this is why young people are not coming to maine (Portland: college, salary)

[cullen90]

I am a young, 27 year old, recent college graduate from Connecticut. It has been a life long dream of mine to move to Maine.

I have been reading over and over again that Maine can't keep its young people in the state and that it is having trouble getting young people to move in. I have a perfect example of why this is happening.

I recently went for a job interview for a job in the town of Brunswick. The interviewer seemed absolutely dumbfounded on why I would want to move to Brunswick. The first thing he said to me was, "I've read your cover leter and I've got to admit it is really strange that you are so determened to move here." I was asked maybe 3 times, "I don't understand, can you explain again, why would you want to live HERE?" Aside from that he actually warned me that I should reconsider moving to Brunswick, due to the naval air base's future closure. My unusualness was accentuated by the fact that I was not from Maine. During the interview, the interviewer stated that he "normally only likes to hire people from within the state." I had the feeling that he distrusted me, saw me as an foolish idealist outsider, an immature young person, irrationally dreaming to live in a place where things were not so good in reality.

Now, if Brunswick wants to actually attract young people to the area, this kind of attitude has really got to stop. I know that some Mainers distrust outsiders, and think that there is some crazy badge of honor for being an old person, having lived in the state for 50 years. And if you've only been there for, say 2 years, well then your still an outsider. This is the perspective of certain types of older people, who are set in their ways, resistant to change and afraid of new ideas. I believe that this attitude and philosophy is a big part of the reason for the problems that Brunswick is having and for the problems that the state as a whole is having.

I have a suggestion. If people in Brunswick want to attract young people to the town they may want to actually 1. like their town and 2. truely welcome youthful enthusiastic people and not just say that they want them.

[Acadianlion]

You may be correct. On the other hand, I have a couple of observations that you might find valuable as you try to land a job in Maine:

1. Your generalizations appear to be based on one interview.
2. Your generalizations appear to be based on a direct conversation with one individual who may or may not know anything about that which he speaks.
3. You are 27 years old and if you came across in the interview as knowing everything that Brunswick should do in the future, the interviewer probably thought you should stay in Connecticut and make your contribution there.
4. IF you demonstrated your lack of spelling ability in your interview, you probably wouldn't have done well in securing a job there anyway.

[cullen90]

Do I come across as a overgeneralizing, know it all, bad speller? maybe. I have nothing against the state of Maine. I was just venting my frustration. I actually care about the welfare of the state and want to contribute, but then I face that attitude in job interview and then see doomsday stuff about it's economic situation in newspapers and its frustrating. The interviewer guy I talked to was a town official, who probably knew what he was talking about to some exent. And the dude was acting as if the friekin sky was gonna fall. I care and I want to help but feel there's nothing I can do, especially when I'm treated like an oddity because I'm interested.

BTW, Sorry my spelling is bad, but is there some rule that you have to spell perfectly to have an opinion? Also I didn't come across as a know it all in the interview, I just came across that I gave a hoot and I guess that that left a strange impression on the interviewer.

Besides the interviewer I have had two others in the area ask me "why would I want to move there," as though I shouldn't really want to. My oppinion is based on job interview and two others saying "why would you want to move here?" and newspaper articles/forum opinions of others. I hope I can have an opinion (based on many sources) without being accused of overgeneralizing.

I'm sorry if I came across as disrespectful. For example I think its cool if an old timer has lived in Maine their whole life and I think something like that is a special thing. I was just trying to say that I think that a distrust of outsiders is bad for the state, and that SOME people have that attitude, not all. I have lived in Vermont before and some people had a distrust of outsiders there. It's alright, it happens. I just think that if a person cares about an issue that they should be allowed to care, whether or not they've lived in the state for their whole lives.

[flycessna]

"Why do you want to move here"? Seems like a perfectly honest question to me. Maybe interviewer also knows that Maine has a hard time keeping young people here. Maybe he himself has lost some people to other states. Maybe he wanted to see how you deal with negativity.

Try learning as much about Maine and the town as possible. Find out about the good, bad, and ugly. Give an honest and articulate answer as to why you would want ot move there.

If you still find that you are somehow not coming across Sincerely. Try backing down a bit. Let them know your desire is based on a dream ect. I think that most importantly is that the employer feel you are being honest with him/her and that they walk away feeling they know you. I've seen people land great jobs when they even told the employer that they only planned to work there a few years. I defintely don't want someone trying to tell me what they think I want to hear.

Be intelligent, nice, Positive, and honest.. If it doesn't get you the job then you are probably better of not working there. good luck

[sfw1979]

Originally Posted by cullen90

I am a young, 27 year old, recent college graduate from Connecticut. It has been a life long dream of mine to move to Maine.

I have been reading over and over again that Maine can't keep its young people in the state and that it is having trouble getting young people to move in. I have a perfect example of why this is happening.

I recently went for a job interview for a job in the town of Brunswick. The interviewer seemed absolutely dumbfounded on why I would want to move to Brunswick. The first thing he said to me was, "I've read your cover leter and I've got to admit it is really strange that you are so determened to move here." I was asked maybe 3 times, "I don't understand, can you explain again, why would you want to live HERE?" Aside from that he actually warned me that I should reconsider moving to Brunswick, due to the naval air base's future closure. My unusualness was accentuated by the fact that I was not from Maine. During the interview, the interviewer stated that he "normally only likes to hire people from within the state." I had the feeling that he distrusted me, saw me as an foolish idealist outsider, an immature young person, irrationally dreaming to live in a place where things were not so good in reality.

Now, if Brunswick wants to actually attract young people to the area, this kind of attitude has really got to stop. I know that some Mainers distrust outsiders, and think that there is some crazy badge of honor for being an old person, having lived in the state for 50 years. And if you've only been there for, say 2 years, well then your still an outsider. This is the perspective of certain types of older people, who are set in their ways, resistant to change and afraid of new ideas. I believe that this attitude and philosophy is a big part of the reason for the problems that Brunswick is having and for the problems that the state as a whole is having.

I have a suggestion. If people in Brunswick want to attract young people to the town they may want to actually 1. like their town and 2. truely welcome youthful enthusiastic people and not just say that they want them.

Cullen,

I live in Brunswick and am around your age and for young singles there really isn't a lot in Brunswick. I have 2 young kids and am pretty busy with them, but if I were single and no kids I'd be bored here. If you want to move to Brunswick, or Maine I still think you should go for it.

[cullen90]

Thank you, I appeciate the encouragement. I will move somewhere around there eventually, and will try to be respectful, positive and intelligent as suggested. As far as singles activities go, there's got to be some nightlife in Portland. Portland would be more than enough for me I think.

[399083453]

LOL. I feel your pain. Sometimes I wonder why they post the jobs in the first place. Maybe the HR dept or a manager is just looking to kill some time by interviewing to justify his salary. Are they even hiring anyone? (Just kidding)

Seriously, Maine is going to have so many issues as the baby boomers retire and are removed from pool of applicants. The 20 to 64 year olds will have their pick of jobs, or the companies will just leave. Hehe. Hope its not the latter. Turning qualified people away is the least of their problems.

Yes, plenty to do in Portland as far as nightlife. Go for it.

[forest beekeeper]

Cullen -

I do see some folks who are set in the attitude that Maine has high taxes, is not business friendly and is a terribly place to live.

They are generally folks who have never lived anywhere else, and have a very limited world-view [which may or not may include any shared realities].

I was recently at the VFW, when a young man was 'venting' about how terrible Maine was as a place to live. He spouted many false-hoods that the local media loves to repeat. I shared with him, the patent falsehoods of his statements, as did others from away, who were in the hall at the time.

When folks are told repeatedly that they have high taxes, eventually it sinks in. Regardless of the facts which say otherwise. Regardless of the many retirees who move to Maine, who have life experiences living in other states.

Good luck

Ddi yuo konw taht eevn wehn somehting is misspleled mnay tmies it is sitll esaily raed?

[399083453]

Honestly, taxes have never bothered me in Maine. Gotta pay em in every state, but everyone distributes them differently.

In other places I've lived, yes one tax is higher here, and another is lower there, but they all work out to about the same for everyone. So no big deal.

[vter]

I can tell you that I know some employers in Vermont that are reluctant to hire folks from out of state and do ask questions as to why you would want to move here, because they don't want to hire someone and then 8 months down the road have the person leave because life here wasnt what they thought. Believe me, it happens quite often. Employers want to hire folks who will be here for the long haul.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck with your job search and possible move to Maine!