Making the hiring process personal

[Stitch]

So you are basing your decision to get married on whether you can get a job where she lives?

 

[gutenberg]

Better hope the hiring editor doesn't read this site.

If he or she does, you might have already clinched them passing you over.

Does a town the gf moved to have a Carl's Jr? Perhaps they will hire you.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

I come with a simple question, which probably comes with a simple answer - although it's not all that simple.

I'm a 29-year-old guy who's been in a relationship for three years with a girl who accepted a job in Arizona in January. We lived in New York - now only I do - and before her job came to be, we were planning on getting engaged. When she left, we obviously put those plans on hold.

I've been tipped off about a job opening at a paper out in Arizona in the same area and couldn't pull my stuff together and send it out any faster than I did. I'm curious, though - In the e-mail I plan to send to the SE, alerting him that my package is on the way, should I inform him of my personal situation, or is that way too much pressure, or too much of a burden, to put on someone making a hiring decision?

I feel like it would be a benefit to let him know that I'm serious about the place, the paper, the location, etc., and maybe a human side would give me a boost in the hunt for the job, but also feel like it's an uncomfortable situation to put the guy in if there are better candidates and he has to reject me.

Any help you can provide, either here or by PM, would be greatly appreciated. From reading this place a lot, I can tell you all will be able to help me make an educated decision.

Thank you.

 

[Roscablo]

I wouldn't mention the girlfriend in the letter, just because the SE might then wonder what would happen if you broke up. It's information that is a little too personal.

I would mention in the letter that you are already planning on relocating for personal reasons, and if the SE brings you in for an interview, that's when you bring up your significant other.

I do like this. Doesn't hurt to say that you are relocating to Arizona and were excited to see the opening. Would calm fears about paying for someone to fly in for an interview.

Also agree on not divulging too much on the reason for the relocation. The fact that you are moving -- or planning a move -- is enough.

Don't need to give the impression you are desperate to find a job to chase after your girlfriend.

I agree with keeping it as simple as possible if you mention it. Not only could it seem desperate, potential employers can get the wrong idea of why you are there.

When my wife started med school some years back I had to move for her and thus leave my job. In my new town I got several interviews in a fairly short time after arriving. In my own desperation, which in hindsight was too thick, I made no secret what the situation was. I thought it would help my cause at the time by letting them know I was already living in town, would be for the next four years and could start yesterday, which all would offer the prospects of a stable employee. Instead it backfired. I'm pretty sure all they heard was "school" and thought I'd be leaving for the summers each May. I didn't consider that most people really don't know that medical school is a year round gig for four years, and even if they did, they probably don't care. I do believe I would have found a job faster had I not brought it up at all unless asked.

You want to stick out and there is a good reason beyond that it's just a job for wanting that position, but tread as lightly as possible.

 

[flexmaster33]

I completely understand your concerns, but I would leave it out in the initial process.

I recently underwent a similar process where my family was looking to move cross-country. I simply applied with the customary resume and clips package, but every time an interview came up, one of the first questions involved why I wanted to make the move.

That is the time to explain the personal side of things, but make sure you have other reasons, as well. Do some research on the area, and make sure Arizona is a place you'd like to at least try.

In our attempt to move cross-country we pinpointed a couple areas (Atlantic Coast and Midwest) where we felt we'd be most comfortable, then did some research so we could have other reasons to be excited to make the move.

I know in several cases, papers decided to go with local applicants. In the end, I was offered a job in an area we weren't as thrilled about. My wife and I re-evaluated things and decided to make a small move and stay put.

The tough job market doesn't help. It's harder to compete in a phone interview situation and that last job offer was the only one offering to fly me in for a final-phase interview.

good luck, but be patient with the process. Making a big move in this climate is difficult.

 

[Stitch]

This wouldn't be for the Prescott job, would it?

 

[J-School Blue]

I wouldn't mention the girlfriend in the letter, just because the SE might then wonder what would happen if you broke up. It's information that is a little too personal.

I would mention in the letter that you are already planning on relocating for personal reasons, and if the SE brings you in for an interview, that's when you bring up your significant other.

I do like this. Doesn't hurt to say that you are relocating to Arizona and were excited to see the opening. Would calm fears about paying for someone to fly in for an interview.

I like this as well. It lets whoever's doing the hiring know that you will be in the area, job or no job. I think it's easier to take a chance on a non-local candidate if they're in the process of moving and have ties outside the job to the area. Particularly if it's a smaller place in AZ outside the Phoenix/Tucson metro glob.