Frustrated by Austin Job Market (Houston, Dallas: transfer, buy, salary)

[DennyCrane]

OK. I've been looking for a job in Austin for the past 2 months and while I've had a few interviews, I haven't received any offers. I know the economy overall is bad, but I was hoping Austin would be better. I work in the IT field in software development and the recruiters I've talked aren't having much luck. Can anyone recommend any other approaches that make sense to the Austin IT market?

[atxcio]

Perhaps an off the wall suggestion... but go to some happy hours, or meetups (NOT the ones for "networking"... the ones for making friends with similar interests like biking, hiking, running, etc). Make some friends -- chances are they will be employed locally. When they find out you are looking they might be willing to put in a good word or get your resume a little higher "priority" at their own employer. Happens all the time. There are jobs to be had, but when a lot of people are applying it really helps to know someone inside... especially in this town.

Also, since you are in the IT field, have you already tried any of the IT temp agencies? Also, although it is intended for business owners / independent consultants, you might try attending an event by Austin Technology Council ... there may be some potential employers there, or at least people you can strike up a conversation with.

[DennyCrane]

Well I'm already working with several agencies. As for going to meetups and things, that won't work since I'm not in Austin yet.

[atxcio]

Ah, well yes, you are at somewhat of a disadvantage then. I know that even in good times, I'd be a little hesitant as a manager to higher someone who was going to relocate... not because I didn't think they were qualified, but because I felt a bit more pressure about the job security of the position I was filling. I didn't want someone to up and move and then 6 months later we'd be terminating them... which is always a possibility, especially in a smaller company that has to be able to turn on a dime if things aren't working out with a particular project/person.

Furthermore, when hiring, if you can find someone who is referred by an existing employee... assuming that the applicant also has excellent qualifications and a great interview... I may be more inclined to hire them with the knowledge that they may work a *little* harder or avoid tardiness/absence issues because they don't want to disappoint their friend. Minor things, really, but they come into play when you have a stack of applications for 1 position.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

Well I'm already working with several agencies. As for going to meetups and things, that won't work since I'm not in Austin yet.

That's probably your problem. I looked for a job before I moved to L.A. and NO ONE was biting. I had some money saved up and moved anyway. As SOON as I moved (and had an L.A. address), I got a ton of job interviews and was offered 2 jobs.

I think companies don't like hiring from out-of-state. And who can blame them?

[handy dan]

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

Well I'm already working with several agencies. As for going to meetups and things, that won't work since I'm not in Austin yet.

Have you gone to any of the LauchPad job search events or talked to some of the folks at teh Texas Workforce Commission? They may be able to help.

I spent more than 12 months looking for a full time job in Austin and ended up moving to Virginia to take a job. The truth is that the Austin job market is not very strong and you may have to look elsewhere to find something that will pay a decent salary. Houston's economy is doing well right now thanks to the energy boom.

[achtungpv]

If you don't need relocation assistance you should spell that out clearly in the cover letter. I know I generally toss out-of-state resumes for all but the most senior positions (10+ years required) since it is impossible to get relocation assistance approved for entry-intermediate positions. However, I have kept in the mix a few that said no relocation assistance was required.

[DennyCrane]

I realize that my being an out-of-state applicant is what's hurting me the most. I have been saving up for moving expenses and luckily I don't own a ton of stuff. Whenever I apply to jobs, I explicitly state that I'm not looking for any type of relocation assistance. I've also thought about just moving to Austin first and then looking for a job. But that's pretty risky. I could exhaust my savings and still not have a job and being out of work for a long period would look bad on the resume. Jobhunting is never fun, but it's even worse when you're doing it from 1200 miles away.

[Jennibc]

We're in the same boat as you Denny Crane. My husband has been looking from the Seattle area for the past three months for the same type of job. He has had three on sites, two resulted in no offer and one he pulled his name from consideration. It is very frustrating.

One thing we are considering is if things don't pick up on the interview front is to plan a trip down in October, put in a cover letter that he will be down there then and would appreciate an opportunity to interview. Perhaps that would at least provide for some more interviewing opportunities. I don't know. It might not work but it sure would be nice to take a family vacation down there once the temps start to cool down.

Unfortunately, the economy sucks. Not as bad in Austin, but I am sure they have a sizable pool of local talent to pick from so they don't need to incur the cost of bringing someone in from the outside. Consequently, it may take longer to find a job in the tech sector than it once did.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by handy dan

Have you gone to any of the LauchPad job search events or talked to some of the folks at teh Texas Workforce Commission? They may be able to help.

I spent more than 12 months looking for a full time job in Austin and ended up moving to Virginia to take a job. The truth is that the Austin job market is not very strong and you may have to look elsewhere to find something that will pay a decent salary. Houston's economy is doing well right now thanks to the energy boom.

This is actually a good alternative, or at least it sounds like one. Other than moving to Austin and then looking, you could start feeling out some Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio leads. If you land something, you'd have a Texas address and could possibly transfer into Austin from there or it would buy you some time to look in Austin and in the meantime be living in Texas. Houston is only 2.5-3 hrs. away from Austin, San Antonio about 2, and Dallas abt. 4.