Southern California resident questions..

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by Prudence

But how do those of us not privileged enough to be born in Southern California convince employers in the area to hire us? That's my #1 burning question. (we needn't discuss my #2 burning question. )

Hey lady... as long as it isn't a burning question about a burning sensation.

OK, that may have been lacking in taste. I'm going to walk away now. LOL

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Hey lady... as long as it isn't a burning question about a burning sensation.

OK, that may have been lacking in taste. I'm going to walk away now. LOL

Why? I was thinking the same thing, but you got here first.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Why? I was thinking the same thing, but you got here first.

Ditto (I was going to go with "They make a cream for that.")

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Prudence

But how do those of us not privileged enough to be born in Southern California convince employers in the area to hire us? That's my #1 burning question. (we needn't discuss my #2 burning question. )

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.

[Morrigoon]

This thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Or maybe it's the weather today

You'd think, having lived in several other places (NoCal, Vegas, Dallas, England), that I'd be able to come up with very specific reasons why I'm glad to live in Socal, but then you'd be disappointed. It's hard to put my finger on it, but when you're away you just miss it.

Obviously better weather is not to be found anywhere else in the world. I like that the ground is not flat - I've lived with a lack of mountains and it's just disturbing, makes the whole world seem sad and devoid of interest (is that silly?). We have everything here. Sure, we may have to drive a little to get from one point to another, but I'm within "weekending" distance of just about every kind of climate from desert to sub-alpine.

Here's one, often imitated, never duplicated: The Hollywood Bowl. If you've never done it, it would be hard to describe the experience, but there's really nothing quite as swanky as sharing a picnic basket full of gourmet goodies from Trader Joe's or Gelson's on a warm afternoon in the Hollywood Hills, the civilized outdoorsiness of sitting down in one of the world's best natural amphitheatres and experiencing some of the greatest music ever produced. The casual formality of it all, which you simply cannot find by going to the symphony or the pops (Boston's recent incident notwithstanding). The warm weather, even in the end-of-season concerts, where a mere sweatshirt will suffice to keep off the chill as you sip your wine and hear some of the nation's most legendary talents perform. In fact, an evening at the Hollywood Bowl sums up just about everything that's great about Southern California: our weather, our laid-back approach to life, the wide variety of culture available at our fingertips, the way even the poorest citizens can have access to the finer things in life, the warm breezes from the desert and fine mist off the ocean as the sun disappears behind the mountains for the evening, the sense that something amazing could happen any time. Experiencing this all with great friends who are all remarkably different from eachother, and swanky enough to appreciate the differences.

I also like being more spread out and knowing I will find a parking space for my car. I love the architecture, the way we value an attractive environment without losing variety (if one area is too Stepford for you, you drive 20 minutes and you're in Surf City, as BTD put it), the variety of distinct city cultures (not just one regional "culture" but many), the beauty everywhere (which I've already alluded to with other reasons), the wide range of activities, and, of course, Disneyland.

[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.

[Prudence]

Unfortunately, my school kind of gives away my location. I mean, when the name of the school is the name of the city.... And I can't exactly hide the school, since it's pretty much required for the jobs I want.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Prudence

Unfortunately, my school kind of gives away my location. I mean, when the name of the school is the name of the city.... And I can't exactly hide the school, since it's pretty much required for the jobs I want.

Hey, I go to Penn State

I'm trying to think of ways to get you out of that *not local* pool.