Getting a job in Chicago from another state (Ashton, Lee: lease, house)

[teshorr]

Has anyone had experience with this?

My boyfriend and I are moving to Chicago next summer, and I already have a position lined up. However, he doesn't, and I'm wondering what the best strategy is for him to job hunt from AZ. I've heard from some that certain employers won't even consider a resume unless it's local, but I have also heard about it happening quite frequently, especially for fresh-out-of-college people (he just graduated a couple days ago from UofA).

He has a really kick-butt resume, but we are mostly concerned with how to word his cover letter for this specific situation, and how he can market himself to employers. Since we have a pretty long timeline, we are planning on taking a minimum of 2-3 trips to house hunt, and (hopefully) for him to do some interviewing.

If anyone has any experience with this, or even just some advice, I would really appreciate it! Thanks so much, hope everyone's having a great weekend!

[jessiegirl_98]

What field is he in? I know plenty of people who have found jobs before coming to Chicago. Actually two of my cousins are still in college and already have found jobs for the Spring. Does he have a flexible moving date? In other words, if he's out of school, could he move early and you could catch up with him? This might give him more flexbility in terms of finding a job. He can start looking now and if they can't wait until this summer (which most places won't unless they are used to hiring college grads), then he could take the job early. Just a though.

[teshorr]

He's in marketing/PR, which I know should definitely be pretty lucrative in Chicago, and he should be able to find a few offers.

He is locked into his lease through April, but we have thought about him going a couple months earlier than me, in April or May. We are planning one trip in early April, so hopefully he can drop off resumes and get 4 or 5 days packed with interviews during that time.

As I mentioned before, too, we are mostly concerned with how exactly to market himself. I know with students still in college, there are tons of recruiters, but obviously not quite the same in this situation.

How did the people you know go about securing their jobs from another city?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the help!

[Windy City John]

Here are the top PR firms in Chicago, As with anything it's all about connections--find someone, who knows someone, who knows someone. Linked-in.com seems to be popular these days-- search U of A alumni working in public relations in Chicago.

Next tell him to start reading Crains at the U of A library or online.

[SIZE=5]Chicago Public Relations Firms

[/SIZE]<A href="http://www.armentdietrich.com/" target=_blank lid="Arment Dietrich" el="http://www.armentdietrich.com">Arment Dietrich

Ashton Partners

Burson-Marsteller

CKPR

Cohn & Wolfe

Dolphin Rose Music & Media Worldwide Inc.

Dome HK

Edelman Public Relations

Fleishman Hillard Inc.

GCI Group

Gibbs & Soell Public Relations

Golin/Harris International

Hill & Knowlton Inc.

HLB Communications Inc.

Jasculca/Terman & Associates

Ketchum Inc.

KemperLesnik Integrated Communications

L. C. Williams & Associates Inc.

Lannon Communications

Lipman Hearne Inc.

Manning Selvage & Lee

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Paramount Public Relations

Porter Novelli

PR21 Inc. (broken link)

Public Communications Inc.

Publicis Dialog

re:invention inc.

Ruder-Finn Inc.

S&S Public Relations Inc.

Tech Image Ltd.

Walker Sands Communications

Weber Shandwick

[teshorr]

A HUUUUUGE thank you for that post! That will be tremendously helpful, I'm sure

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by teshorr

A HUUUUUGE thank you for that post! That will be tremendously helpful, I'm sure

Give the man some rep points.

[KevK]

Employers do not care if a job candidate is local or not however many of them may not pay travel expenses to do an interview or moving expenses to Chicago. Some of them might be open to a phone "pre interview" interview to see if there is further mutual interest so you don't waste time and money flying to Chicago if the job is not a fit. He should explain this in the cover letter with something like "my fiance (don't say "girlfriend" because it sounds juvenile) is relocating to Chcago to accept a position. Since we plan to wed in the near future I too am seeking a position in Chicago as we both intend to make our home there". Employers understand that and most would be happy to talk to you. However if you really feel uneasy about it, you can rent a mailing address in the city from a private mail company and just buy a prepaid cell phone and get a 312 area code number on it to use. That way you will appear local to a potential employer BUT be prepared to pack and leave in a hurry when they call and say "can you come in day after tomorrow?" for an interview.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by teshorr

My boyfriend and I are moving to Chicago next summer, and I already have a position lined up. However, he doesn't, and I'm wondering what the best strategy is for him to job hunt from AZ. I've heard from some that certain employers won't even consider a resume unless it's local, but I have also heard about it happening quite frequently, especially for fresh-out-of-college people (he just graduated a couple days ago from UofA).

Just FYI, I moved here from another location (hence, not a local), and I've never heard of an employer not considering someone for a job just based on where they're from. No one I've ever interviewed with has cared about where I'm from on any level other than random curiosity.

[aragx6]

That's ridiculous. Why would you start out employment by lying, lying and then lying some more. I got a job in the PR department her in Chicago while I was still living in Missouri. If his resume is impressive, it won't matter. Most major companies have no problem hiring fro outside the state.

I got a call and my would-be supervisor and I talked for about 20 minutes. They then flew me to Chicago, sent a towncar to the airport to pick me up, I had interviews, my supervisor took me out to lunch, I went home that same day, no big deal.

Obviously this might not be the situation everywhere, but my point is that this is my first job post-college and I didn't have to lie or skirt around the truth to make it happen.

[teshorr]

Thanks everyone for all your input. KevK, we are working on his cover letter now, and basically saying just what you advised...that his "fiance" got a job offer and that is his reason for seeking a position. Neither of us is comfortable lying about being local....it just seems too risky, and not worth losing a great position over if/when they were to find out it was a lie. Aside from that, we need all the extra money we have to go toward the move and scout trips!

I definitely appreciate everyone weighing in on this. Keep it comin!