Question about job-hunting and gaps in employment

[Souljahhh]

I want to leave Texas and rejoin my family in Los Angeles. I'm currently working in Texas and have been trying to find a job in L.A. for about 9 months, unsuccessfully. My plan was to find a job first, then quit my current one and move.

I'd really like to move to L.A. You always hear that you shouldn't let go of your current job before getting the next one. How true is that? Would it be completely stupid to quit this job without having another one lined up? Is it that big a deal to just move to L.A. and maybe go through a few-month gap while looking for a job there?

I can afford to live there for a while without a job so money's not the issue. I'm strictly concerned about how it looks to employers to not have a job while job-hunting.

Any insights will be appreciated.

 

[RaistlinZ]

As long as you can explain the gap it shouldn't be a problem. And you have a valid explanation... just say you were in the process of starting anew in California because you wanted to be closer to your family.

By they way, what field are you looking to go into? 9 months seems like a long time of seaching without getting any results. Have you just not been able to go on interviews since you've been out in Texas?

 

[shortylickens]

As a general rule you look better to new employers if you are currently employed.
There is no rule stating you cant get employment if you are currently unemployed.
The economy being what it is, most companies are a little more understanding these days.

If they ask why there is a gap, be open and honest. Dont freak out and try coming up with crazy stories, that just makes them wonder about you.


Also, welcome to Anandtech.
Please stay the hell out of Off Topic. We will eat you up, like the blonde chick in Cabin Fever.
:evil:

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Souljahhh
I want to leave Texas and rejoin my family in Los Angeles. I'm currently working in Texas and have been trying to find a job in L.A. for about 9 months, unsuccessfully. My plan was to find a job first, then quit my current one and move.

I'd really like to move to L.A. You always hear that you shouldn't let go of your current job before getting the next one. How true is that? Would it be completely stupid to quit this job without having another one lined up? Is it that big a deal to just move to L.A. and maybe go through a few-month gap while looking for a job there?

I can afford to live there for a while without a job so money's not the issue. I'm strictly concerned about how it looks to employers to not have a job while job-hunting.

Any insights will be appreciated.

quit, move to LA, get job as waiter/starbucks to fill employment gap.

if u are working at waiter/starbucks for a while, and finally get an interview for a real job, lie. just tell the interviewer that u thought of being an actor, but didnt realize how tough it is, and now looking for a real job.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
As a general rule you look better to new employers if you are currently employed.
There is no rule stating you cant get employment if you are currently unemployed.
The economy being what it is, most companies are a little more understanding these days.

If they ask why there is a gap, be open and honest. Dont freak out and try coming up with crazy stories, that just makes them wonder about you.


Also, welcome to Anandtech.
Please stay the hell out of Off Topic. We will eat you up, like the blonde chick in Cabin Fever.
:evil:

blond chick from cabin fever?

HER?

 

[teddyv]

If money is not that much of an issue find a volunteer gig relevant to your field. Great way to show real interest and great way to make contacts and network.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Due to the fact that you are relocating, the gap in employment is easily explainable and understandable. You may find it a lot easier and convenient to find a job after you relocate though you will miss out on possibly having an employer pick-up the tab for your move.

 

[OdiN]

Do you want a job that gives you a free iPod?

 

[Souljahhh]

The field is HR/Legal.

It actually hasn't been a matter of interviews. I just haven't been getting any feedback at all. Maybe it's my Texas address that just makes them instantly toss my resume. On my resume, I have my current Texas address and also put a permanent L.A. address (my cousin's address in L.A.) to show the connection.

 

[Souljahhh]

Anyone else go through this? Any success stories? Gloomy warnings?

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Souljahhh
Anyone else go through this? Any success stories? Gloomy warnings?

All I have to say is that while living in the location of where you are looking for a job comes with advantages, you need to consider a Plan B just in case your luck doesn't change simply because you move there. Don't put yourself in a position that you cannot escape from without facing some really nasty consequences.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Wait...you're in HR and you're asking about job hunting and how employment gaps will affect your chances? Must be one of those specialists . Gaps in employment never look good. Depending on the length of the gap, you may not even get a chance to explain it to the employer.

 

[Baked]

You need to start your own drug dealing enterprise.

 

[uberman]

Say you were recuperating from a back injury at your last job or say you were in rehab.