How to find entry level positions in a new city [closed]

Question

I am just graduating from a computer science degree (tomorrow is my last exam). I have been thinking about job hunting this semester but I wanted to focus on my studies and part time job so I am a bit late on the job hunt.

I want to find a job in a city that I have very little professional network in. How would you go about job hunting in a new city? I do not live there yet and I cannot easy go there so that makes finding places to apply a bit trickier. Normally I would ask people that I studied and worked with but I have few contacts in the city I want to work in.

Where would you look to find jobs? I have been using

• Craigs-list
• My Universities job listings (but they are mostly focused on the east coast)
• This government job listing page

Anyone have any great job finding resources?

Answer 1

Some websites:

• Use a search engine like Indeed or Simply Hired.
• Follow social media sites; for example, Hacker News recently released their monthly Who's Hiring.
• And of course, there's Stack Overflow Careers.

Recruiters / head-hunters are tough since they usually expect candidates with experience, though it never hurts to ask.

Lastly, if you have a "cool" project that you can show off, like a mobile app or a webpage, post that on a social media site to get some exposure. Similarly if you run a blog, etc.

Answer 2

search in monster.com for junior or graduate key word in front of any job title for example: junior website developer, junior programmer Graduate website developer, Graduate database designer or etc... and dont forget that you can do freelancer computer jobs on http://www.freelancer.com/

Answer 3

I'm sure you already have a LinkedIn account, don't you? If not, go register there immediately! This a great source for finding a job.

Answer 4

Within Canada Workopolis tends to be a good site to post one's resume or so I've found though I'm in Calgary so maybe Ontario may be different.

Another thought would be the big contracting firms like Robert Half and other big IT firms may also work for finding jobs if you have some experience that may help in getting an initial foot in the door in a sense.

Answer 5

I have, twice, done (successfully), what you are trying to do now.

Most of it is the same as if you were applying to where you live currently.

Things that don't change

• Check job boards (government, indeed.com/.ca, etc.)
• Contact local recruiters to that area
• Look for specific companies that you might want to work for (job posting or not) and talk to them over the phone.

Things that do change

• I personally put in my cover letters my current location and noted that I'd be willing to move at my own expense.
• List a (good) reason that you want to move, but don't make it the focal point of your application. Family was my first reason, and I wanted to work at that specific company the second time.
• If you can make the trip, offer to travel to perform the interview in-person. Some companies will pay for the trip, but I wouldn't expect them to (depending on the position).

Answer 6

Finding a job in a new city is very similar to finding a job in your current city, it just has some extra logistics to it.

You can find job postings in various places; Craigslist, Monster, even check your school and see if any companies are still looking for people. See if there is a job board for your target city. Look up companies in the city and check out their site for job postings. Google the target city name + your job title and see what comes up.

I would suggest that you only apply to a handful of jobs at a time. Choose the companies you want to apply for, research them and think of why you want the job. Write your cover letter letting the employer know that you are looking to move to the city and are looking for the right job and why you think their company/position is a good match.

Once you start getting replies about your applications, see how willing the companies would be to do phone interviews. If the company has a multiple interview process, see if they would be willing to do it all on one day to help with your travel expenses. You'd be surprised how prospective employers are willing to go to help you out if you just ask.

If you get more than one interview and you have to travel, try and make them all on the same day. Again to lower your travel expenses.

In the end, market yourself well, and show that you want to work, and you are willing to move to work for a company. And while you're job hunting, if you have a specific location in mind, start planning your move. You could even look at apartments on the same day you go for interviews.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Adding to the already good list, a way I have found to locate potential employers is to:

• find a section of the city you perform (in google maps) and to search for related terms. This should return a list of companies in the area
• Open the websites for those companies and look for a careers page, etc.

For example, here is Sydney for "Software"

This can help you find jobs not posted as well as determine the employers actually behind the job adverts from recruiters.

Answer 8

First of all, you have to confident in your skills, the process varies person to person at some level.

• Having a good resume is important, get in touch with someone you know in the field and get a nice resume that has technical summary and has the key-words (recruiters are big on key-words).

• Job boards/Craigslist search, apply only to the jobs you feel comfortable, this is very person specific, but you should have standards and must be able to answer "why you deserve the job and how do you fit in?", to yourself more than to the interviewer.

• Go extra mile, no matter what the economy is there is always a shortage of motivated developers and that is the reason why recruiters target "User group meetings". Go to User Group meeting in the City and try to Network there.

• Do not isolate yourself, try to find a person in the field of work you are looking for job and seek out help. If that is not the case, find people who are in the same boat. There are enough jobs so there is nothing wrong hanging around freshers looking for jobs, remember this is not a "Rat Race", you are in this for long haul.