Can anyone relate? (Atlanta: how much, find a job, buy)

[sincere1782]

Hello everybody,

I have a question, the thing is i live in Florida, however i was trying to come back to georgia but for some reason i cannot find a job. I have searched numerous websites, filled out many applications and sent hundreds of resumes. I have had luck in that i've gotten interviews however i don't feel like the internet is the most effective way of getting a job. Also some of my friends brought to my attention that being that i live in florida a lot of companies probably won't take me seriously so i guess my question is: Should i go ahead and move to atlanta well lawrenceville is where i want to stay, or continue to apply to jobs until something comes along. Or does anyone have an advice or been in this situation before. Miserable in fla.

[Northman]

Are you letting potential employers know that you don't expect them to pay your moving costs? That could be a reason you're not hearing anything. Companies are really bogging down on stuff like that.......if they see a resume from out of state that's the first thing they think of: "How much is it going to cost us to bring this person here?".

That said, I would never move to another state without securing employment first, especially with the current economy going down the toilet. A lot of people think Atlanta is an oasis in the economic desert, but the cost of living is soaring there, just as it is everywhere else. My advice would be to inform the potential employer that you will pay your own way to Georgia, and give them an approximate date that you would be interested in starting. That way it sounds like you have a plan.

Unless you're a registered nurse, job opportunities are not nearly as plentiful as they have been within the past 10-15 years.

[plessthanpointohfive]

First, I'd put on your resume, under your address, in Italics "Re-location assistance not required".

You could even state in the Objectives of your resume that you are moving to Atlanta for family, etc, to sort of back that up and then go on to describe your objectives.

This way, when they call for an interview and ask the standard question "Why are you looking to leave your current job?" You can say, "Well, I really want to be closer to family so I'm looking for new opportunities back home."

Stuff like that.

[sincere1782]

thank you very much for the advice, i am going to try those tactics for my next bunch of resumes i will be sending out.

[sweettea1]

I also highly recommend getting an Atlanta cell phone or an Atlanta voicemail and then just putting it with your email (many people don't write addresses on their resumes for safety) on your resume. Makes you more accessible, and often times out of state info (no matter how it's justified) is just another way to toss a resume. Also, how else are you going about your search? Are you contacting companies directly to inquire about available opportunities? this is the BEST way to do things...no matter how long you have to spend on the phone. Beats the %(#@Q out of a To Whom It May Concern letter from a random website. Trust me on this one!

[Kuya]

Unless you have a support base in GA, I would hang in there until something more concrete comes along. I agree that having a local address and/or number does help. As sweettea1 mentioned, perhaps you can buy a cell phone (i.e., prepaid) or a ask friend or family member to help you out in this area. I have lived in three different states in the past 10 years, and I notice a difference in employer responses when using local information. Also, continue to seek advice regarding your resume. I don't know which field you're applying for, but I would have several variations of my resume depending on the field. Your resume should be a reflection of skills you can bring to the table for that particular job. Also, make sure it's grammar tight and formatted properly. I've seen several hiring managers toss resumes, regardless of skillset, simply because they were poorly written.