Employers in NY (and other states), hiring only locally? (Rochester: rent, mortgage)

[Rumblebelly]

My wife and I are planning to move from Colorado to upstate NY to be closer to her family. I'm running into a bit of a wall with the employment thing. There seems to be plenty of jobs I'm qualified for but I get few responses. The responses I've had always ask what my plans in regards to moving. I tell them that'll I'll need a few weeks to get my affairs in order. We own a house in Colo, something I don't divulge in unless asked. Then the conversation seems to go a little cold. However, I do point out that I'd be willing to work sooner for the RIGHT job. I doubt with my job level anyone would wanna flip the bill for relocation and these employers seem to need someone yesterday. I'm getting the impression they don't wanna wait for someone and would probably prefer to hire someone local, especially since the region is notorious for having a bad economy.

Since we have family in upstate, we decided just to move when the house sells and then squat with them while we look for work. We have no kids though and they have plenty of room, we are lucky in that regard.

It's funny because we might actually take a much larger financial hit if I get a job and have to move down there before the house sells. Paying rent in NY and a mortgage in Colo? Yikes.

We know a couple that moved to Colo from NYC and they had the same problem, no significant interest from employers until they moved to the area. Since I've never relocated a great distance before, is this a common problem that people run into?

[Lauri_25ny]

Where in Upstate are you talking about?

[Rumblebelly]

Originally Posted by Lauri_25ny

Where in Upstate are you talking about?

Well, her folks live in Old Forge and we'd like to be within 3 hours of that town. We were thinking primarily the Albany/Saratoga area as our first pick. It's close to the Adirondacks, the economy in that area seems to be improving, it's drivable to Boston and NYC, and close to VT. Seems like a good location and Saratoga reminds us a lot of Fort Collins, where we live now.

Fingerlakes are a possibility, same with central NY. Some folks from Norwich are interested in me but we are worried that it's too isolated and the fact that area is prone to flooding.

My background is laboratory work, quality control and R&D. Pharmaceutical and water quality testing.

[Mark S.]

Any employer in any state, when given the choice between hiring a qualified local and a qualified non-local, will nearly always pick the local for purely practical reasons. Hard to blame them really.

Your hope is being the most qualified candidate to apply. Barring that, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, move, and become a local to improve your chances.

[Lauri_25ny]

As far as what you do and what you're qualified for, I think your best bet -outside of the Albany area, which I have no idea about - would be the Rochester area. The rest of Central NY is pretty much losing more jobs than it's taking in. Rochester seems to be on the rebound.

If i'm not mistaken, NJ is the best in the area for pharmaceutical things.

Good luck!

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Lauri_25ny

NJ is the best in the area for pharmaceutical things.

Legal and otherwise.

[Lauri_25ny]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Legal and otherwise.

Exactly!!
Good one!

[Rumblebelly]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Legal and otherwise.

Oh, I should have mentioned my pharmaceutical background in more detail:

My role was CEO/CFO/sales rep/manufacterer/QA/QC
Based out of a singlewide in the mountains
My dog managed the security deptartment
I'm very adept at handling difficult people in difficult situations.

[Lauri_25ny]

i'minformed would be the best person to ask about the Rochester area. I sent them a PM to let them know about this thread.

[mom2gurls]

We sort of went thru the same boat last year when dh was "shopping around" so we could get out of NY....The companies that will pay relo, will do so for the right candidate.

I cant blame people for hiring locals, for less too if they can find it. Why not use your relatives address on your resume..its not like you are lying...you are going to move, and if nothing else, at least you might get more resume hits.

You can be honest and let them now you are in the process of selling your home. And perhaps for-go the whole relo package.

Now that being said, if you NEED the relo package, I would just keep your same addy and keep plowing away.

Perhaps get in touch with a local headhunter and let them know your plans.

My dh got calls and even managed to get an offers in the carolinas--where we love...but our "gutt" was telling us the timing was not right. So we are still sitting and debating and househunting.

You never know what life predicts.