question to employer, re: out-of-town applications

[What's his face]

Hi all I'm from a small town about 2 hours north of Toronto, and I'm looking to get out of here. There just aren't any decent jobs here.I've been applying for entry-level office/admin jobs in Toronto and the surrounding area, but I haven't received any call backs or interview requests at all. I suspect it may be because I am out of town, and they'd prefer to hire local people.A question for those on this board who are employers and look through resumes a lot: is location a factor? If it is, how do I get around it without moving to Toronto without any employment to pay rent with?The winning poster will receive one cookie.

 

[Ruaidhri]

Location is absolutely a factor, especially when talking about entry-level positions. As someone who does hiring, I would notice what seems to be a very long commute for someone, we're aproaching winter, and would think that the candidate may find that slogging to TO through the imminent bad weather might change your perspective on whether the job is worth it. Plus, because of the high level of unemployment right now, I have TONS of local resumes. It isn't that I'd rather hire a local, I would want to hire the best candidate, but more about whether you'd be committed enough to deal with the long commute until you can move closer (assuming you would move closer). When you send your resume out, make sure your cover letter mentions your intention to relocate.

Unless you really stand out, it'll be very tough to get entry-level work without moving here first. One thing I found that helped me a little in a similar situation a number of years ago was to get a cell phone with an area code in the place I was looking for work. At the very least, I got a few more calls than I had been getting.

 

[RevDMV]

Or at least put in your cover letter that you are relocating to the area. The cover letter is the place to explain/highlight areas that you think need more detail.

Also start networking with folks who already live there. (LinkedIn Facebook, the usual, if you don't already have friends theire)

 

[What's his face]

I'm reluctant to move to Toronto without a job because of the high cost of living. Even with the cheapest of basement apartments, I'd last maybe 2 months before I ran out of money.

It's kind of a catch 22. It's hard to get a job without living there first, and it's risky to move there without having a job first.

 

[Vulcan Princess]

I work in human resources, and location is a factor, but it's not the determinative factor. If you mention in your cover letter that you're willing to relocate at your own expense, then it shouldn't harm you too much.

Also, tailor your cover letter, and to a lesser extent, your resume, to the specific requirements of the job. If there are multiple ways of describing what you have done in the past, use the language that comes out of their job posting. Often, people who read resumes have a huge stack to look through, and they'll just be looking for keywords on the first pass. This should probably go without saying, but be sure to proofread your resume and your cover letter. If it's misspelled, people will just toss it.

 

[TorontoTrekker]

I don't know if location is that big a deal, if you're willing to commute and you're fairly good at committing to a regular schedule. I live smack in the middle of Toronto - the Yonge/Eglinton area - and worked for two years in Aurora. Now I'm working at Eglinton and Dixie in Mississauga. Both companies are about a 90-minute trip from home by public transit. (I don't have a driver's license; if you do, it may reduce your commuting time to something reasonable. Of course, you'll be battling all the other drivers coming into Toronto from the surrounding area. At least I have the advantage in that I've been travelling against the main flow.)

Now that I know what kind of work you're looking for, I can ask where I work. I've been told that there are plans to expand the company, so they may be hiring.

 

[Mr. B]

Outside of the location issues, it struck me in your post that you appear to be passively waiting for responses. Your cover letters need to say "I'll contact you next week" and then do it.

 

[What's his face]

Outside of the location issues, it struck me in your post that you appear to be passively waiting for responses. Your cover letters need to say "I'll contact you next week" and then do it.

A very good point.

I have a list of places I've been applying to and the dates I applied for that job, as well as the closing date of said jobs. This current application "spree" has lasted since the beginning of this week.

How long should I be waiting before I call/email back? What should I be saying?

 

[bigdaddy]

As I kind of asked this question before I will give you the correct answer.

You are fucked.

I'll take my cookie now.