Would leaving New York allow me to break the temp trap?

June 30, 2006 2:04 PM

Would leaving New York City allow me to escape the temp trap and get a permanent position in my field?

I live in New York. I work as a legal secretary and I'm stuck in the temp trap. Employers will not hire me permanently because of my temporary background. This is a source of considerable frustration for me, as you can imagine.

Would moving to another city allow me to break free of the temp trap? Would employers in another city value New York experience to a degree that would allow me to get an actual permanent staff position? I'd particularly like to hear from people who have left New York and looked for work elsewhere. Were you able to break the temp trap? Did employers not value New York experience?

Thanks for your time.

posted by jason's_planet to work & money (3 comments total)

What *is* your field? Is it legal administration, or something else? What are your qualifications besides temping experience?

I've found that yes, living out in the sticks is a great way to jumpstart a career. Working for smaller comapnies and firms and doing -everything- ... while making sure that you can somehow demonstrate advancement, such as a change in titles ... will help you move back into an urban area with a better job later on. I just moved from Portland (where it's impossible to find a job that pays well) to College Station, TX and got a great job with the university within a month of arrival. As a bonus, the price of houses here is about 1/3 of what it is in Portland, so I can also escape the rent trap.
posted by SpecialK at 2:23 PM on June 30, 2006

Seriously, stick around NYC.

While there is more competition for legal secretaries here, there are also more legal secretarial jobs than in any other city in the States (except maybe DC).

Moving to another city runs the very real risk of being in a place where your lack of permanent experience will hinder getting a job - and where there might not be the temp jobs you are used to as a backup.

What I would recommend moving away from NY for are people well-established in their careers who are looking to become a bigger fish in a smaller pond, so to speak. But seriously -- NYC is one of the best spots in the world for people in your position.

Buck up on those interviewing skills, get some kickass references and wow them when you apply for the FT jobs. But for the love of God, don't move away from the city unless you have a compelling reason to. This is where the jobs are.
posted by huskerdont at 2:25 PM on June 30, 2006

Moving to another city runs the very real risk of being in a place where your lack of permanent experience will hinder getting a job - and where there might not be the temp jobs you are used to as a backup.

I was afraid you would say something like that. It's logical. It's sensible. It allows me to stay in New York.

Staying wins!

Thanks, guys!
posted by jason's_planet at 8:43 AM on July 1, 2006