Being in a new city is challenging, exciting and scary all at once. The luster of having a new area code eventually wears off. Then the task of supporting yourself begins. It can be a challenge especially if you have no contacts or leads. Personally, I have moved to a new city without a job twice. The first time it took me 2 1/2 months to get a job. The second time, less than a week. What was the difference? A change in plans and a different attitude.
When you're in a new city, especially if you have not built a career for yourself, it's like you are an unknown entity. You need someone to take a chance on you. You also have little room to be choosy. You probably don't have a place, so you need money for that as well as transportation. If you were staying with someone, you would want to give something for letting you stay under his or her roof. Either way, you need cash. When I moved to Florida in 2003, I had no clue what I was doing. I believed "God will provide" and He did. I didn't use wisdom. I should have had at least a plan going down. But I was young and dumb. Fortunately, I had guardian angels in the form of friends who had moved down to Florida. I'm still figuring out how to pay them back, but I decided to pay it forward in the meantime.
Anyway, I kept applying for jobs in my field (biology) with no results. There was one company in particular where I was speaking with a woman who was confident she could place me once I came down. I came down and couldn't reach her. She was a recruiter but had no office.
(picture of an abandoned building)
So that was a lesson. A job isn't a job until you have it.
Since you’re in a new city, the first lesson is this:
1. Learn the Lay of the Land
You have to figure out to get around your new city. If you have a car, God bless you. You'll need it. If you don't have a car, God bless you. You'll need it, eventually. The next move after you get a place should be a knock around car for a $1000 or less. Get something you can pay in cash, so you don't have a car note hanging over your head while you are putting down roots. New York City and (maybe) Chicago are the only places I know where you can be comfortable without a car.
Since, there were no jobs in my field. I pretty much deemed the situation hopeless. Yes, I knew there were other jobs out there, but I wanted a science job. Especially considering I had a science degree. This leads to lesson two:
2. Get a Job, Any job
You should spend 8 hours a day, writing and tweaking your resume, and contacting prospective employers.
Yes, I know you have extensive training and experience in a certain area. Yes, I know you led a team and perhaps even did the hiring and firing at your last job. But if Friday's is the only place hiring, (Jack Daniels Sampler!!) then that's your new job. Pride keeps a lot of people unemployed. In a new city, pride (for the most part) has to go out the window. In Orlando, my first job was with a call center. Call centers tend to have high turnover rates because the job sucks. This call center felt like work release after you get busted for weed. No, it never happened to me by the way. In call centers, you get cursed out, hung up on, and badgered on a daily basis. But it was a paycheck and it kept me out of the rain. When I moved to Philly, my first job was with the aforementioned Friday's. I stayed about 2 1/2 weeks and was cured of ever wanting to be a waiter again. But that effort and willingness to do whatever necessary to keep the lights on lead to my second job, when I worked in the mailroom of the Philadelphia Museum. It was pretty cool and I actually enjoyed it. I even got a computer from them (Relax they were going to recycle it, anyway) In my free time, I kept sending out resumes. Kept calling people. In about two and a half months, I got to a good paying job. Here’s the 3rd lesson:
3. Constantly Look to Upgrade
Let's face it, the days of loyalty are over. Companies are cutting bait with people faster than ever before. Just like companies have bottom lines, you have one too. If the job you have now doesn't pay your bills, you have to keep looking until you find one that does. Working contract is a good way to do this without being dishonest. This way you and the company can try each other out to find a good fit.
I was working for a parking garage (as a receptionist) when the good paying gig came along. They wanted me to stay but it wasn’t what I wanted. Still, it was nice to know the job was mine for the taking because of my performance. Lesson#4 is:
4. Do a Great Job While You're There
It’s important that you do an awesome job while you are at a job. The reasons are simple, these are the people who will be giving you a reference. You want to build a good history as well as a good feeling that you left a job better than you found it. Even though it's not the job you want, it's the only job you have.
The time to leave a job inevitably comes. There is a right and wrong way to do it.
5. Leave a Job Professionally
I'm ashamed to say that I have left jobs in the worst way. Some jobs I should have passed on. Or I got comfortable and realized I hated it as much as Geometry in the 11th grade. At any rate, you should always leave a job professionally, the best way you know how. Quit with 2 weeks notice, if at all possible. Sometimes, contract job can be a little more lenient.
6. Have a Vision for your Dream Job
We all have that dream job. Maybe we don’t know what that dream job is until it comes. When I was working at the call center , I got wind of an opportunity to work for EA Sports. I jumped at the chance and even though the job wasn’t permanent, I did it and it was an amazing experience. I even made the credits for 2005 NCAA Football!! Whatever you dream job is, it’s out there. Keep working hard and don’t stop looking until you find it. You will know when you find it.
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