Finding a Job while Out of State (Chicago: motel, unemployment rate)

[w8game]

I've been considering Chicago as my next stop for some time now. However, I am hesitant to move without a job while realizing applying for jobs out of state is tricky.

Does anyone have advice on applying to jobs in Chicago? Any good job boards or temp agencies? I have an MPP and would ideally like work for a policy trade association or some government role.

[marothisu]

It depends on what your line of work is, what your level of experience is, and such. A large and/or profitable company that thinks you're valuable? They aren't going to give a **** about giving you $4000 for moving expenses. The benefit to them by having you there greatly outweighs it. However, a small-ish firm that doesn't make too much money, if any? Might care more about that.

Most people I work with, including myself, were not living in the Chicago area at the time of hire and 90% of the people we've hired in the last year weren't either. It really depends on a few things, but depending on your level of experience/expertise, line of work, which company you are looking to get hired into, etc I wouldn't necessarily be discouraged but know that many, many companies hire out of state all the time.

[fortwaynebandit]

In 1999, I received $5k to relocate to Chicago. I just had a friend who moved there from Upstate New York and the company offered her the same amount, 15 years later. Go figure.

My advice: If you can afford to do so, travel to Chicago for a week or so on vacation,stay in an inexpensive motel and drive around the city. Read the local newspapers and apply for any jobs that you see for which you believe that your skill would be a good fit.Also, purchase a throwaway cell phone and get a Chicagoland (312,773,708,815 or 847 area codes) phone number for it to take any calls which you might receive.

Then depending upon what you see and how many calls that you receive decide whether or not you want to move there. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate in Illinois is dropping rather slowly, so while there jobs the competition for them is somewhat fierce. It may take a while for you to land a good position.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by fortwaynebandit

Then depending upon what you see and how many calls that you receive decide whether or not you want to move there. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate in Illinois is dropping rather slowly, so while there jobs the competition for them is somewhat fierce. It may take a while for you to land a good position.

It's a little more complicated than this but some jobs may have a good amount of competition.

[fortwaynebandit]

Originally Posted by marothisu

It's a little more complicated than this but some jobs may have a good amount of competition.

"More complicated" than a high unemployment rate?
If that doesn't "complicate" things, I'm not certain what would.

Rather odd comment to make.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by fortwaynebandit

"More complicated" than a high unemployment rate?
If that doesn't "complicate" things, I'm not certain what would.

Rather odd comment to make.

No he's saying it really depends on the field one is in... just because the overall unemployment rate is high doesn't mean some jobs aren't more accessible than others.

[Chicago87]

I would recommend temp agencies. You will get paid between $11 and $17 per hour with no benefits. If you are lucky, you will find a consistent 35-40 hours a week gig, if not, you will be an on call temp and work ~20 hours per week if you are lucky.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

No he's saying it really depends on the field one is in... just because the overall unemployment rate is high doesn't mean some jobs aren't more accessible than others.

That and unemployment rate has a lot more factors that go into it than not. For example, the unemployment rate of peoples with a bachelors degree or higher is a good amount lower than people who only graduated high school/GED or didn't graduate at all.