[artseediva]

Okay.. so I've searched the forums and throughout all of my extensive research, I've seen a LOT of the "they won't hire you from out of state"... I will say that as someone who (albeit small scale) did some hiring in the past, I FULLY understand that. Unfortunately, that isn't helping me with this conundrum that I'm in.

I'm currently a graphic designer at my local newspaper here in south Georgia. We have a few papers under our company, but none are in the Las Vegas area. This means that transferring is out of the question. I am moving there in September to take care of my fiance's father, therefore I have little to no choice. We have somewhere to land (my fiance's father's house) and because this is a move that we can't really help we won't have any savings so securing a job before or fresh off of the train is of the utmost importance. Going out beforehand is out of the question because any funding we save up is going for the cross country trek. I'm at a complete loss on how to go about finding work from all the way on the other side of eternity (I.E the deep south)

I would love to stay with graphic design (though I lack a degree.. I have been doing it for 7+ years) as it's my passion, but I've also been a retail store manager, as well as a photography studio manager. I need to land something that I can support us on while we get on our feet and save for our own place... but I guess I'm just unsure of how to do it and when to do it.

I can't go out there for interviews, so short of sending out applications a month before we go I am not sure of what else I can do. I'd love to, in an ideal world, talk to someone and perhaps start working earlier from home and then transition to in-house once there... but like I said, that's in an ideal world.

Can any of you guide me here? Give me some referrals for good places to search for this type of work? Do any of you need a designer?

...but seriously, help a girl out?

[von949]

https://www.city-data.com/forum/las-v...sting-job.html

[StaggerLee22]

I'm dizzy.

[artseediva]

Sorry to make your head spin

[krystsyde]

indeed.com

In the meantime make a few different resumes to have handy...

[BWNLV]

I was a ad designer for our local Gannett paper in Arkansas for 9+ years with similar background to you. I had no graphic designer training or degree, just on the job experience. After getting laid off and relocating to Las Vegas I found so few graphic designer jobs listed, plus those openings that did exist required degrees, years of experience with programs I did not have, or web experience. Plus, there are so many people like us - who love the graphic design field that competition is super tough and pay is not that good. Your best chance I think would to be looking for jobs postings on indeed.com (don't bother with Craigslist - it's a compete waste of time & a con mans best friend) and see what is currently available. If you have a Community College nearby, it might be to your advantage to try to take classes in something you're weak in - web, photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, etc. Within a few weeks of your move, if you see a job you would be intrested in applying for, contact them with resume and a date that you would be available to interview.
Once your in Las Vegas, you need to expand your job search to other fields - retail and service industries and don't waste time waiting for a design job to open up. They are few and far between and jobs are tough to find in Las Vegas. Very tough to find. I never, ever had a problem finding a job. After 6 months of unemployment I found a job as a security guard and I am very thankful to be working. Good luck in your move. Las Vegas is wonderful city and Nevada is a neat state. You won't miss the Georgia humidity!

[artseediva]

Thank you, BWNLV... that's pretty much what I was looking for. I check indeed daily just to forecast what's out there, but figured it pointless to apply anywhere until I was within an arm's reach. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, fancy smancy up my portfolio and start sending stuff out a few weeks before I go. Thank you for the insight, pointers AND encouragement!

...and I can't WAIT to leave the humidity behind

[aggrofish]

Originally Posted by BWNLV

(don't bother with Craigslist - it's a compete waste of time & a con mans best friend)

There are a lot of scams, but CL has a huge reach. I have several people that I hired from CL with the lowest paid one making $37.50 an hour. Legit jobs are on there.