Is it worth applying for out-of-state jobs? (IT job, application, interviews)

[emh]

Here's my situation:

I'm currently unemployed, living in the Portland, Oregon area. I've been applying for jobs for about 2 months, all in my local area. But I've been having a hard time finding anything in my area that I'm qualified for (my background is basically social science research).

At the same time, I don't have any particular ties to the Portland area and could easily move somewhere else (I have no lease or furniture or anything right now). So I've been thinking of expanding my job search to other states that I might be interested in living in. But I see at least two "issues":

1) Given the current job market where places are flooded with job applications, it seems unlikely that they're going to bother looking at an out-of-state candidate.

2) Since I'd be mostly applying for government/non-profit jobs, I'd have to pay my own way to any interviews I received. Which I'm guessing would be about $500 when you figure in airplane ticket, car rental and hotel. This is obviously a much bigger concern than #1. Going on out-of-state interviews will start cutting into my somewhat meager savings for a job that I may not get.

Thoughts?

[tatiana1]

[quote=emh;7362987]Is it worth applying for out-of-state jobs?


quote]

Yes. Especially if it is in the DC area, where jobs are still available.

[mpyne]

Originally Posted by emh

Here's my situation:

I'm currently unemployed, living in the Portland, Oregon area. I've been applying for jobs for about 2 months, all in my local area. But I've been having a hard time finding anything in my area that I'm qualified for (my background is basically social science research).

At the same time, I don't have any particular ties to the Portland area and could easily move somewhere else (I have no lease or furniture or anything right now). So I've been thinking of expanding my job search to other states that I might be interested in living in. But I see at least two "issues":

1) Given the current job market where places are flooded with job applications, it seems unlikely that they're going to bother looking at an out-of-state candidate.

2) Since I'd be mostly applying for government/non-profit jobs, I'd have to pay my own way to any interviews I received. Which I'm guessing would be about $500 when you figure in airplane ticket, car rental and hotel. This is obviously a much bigger concern than #1. Going on out-of-state interviews will start cutting into my somewhat meager savings for a job that I may not get.

Thoughts?

Hello, Ive been out of work for over a year now and Ive been applying to jobs all over the country with no luck. Most companies wont hire out of state

[xlabel]

Not only should they pay the expense for the interview, but they should offer relocation assistence also. That might be really tough to expect in today's economy. The one time I did it the company paid for my round-trip flight for the interview. I got the job. They offered a $1000 for relocation, which it cost me more than that. I had to keep gas receipts and U haul rental reciepts, pay for it out of my own pocket and was reimbursed later.