What we have here...

[athelind]

My last entry, it seems, was not entirely clear about my primary dilemma.

I would like to relocate. I would LOVE to relocate! "To go where the jobs are" is my goal!

I do not understand the process involved in getting a job outside of one's local area. To reiterate:

I don't have the resources to shell out on a plane ticket for a "MAYBE".

How does someone with no job make it to an interview that's in another state?

Comments

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

Usually it's picked up by the interviewing company, if they're shopping for out-of-state job applicants...

[cpxbrex.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when Adrienne is courted for a job by people from away, they pick up the tab.

If they're not going to pick up the tab, they expect the applicant to do it and aren't particularly looking for applicants outside their area.

I think the answer to your question is that, largely, unless they're paying, most people *don't* go to interviews in distant locations unless they're fairly certain they're getting the job or they've got a lot of money.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

It was clear. We just didn't answer the question.

Credit cards. Applying to places that'll do phone interviews for first and maybe second interviews. Having friends and family in the areas you're looking, that can help at least for housing and food. Apply to larger organizations that can fly candidates there.

[toob.livejournal.com]

Aww, you're leaving just after we met?

[tombfyre.livejournal.com]

I've generally found two good ways to seek employment outside of their current city, state, country, whatever. Either find a friend in the area that you can stay with for a while as you job hunt, or locate the companies via the phone/internet/etc, and apply that way. Let them know that you're willing to move to come work for them, that generally has some sway. :)

[ebony14.livejournal.com]

Have you spoken with the university where you graduated, to see if they have any contacts in the industry that you can contact for information? There may be "hiring fairs" being held where out-of-town companies are sending representatives. Aside from that, checking for out-of-town/state employers on employment websites (both global and per company) and calling them to see what their policy on out-of-town interviewees is.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

How does someone with no job make it to an interview that's in another state?

What's your field?

Most LD interviews are phone for the first two, then they fly you out *at their expense* for a final in-person interview.

[aeto.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if a company isn't even going to cover the cost of flying you out for the interview, you probably don't want to deal with them (for any "professional" position) anyway. While some of the companies I knew wouldn't have covered relocation, had any said that I had to pay to go out for the interview, I wouldn't have bothered with them at all.

Most will give you one or two hour-long phone calls to decide if it's worth to bring you out, but if you "pass" those, they will cover interview costs.

[unclekage.livejournal.com]

The interviewing company indeed usually picks it up, although that depends on your level.

I strongly suggest you brush up on networking. It's a stupid buzzword that is badly overused, but I have discovered that it really is the key to getting a good job. "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is a very accurate statement. The best jobs come when someone you know says, "Hey, I need someone in this position. Come on by." In my experience, which believe me is extensive, the positions that are advertised are almost universally already filled by the time they hit print.