewees.
Start now, visit your local library. Go to the reference and periodicals department. Ask for their most recent copy of the Federal Jobs Digest. Let the librarians know your short and long range objectives, they will provide other reference material to guide your informed decisions.
There has been a great deal of very useful advice already posted above and I agree it is never too early to start looking. Get a jump on things and that head start will either land you a position that will wait until you make the move or out you in a position to hit the ground running when you get settled in your new location. The other thing I would stress is researching networking groups in the area you will be moving to. Try and join an established networking group now. You may even find you get advice making the move easier. That early legwork will help you establish a base for potentially meeting new people and finding new opportunities more quickly.
Like everyone else has already answered. It's never too early. If they are interested in you after a couple of interviews, then you can disclose and if they want you badly enough, they'll hold the position open. At least, this has been my experience.
Start NOW! Remove your address from your resume so Hiring Managers won't pass on you since you aren't local. If you fill out an online application and you know someone local, use their address and explain in the interview that you have a temporary place to stay until your move plans are finalized. Your resume is what will get you an interview. Make sure it isn't filled with military terms but replace the military terms with the equivilant business buzz words.
Use CareerBuilder.com to search for jobs. If you are moving to Dallas, let me know and I will pass your resume on to my company's HR dept.
Good Luck.
Judy Tomlinson
I believe the sooner you start the better. Mainly with the economy been the way it is right now.
Hello! Definitely start your search now. I highly suggest (if you've not already) joining LinkedIn. Once you set-up your profile page you should begin "following" different companies related to the industry(ies) in which you are interested in pursuing. All of the major (and mid-sized) companies are there. Once you "follow" a company, you'll notice that job postings, etc. [related to said company], will begin to appear in your "feed".
I also recommend you join "Groups" related to your industry/job. I find LinkedIn to be a great resource to those looking for employment and networking opportunities.
Also, attend "mixers" or other networking events related to your desired job or industry. It's a great way to meet people. A "meet" at a mixer might lead to a phone call or email conversation with a seasoned professional about how to break into the industry -- or, tips on the best way to get your foot in the door at a particular company.
Good luck on your new adventure!
As a parent of recent college graduates and a 25 year college professor, I would say, "It depends." Of course you want to get a job before you graduate. But job fairs and college placement offices are not what they once were.
Your options depend on how long you can go without a job, how far you are moving and what you are trying to do. All of my kids are doing exactly what they wanted to do, but with no extra "in's."
What they did was to move to the place where they wanted to be with about a three month financial cushion. They found a dumb job (night clerk, apartment management, etc) that would provide a minimal cash flow and still allow time for a proper job search. A couple of months hatd work, a little networking, they connected with "real job 1." The rest is history.
My advice to students has always been to go finish college in the city in which they want to work and to get the job (summer job, internship, part time ...) and start working before they graduate. That is not always feasible, of course.
Depending on what you want to do, take your spring break, get addresses of major employers, names, connections, and ask people to meet with you for 20 minutes and talk about what they do. Real people , like me, HATE job interviews but love to talk about what they do. You can then ask, "what does it take to get a job here?" Have a resume with you when you go, but don't send one or give it out until someone asks.
At worst you get an introduction to the geography of the new city and the places you might want to work. At best you might get lucky.
Finally, a younger friend wanted to get into broadcasing in New York. He worked as in intern while in college, interned in New York during a few summers, got a paying job where he had worked while in college, made a few moves and is now a producer for NBC in New York and will graduate from Columbia with a masters that NBC paid for! In this case, the idea was to get the job and then make the move.
Have Fun!
I have only done this once and I waited until I was residing in the city to begin the search. I knew I was going to live there no matter what so I was willing to take that risk. I see no reason to wait though if you are sure that is where you are going to go.
Start now. With the availability of the internet you can go to many of the employment sites and plug in the place you are moving to so that you can feel out the market. Read the newspapers for that area. Research is essential. I moved to New York in 1987. I began reading as much as possible about locales, the economy, my particular market, and even how to get around on the subway - not as a tourist - as someone establishing a new home. Moves are stressful enough. Arm yourself with relevant information so that you have an advantage once you make your move. Good Luck.
I paid a visit to my present employer 11 years ago, just to meet some people and ask a few questions I flew cross country at my own expense to do so because this is where I wanted to work. I asked for an application and was dissuaded for various reasons but I filled one out anyway. They called me six months later to invite me to an interview. An aggressive, but tactful, approach shouldn't hurt you.
The Texas Workforce Commission is another resource for you. Have used that yet?
You can prepare your resume and start doing some research on companies and resources to check right now. Late October or early November you can start your search. From thanksgiving to Christmas things get lost in the shuffle and this kind of search does not get a lot of attention. Resume preparation is extremely important. A job objective should be included and should be customized; depending upon the job you are applying for. The resume should be brief, and give an employer reasons to hire you. Check carefully for spelling and grammatical errors. I know from experience, the first glance of the person reading your resume will be to find reasons not to hire you. Employers receive hundreds of resumes, and the first screening is to disqualify applicants, so be guided accordingly. The actual search should include contacts that you have developed relationships, and work for a company that you would enjoy working for. Many times it is who you know, not what you know. Corporate websites of large companies, such as Chase Manhattan, Exxon-Mobil, Proctor and Gamble, all post current openings. Head hunters in your field of employment can be found by googling them, and are a good source. There are websites like Monster.com, Salesladders.com, headhunters.com, careerbuilder.com, are another source for leads. If you have other questions, feel free to email me at: yanknole@aol.com. Mike Convey
OK...So does your school have a career counseling center available? They have access to a variety of employers who show deference and a preference for Veterans. Addditonally, I agree networking is key....utilize your friens acquaintances etc... Do not ask them for a job; ask them to review your resume and introduce you to their network. Additionally, it would be helpful to know if the new city is one where you know people or are going in cold?
Since you hae experience, you are a prime target for recruiters to look ast you. I really like Linked-in and the ladders. The Ladders is a $45 fee to join but Linked-in is free. This is a prime place to get your resume out to literally hundreds of recruiters daily.
What city are you coming home to? Our firm is looking for some good people.
I concur that you should begin researching jobs now. One additional thing to mention is making sure you create a resume that will stand out from others, as getting called to an interview is half the battle! Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for, and make sure you are clear and concise with your accomplishments and if possible, provide measurable results (ex: increased productivity 10% YOY etc...). Be prepared that getting invited to an interview may take a while so don't be discouraged. Just keep focusing on your goal and be persistent. Good Luck!
Margarita,
Absolutely start looking now - I think that the majority of the thread above has probably impressed the idea that it is never to early to start reaching out to your network, but would also just point out that whenever you start interviewing it takes a few interviews before you are going to feel really polished in your responses. To the extent you are able to do a few mock interviews before reaching out to employers you would like to work for I would highly suggest it.
Good luck with the search.
One of the things to consider too is the city or area itself. Do some research on housing, transportation, taxes and other fees. Also, look into recreational activities that are in the area because if you get a job but don't like the city then your efforts may be wasted. Larger companies are also using recruiters in many cases and often times the first interview is a phone interview. I also know that some interviews are done via Skype or other video conferencing service. The hiring process can take time and with modern technology a physical presence may not be needed for interviews. Good luck and best wishes in your search.
If your still in the service, I would recommend staying in. The economy is so bad that you will not be making what you are now. If you have 8 years your not far from retirement and would be at year zero at a new job. If you bored or don't like the job your in now..change jobs. Good Luck!
It's always good to have a game plan before you make a major move. Visit the area if you can start with temp agencies first because they can get you work right away in some cases. You should away learn how to swim before you jump into the water. Learn the area and then swim in it.
Hope this helps
I concur, you should begin searching for job now! In many cases, by the time you move you will have already made several contacts and have interviews lined up. Good Luck!
Hi Margarita
I would start to at least search whatever job opportunities are available in the new city you plan on moving to. Its tough to say if you should start applying now before you move as many companies hire candidates locally and there is a chance your resume may not be reviewed as a result of you not being in town. However it is a good idea to search around and contact the companies you are interested in to let them know you are planning to move to their city soon and have an interest in being hired.
If there is a particular company you are interested in, try and see if there is someone you know who has a a contact there. They will be a good source of information and opportunities for you
Best
Joe
Your Answer
Please log in to answer this question.