Southern California resident questions..

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Unless you have a special skill or experience that they can't get locally it is unlikely that they will want to pay for your relocation. So, I would suggest obtaining an address to use in SoCal (to prevent your resume from being excluded based upon a "local applicants" policy) and keep trying.

Hmmm, it seems weird that a company would have a "local applicants only" policy at all. It's not like there's a law requiring them to pay for relocation, is there?

Though I do know of companies that pay for for a new employee to move, I always thought relocation was more for when people are transferred around the country within the company. Then again, maybe a hiring company doesn't even want the question approached (whether they'd pay or not)?

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Hmmm, it seems weird that a company would have a "local applicants only" policy at all. It's not like there's a law requiring them to pay for relocation, is there?

Though I do know of companies that pay for for a new employee to move, I always thought relocation was more for when people are transferred around the country within the company. Then again, maybe a hiring company doesn't even want the question approached (whether they'd pay or not)?

It's easier for an applicant to get hired locally - and there are a lot of positions that say you *should* be local to apply. There is no law preventing anyone from out of the area from applying for the job, but local candidates will usually be considered before candidates out of the area [unless the position is so specialized that the candidate pool is small to begin with]. I'm working in the relocation industry now and it's surprising how many companies do pay for new employees to relocate. However, these employees are usually upper management.

The company doesn't have to pay for the relocation but it is a lot easier for an employee to get started in their new position when they don't have to pack, move and find a place. It's also easier for the interview process (where you can come in with a few days notice and not have to worry about obtaining plane tickets and/or finding a place to stay).

If a person is willing to come in from out of the area for an interview and relocate themselves it is easier to obtain a position (or even an interview) with a local address. At the very least it needs to be made clear they are already moving into the area. We're dealing with this with my friend K. She lives in AZ and wants to come back to CA. She is having a heck of a time because of being out of state.

Of course, this isn't always the case but it's not the exception.