When to start job searching?? (Boston, Quincy: apartment, lease, job market)

[moving_back_north]

Hi everyone!

I'm a yankee who moved south for school & work and have come to my senses and am moving back north...this time to Boston

I have a move date of May 29th (last weekend in May). I'm not worried about finding a place to live as I have some great friends already up there who will let me crash until I can find an apartment. I already have enough saved up, and am visiting boston for a long weekend St. Patricks Day weekend.

My question is, when should I begin job searching? I have 3+ years experience in development/fundraising with various nonprofits. Should I give my resume to some temp agencies and set up interviews for when I'm up there in March? Thats 2.5 months before I plan to move. I would hate to move without a job lined up, but I figured I could temp work for a month or two. Does anyone have any suggestions on reputable temp agencies? I've looked at a lot online but a website can only tell you so much. Should I begin the resume & cover letter sending at the end of march? April? Begining of May? I'm using my friends Quincy address on my resume (thanks to all of your advice about businesses not looking at resumes with out of state addresses) which isnt a complete lie because I will be moving into her apartment for about a month when I move up there.

I am not able to move before the end of May because of my apartment lease here in NC. I would hate to find a perfect job and have it not work out because of timing. I know things will most likely not work out timing wise perfectly which is why I would be looking for temp work as well. Thank you in advance for all of your help! Cant wait for St. Patricks Day

[smarty]

I have no idea regarding the timing.... but based on MA unemployment rate of 7% (vs 3.5% last year)... and probably continue to rise... it'll probably take a lot longer to find a job.

[clevedark]

Why don't you ask the temp agencies what they think?

[moving_back_north]

Thanks, that's a good suggestion to ask the temp agency.

I'm down in NC (Raleigh) and the job market here hasnt taken as big of a pounding so far from the recession (at least in my field). If I was to start applying for jobs here, I don't think I would have a difficult time finding one within a month.

Do you have any suggestions on which temp/staffing agencies to look into?