How do I relocate?

November 16, 2006 11:18 AM

Relocation/Jobhunt Filter: Partner and I just graduated college (no savings, short job history) looking to move from rural California to a more metropolitan area. We both work as creatives, she does marketing & print, I do A/V & Internet... How does one do this with little money and a very modest portfolio?

Been living in a tiny town (20,000) for the last 5 years, going to a college, whose initials remind me of a sneeze. Met the girl, we each graduated with two degrees, and are looking to get the hell outta dodge. The reasons are numerous: 1) Few professional growth opportunities. 2) Intellectual Inbreeding. 3) High rents, low income. Sure, it's nice and quiet and isolated... but it's gotten weary. So, being the security-minded monkeys that we are, we gotta make sure the next tree has some fruit for us. Meaning, we need to have work before we move.

At our level, very few jobs seem to provide relocation assistance. Getting the job seems like an immense hassle, simply interviewing involves taking time off work, hotel rooms and >$250 in expenses. JobDango, Monster, Craigslist, has interesting stuff, it's just hard to make an impression, much less secure an interview from hundreds of miles away. I've tried contacting centers of commerce, but most relocation information seems to be oriented towards the 'you have a home, and need another one' type of thing. Hardly my problem. I can't see the american dream of home ownership working for me in the next 20 years. Anyway I digress...

I currently work in a place where I can do what I enjoy, video & audio, which is important. I don't want to go back to being a web monkey, or worse, retail clerk. My girl is less attached. When I move, I want to stay in my field, which is a hard one to get into. Compromises, I suspect will have to be made.

We are looking at Portland, Seattle or Vancouver. Any market specific tips would be appreciated, as well as stories from someone who has experienced the same thing. Any Americans grab Canadian dual-citizenship? I'd like to know that process, additionally.

That's all. Thanks bunches for anything you might provide.

posted by emptyinside to work & money (3 comments total)

It may not be your cup of tea, but you're more likely to find location flexibility with a large corporation than a small one. When I started work at a big co. right out of college, once they made me the offer, which happened after a single on-campus interview, they didn't really care when I started. (I took some time off to travel.) It was basically, "when are you going to be moved in and ready to work?"

Small shops generally don't have the resources to do on-location interviews, and they are more likely to want you to start quickly after accepting their offer. Big corporations take new employees in so frequently that you have more flexibility...if you're willing to work there.

If your school has a career office that's not totally useless, I'd call them and see what recruiters are going to be in the area. It might work in your favor to interview at a campus recruitment drive, if you can come off looking a little more experienced and professional than the average college student.
posted by Kadin2048 at 12:20 PM on November 16, 2006

All wonderful ideas, except for the fact that we're isolated. The only corporations who do recruitment is the local branch of target. I've never seen a out-of-the-area recruiter on campus. All in all, it would depend on the company, as to if I was willing to work there. Target, no. LucasArts, maybe. Google, a resounding yes.
posted by emptyinside at 12:48 PM on November 16, 2006

Call recruiters and temp/temp-to-perm agencies in the cities that you're interested in moving to. They will be able to tell you if they'll be able to keep you temporarily employed until you find something permanent (or ~they~ find you something permanent). They will also be able to give you an idea of the market for your desired career track. It's in their best interests to be honest, since if they aren't word gets out and an employment agency's reputation is very important. (And word ~does~ get around.)

Papers local to the cities will have housing ads, and you can get an idea of which neighborhoods are too expensive, too dangerous, too far from the center of things.

Just make sure that you do have either enough cash to last for at least a month, or credit with very low APR. (Um, yeah, I moved across the continent with no job on the other end. You learn the hard way.)
posted by Meep! Eek! at 9:42 PM on November 16, 2006