by Kristin Davie, exclusive for WWDS. Kristin is a 2009 college graduate who is still looking for her first job. She writes about her search for all of us.
In the popular 1989 movie Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner is commanded by an unknown force to build a baseball field in his Iowa corn field because, “if you build it, he will come.”
Lately, friends and I have wondered whether the same is true regarding jobs. After facing weeks of rejection in our respective demographics, recent graduates are broadening their search. Many are turning to different states, different coasts, and even different countries, all in desperate pursuit of that first paycheck.
I’m no different. Although New York City remains at the top of my list, I’ve forced myself to apply for jobs outside of my comfort zone- and my time zone. While I once may have disregarded job advertisements in Boston or Chicago, I now purposely research positions in those and other areas.
After all, if you build it, they will come.
But should we? And do employers really want us there?
In this economy, it’s easy to understand why companies might prefer local applicants, especially when enticing relocation packages can no longer be afforded. Still, candidates are looking to expand their search, and many are willing to swallow the cost in return for a full-time position and new social opportunities (or if you happen to be Ray Liotta, a baseball field).
So should graduates bother to apply to positions that would require relocation, and if so, how do we convey our willingness to in a cover letter?
Perhaps the fault lies with the job seekers. Are we overlooking local prospects in pursuit of a more glamorous option? Are we ignorant to the potential of nearby businesses? Maybe the blame is meant to be shared. Are local organizations doing enough to attract and retain young adults?
With such a struggling economy and competitive market, should graduates focus on relocating or re-evaluating themselves?
Ed Note: The key for Kristin would be to use LINKUP, the only job search engine that presents ONLY jobs from company websites. By searching LinkUp, she can beat hundreds of job seekers to apply.
2 users commented in " Kristin Davie–Still Looking, But Expanding Her Job Search "
Hi Kristin, I hope this finds you well – and employed?
What I have realised as the owner of a recruitment business, that last year expanded into the candidate side through Professional CV writing, is that most job seekers have low confidence, and little real vision of what they want to do. If they have, they generally don’t know who the six top employers are in that field, who they really want to work for.
You can stretch a job search five ways: job type/occupation, level, industry, geography, hours worked. What always amuses me, is that most people keep the first three fixed and move the later two. This is particularly confusing for recent graduates, when most employers would need to train them to some extent to do any job any way.
With this in mind, and if you really want to be in NY, then why not flex the first three? If you have a vision of where you want to be when you are 40, then find out the alternate routes people have taken to get there. You will be amazed how many routes there are to a particular career goal, not just the straight up the corporate title ladder. In fact, I think most graduate job seekers are missing a trick, as the future market they will face will be far more flexible in the where and what they work at, resulting in a more multi-skilled dynamic employee. Hence, the straight up the ladder corporate title career will look staid and under experienced compared to someone who has a track record of learning and delivery across a variety of positions.
I would also look to make it easier for any targeted employer to engage you. There is a tendency towards unpaid intern ships as trials at present, which if managed correctly is right for graduate and employer. I would only use this tactic on a very limited number of target employers for a very short period (ie: 2weeks max). I would also do more prep work before deploying it, and show some evidence of what could be achieved by writing about it on a published blog.
If you know where your heart is, then however much you think breaking that thought would be a better option, it always shows on the other side of the interview table as an empty promise. Honestly, “I want to come to Boston” will sound like a disused soda can, if you really want to be in NY! You know where you want to be, you know where you eventually want to be in your career. Work out your priorities, and then just be more flexible on where the starting point is that you feel most comfortable with, and let your enthusiasm for those goals come through with your targeted employers.
Good Luck!
Kristin, Without knowing what resources you have used locally, I can’t honestly say if you’ve covered every possibility. What I can say, is sure, sometimes moving is the best or only solution to acquiring a job or the better job needed for financial responsibilities.
If you or your friends have a desire to live in a certain city/state, by all means, look for job opportunities there and make sure to utilize that city’s Chamber of Commerce. Most of them will send you an Informational Packet for free, however, I have heard some of them are charging. Call them and ask. They will send you all sorts of information about the town, top companies, what types of associations there are (for business), apts., homes, banks, etc.. Don’t be afraid to ask them for certain types of information/brochures when you call and request too.
And when you move there, contact them again and ask for a Newcomer’s or Welcoming Package which will have tons of coupons for everything from restaurants to dry-cleaning, and they may have a Newcomers’ network – a monthly meeting of everyone who has moved to the city within 6 months. A great support system and networking opportunity.
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