Applying For a Job If You Don't Live in The City Already

 

Recruiters will tell you right away that most companies don't want to meet with people who are "thinking about moving" to town. Because it's a pipe dream. Land the interview once you land in town.

Applying for jobs in a city you don’t live in yet might feel like a good idea. Because who wants to move to town and not have a job. But the problem is that most companies don't want to waste time with people who are not serious. 

Do you have an apartment lined up? Have you visited the city? Why are you thinking about moving?

Let's take a common situation that comes up in cities like NYC and LA. Everyone wants to move there, and most employers know this. The cold hard truth is that most people won't ever make it. 

It's most common with college students who are graduating. They all want to move to NY or LA. But employers won't waste time with meeting them because the fact is that most people won't move. 

The smartest people move to the city first--usually with college roommates--and then find a job. It costs a company time and money and wastes recrutiers time to meet people from Iowa, Boston, Detroit, and everyone else around the country who "is planning" on moving.

It means you're not serious and companies don't want that. Move first, have savings, and then line up interviews.

And a word of advice---don't try and trick recruiters into meeting with you by listing an address on your resume where you don't live. That's an easy way to get blacklisted and put on a do not contact list.

Be upfront and let them know your plan--the more detailed the plan the more likely it is that you'll get an interview.