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The job market is pretty bad across the country and being an out-of-state applicant only makes things a lot harder. So I'm giving serious thought to just moving to Raleigh without having a job lined up. Normally, I wouldn't take such a risk. But it feels like I'll never even get an interview as long as people see a non-local address. My field is IT, specifically Java/J2EE development. I have 8 years of experience. Moving would be a lot easier for me than most people. I don't have to sell a house and don't have a spouse or kids to worry about. I figure I could just rent until I land a job and then once I'm settled, buy a house. So I'd like to hear people's opinion, especially if you're in IT. Do you think this is a bad idea and that continuing to apply for jobs from out of state would be a better move? I just have this feeling I'll get a lot more responses, not to mention better networking options, if I live in the Raleigh area. But my nightmare scenario is that I'll exhaust my savings and still not have a job. Any ideas on how long I should expect to be out of work if I move there?
I really don't think you should move here without a job in hand. Have you seen the news about all the IT layoffs here recently? IBM, Nortel, Verizon Business ... just to name a few. Lots of smaller companies too. It's just not that great here either, and going through your savings should be a real concern. How many months of expenses do you think you have in savings?
Sorry, Denny, but I don't think it would be a good idea for you to come down here. Competition for IT jobs was already really high around here back when the economy was in good shape. Now it's even worse because so many local companies are laying off hundreds of people. Sony laid off hundreds of people here in October (article). Lenovo is laying off a number of people (article). IBM just laid off a number of people last week (Article. And here's a recent thread about it). And Nortel is filing for bankruptcy & cutting jobs (article). Personally, I think it's just bad timing & you shouldn't try it yet, but that's just me. Whatever you decide, good luck!
The State has froze IT also, there were a few programming gigs there (not java though). It is a large area but IT is taking a hit. I had a transfer lined up to Raleigh (state IT) and that was recently stopped due to conditions.
The job market is pretty bad across the country and being an out-of-state applicant only makes things a lot harder. So I'm giving serious thought to just moving to Raleigh without having a job lined up. Normally, I wouldn't take such a risk. But it feels like I'll never even get an interview as long as people see a non-local address. My field is IT, specifically Java/J2EE development. I have 8 years of experience. Moving would be a lot easier for me than most people. I don't have to sell a house and don't have a spouse or kids to worry about. I figure I could just rent until I land a job and then once I'm settled, buy a house. So I'd like to hear people's opinion, especially if you're in IT. Do you think this is a bad idea and that continuing to apply for jobs from out of state would be a better move? I just have this feeling I'll get a lot more responses, not to mention better networking options, if I live in the Raleigh area. But my nightmare scenario is that I'll exhaust my savings and still not have a job. Any ideas on how long I should expect to be out of work if I move there?
If someone already has a good job where they are, has children or has no reserve funds, I would say it would not be a good idea to move in this national recession. However, if someone is already out of work or has good reserve funds and no kids, then that opens up the doors for them. In good times, I feel pretty comfortable being able to land a job in 2 to 4 months. In slower times like this, 4 to 6 months might be more like it. It is true that being in state makes it easier to land a job than being out of state. It's all a matter of your comfort level. Not having kids at home makes it so much easier. I would make sure you have at least one year of reserve cash available.
Just an FYI about the rental market....most apartments won't qualify you to live there without an income of 3 times the rent. Some will accept a savings of 1 year's rent in lieu of that, but not all. It can certainly be challenging finding an apartment without a job.
Just an FYI about the rental market....most apartments won't qualify you to live there without an income of 3 times the rent. Some will accept a savings of 1 year's rent in lieu of that, but not all. It can certainly be challenging finding an apartment without a job.
That maybe true, but there are plenty more options on craigslist. It's too bad they expect that, b/c for some ppl that rules them out.
That maybe true, but there are plenty more options on craigslist. It's too bad they expect that, b/c for some ppl that rules them out.
Not being able to rent an apartment because one has no income and insufficient savings ... that's a bad thing? Is it better to let someone move into a place they can't afford, only to have to evict them a month or two later when they haven't paid the rent?
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