Job Applications - Changing Cities

-sparky-

Hi,

I've been looking to change jobs in the last couple of months. I currently live in the North East of England and want to relocate to the London area.

After making some applications virtually all of them have been unsuccessful - most didn't even get an email back. This has even been the case for jobs I am clearly overqualified for and just filled out an application to see what kind of responses I'd get.

I am currently in full time employment with about 3 years of solid work experience, have a degree from a really good university (one of the two that are "famous" in the UK). Well polished CV that I tailor to the positions being applied to, that was checked and approved by a couple of career agencies and advisors. Generally, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing in terms of making applications - it's not something stupid like a wacky looking CV that's holding me back.

I've got a suspicion that one of the reasons for the low success of applications is the fact that I'm living quite far away from the jobs I'm applying to and it's putting off potential employers. I remember when I moved up to the North East my current employer paid for my travel expenses during the interview stage and relocation expenses later. If this is standard practice it could be putting off the companies I apply to because they'll have to pay for my move back to London.

Does anyone here have any experience relocating to change jobs in the UK? Is location a significant factor when hiring?

I can resign, or ask to get myself "made redundant" at my current job, move closer to London and live off savings while looking for another job. I wouldn't do it though if it plays no role in my employment prospects.

Any ideas?

Daedalus

Do you have any friends in commutable distance? You can put their address down.

-sparky-

Daedalus wrote: »

Do you have any friends in commutable distance? You can put their address down.

Do you mean putting their address as the address on my CV?

I can do that but it will look pretty strange that I am claiming to be employed in one place and have a home address 300 miles away.

I have plenty of friends I can stay with if I get invited for an interview but I'm not getting lots of offers at the moment.

Daedalus

-sparky- wrote: »

Do you mean putting their address as the address on my CV?

I can do that but it will look pretty strange that I am claiming to be employed in one place and have a home address 300 miles away.

I have plenty of friends I can stay with if I get invited for an interview but I'm not getting lots of offers at the moment.

Your aim is to get an interview, at the interview you can explain your circumstances and convince them it is not a problem.

If the location is the stumbling block then changing it will help. How would they know where your employer is based unless you tell them? Even if it is a North East only company it is unlikely they will check that before interview or even notice.

denla

Daedalus wrote: »

Your aim is to get an interview, at the interview you can explain your circumstances and convince them it is not a problem.

If the location is the stumbling block then changing it will help. How would they know where your employer is based unless you tell them? Even if it is a North East only company it is unlikely they will check that before interview or even notice.

Won't happen. Employer will see OP lives over 300 miles away from work so chances are, OP is lying about location or being employed. Employer won't waste time interviewing OP when the CV is suspicious.

You're suppose to write down your employer's address on the CV, and for the reference. If you deliberately hide these details it'll look bad.

StaffieTerrier

I moved locations from the Midlands to South Wales. It is difficult filling in applications, particularly when filling in current employment details. I made sure on all my covering letters I mentioned the reason for applying for the job and my plans to relocate if chosen. At interview I went into further details, if requested.

-sparky-

Daedalus wrote: »

If the location is the stumbling block then changing it will help. How would they know where your employer is based unless you tell them? Even if it is a North East only company it is unlikely they will check that before interview or even notice.

That's the thing. I don't know if it is a stumbling block, and if yes then how big of a stumbling block. That's what I'm trying to find out.

By quitting my job and moving to another city I'm taking a big risk and I'm trying to see if it's worth it.

If things are that bad in the employment market I'd rather wait it out in my old job for one or two extra years.

Daedalus

denla wrote: »

Won't happen. Employer will see OP lives over 300 miles away from work so chances are, OP is lying about location or being employed. Employer won't waste time interviewing OP when the CV is suspicious.

You're suppose to write down your employer's address on the CV, and for the reference. If you deliberately hide these details it'll look bad.

I haven't written my previous employers address, I also don't have references listed. Never have I been called up for it. They were large national companies.

I personally wouldn't quit, move and hope for the best. It might take twice aslong being so far away but eventually you will get something,

-sparky-

Daedalus wrote: »

I personally wouldn't quit, move and hope for the best. It might take twice aslong being so far away but eventually you will get something,

That's probably the best way to go for now. Either way, I'm not planning to go anywhere at least for another 6 months and I'll be making applications throughout this time.

So in terms of cover letters it makes good sense to state explicitly that I am moving to London and this is the reason I am considering applying for that role.

That would stop them thinking that I'm just randomly sending applications wherever hoping to get lucky.

Daedalus

-sparky- wrote: »

So in terms of cover letters it makes good sense to state explicitly that I am moving to London and this is the reason I am considering applying for that role.

That would stop them thinking that I'm just randomly sending applications wherever hoping to get lucky.

Yeah. Perhaps state that you are moving to X town, gives an impression that it is all arranged and happening imminently.

Savvy_Sue

denla wrote: »

You're suppose to write down your employer's address on the CV, and for the reference. If you deliberately hide these details it'll look bad.

I didn't think there were any 'rules' for what had to be on a CV these days, and it seems to be common to leave referees off (not least because you don't want them approached before you've said "just been interviewed for x job, hope you will supply a reference if they ask you").

-sparky- wrote: »

So in terms of cover letters it makes good sense to state explicitly that I am moving to London and this is the reason I am considering applying for that role.

I might even put that on the cv, in some way. But just a thought, if you're sending a CV you're not considering applying for that role, you ARE applying for that role!

If it helps, DS2 caught the train to London today, he starts his new job on Thursday, and has booked into a hostel, which he thinks will be cheaper than actual rent, although no privacy. I have no idea if they checked at interview where he'd live.