Sorry for the length and thanks if you manage to read this! We moved from the Southeast to the Midwest for DH’s job (a promotion) two years ago and now that the relocation indenture is up, we’d like to move back, but not to the small city we came from. The job market there absolutely stinks unless you are willing to work low wage jobs. There are few opportunities with his current Fortune 200 company. He did interview for another opportunity this month, but during the interview he was told that since there were qualified employees locally, they would have a hard time justifying relocation dollars for him. We’re open to the where, but would really like Raleigh, Charlotte or Richmond.
This is his first corporate job so he doesn't have many contacts outside of his company. I work in a totally different industry (life sciences) so my contacts won’t do anything for him since his lack of a degree means that industry is closed to him. And I'm searching for a new job for myself anyway so am using my contacts. Before this job, he was a professional chef in hotels then owned restaurants and catering companies in resort towns. His current job is a managing a team of employees that provide service and some sales for mostly independent restaurants, nursing homes and small chains over a four state area. There are some bigger clients (schools, regional chains). He travels about 25% of the time and would be willing to travel more, just not 100%.
My biggest roadblock is figuring out what companies to focus on for him, we’d like a bigger company with some room for future growth even for people without degrees, industry doesn't really matter. Although he applies for jobs online, we are well aware that tactic rarely even leads to an interview. His industry doesn't have many competitors and he has a non-compete, so going to work for a competitor is probably out. Moving somewhere then finding a job sounds way too risky for me. I’m worried that being 50 and his lack of a degree will be held against him so I’d rather find the job then move. I'm feeling overwhelmed, any advice on figuring out those first steps?