Did You Have a Job Before You Moved to Austin? (Dallas: appointed, real estate market)

[atlanta hope]

Originally Posted by looking for warmth

I'm starting to think it would be better to move there first then find a job, I posted my resume online and I actually have had tons of hits but once they find out I'm not living there yet, then no more responces from them.... I would like to get a job first before we move, but not sure if thats going to happen? (anyone know of any company looking to hire a graphic designer in the next 6 months) hahaha....
Oh and to the person who posted about there buddy throwing the dart.... me and my husband laughed soooo hard over that one.... that would be COOL!!!

Same here -- hard to get anyone to be interested if you're out of town. AND I'm a web designer. Seems like they have plenty to choose from.

We're moving without jobs if we have to. We'd prefer jobs but I'm so ready to leave, I'm almost ready to be a cashier at HEB.

[Raziel]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

I'm curious as to what people are thinking, in terms of what they're hearing when contemplating a move to Austin. From reading a lot of posts, it sounds like a lot of people are just moving here first, and then trying to find a job. That sounds so crazy to me because most people move somewhere because of their job (transfer, higher paying, etc.). I didn't know that people would move across the country to live somewhere because of what they "heard about a city" and then try to find a job. Are things really that bad out there to where people are now moving to Austin/Texas in hopes of finding a job? I would NEVER move anywhere unless I damn well had a job first. I know a lot of people from California are cashing out and selling their homes for a lot of money and can then afford to make that kind of move, but still, I don't think everyone has that option and it's not like they're just handing out jobs like candy here. That seems like a huge risk but I'd like to know if some of you think it was worth it?

Definitely worth it. Austin was friendly and open. My wife and I moved without jobs. We took some pay cuts 15K/25K annual. You move and live where you can thrive and grow...not just because you have to transfer and if you have skills in your industry it's worth the risk. Just be confident, hustle and have some savings for some latitude. just my .02 cents

[AustinTexan]

Word of Advice to anyone coming here without a job, wait until you're here with a local address and phone number before you apply for a job. Most good job openings have hundreds of applicants and I know that when I worked for a certain prominent employer here in Austin, all the out of state applicants were literally thrown out. Unless you're a Rocket Scientist, a nurse/doctor, or someone in a profession with high demand, your chances of being considered for the job are much, much lower than someone with similar qualifications who already lives here. I'm just being honest. Most employers don't want the hassle of dealing with you having to travel out here, often multiple times for 2nd and 3rd interviews, and then have to tell you that the job was offered to someone else. Plus, the whole "hire locally, buy locally" thing that's going around.

But it's a 2 edged sword because a lot of people (like me) wouldn't move somewhere, especially across the country without a job being secured first. That's why I'm glad I don't have that problem. I was born and raised a Texan, by the Gift of God!

[Exiled Texan]

Thoughts on using the address and phone number of family in Austin? I'm a Texan exiled on the East Coast. All my family lives in Austin and I want to move back. But, with kids and currently a well paying job, I'm not just going to quit and move. Not asking for costs of flying down to interview or even moving expenses.

[looking for warmth]

Originally Posted by readymade

My plan (although I shouldn't be helping you since you'll be a competitor, heh) is to start looking in Craigslist for freelance jobs. The cool thing about doing web stuff is that you don't have to live in the same city of the website you're working on. i.e. Look all over, not just in Austin. Also, I was thinking about putting an advertisement in the local paper or something like that.

Most of my freelance jobs have happened through people I know. Word-of-mouth. So, I guess the other thing to do is get out there and meet people.

And, of course, all the other usual stuff like having a great portfolio. Good luck!

I have tried that too....in FL, MN, WI, TX, NY..... ect..... and it has never worked for me, I tend to wonder if some of those post are just a joke?...
I think I had one call but he wanted me to quit my job and wouldn't pay me what I was asking.... And it wasn't steady he just wanted me around if needed...hahah yea right, plus I work 8-noon so it's not like I work a 8 hour day?? So needless to say, that didn't work out.

But, your right word of mouth is the best.... I have a freelance gig at a dental lab and possiably at a casino too, (thats work in progress right now).

And advertise yourself too, yes put an AD in the paper, post flyers out and hand out business cards at every business in town...that's how I'm starting out...GOOD LUCK!!

[readymade]

Also, you have to be careful using Craigslist. I once went to an interview (in LA, of course) that turned out to be in a hotel (not a hotel ROOM, but they had rented out a "public" room to do interviews). When they pulled out a video camera and asked me to state my name into it, I was out of there.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by readymade

Also, you have to be careful using Craigslist. I once went to an interview (in LA, of course) that turned out to be in a hotel (not a hotel ROOM, but they had rented out a "public" room to do interviews). When they pulled out a video camera and asked me to state my name into it, I was out of there.

Sounds like that was a porno thing......I think the hotel room should have rang a bell.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by scongress1234

Sounds like that was a porno thing......I think the hotel room should have rang a bell.

I don't know that it was a porno thing. There were a lot of people waiting to be interviewed in suits 'n stuff. Not really porno like. And they were looking for a web designer... not a "hot web designer," heh. And it was a room in a hotel, like a banquet hall... but smaller. Not a hotel room with a bed.

So, who knows. I'll always wonder though.

[Mckellyb]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

Exactly!!! I'm telling you, I deal with a lot of these people from the west coast (mostly California) and you're exactly right, they come across like they're just pissed all the time. What the heck is in the water over there? <snippage>

I'm not sure what it is, but it's the entire west coast, from what I've experienced, and it starts 'bout Denver. I'm not saying everyone is mad and rude, but it's very common.

It's not the water in So Cal and Vegas, unless it's because of the ultra-hard water coming from Lake Mead. That lake has a ring in it, like a bathtub, from where the level used to be. You have to strain freakin' pebbles out of the stuff before you drink it.

I know!!! It's because they all have a kidney stone forming! I've had one, and thankfully only one, and I was in that mood while I had it.....

[Mckellyb]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

Thoughts on using the address and phone number of family in Austin? I'm a Texan exiled on the East Coast. All my family lives in Austin and I want to move back. But, with kids and currently a well paying job, I'm not just going to quit and move. Not asking for costs of flying down to interview or even moving expenses.

I say have at it! I've done the same using friends, asking them first, of course, and it's like majic.

The key is, and I had a difficult time with this a few times, make certain you phrase everything as if you're already here. No need for them to know you're from outta town, if you can start when they want/need you, it's not relevant. If you encounter a problem, tell 'em you have relocated, but finishing up moving family will take X amount of time.

Now, getting to interviews can be problematic, as it was when I was shopping for work here. For the third interview, we'd decided to just make the move, permanently. The first interview, I flew in and back...what a mess, the second, I drove my car here and flew back (to relocate it, as we were already more than leaning this direction), third time, go the motorhome ready to move, had my wife drive her car, and bam, we're here.

I've yet to accept anything, but I've been here less than 6 weeks, so....