After a year of looking from a small upstate NY town that doesn't have jobs in my field, I made the difficult decision to shoot my shot in NYC.

16 Comments

1. Marion IrwinJanuary 17,2025 at 10:31PM UTC

   Your small town upstate sounds like mine! I am sure you will have a more expanded opportunity going to New York City. If you additionally appreciate the expanded social life that is on the plus side. Commute will be more intense, and you may have some rough going on the living situation initially, but in your travels you may meet up with others in your situation, and can share rent for a while. Best of luck!

2. AnonymousJanuary 18,2025 at 4:02PM UTC

   Thank you and I checked your profile and we're even smaller than your area. I've made it later rounds for roles outside my industry but in final rounds I hear you don't have that field experience. While I'm nervous to take this step, at this point, I'm more worried not to...

3. AnonymousJanuary 18,2025 at 12:01AM UTC

   I thought there was a caregiver "role" in the state of NY that paid people if they had to stop working and be the main healthcare support person. Not at all sure of what it's called or how you get certified to be paid for this by the state. So, there's that to add and may be confusing. BUT I know it's a thing, at one time. NY is unique in so many ways for employees already and with things like this.

4. AnonymousJanuary 18,2025 at 4:04PM UTC

   Thank you and I was so focused on taking care of my parent, I didn't consider those options. Now I need to find a role and I can't fit my circle experience into the squared options. I've tried repeatedly but keeping hearing we like your skills but not your industry experience.

5. AnonymousJanuary 19,2025 at 4:37PM UTC

   Please do not break into your 401k. Please don’t think downgrading your quality of home to move to the most expensive competitive city in the world without a job, prospects or connections is a good idea. Better to move to a place with a much lower cost of living and finding something that is sustainable. Better yet, stay where you are and figure out something sustainable while you continue to look for something more lucrative. I’ve done that before. I worked for an insurance broker to see if I wanted to learn to sell insurance. I did the administrative work learned about the industry, realized I’d rather chew glass than sell insurance but it was a good place to be during a time when I wasn’t able to get something in my field. It worked to my advantage because I got laid off during the shut down for the pandemic and was able to collect unemployment and all the extensions and increased unemployment pay. I was able to find a great job at the end of 2020 and it worked well. Don’t jump into such a risky situation when you do not have to. You have no guarantees and so much to lose.

6. AnonymousJanuary 19,2025 at 6:55PM UTC

   I've tried administrative roles and due to my 15 years as a director, I'm having trouble finding work for different type of positions. After a year of searching, I'm out of funds and even tried grocery stores etc to have money coming in while searching. I was rejected from Walmart and Wegmans today. At this stage, I don't feel I have a choice but to break a 401K and give myself a shot of finding a position. In this area, they don't have a lot of roles and unlike larger cities there isn't contract work. Remote often means it the same location and due to companies requiring workers to return to the office, truly remote are coveted positions. I appreciate the best wishes but if I need to break my 401K to pay bills, I need a way to be able to repay. I'm not sure what else to do at this point. Most of my experience is from NYC and those industries are not found in this area.

7. Vanessa LontocJanuary 19,2025 at 11:53PM UTC

   I completely understand the challenges you're facing and want to commend you for your resilience and determination. Your decision to take action is courageous, and I hope some of my insights can help you refine your approach.

   First, I want to share a bit of my own experience. I’ve never stayed in the same industry throughout my career. Instead, I’ve always looked for parallels between my experience and the roles I’ve pursued. For example, skills like leadership, project management, marketing, and strategic planning are transferable across industries. It’s about framing your narrative to show how your experience solves the problems your target employer faces.

   Regarding your move to NYC, I encourage you to explore alternative options like Queens, the Bronx, or Jersey City if you truly feel relocating is necessary. These areas can provide more affordable housing while keeping you close to NYC opportunities. However, before committing to a move, I recommend exploring platforms like Wellfound (formerly AngelList) and BuiltIn that specialize in listing remote and hybrid roles. Expanding your search here might help you secure a job without uprooting yourself entirely.

   On the financial side, I don’t recommend breaking your 401(k). This can have long-term repercussions for your retirement savings, even with hardship options. If you need immediate financial support, consider speaking with your bank about a personal loan. These typically have lower interest rates and won’t impact your retirement future.

   Lastly, your idea of using temporary agencies like Creative Circle and Robert Half is excellent. In addition to their services, also network on LinkedIn and other professional platforms. Informational interviews and connections in your target industry can open unexpected doors.

   You’ve already demonstrated incredible strength through this journey. With a combination of strategic job searching, leveraging your transferable skills, and resourceful financial planning, I’m hopeful you’ll find the right opportunity.

8. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 4:40PM UTC

   Thank you and I'll check those sites! I've been applying on the usual LInkedIn, Glassdoor etc. but it's not yielding the results. The agencies require being there already so I decided that I need to make the move if I couldn't find anything by end of January.

   I like the idea of a loan but I've depleted my savings so I don't think the bank will provide a loan but I'll look into it first before borrowing against my 401K. I'm nervous about taking this drastic step but I've moved done it before early in my career. I'd love to stay in my career but it's hard to work in entertainment of publishing from this area. With the caliber of talent already there, I'm not finding companies willing for me to move or have the need to look outside ethe area.

9. Susan Heidi WolmanJanuary 20,2025 at 1:49PM UTC

   Before you move, get the job. You can always push your start date out an extra week or so until you can get settled. Remember there is that question on indeed regarding Will you have to relocate. I understand this is a lot to learn, but you should figure out what neighborhood in New York City want to live in before you make the plunge. Once you do that finding a place to live will be easier. You will also be able to budget. Good luck!

10. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 2:51PM UTC

    0)Get a job before move, then confirm the payscale what’s showing on your paper payroll with corporate lawyers to make sure companies legitimacy

    1)Don’t get fooled to move to NYC by company who need to pay you but doesn’t pay.
    2) contacts police on dishonest business to gaunish payroll theft
    3) loop corporate lawyers on EEO labor disputes

11. Diane J HuffJanuary 24,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

    Employers in New York City have historically not hired people in upstate New York. New Jersey, yes but upstate New York? It’s rare. Instead of going to New York City, why not look in New Jersey? Secaucus is the first train stop outside of New York City and it’s a wonderful little town for a commute into the city. And a whole lot cheaper.

12. AnonymousJanuary 21,2025 at 2:40PM UTC

    i like the fact that you are giving yourself 3 mos in NYC. That is a much better decision than moving altogether. kudos for taking time completely off to care for a parent. Any possible way you could simply get back on (albeit at lower level) with your prior employer? i mean, if you left on good terms to care for a very ill loved one--that seems reasonable. We have a daughter who is an architect; her peers kept telling her to move to NYC to "break into" the design culture there. We thought it was a bad idea...and it was. She found menial work, barely enough to pay her rent/food and transport daily. She came home after 2 mos, almost penniless. Be careful with this move.

13. Mich.Fr.January 21,2025 at 7:38PM UTC

    Look for apartments on leasebreaker. My neighbor just found a subletter through that. I also see many listings for sublets on neighborhood specific fb pages.

14. AnonymousJanuary 24,2025 at 3:04PM UTC

    Why can't you look and interview for jobs in NYC? When interviewing state you are in the process of relocation - not a lie. Make sure you don't put an address on your resume just email and phone contact info.

    I understand about the 401K and if really needed do it. But hold off - that is money you can never fully recover if you can recover it at all. Our economy and political environment is not the safest at the moment. The job market is only going to get worse with all of the layoffs and dismissals that are happening right now.

15. Ellen Smith FaganJanuary 24,2025 at 8:09PM UTC

    Do not mess with your 401....get a remote job to buildup some new cash reserve....

    Linked In has been sending me super lists of jobs in my arts focus REMOTE, so I can continue my studio and business here where I am as well. I had to have a series of bone/joint etc repairs and so was barely alive in my work path. My art sales won't be good till summer at least, and so the remote tasks might be just the thing....

16. AnonymousJanuary 25,2025 at 5:13PM UTC

    Try not to dip into your 401K perhaps you can find a housesitting role or a shared situation and can commute on the weekends back to where you live. Congrats on finding a new role and continue to look, my recommend is ABL- always be looking. You just never know...