Would I have better luck finding work if I was local? (Austin: apartment, headhunters)

[BobosCurse]

If I were to come to Austin and get a short-term (2 months) apartment or hotel this Summer, do you think I would have better luck finding an engineering job?

[Exiled Texan]

If you are unique and senior, no. If you are junior or a dime a dozen, most likely, but I wouldn't quit a job to gamble that. Also, I'd expect a 6-9 month search.

That being said, I'm not sure what type of engineer you are nor do I have a great feel for the job market. I'm getting so many mixed signals.

[BobosCurse]

I don't have a job to quit now.
I'm an electrical engineer, but my experience is varied. Unfortunately I'm not an expert in anything.
I would also settle for a networking job, I have a Cisco CCNA certification.

[artsyguy]

No. It's who you know.

[Unclemeat]

I just moved here, and here's my experience so far...

I think it helps for anything but higher-level jobs (which might get filled via headhunters). Staffing companies and employers alike will often tell you to contact them when you move to town. They often say they need to fill positions quickly, or maybe they just don't believe everyone is serious when they say they plan to relocate. Regardless of the reason, there are a lot of job candidates out there and any company is going to want to make their employment decision as easy as possible. Dealing with out of state candidates who claim they want to relocate with a timetable that may or may not be accurate, is not efficient.

[Trainwreck20]

We have hired two people recently, relatively junior but professional positions, and both were out of state. They both did have areas of expertise that we were looking for, though, but I think we probably also had some local applicants. We are pretty much hire the best person for the job, location is not critical. I did not do the hiring or interviewing, but one was in town (not sure if just for the interview or not) and one was interview at his location (since we travel a lot, not a big deal to go to candidate).

Anyway, we couldn't care less where you are currently located, but we also don't have any positions for EEs .

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by BobosCurse

I don't have a job to quit now.
I'm an electrical engineer, but my experience is varied. Unfortunately I'm not an expert in anything.
I would also settle for a networking job, I have a Cisco CCNA certification.

When we hire we dont care about location. It is so hard to find good people as long as they are willing to move to austin we are fine.

That being said, I worry if someone uproots their whole life to move here and they dont work out I would feel terrible about letting them go. So people from out of town really do have to be exceptional.

[RooCeleste]

I moved to Austin from South Texas three years ago to get married. I was, at that time, a 12-year state employee and I wanted to stay with the state in Austin. I have a Master's degree, an independent practice license, and many years of consistent work experience with the same agency, so I would say I was pretty marketable.

I found that I had better responses from employers when I began using my fiance's Austin address, with my own cell phone number, instead of my South Texas address. I could more easily explain that I WAS moving to Austin permanently, but at the time, considered myself a part-time resident at my fiance's house. It also helped justify why I was willing to accept a $12,000 pay reduction (truth is, salaries in Austin are much less than elsewhere in the state) - when they realized it was for a husband, it was more easily explained than just saying "I want to move to Austin."

As for my hiring practices since I've been here in Austin, my agency won't allow phone interviews so I've found that most people from out-of-town/state really aren't interested in the jobs when it comes time to travel in for the interview.

Good luck!!

[JayBrown80]

It's hard getting employed right now regardless of location. Since you are not currently employed, I don't see how your situation could worsen by trying your luck in a new city. Unless you are leaving a safety net behind (living with parents, friends etc.).

And particular reason you want Austin? Or are you just dragnetting the country?