Interested in moving to Nashville - Need Job first (employment, living in)

[talllady]

My husband & I, along with 2 children are very interested in moving to Nashville from Virginia. My husband has 20 years of IT experience and has an impressive resume. However, employers seem to be uninterested in someone who doesn't live in the area yet. We can't move without a job there. We are both currently employed, so the job there has to come first. Any suggestions?

[BirdieBelle]

There also is a glut of people seeking employment in the local IT market, to be honest.
Jobs at his level of experience are at a premium for many who have been downsized. Unemployment here is hovering around 10%. People are applying for jobs for which they are way overqualified just to be employed.
My suggestion would be to be persistent in the job hunt, but perhaps build some savings on which you could live in case you have to get "less then preferred" jobs here while he continues to look and network. And be sure that your interest in moving here is worth uprooting the family.
I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic.

[DonCorleone]

I think that's fine advice.

To the OP: do you have family or friends in this area? If so, you might use their address on your resumes to make it appear as though you're local. I've heard of people doing this. Obviously this could very easily backfire once the potential employer calls and schedules an interview for you and realizes you're relocating...in fact it could cost you a job if they think you're dishonest. So I'm not sure its worth it, but it's an option.

[HastingsJD]

Perhaps you could schedule some trips to the Nashville area and then note in your cover letter that you'll be in Nashville on X day and would be happy to meet to discuss the position further, etc. Shows your interested and the company doesn't have to go through the hassle of flying you down.

My husband did this while we were living in Northern California but looking to relocate back to Southern California. (a good 400 mile distance). He bought about three plane tickets over a span of a few months and then set up interviews when he could for those weekends. If I recall correctly he was only unable to line up interviews for one of those weekends - and we just turned it into a mini-vacation. That was back when people were still hiring though - not sure if it would work now, but it's a thought.

[DonCorleone]

That's a very good idea.

[BirdieBelle]

From today's paper, with some resources:

TN jobless numbers don't tell whole story | tennessean.com | The Tennessean