how to find out-of-state jobs?

I've managed to put off the relocation bug mostly for as long as it took me to graduate college, but having earned my papers finally back in December I'm thinking hard about relocating from Maryland to warmer, cheaper, more motorcycle and outdoors stuff friendly parts of the country. The biggest hangup I have is trying to secure a job before leaving...

Whats the best way to go about finding jobs in a different part of the country? What kind of things should I be putting in my cover letter and/or resume beyond the basics to keep from getting tossed in the circular file? Unfortunately my degree (B.S. Art+Design) and previous jobs (nearly all sales or retail positions) tend to lend me to finding entry level or just above positions.

I've kinda got my heart set on the Ozarks and eastern OK area from my riding out there, but going all the way west to California (San Diego or Bay Area) or even up to Oregon have also ranked high on my list. Technically my father lives in Washington state, or at least has a permanent address there since he retired and began wandering the earth in 2008, so thats an option too.

Or, what about finding seasonal work in these, or other, areas and trying to convert them into something more permanent there or at a different company later on?

Thanks...

I would suggest looking on Monster and the job sites for the newspapers in the area you want to relocate.

That will help you identify who the recruiters are in those locations that work in your field. They will probably be your best bet for getting a foot in the door someplace, since many companies use them to filter it down to the qualified candidates.

Since they get paid by the company doing the hiring it is low risk for you, and they don't make money unless they get their candidates hired. They also can get almost immediate feedback from a potential employer after an interview, where you may wait indefinitely to get feedback on your own.

Since you are looking at entry level, you will have better luck if you don't need a relocation package, or can get by with minimal assistance from a company.

ever been to Greenville SC? i'm guessing no, because if you had, you wouldn't be looking anywhere else. i will relocate one of these days...

• check websites of newspapers in the cities you're considering
• google combinations of art and design and cities you're considering
• definitely get on careerbuilder and monster and set up auto-searches

thats about all i've got for you. Good Luck!

AngryCorvair wrote: ever been to Greenville SC? i'm guessing no, because if you had, you wouldn't be looking anywhere else. i will relocate one of these days... - check websites of newspapers in the cities you're considering - google combinations of art and design and cities you're considering - definitely get on careerbuilder and monster and set up auto-searches thats about all i've got for you. Good Luck!

You really like my town! I do too! It IS awesome here... lots of good jobs.

AngryCorvair wrote: ever been to Greenville SC? i'm guessing no, because if you had, you wouldn't be looking anywhere else. i will relocate one of these days... - check websites of newspapers in the cities you're considering - google combinations of art and design and cities you're considering - definitely get on careerbuilder and monster and set up auto-searches thats about all i've got for you. Good Luck!

Maybe we'll be neighbors, along with Tuna. I went there for work years ago and have never forgotten it. The first thing that blew me away was the airport. How the heck do you walk out of an airport and think you're in a park? Amazing! It only got better from there.

tuna55 wrote:

AngryCorvair wrote: ever been to Greenville SC...

You really like my town! I do too! It IS awesome here... lots of good jobs.

yes. i do like that town. my view is slightly jaded, though, because twice a year i help a friend teach an SAE seminar at the BMW Performance Center, so I'm there on someone else's dime, driving someone else's cars, eating someone else's food, and getting paid to do it.

i took my wife and kids in November. they hung out with her cousin while i did the class, then i got to spend a few days with them before coming home. by the last day, my wife said "have you found a full time job down here yet?"

I would suggest first deciding where you want to live, and then narrowing down the type of job that you want. If you sound like a desperate shmoe looking for anything, anywhere, you will probably have a tough time convincing the employer that you're serious. Look in industry-related journals, newspapers, newsletters, websites, ect. I have heard that the postings on Monster and other generalist job postings have gone downhill, since anyone can have access to (and apply for) the postings.

I thought I should finally update this, because I found a job and started about a month ago. Didn't end up in any of the industries or locations I originally planned... but I did end up working for a hotel in Fairbanks, Alaska making more than I did back in Maryland, got a kick ass road trip out of the deal, and a solid foot in the door in an industry that while hopefully allow me to keep wandering indefinitely.

I found the job by google searching seasonal jobs in Alaska and applying directly on their website.

The freedom I feel right now is... fabulous.

i use indeed.com

BARNCA wrote: i use indeed.com

plus eleventy billion

Another + for indeed.com. You can search local too, by zip code. Monster.com blows goats. There's also ihire.com, they have ihireautomotiveprofessionals.com and other stuff. But, they are subscription to get the actual hiring info and even with a subscription once I had a job advertised in my zip code and specialty that wasn't emailed to me, that pissed me off because I had to find it during a site search. It was filled 2 days before I found it.

Your motorcycle journey is an epic byproduct of a job search. Outstanding!

In reply to skierd:

You, sir, are an inspiration to those of us who are inspired by you. Seriously, for a young person with wanderlust, seasonal work is a great way to go. Post pix of Alaska!

Skierd,

I'm interested to know how you make out with finding jobs ahead of actually being there. My girlfriend and I have been struggling to get noticed, and I think its our combination of obscure job fields and varied (me) or specific (her) experience.

Honestly, I don't know how I got picked for this gig. I've worked in the beverage industry for a couple years, had some wine-specific training and built up a good background of wine knowledge and customer service skills, but nothing on the on-premise side of the business. I applied to the cruise line online with all my pertinent information and a few weeks later I had a call to come up and work in one of their hotels in their catering department to help put on their wine dinners and other functions for the summer. Its not glamorous, but I get paid.

Best I can say is, at least for seasonal work, apply as early as possible. Be at least remotely qualified for the job. Be ready to take it when they call back.

I was only in Fairbanks in passing. I was there in the second week of June, so it never got dark. I'm glad I avoided going up there in the winter. Enjoy the seasonal gig, and make sure to post when you find a fall/winter job somewhere warmer.