Getting a job in a new state - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Harshaw · 09-21-2003, 08:09 AM

I'm more or less done living in Utah (I just wanted to be here till Graduation) so I have been thinking about moving to a different state. The main problem I have is, I can't really afford to move unless I have a job waiting for me. I can't really see driving to a different state everytime I have a job interview, so I am wondering if anyone has any tips. If you've managed to get a job in a state other than the one you were living in, how did you do it?

Cynthetiq · 09-21-2003, 08:13 AM

I picked up and left with the promise of a job that I landed while on vacation.

When I got there, no job. Company dissolved. So I started as a delivery guy making $4.35/hour... from $125/hr consultant down to busting my hump delivering packages. Boss let me live in his attic until I could get on my feet. I lived with him for 2.5 years. Sucked...but that was 12 years ago.

But now I own a car, own a 1 bedroom apartment in Manhattan, and I work for a very cool company.

Save money... save money... when you think about having that beer... think about it twice...

my wife and I are hoping one day to do the same thing overseas... and it's all about saving money saving money saving money.

Psivage · 09-21-2003, 08:19 AM

If you know where you want to move to call the Chamber of Commerce up in that cities. Ask them about the town, jobs and ask for a information package. Another thing check the newspaper of that town and look in the classified section.

westothemax · 09-21-2003, 04:49 PM

At the beginning of June my sister just put in her two weeks at the University of Michigan hospital, and decided that she wanted to move to San Francisco.

Her lease in Ann Arbor was up so she just packed up her car and drove her stuff out to SF.

My grandparents live out there so she stayed at their place for about a week and looked around for an apartment. This helped her out a lot... see if you have any friends or relatives or something in the area that you want to move to. See if you can crash at their place for a little bit, or even if they know people who can help you get a job...etc.

After finding a place and signing the lease, she sent out her resume to just about everyone and did interviews. She just started her new job a few weeks after she moved to SF. This part obviously took the most work.

The internet helped a lot. She used www.Craigslist.org the most because there were listings for housing and jobs. It is originally SF/Bay area specific, but they have started up in a few different cities across the States. She also used the usual job hunting websites, but I'm not sure how helpful they were for her.

So if you're feeling lucky you could do what my sister did - pick a city you like and find a place to live before finding a job.

yournamehere · 09-22-2003, 09:56 AM

I would suggest taking advantage of your vacation time - schedule a few vacation days around weekends - make two trips to where you want to work. Do a lot of research the first trip - look through the phone book, visit some places to get a "feel" for it, etc.

Send out resumes saying when you'll be available for follow-up interviews (your 2nd visit). If you can schedule a few interviews over a few days' time, you'll have time to relax and regroup between interviews.

Look for short-term housing in the area - it's usually cheaper than a hotel if you'll be there more than a couple days, and will include small kitchens to keep your costs down. If you can, use some of the time to research what area of town you'd like to live in once you get a job

If you're really strapped, just make one visit for interviews - do all the research by phone or online, then send out resumes. Just put in your cover letter, "I will be in "CITY" on "DATES" in order to discuss in person how I can contribute to the continued success of XYZ Inc." Make sure you call to follow up on making an appointment - don't wait for them to call you.

If you can't afford to do this, then budget your money for however long it takes to be able to do it, because, unless you have a very impressive resume and a company will fly you there at their expense to interview you, it's up to you to pursue the job. If you plan ahead, you should be able to budget a R/T ticket and a weeks worth of temp housing for under $500.

Edited later - I forgot to add - keep all receipts, because I'm pretty sure all expenses related to searching for employment are tax-deductible

Cynthetiq · 09-22-2003, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by yournamehere
Edited later - I forgot to add - keep all receipts, because I'm pretty sure all expenses related to searching for employment are tax-deductible

not to mention moving more than 25 miles, moving expenses are also tax deductable

skysooner · 09-25-2003, 12:08 PM

It took me several years to manage it as I work in a field that there aren't many job openings in. Several good ways to do this are to post a job resume on some of the online sites. List where you want to live. Many times headhunter services pick these up and will call you with job opportunities. Subscribe to the paper of the place you want to move to or at least apply for online access (which is usually free) to get a look at their classifieds. Networking is the single best thing you can do however. Find the names of friends of friends that work for companies or in geographic areas that you want to move to. Get in contact with them and leave a resume. You never know when they might get a job offer that they can't take but would pass on to you. Spread the net far and wide and eventually you will land something.

09-21-2003, 08:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Harshaw Is mad at you. Location: Bored in Sacramento	Getting a job in a new state I'm more or less done living in Utah (I just wanted to be here till Graduation) so I have been thinking about moving to a different state. The main problem I have is, I can't really afford to move unless I have a job waiting for me. I can't really see driving to a different state everytime I have a job interview, so I am wondering if anyone has any tips. If you've managed to get a job in a state other than the one you were living in, how did you do it?

09-21-2003, 08:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I picked up and left with the promise of a job that I landed while on vacation. When I got there, no job. Company dissolved. So I started as a delivery guy making $4.35/hour... from $125/hr consultant down to busting my hump delivering packages. Boss let me live in his attic until I could get on my feet. I lived with him for 2.5 years. Sucked...but that was 12 years ago. But now I own a car, own a 1 bedroom apartment in Manhattan, and I work for a very cool company. Save money... save money... when you think about having that beer... think about it twice... my wife and I are hoping one day to do the same thing overseas... and it's all about saving money saving money saving money. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION! Last edited by Cynthetiq; 09-21-2003 at 08:16 AM..

09-22-2003, 09:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
yournamehere Invisible Location: tentative, at best	I would suggest taking advantage of your vacation time - schedule a few vacation days around weekends - make two trips to where you want to work. Do a lot of research the first trip - look through the phone book, visit some places to get a "feel" for it, etc. Send out resumes saying when you'll be available for follow-up interviews (your 2nd visit). If you can schedule a few interviews over a few days' time, you'll have time to relax and regroup between interviews. Look for short-term housing in the area - it's usually cheaper than a hotel if you'll be there more than a couple days, and will include small kitchens to keep your costs down. If you can, use some of the time to research what area of town you'd like to live in once you get a job If you're really strapped, just make one visit for interviews - do all the research by phone or online, then send out resumes. Just put in your cover letter, "I will be in "CITY" on "DATES" in order to discuss in person how I can contribute to the continued success of XYZ Inc." Make sure you call to follow up on making an appointment - don't wait for them to call you. If you can't afford to do this, then budget your money for however long it takes to be able to do it, because, unless you have a very impressive resume and a company will fly you there at their expense to interview you, it's up to you to pursue the job. If you plan ahead, you should be able to budget a R/T ticket and a weeks worth of temp housing for under $500. Edited later - I forgot to add - keep all receipts, because I'm pretty sure all expenses related to searching for employment are tax-deductible __________________ If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors: "If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too." It won't hurt your fashion sense, either. Last edited by yournamehere; 09-22-2003 at 10:01 AM..

09-21-2003, 08:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
Psivage Psycho	If you know where you want to move to call the Chamber of Commerce up in that cities. Ask them about the town, jobs and ask for a information package. Another thing check the newspaper of that town and look in the classified section.

09-21-2003, 04:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
westothemax Insane Location: Bay Area	At the beginning of June my sister just put in her two weeks at the University of Michigan hospital, and decided that she wanted to move to San Francisco. Her lease in Ann Arbor was up so she just packed up her car and drove her stuff out to SF. My grandparents live out there so she stayed at their place for about a week and looked around for an apartment. This helped her out a lot... see if you have any friends or relatives or something in the area that you want to move to. See if you can crash at their place for a little bit, or even if they know people who can help you get a job...etc. After finding a place and signing the lease, she sent out her resume to just about everyone and did interviews. She just started her new job a few weeks after she moved to SF. This part obviously took the most work. The internet helped a lot. She used www.Craigslist.org the most because there were listings for housing and jobs. It is originally SF/Bay area specific, but they have started up in a few different cities across the States. She also used the usual job hunting websites, but I'm not sure how helpful they were for her. So if you're feeling lucky you could do what my sister did - pick a city you like and find a place to live before finding a job.

09-25-2003, 12:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
skysooner Registered User Location: Oklahoma	It took me several years to manage it as I work in a field that there aren't many job openings in. Several good ways to do this are to post a job resume on some of the online sites. List where you want to live. Many times headhunter services pick these up and will call you with job opportunities. Subscribe to the paper of the place you want to move to or at least apply for online access (which is usually free) to get a look at their classifieds. Networking is the single best thing you can do however. Find the names of friends of friends that work for companies or in geographic areas that you want to move to. Get in contact with them and leave a resume. You never know when they might get a job offer that they can't take but would pass on to you. Spread the net far and wide and eventually you will land something.