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Looking for a job long distance is extremely hard, from my experience. Employers simply prefer that their candidate is already residing locally, and they prefer not to deal with relocation assistance. So, I'm now starting to wonder....are long distance applicants held to a higher standard? In other words, the long distance candidate must truly be cream of the crop compared to the local candidates, in order to be seriously considered for the job. Am I correct in my assumption? Thoughts?
I have been applying to jobs in other states for almost two months now and didn't get a SINGLE response. However, I have also applied to several jobs within my state, and received a few responses and an interview, at that.
It's REALLY hard to get a job as a nonlocal candidate, from my experience, and my field is specialized, even. It's as if employers want everything for nothing and expect the ideal candidate to be residing locally already.
And I am not going to put a fake address, friend's address or move with no job. Sorry, but for a white collar professional with a master's degree at the age of 30, that would just be plain irresponsible and stupid.
In my experience, they are not held to a higher standard; they are just typically not considered. Some industries seem to hire "long distance" candidates on a regular basis while others do not.
In my experience, they are not held to a higher standard; they are just typically not considered. Some industries seem to hire "long distance" candidates on a regular basis while others do not.
Right...so basically, I'll be stuck where I am probably for years and years. Sigh.
Totally agreed that it's hard to be hired as an out of area candidate. I've been hired out of area, twice, but we've had local candidates come in who weren't hired either. If you're in an area with few jobs or simply don't like where you are, it can be tough to change.
Still, I can see why employers don't want to deal with nonlocal candidates, especially if they have any hope of finding a qualified local worker. Relocation does cost the employer, but I think the biggest reason is that the employer is scared the person from out of the area will just move back home. It can take a lot to get someone up to speed, and a lot of employers seem to think the nonlocal is going to be looking elsewhere after a year or so, could have a personal issue necessitating a move, etc.
I think when they do consider out of area candidates, you will be held to a higher standard. You REALLY have to stand out. I have been in a lengthy job search trying to get out of the one I am in now to move up. There are very, very few openings of interest to me and in my field locally, so most applications are out of state. I get a fair response rate, but in the end, it requires extra patience. And I also do not put fake addresses and will not move before getting a job. This may vary by company, but I feel that some companies will hold out, even if the best candidate at the time is nonlocal. It's hard enough to even get hired locally, sometimes.
I think when they do consider out of area candidates, you will be held to a higher standard. You REALLY have to stand out. I have been in a lengthy job search trying to get out of the one I am in now to move up. There are very, very few openings of interest to me and in my field locally, so most applications are out of state. I get a fair response rate, but in the end, it requires extra patience. And I also do not put fake addresses and will not move before getting a job. This may vary by company, but I feel that some companies will hold out, even if the best candidate at the time is nonlocal. It's hard enough to even get hired locally, sometimes.
Yeah exactly. It's hard enough to get a response locally!
I think when they do consider out of area candidates, you will be held to a higher standard. You REALLY have to stand out. I have been in a lengthy job search trying to get out of the one I am in now to move up. There are very, very few openings of interest to me and in my field locally, so most applications are out of state. I get a fair response rate, but in the end, it requires extra patience. And I also do not put fake addresses and will not move before getting a job. This may vary by company, but I feel that some companies will hold out, even if the best candidate at the time is nonlocal. It's hard enough to even get hired locally, sometimes.
When I was hired at my current position, one thing that I did to stand out was I researched the company, its product, and the division I was applying to (to the extent I could find information). I also mentioned industry papers, trade associations, etc, in the interview.
Our team is expanding and I've been in on probably five interviews since I was hired. None of the candidates really knew much about the company or could articulate why they wanted to be here instead of another employer.
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From my hiring experience, if a candidate is willing to drive or fly in for a personal interview they will get the same consideration as the local candidates. If they are only willing to do a phone or Skype interview, then yes, they would
have to be far above the others to be given an offer. While it's a generalization, too often they will end up not accepting
and we have to move on to the next. Some will not do the research until after the offer then find they won't like the climate or the cost of living here, or they would rather stay where they are but apply elsewhere on the chance that they can get an offer high enough to make it worth the trouble of moving.
Out-of-area candidates are at a severe disadvantage for many jobs. It's not a higher standard but the lack of consideration as someone else already pointed out.
From a company perspective that does make sense if you think about it. Lots can go wrong with an out-of-area candidate. The biggest risk is that the spouse will not like the new area and/or will not find a job, which will then make the candidate quit.
Out-of-area candidates are at a severe disadvantage for many jobs. It's not a higher standard but the lack of consideration as someone else already pointed out.
From a company perspective that does make sense if you think about it. Lots can go wrong with an out-of-area candidate. The biggest risk is that the spouse will not like the new area and/or will not find a job, which will then make the candidate quit.
Well, I'm 30, single, no kids, and able to move out of my apartment upon 30 day notice at anytime. I'm very free right now. And I've been applying to jobs long distance for the past 2 months with NO luck whatsoever. Simultaneously, I've been applying to jobs within state, and received 3 responses, including an interview. It just goes to show that it really is that much more difficult to get a job long distance. Heck, I've even been looking in places that are booming and have more jobs than people, such as Columbus or Minneapolis, with no luck whatsoever. I'll give it a couple more months, but after that I'm done. I don't like a job search to drag on for months and months. There comes a time when I just want to feel settled and not looking all the time. It becomes exhausting. And I'm currently employed already.
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