How do I find a job/home BEFORE I move? (Seattle: sales, apartments)

**I posted this in another section but I requested it to be closed, I get more responses here and I think the information from people living in Washington would represent what I would need to do better since that is where I'm going.**

This is my first time moving as an adult on my own so I'm really not familiar with this. I swear I posted a thread about this before but when I went through my post history it didn't exist...

Anyways! I will be moving in 3-8 months to Washington (most likely the Seattle area) and I'm wondering how I should go about securing a job/home before I get there. I don't want to go up there and be stuck in a one-year lease on a place I don't even like, but I need a place to go. Also I don't want to move up without a job because I need steady income without a gap since I don't have savings (I'm 22). Our current roommates are driving us crazy and we can't stand expensive Southern California (and the constant sun).

My biggest issue is interviews, do companies do over the phone interviews or otherwise? I can't afford to fly up there, especially considering I may fly up and not even get the job! Are there alternatives to securing housing and a job before I go up?

My friend up there MIGHT be able to get me a job with Verizon but I don't want to rely on that. I also can't stay at his house because there are two of us plus our two dogs and he doesn't have that kind of room. Thanks in advance!

[magrack]

I wouldn't even consider finding a place to live without seeing it in person, but that's me.

Better you plan on living in a motel/hotel for a few days while you scout out a place to make sure it fits your needs.

If you're currently employed and seeking similar work and there is a company that needs your particular skillset, you may be granted a phone interview, but. I think, you'll have better luck if you apply/send in a resume and arrange an interview if you get a response.

Go to the Seattle PI and Seattle Times websites and look at employment opportunities and see what's available.

Depending on what you're looking for it might be worthwhile.

The problem is we have two dogs, so could be tough to find a motel/hotel that allows them, and if there is one it's probably filthy.

I am currently employed and have been for a long time (by this company almost one year).

Perhaps I could arrange for a ton of interviews the day I arrive and start praying?

[magrack]

You could board the dogs. Plenty of places for that.

The one we used to use boarded them in private homes w/ pick up and delivery. Little pricey, but the dogs were well cared for and never came home with a personality change.

In emergencies, we used our Vet as he had a few kennels especially for that, but we we preferred them to be allowed to run a little more often than scheduled exercise periods.

If you could arrange multiple interviews over one or two days, great, but a word of caution; leave plenty of travel time between interviews.

Traffic can be a real bear.

Maybe two days of interviews with an interview in each of the mornings and another in the afternoon.

Good luck.

Well I'm very picky about my dogs...and I won't have time to get opinions and gather enough info to feel comfortable with one place is the issue.

[AZ_singlemother]

Check out monster.com. Losts of Seattle firms post there. Seattle is really expensive like Southern California so really check out the status if it's cost that's motivating you to move. Traffic is also worst in Seattle than S. Cali so be prepared ---grass may be greener.

[StealthRabbit]

Yeah, the dogs... that will be an issue, but I like the advice of boarding them. I'd check into some rural places nearby (Centralia / Chehalis, cheaper plus room to run) and plan on having them there for a week.

Getting a job + a dog apartment may be a challenge and take at least a week.

Best be posting 'wanted' ads on Craigslist, maybe a fellow dog person will put you up.

I'm afraid you will have to find a central living spot, and take a 'temp' job to get established and then find a 'real' job. The dogs + renting will likely be the biggest challenge.

You should post your preferred occupation and some metro folks might be able to direct you to an area that will be central for you. (so you don't have to move again soon)

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

Check out monster.com. Losts of Seattle firms post there. Seattle is really expensive like Southern California so really check out the status if it's cost that's motivating you to move. Traffic is also worst in Seattle than S. Cali so be prepared ---grass may be greener.

I had a friend move from my very town, to the area in Seattle I want to move and he says traffic is much lighter, and he pays less rent for more house. I don't think you know how expensive it is in the town I live!

Plus I like rain, and want to live near a big city that isn't L.A.

Right now I do customer service over the phone (take orders, help people, etc.) for $16/hour. I'm hoping to get comparable pay up there!

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by ShadowXOR

... I like rain, and want to live near a big city that isn't L.A.

Right now I do customer service over the phone (take orders, help people, etc.) for $16/hour. I'm hoping to get comparable pay up there!

Nautilus in Vancouver, WA is about 10 min from Portland, and I have a friend who is doing very well ($$$) at phone sales for them. They were hiring last I heard. Lots of apartments and some green space near them (SE Vanc) / Fishers Landing / East Mill Plain

I've heard say... that the 'single' scene and quality of life for such is better in Portland than Seattle (they are 3 hrs apart, or $40 RT via train). There was an article on the Seattle forum about the 'cold shoulder' life in Seattle. Portland is friendlier and much more 'social', so I've heard from my 'younger' classmates at college. One benefit; - it is much more 'compact' than Seattle for getting around to jobs and recreation, and only an hr from beach, skiing or windsurfing. Extensive hiking within the city (Forest Park) and in the Columbia Gorge, 20 min east.

I'm still debating between Seattle and Vancouver, both sound nice. I'm engaged and she's moving with me so the singles "scene" doesn't matter to me. They both sound so cool...at least if I move to one I can visit the other because my first house/job will be temporary until I find my proper place within the state (unless I get lucky and hit it right the first time)!