Would love to move south - Need work. (1 Viewer)

[DomePatrol2005]

I would love to move south any where from north carolina to texas. I am currently in NJ. If anyone has any leads for a job in the fields of Tech Support, Office Administration, Financial Reporting and Analysis, please give me a PM. My home doesnt have enough bedrooms so I am looking to move but NJ is just too expensive.

 

[all2neat]

I don't have any openings for you. I have posted my honest reaction and some general advice when looking to take another job in a different region.

Do you have any particular cities you want to target? That's a very broad area so you may want to pick a few markets and target those. If you mention you want to move to the south you come across unprepared or someone that doesn't really know where they are going. There's a huge difference between Durham versus Atlanta versus Austin versus Birmingham. If you tell them I'm only interested in your city because of x, y, and z, then you'll come across prepared and more likely to pull the trigger and move. Many hiring managers have had experience with candidates that say they want to move but when push comes to shove they don't do it.

Each of those fields are slightly different so I would make sure to create a base resume for each. I'm a firm believer in tailoring the resume and cover letter (you do send these right?!?) for the job ad. One thing I've found helpful is to put on the resume that you are relocating. I put it on my resume behind my address. If you have a date you want to be in town for put that there also even if it's a goal date and not set in stone. If you miss the date simply shift it back a couple months.

My Name Here
123 N Main St, Prairieville, LA (relocating to Frisco, TX in June 2015)

In your cover letter addressing the relocation is a matter of personal opinion. There are camps on both sides. I say go for it. I have a brief explanation that I'm moving for family reasons and that the IT industry is better in their area and long term career wise it's a great move for me personally. Don't offer that you aren't seeking relocation assistance but be prepared to cover all costs, including costs to and from the interviews in those other cities.

Make sure to network in those cities. Use linkedin to your advantage. Find recruiters in those areas that specialize in your field. Make a trip to their city. Get face to face time, feet on the ground time, in that city. You can plan these ahead of time. Look for cheap days for airfare. A lot of times middle of the week is cheap. If you can fly in and out same day it saves you the hotel costs. Follow up with recruiters. Make it known you are serious about moving to their city.

The last piece of advice from me is to be prepared to get rejected a lot. Depending where you are at on the corporate ladder will impact this. Entry level jobs will be impacted more often, "c suite" jobs will not. Many hiring managers will ask why someone is moving across the country for a job paying 25k per year but if it's a VP position at 250k it's easier to justify. Don't let this rejection get you down. Keep a positive attitude and you'll be fine.

 

[DomePatrol2005]

I am unprepared, as I am not looking to move right away. I have a home to sell as well. I am just tossing it out there. I would love to be in the central Louisiana area or eastern texas. Maybe even west texas by el paso, as my wife has family out there. Other than that it would depend on the Job market and wouldn't really bother me. I hear Birmingham is very nice and has a good job market.

 

[Alan]

If you are looking in the tech field then a prime target is Fort Worth.
There are many data centers with lots of jobs in the areas you listed in the OP.

Have a valid reason for wanting to move. Good ones include allergies, moving closer to family, cost of living to name a few.

Set a goal of 2 applications per day, EVERY day. Be patient. It will probably take 30 to 90 days before you get serious contacts. Pay attention if the headhunter contacting you is just a run of the mill headhunter or someone that actually works for the company.

If the headhunter is an employee of the company then chances are much better than your average paid on hire commission headhunter and is a legitimate inquiry. Do not let commission headhunters try to fit you into a position you are uncomfortable with since they are just looking to get paid.

Follow the advise given by all2neat. Create a rough cover letter template and tailor each response to each posting. Do the same with your resume. It's like fishing. You don't use freshwater bait to catch a saltwater fish.

Be prepared to cover your own moving expenses. Unless of course you are in the 70k+ range which is generally the breaking point where companies usually give a hiring bonus or outright move you.

Last but not least persistence, persistence, persistence.

Did I mention: Follow the advise given by all2neat.

P.S. Keep track of all your submissions, resumes and coverletters. You never know when you will get that once special phone call. You don't want to blow it in the first minute.

 

[DomePatrol2005]

Thanks alot for the info. The chances of moving are becoming more realistic as I am having trouble getting what I feel comfortable with(for staying in NJ) for my house. I will look into fort worth area for s n g's now. One can dream.

 

[KCWhoDat]

I am unprepared, as I am not looking to move right away. I have a home to sell as well. I am just tossing it out there. I would love to be in the central Louisiana area or eastern texas. Maybe even west texas by el paso, as my wife has family out there. Other than that it would depend on the Job market and wouldn't really bother me. I hear Birmingham is very nice and has a good job market.

I am in the same situation as you are....:aargh:

 

[all2neat]

It is possible, it took me 6 months but in June I accepted a position in Plano, TX (N Dallas). Just keep being patient, it's worth it!

 

[Alan]

It is possible, it took me 6 months but in June I accepted a position in Plano, TX (N Dallas). Just keep being patient, it's worth it!

Congratulations!!! Hope you are enjoying your new job and new location.

Texas isn't a bad place to work if you can stomach those obnoxious Dallas/Texan fans.

Just looked up your location and wow, you are close. Roughly 40 minutes.