Is it easier to get a job for a big firm/company/bank in a less desireable city? i.e. Cleveland, Pittsburgh etc

[dspguy]

Originally Posted by kodaka

The attitude that simply being from NYC makes you more qualified or a better worker is an attitude that is really only welcomed in....NYC. Everywhere else, it's meaningless at best and a turnoff at worst.

My experience was different. It may just be coincidental, but I received a 50% pay raise moving from NYC to a "smaller city" in 2008. I've been in the loop for further company hires since then. The general feeling is that the company has to pay a premium to "lure the talent" away from big cities.

If you don't carry the "big city elitist" attitude around, you'll be fine.

[lavalake]

Originally Posted by kettleblack

Slim04 - I buy that....I didn't think about accounting firms in that way.....I guess my question would better pertain to investment banks

I can't speak to investment banks specifically, but generally, I have found that it is difficult to convince people that I will make my permanent home in the new city. I don't want to insult anyone on this board by naming cities, so let's just say that I currently live in what many people would consider an exciting, highly desirable city, and have been here for over five years now. There are some open positions in a city that a lot of people would consider less desirable, and the field I am in is getting stronger in that city. I have had no luck in even getting interviews in the second city, despite actually having lived there for a little while several years ago, because people don't believe I will actually move there and stay there long enough to make hiring me worthwhile. And for the moment, there are enough local candidates available where they don't need to relocate people in order to fill positions.

So I don't believe it is automatically easier, unless you can demonstrate that you have very strong ties to the new city and the new city has run out of local talent.

[tban]

In the industry I work in, experience in certain regions and with certain agencies/organizations is more important than if they are coming from corporate headquarters.

It's really about the value you add to the company. If you can make money for the company then you will be desirable anywhere.

[hopefulone]

Originally Posted by kodaka

The attitude that simply being from NYC makes you more qualified or a better worker is an attitude that is really only welcomed in....NYC. Everywhere else, it's meaningless at best and a turnoff at worst.

Whether or not you will have an easier time than others in finding a job in Cleveland really depends on your work skills and whether or not the marketplace is looking for those skills. Your zip code is not a skill.

This.

[student_101]

Pittsburgh is actually the base for a lot of companies.