X-Country move/job hunt - Advice?

Doug&Julie · 01-01-2005, 08:56 AM

Julie and I are planning a move to the Portland area soon...essentially as soon as I can find a job. But I've come to the realization that I haven't had to hunt for a job in over 11 years...not since I graduated college. (The job I'm in now just sort of fell in my lap!) So I'd love to hear some advice from anyone who's been job hunting (or on the hiring end) recently.

FYI, I'm a designer with a resume and portfolio. Right now, I have them both electronically, esentially in .pdf format for e-mail-ability. I have nothing on the internet. (...ideas there?)

I'd also love to hear any advice on the cross-country aspect. How would most interviews be conducted? Will I be flying to Portland a lot? ($$$) Should we try to move first, then get a job? (..financially, I can't really do that right now..) Has anybody moved across the country for a job? What were your experiences?

One final request...if anybody in the Portland area can direct me to "job listings" (for lack of a better term) other than moster.com, careerbuilder.com, and hotjobs.com...I would greatly appreciate it. (Looking for something a little more local?)

Thanks so very much!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Do not believe the hype. The best way to get a good position is to have an inside edge, where your resume is dropped on the right desk at the right time. This means either a friend or a recruiter with an inside track.

mikester · 01-01-2005, 09:05 AM

Try Dice.com - I always thought it was a bit better than monster and such...monster seems more like a dating service for job seekers than a real job seeking tool to me.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Hi-jack! Mike - How's Jacob?

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

I'm moving across the state in 6 months, to Lincoln, and had the same questions. I talked to a lot of people about how to go about this, and the general consensus was: if the job description sounds too detailed, they probably already know who they're going to hire and you're wasting your time.

The only reason most companies put listings in the paper is to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity standards, but they already know who they're going to hire. The whole thing is a charade. What ends up happening is that a company knows who they want to hire, becuase it's usually someone internally or someone from some other connection, then they have to advertise and interview people. These poor schmucks get all dressed up, drive out, interview, and think they have a chance. It wastes the company's time/money, and also that of any hopeful applicant.

Anyway, your best bet would be to make connections and try to get in that way. Most good jobs come from your connections anyway. I was lucky as hell. I asked the guy who originally taught me Java if he knew of any companies that work in java that might need someone... Then he offered me basically my dream job, working for his company--I fly up there Jan 14th to meet, then I start Feb 1.

When you do go to any interview, go into it assuming they already know who they want to hire, then totally blow that guy out of the water with your portfolio.

Good Luck

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

Do some research on the companies who could use your skills. Call and find out who the immediate supervisors would be. Call them and have a conversation. Anything with a stamp on it is a waste of time and money. You need to identify the opportunity yourself and then sell them. If that comes up empty I'd go to a recruiter. However, a recruiter is interested in finding you "A" job and etting paid, not necessarily the right job.

John

Staylo · Staylo's Garage

A good recruiter will get your resume in the right hands, and even help negotiate relocation costs. Locally, it never hurts to look at craigslist, even if only to get a vibe for the area.

Doug&Julie · 01-01-2005, 01:54 PM

I'm trying my best to make contacts out there. I've got a few friends "in the industry" helping out as well. I'm sure this won't be a fast process...but I'll take any help in speeding things up a bit!

Re: recruiters...I've heard some people say that recruiters are evil and a lot of companies will deliberately NOT hire anybody they recommend/bring to the table. I'm leary of using one in case it jeapordizes any opportunity that I may find on my own. Thoughts?

Great advice so far...keep 'em coming!

Cheers...

jhelgesen · 01-01-2005, 02:34 PM

Most of the jobs I have ever gotten have come through head hunters and they have usually found me. Post your resume on monster.com and careerbuilder.com with the area you are looking to move to listed. With over 10 years experience, you will get calls. Be patient, it could take 6+ months.

Doug&Julie · 01-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Thanks, I'm going to be sure to do that. And I don't expect this to happen overnight. Our goal is to be in Portland by the end of 2006. Of course, by then we'll be "selling it all" to move. Ideally, we'd love to move this summer, but...

I think I may try the headhunter idea, despite some of the negative I've heard. It's just hard to work from a couple thousand miles away without a little help!

Thanks again.

project935 · 01-03-2005, 08:57 AM

Find a really personable head hunter and I think you'll do well. Give them lots of information and be "friends" on the phone and they will be able to place you in the right position. Find out their experience too - someone who has been head-hunting for 15-20 years will know where the opportunities really are - or could make one happen for you. A person with a lot of experience will have a plan for you and some really good tips to follow as well.

Not sure if it's a national chain or not, but Mangement Recruiters of (insert city name) did OK for me once.

Sarc · 01-04-2005, 08:51 AM

Anyone have any additional ideas on where to hire a head hunter.

Good luck, Doug....been trying to relocate to Boston for 2 years now. It's tough with 2 designers in the household looking for employment.

Doug&Julie · 01-04-2005, 08:54 AM

Are you a designer Paul? By any chance did you go to CCS? (Class of '92 myself!) Although I have to say I DON'T miss Detroit...

The good news is Julie can find a job just about anywhere...she's in accounting (but not priced so high she won't find work).

jhelgesen · 01-04-2005, 09:33 AM

Just remembered, I talked to the guys at NIKE in portland about a design job last year. They had a heck of a benni package, but the pay sucked for a move from east to west coast. Might be worth looking at their corporate site though.

Sarc · 01-04-2005, 09:35 AM

Yep, but I'm in Architecture. It's what us unlicensed types like to call ourselves since the term 'intern' is about as antiquated as the profession can be sometimes

Tell me, are you in industrial design? I've really toyed with going to Art Center Pasedena. I've come close to CCS, but I'm interested in moving out of sunny Detroit! Any insight from you on the business would be great. Feel free to pm me.

Back on topic, have a look at coroflot.com: lots of job postings for us 'designers'.

Cheers,
Paul

Doug&Julie · 01-05-2005, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sarc
Tell me, are you in industrial design? I've really toyed with going to Art Center Pasedena. I've come close to CCS, but I'm interested in moving out of sunny Detroit! Any insight from you on the business would be great. Feel free to pm me.

I have a BFA in Industrial Design from CCS, but my first real career job was in exhibit design. That's what I do now, although the company I'm currently working for also does more retail and interior design stuff. I'm liking that a lot more (I'm kinda burned out on exhibits) so I think I'm going to pursue those as much as another exhibit design job.

Unfortunately, I don't have a real pulse on more typical Industrial Design jobs. At this point, I would suggest staying where you are, but some time at a college of art and design would broaden your portfolio. (I specifically avoided being an "architect" because I felt, on the whole, the profession lacked creativity. Not that I necessarily feel that way now...but at the time I was afraid I'd be detailing trusses instead of creating something new and exciting.)

I don't blame you...get out of Detroit. Overall I enjoyed my time at CCS, but otherwise that place is just full of bad memories.

Thanks for the link...I'll add it to my list!

Sarc · 01-05-2005, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug&Julie
..but at the time I was afraid I'd be detailing trusses instead of creating something new and exciting.)

Boy, you made the right choice!
That's essentially my career in a nutshell at the moment which is making me very jaded. Actually there is a local exhibit firm that I've been trying to get on board with if my move to Beantown doesn't go through. I kick myself sometimes for not attending CCS/Art Center, etc. to pursue either product or transportation design, but if that was the case I wouldn't have met my fiance.
No regrets!
I would, however, like to take some courses in those fields to better acclimate me to those design fields outside of architecture .

Good luck in the hunt!

Doug&Julie · 01-05-2005, 04:36 AM

I went to CCS for transportation design, but decided in one semester to dump that idea as well! Similar situation...I figured I'd be the guy in the back designing bumper trim for 40 years until I got my gold watch. (very few students go on to do REALLY cool things) I didn't want that. So I jumped over to product design which, I felt anyway, gave me a broader and more balanced understanding of design. I think it really opened my mind to a lot of things.

Don't fret...architects can be very creative! You just have to push for it and take advantage of every opportunity to show creativity. I would bet patience will be rewarded.

Good luck on your Beantown hunt.

Cheers

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug&Julie
Right now, I have them both electronically, esentially in .pdf format for e-mail-ability. I have nothing on the internet. (...ideas there?)

I'd suggest converting your resume to MS Word format as this is the standard for scanning, review and storage.

Typically I'd suggest the networking route but it's obviously tough over a long distance. However that's what you doing now

I agree with the HeadHunter approach.

Doug&Julie · 01-05-2005, 09:54 AM

Good idea on the MS Word approach. Right now my resume is sort of "Designerly" so it won't look as sharp in Word. But for the non .pdf readers, I should have it ready.

I think I'm going to try searching/networking sans headhunter for now. But if I'm not getting any serious hits before summer, I'll be changing my mind I'm sure. I just responded to an ad last night that said "No Headhunters" rather emphatically. I've seen others like this, so I'm a little leary of using them. But I suppose they're a means to an end at some point.

Thanks!