Want Texas but can't make it (Houston, The Woodlands: headhunters, house, job market)

[TheDeep]

I'm a consultant in NJ who's fairly accomplished in the sense that getting work around here is not a problem. I want to move to TX but I'm getting zero love so far. Even when I apply for consulting positions that very closely match my profile, I get no interest. Sometimes recruiters/headhunters contact me for some random job offers but the pay is pathetic.

A couple of consulting companies I've spoken to, tell me that I'll need to be physically present IN TX if I want to solicit jobs in that area because most hiring managers/recruiters don't want to bother with people 2k miles away. I've also been told that trying for full time positions is probably better but I'm not sure if companies would want to hire me for full time positions when ALL my work experience is consulting/contract.

I can't just upstick from NJ and start living in TX because I have a family that needs me here. How should I position myself to make the move to TX happen?

TIA

[Shiznit1984]

For what you're probably paying to live in Joizey by the month, you could probably get by in Texas for three months at a time. What area are you considering moving to? I just came out here from NYC (what a welcome, welcome change!) and I can tell you a bit more about the job market. I'm a high school science teacher...

[TheDeep]

Originally Posted by Shiznit1984

For what you're probably paying to live in Joizey by the month, you could probably get by in Texas for three months at a time. What area are you considering moving to? I just came out here from NYC (what a welcome, welcome change!) and I can tell you a bit more about the job market. I'm a high school science teacher...

Well, teaching is something else. I think teaching is the best money for the time spent, especially if you're a tenured professor in a college. I'm in network consulting and my wife is in IT quality assurance. I do 200+k/yr and my wife does 125k.

I don't mind getting 20% less money in TX but those offers aren't coming.

[TheDeep]

Originally Posted by Shiznit1984

What area are you considering moving to?

sorry forgot to mention....I'm considering moving to The Woodlands.

[johnbain]

When a person decides to move you need to take in consideration the cost of living. Here is a good example. In many areas of california a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house costs $500,000.00. Not a super nice house...a fixer upper. Let's say you live in that area and make $80,000 a year. Now take areas of TN in which a 3 bedrrom, 2 bath house that is NOT a fixer up you can get for $80,000 and you make $24,000.00 a year. Your dollar would go much farther in the second area. Take that in consideration when you move.

[TheDeep]

Originally Posted by johnbain

When a person decides to move you need to take in consideration the cost of living. Here is a good example. In many areas of california a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house costs $500,000.00. Not a super nice house...a fixer upper. Let's say you live in that area and make $80,000 a year. Now take areas of TN in which a 3 bedrrom, 2 bath house that is NOT a fixer up you can get for $80,000 and you make $24,000.00 a year. Your dollar would go much farther in the second area. Take that in consideration when you move.

yeah i've been doing the cost of living calculations for a while now. that's not the point. I'm not getting any interest from headhunters/recruiters in TX because I'm not a local candidate.

[texasdreamin]

Deep, couldn't you go for just enough time to secure a position and then send for your family? It's a little sacrifice on both you and your family's part...but if you want it badly enough, you will find a way. Who knows, you may get a job within 4 weeks, and then you can go back and get your family. They will probably be able to care for themselves for a short time. Good luck.

[bostoner]

If you want to get locals' input, you should ask your question in the Houston forum.

[CallMeLaura]

My boyfriend had the same problem trying to get a job down here. He's a CCIE and no one would look at him. The only thing even remotely close was working for the casino/Indian Reservation in Ada, OK.

He ended up taking a traveling position with IBM, where location is irrelevant.

Now that we're down here, he gets calls almost every week.

[TheDeep]

Originally Posted by texasdreamin

Deep, couldn't you go for just enough time to secure a position and then send for your family? It's a little sacrifice on both you and your family's part...but if you want it badly enough, you will find a way. Who knows, you may get a job within 4 weeks, and then you can go back and get your family. They will probably be able to care for themselves for a short time. Good luck.

We just had a baby, so four weeks is going to be very rough. I'll probably delay my TX plans for a few months or a year. It's not like they're kicking me out of Jersey