Anybody moved the hard way and were successful? (hotel, job market)

[butterbiscuits]

With all the advice that has been given about saving up to move and/ or finding a job first, the stories I hear the most are those who've saved a couple of thousand dollars (3-5K) and moved that way, thereby making it easier for them to a secure a job. This is my dilemma: I've been applying to numerous jobs and haven't gotten a bite yet (accountant).

I really would like to be in dc by the first of next year at the latest, but I'm a very concerned that I won't find anything. One of the reasons I'm anxious to move quickly is that I want to back to school and do a post-bacc for admission into medical school and dc (among other areas) has a lot of schools that offer the science courses in the evening time, so I could still work and take the courses part-time (among the other reasons for wanting to move there, like the feel and culture of the city, stable job market, multitudes of things to do and see, etc.)

I would like to know from others who've done it the hard way (particularly those who had no relatives to live with initially) - how did you fare? Where you able to find a job in a reasonable amount of time? If not, were you able to secure temp employment until then?

Thanks in advance!

[smakawhat]

I sort of did it the hardway, I was offered an interview and flown down and put up in a hotel in DC for the first time I applied for a job down here. Long story short I didn't get that position, but I had a family member offer me to stay with for awhile to find work.

In the end, I left my previous job (1900 miles away), moved down to the DC area and madly plugged for jobs until I was hired 6 weeks after arriving.

Would I do that again. No.. I was very close to leaving and going back where I was raised cause I had almost no money left and couldn't stick around cause I wasn't finding work... My advice is that if you are not living in the DC area, secure a job FIRST before coming down and moving here cause your finances will get eaten up very fast.

I would strongly emphasise though to prospective employers, that you would be extremly committed to moving down to the area once accepted etc.. etc..

However, I of course don't regret it for a second. Sometimes in life though you have to take a chance... I would say though economic wise down here there are jobs, so it all depends. If you're skills are in demand and if it's an employee's market then sure move and come down look for work.. but if the economy is sour (and it is now)... you may want to hedge your bets.. Decision is up to you.

I consider myself lucky. Just my 2 cents.

The only exception to this if you lived nearby but not technically in the area like Richmond, VA... West Virginia, Philly etc... That's at least a little more convenient to come down on the odd occasion and employers would probably know that.

[PenguinSix]

Many come here the hardway which means living with roommates and a second job to pay the bills. Bartender, waiter, book store clerk--whatever. You cannot easily predict how long your job hunt will take and your savings will go far faster than you can predict.

What you can do is get a DC phone number (i.e. 202-) via Skype In's service, have that number forward to your mobile or something. Then try to find a friend or relative that has an address in the area and put that on your resume. Send out a resume with a local address and a DC phone number and see if that changes anything (to the end recipient, it will look like you are already here and is far cheaper than you moving first).

[butterbiscuits]

Originally Posted by PenguinSix

Many come here the hardway which means living with roommates and a second job to pay the bills. Bartender, waiter, book store clerk--whatever. You cannot easily predict how long your job hunt will take and your savings will go far faster than you can predict.

What you can do is get a DC phone number (i.e. 202-) via Skype In's service, have that number forward to your mobile or something. Then try to find a friend or relative that has an address in the area and put that on your resume. Send out a resume with a local address and a DC phone number and see if that changes anything (to the end recipient, it will look like you are already here and is far cheaper than you moving first).

Those are great ideas about the p.o. box and local phone number, thanks! I hope I can find a job and it doesn't come down to me moving without having something lined up, but we'll see. Until then, I'll be saving as much as I can and anticipate making the move next summer employed or not.

Thanks guys, if there are any other experiences, please share.