Jobs in Marketing (Chicago, Detroit: sales, car insurance, salary)

[tlake]

I'm working on making my move from Detroit to Chicago, and I'm just wondering my best options for getting a job out there.

I work in advertising right now, and I have a few friends out in Chicago that work in agencies that can get me positions there. The problem is the salary would be about $34K/yr, which is not much more than I'm making in Detroit.

I think I can make the move work if I get rid of my car/car insurance (would save about $400) and then get a studio on the north side for $600-700.

My question is, my experience and skills can also align with non-agency jobs, which would be higher paying, but the problem is I'm not sure how to get them. Networking of course helps, but I'm worried not being out there is hurting my chances.

So, are there resources out there (Chicago-focused job boards, etc) that can help? Or should I make the move and stay at the agency for a year or so while I look for something better paying?

[linicx]

It's was my experience when I was in the workforce that it was easier to move to a new field if I was currently employed. But there is caveat. I would wait until the economy improves a little better. I read last year a statistic that stated for every job in Chicago there were 6.000 or more applicants. The odds will improve as the economy improves. Also, the longer you are employed at the same company, the better it looks on an application.

[Vlajos]

can you room with some of your friends here?

[tlake]

Most of them are already living with someone unfortunately.

I was doing some comparisons of salaries online, and it looks like if I can move into another position in advertising I can make more (moving from media planning to the account side-something I have previous experience with).

[TheYO]

Have you considered going over to the vendor side? I know sales can be cutthroat, but I know a lot of media planners who have left agencies for positions at vendors.