Author Topic: Getting a job out of state  (Read 4285 times)

Falke401

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Getting a job out of state
« on: October 14, 2015, 05:40:07 PM »
Sooner or later I will be exiting the military and moving across the country.  I will likely be moving to the North/South Carolina area.  I am worried about fining a job with almost no networks in the local area I am moving to. 

I have about 9 years of business/data analysis experience with some school to back it, but am still worried about this move and not being able to get a job. 

I was thinking all of the usual Linkedin and thinking of anyone I might even possibly know in the area.  Any ideas or anyone with similar experiences?

lizzzi

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2015, 07:37:39 PM »
When I was a military wife, I was always in that situation. As a nurse, I would call the HR offices of the local hospitals where we would be moving. I would just pick their brains, and folks I talked to were receptive...would usually be pleasant, and just say to call or come in to Personnel when we got into town. That was before the days of LinkedIn and Facebook though. It's a little hard when you are making a really long distance PCS...like when I came in from Guam to New York. Ha-ha. (Guam? Where is that? What is that?) But I sure had experience that the local nurses didn't. Probably true for you, too, in your field. I also think you'll find that people like veterans and may cut you a break. It gives you a certain proven status and track record.

lizzzi

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2015, 07:40:53 PM »
Forgot to say that I don't think it hurts to go down to the local Dept. of Labor or whatever it's called, and find some scut work to do while you're seeking something more professional in your field. While waiting for licensure in new states, I temporarily worked in a pewter factory once for a couple of months, and another time spent two or three months clerking in a party goods store. (Funnest job I ever had.)

Falke401

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2015, 08:24:12 PM »
Thanks for the tips!  I never thought of that.  Stuff like that is exactly what I am looking for. 

Schaefer Light

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2015, 07:11:06 AM »
Given the number of large military bases in NC and SC, I'm wondering if there's some way to take advantage of your military background to get a civilian job.  Not sure if there are any military contractors in this area (or if that's even something you'd be interested in doing), but it seems like there would be a lot of retired military folks working (and possibly hiring) for local companies.  Maybe there's some way to take advantage of that?

Falke401

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2015, 08:05:03 AM »
I am going to try to avoid the whole military thing once I get out.  If I will only work for the government or a GS job if I have to.  The politics and inefficiencies eat my soul. 

Retired To Win

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2015, 08:31:05 AM »
Sooner or later I will be exiting the military and moving across the country.  I will likely be moving to the North/South Carolina area.  I am worried about finding a job with almost no networks in the local area I am moving to. 

I have about 9 years of business/data analysis experience with some school to back it, but am still worried about this move and not being able to get a job. 

I was thinking all of the usual Linkedin and thinking of anyone I might even possibly know in the area.  Any ideas or anyone with similar experiences?

I'm butting in to say that your thinking is utterly foreign to me.  I never, ever, EVER worried about finding a job -- even during my earlier years when I didn't really have any special skills to offer.

During those early years (my 20's and 30's), I would relocate almost on whim and at the drop of a hat.  I can remember sitting in my Denver living room whining about the heavy snow to a visiting friend, he wisecracking about why I didn't just move to Hawaii, and me doing just that within a month of the conversation.  I can think of at least 4 other radical moves like that: Hawaii to Los Angeles (sales job)... Los Angeles to Miami (advertising agency job)... Miami to Denver (credit industry job)... Indianapolis to New York City (copywriting job)... etc.  And I did those moves with minimal financial reserves; just a lot of overconfidence in my ability to land on my feet -- and land a job.

I do admit it sounds a bit rash looking back on it.  But you've got to have some belief in yourself in this world!

lizzzi

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2015, 08:41:25 AM »
I'm not a worrywart myself, nor was I when younger. But Retired to Win, your approach does sound just a tad easy-breezy. I think the OP is just exhibiting common sense. Nothing he says makes me think he doesn't believe in himself.

AZDude

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2015, 09:25:53 AM »
If you have a set move date, companies will often interview you via skype or on the phone. Just make sure they know you are serious about the move and not just kicking the tires.


rockstache

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2015, 10:24:19 AM »
I am going to try to avoid the whole military thing once I get out.  If I will only work for the government or a GS job if I have to.  The politics and inefficiencies eat my soul.

This is how I felt getting out as well. I used a head hunter. I did not pay him, the company that hired me paid his fee (based on a percentage of my salary) after I had worked there for 90 days. (If any headhunter tries to charge you, run away!) He was extremely professional, helped me to relocate to my desired state, set up many interviews, revamped my resume, and gave me lots of tips. In the end, I took one of the jobs, and have been here for almost 7 years now! If you happen to be coming from the VA area, feel free to PM me for his name. I heard of him through the mandatory exit training I had with the military but there are tons of them everywhere.

Helvegen

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2015, 10:39:08 AM »
I'm not a worrywart myself, nor was I when younger. But Retired to Win, your approach does sound just a tad easy-breezy. I think the OP is just exhibiting common sense. Nothing he says makes me think he doesn't believe in himself.

I think that approach works best when you are willing to do whatever it takes to get by until you get the job you want. Quite frankly, having done this myself, my husband and I moved without jobs. We started applying from the road to anything we were qualified to do.  We had barely set down our things at the extended stay hotel we had checked into at our destination before we had calls for interviews. This was back when the economy was much worse. No, not all dream boat, fully benefited, full-time jobs, but it was work. We started doing temp jobs and my husband was a full time temp at a job in his field across the street from our hotel within two weeks and offered regular benefited full-time within two more weeks. But he was offered another FT job elsewhere and decided to go with that instead. I was offered FT work myself, but turned it down so we could move further out with his job.

I will say we spent a good 2 years carefully researching the move and getting our ducks all in a row before making the leap. We will probably do it again though (move without jobs).

lizzzi

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2015, 12:11:38 PM »
Right. I think it''s OK to move without a job if you've researched the new area, have some idea what you're going to do when you get there, and are willing to take anything that comes available as temporary work while you're getting into your "real" job. Of course, we're all MMMers here, and have the FU money and the emergency funds to handle the economics of a move.

Falke401

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2015, 10:45:50 AM »
Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.  We are building up a moving fund of about $20K or so to ease the pressure and give us time if needed.  Here soon I will have more details of when and were I am moving and can start hammering out the details. 

I try to be mustachian, but need more than most of you guys due to having a wife, 2 kids, a dog, and a cat.  They call carry some expense at one point or another. 

cashstasherat23

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Re: Getting a job out of state
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2015, 04:08:23 PM »
Chiming in with my relevant experience! I'm currently in the middle of looking to pick up and move to the west coast from NJ, and most of the employers that I've been talking to have been pretty understanding, as long as you have a good reason why you'd like to move. The company that I'm in final talks with actually flew me out here for the final interview, after an initial Skype interview. I think you'll find that as long as you address it in a way that makes sense, employers understand wanting to make a move!