Looking for a job in an already crowded city like San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York City can be quite an intimidating task. What you need to know is that most people feel the same way, so here are some tips to help you not only stand out, but also give you the tools you need to successfully land your dream job in your dream city!
The first thing you will need to know is what challenges you face in addition to being the “perfect” fit on paper. Some of these challenges include:
CROWDED MARKET
You are special, but you are a drop of water in an ocean of candidates. You will need to define what sets you apart, because at the end of the day it does take individual drops of water to create an ocean. Our friends at ZipRecruiter have shared a great article on how you can do that!
CULTURE
Big city culture is important to know! When it comes to the job hunt process, you will find that there are cultural differences between searching in New York and San Francisco for example. New York tends to be more formal, with hiring managers requesting in-person meetings & expecting you to show up in a suit. Cities like San Francisco tend to be more relaxed, with phone meetings being the standard along with working from home. Also things to consider when choosing which city to plant roots in.
KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS
It’s important to factor in all of your limitations and have open communication with your potential employer, so that you can foster strong relationships. Some limitations include the need to relocate, give notice, etc.
Besides the usual Do’s & Don’ts of interviewing , you want to make sure to do some research about what the cities culture is like. You can easily do this by attending local networking events and paying attention to those who are getting the attention- perhaps make a new friend/connection. This can offer some very valuable insight!
These are a few basics to get you out the door and into a long career in the big city- no matter which city you choose.
Make your friends happy without missing out on potential opportunities. Go ahead and enclose your business card in your holiday card. It may be unconventional, but it may also be your golden ticket to your next dream job.
Take advantage of having a few days off this holiday season by cleaning up your resume and portfolio. Have a recruiter or career counselor look over it for good measure. For those creative out there without an online portfolio, take advantage of the holiday sales and buy a domain. For creatives, portfolios can weigh more than your resume.
As the holidays are approaching quickly, keep your foot on the pedal. This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the slower times. Stay ahead of the pack your you may even have a new job before the new year.