Cold Calling for Employment 2

[appot]

Due to some family/personal reasons I will be relocating across the country. This move is not for a long while (about 18 months). I know exactly where I am moving to. I have researched the handful of engineering firms that are located in this town; none of them have openings. Fortunately my job is more of a hobby since my spouse supports the family, but I would still like a job as I greatly enjoy what I do in this profession.

I would like to gauge your thoughts on the following items:

1) If there were openings, I feel that it is way too early to apply (most companies I have worked with in the past have posted jobs when they are submitting proposals for work, hence they need warm bodies asap). What would be a reasonable time to apply? I am thinking 3 months, but I have no basis for this judgement.

2) Being a pessimist, I am expecting zero job postings. My plan is to "cold call" firm principals with mailed resumes and cover letters about 6 months before I am going to move. Does this seem like a reasonable time frame?


Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Ron]

What is your experience level? Are you licensed? Are you licensed in the state in which you plan to move?

Yes...you are way too early. I would wait until 90 days before you arrive, then blanket the firms in the area.

Since your spouse is the family support, have you considered doing subcontract work or starting your own firm?

 

[appot]

What is your experience level? ~8 years
Are you licensed? yes
Are you licensed in the state in which you plan to move? yes
Have you considered doing subcontract work or starting your own firm? I have considered starting my own firm, but my experience is primarily in a very niche market (which is not found in this locale) which has made me kind of a "jack of all trades, master of none" when it come to the varying disciplines of civil engineering. Therefore I would want to get more specific experience and a client base before venturing out alone.

What do you mean by subcontract work?

 

[Ron]

Instead of joining a firm, offer your services to several firms for their overflow work. Often firms will have peaks of work where they hire a non-employee to provide services. You will need a business license and professional liability insurance, but for the level of work you'll likely be doing, the cost will be minimal. You might also need a certificate of authorization from the state board, particularly if you operate under some name other than your own name.

 

[berkshire]

Appot,
I do not know if you can do this in the area you are moving to, but for several years I did " Job Shopping" through an agency, where I would work for a short while , then go to another company. I actually worked for the agency , they would line the jobs up for me, I would go in do the job , then move to the next company.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Perhaps it makes sense in your line of work to "get your name out there". You're not hunting for a position just yet, but you can feel the companies out, get your name in their head... basically, you're giving them long warning that you will be available for work in a year or so. Follow up with them again as you get closer to actually moving. It's no skin off of their nose to be aware of extra help being readily available.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[TheTick]

I like the idea of a "pain letter", as espoused by Liz Ryan of LinkedIn fame. If a manager sees you as a way to meet a need or ease his pain, then you have his attention.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stuck-your-job-search-try-pain-letter-liz-ryan

 

[jari001]

I second MacGyverS2000's thought about getting your name out there, I think that strategy could be effectively combined with the idea of doing overflow work for firms. Maybe you could start the paperwork of getting in their books and by the time you move you can start working right away. It can't hurt to prime the pump with your name!

 

[appot]

Thanks for the tips. I will have a few things to think about now.

 

[graybeach]

Once you get closer and start applying to jobs, make sure to include a cover letter stating that you are in the process of relocating to the area in question. You could even give some dates when you plan to be in the area and could be available for an interview - at your own expense. I am in a large metro area with plenty of local engineers applying to my company's openings. People from out of the area who do not say anything about this can tend to be ignored.