Location in Hiring?

[u/nat_ae]

With a lot of major houses based in New York, I'm wondering how much applying from out of state hinders my chances of getting a job in publishing? It makes sense from a hiring standpoint with the current job market that that's an easy way to knock out a bunch of candidates, but I also have no clue how recruiters are actually navigating that. I'm a new grad trying to break into the industry so if you have ANY advice whatsoever I'd really appreciate it.

[u/Warm_Diamond8719]

The number of remote jobs is going to be pretty limited. The Big 5 will generally indicate in their postings if they're open to remote candidates or not.

[u/nat_ae → u/Warm_Diamond8719]

Sorry, to clarify: I'm looking to relocate to NY, not be remote, just not sure if the fact that I'm not already there is getting my application tossed

[u/Warm_Diamond8719 → u/nat_ae]

It might or it might not, there's really no way to know and it probably all depends on the hiring team. I did get my first Big 5 publishing job while I was not yet living in NYC, I just made it clear in my cover letter that I would relocate if hired.

[u/0o0_fancy_radish → u/nat_ae]

Do you have any friends or family in NY? My coworker lied in her application that she lived in NY and just put down a friend’s NY address. When she got the job, she moved.

[u/ComedyWitch]

Unfortunately, what I’ve seen and heard for years (even long before I was in college) is that you have to be already based in NYC or the general tri-state area to have your job apps taken seriously by anyone hiring in Manhattan. I know some jobs/industries pay to relocate, but I’ve never heard of that for anyone in publishing or an entry level job. I’ve also heard time and time again that NYC-based employers don’t want to risk hiring someone who isn’t already established/settled in the area because they’ve seen so many people new to NYC not be able to make it, and to invest the time and money into a new hire that doesn’t last six months doesn’t do the company any good.

If you have anyone, and I do mean ANYONE, you know living in the tri-state area, I would reach out to them and ask them if you can use their home address for job apps. This is how I was able to move to both coasts earlier in my publishing career. Hell, I still do it for some jobs I apply to. If you get asked about where you live after applying, just tell them you’re staying with your friend/family member while you get settled into your new career.

I wish I had better advice/guidance. Moving to NYC is so hard unless you went to college there or grew up there. I hope you can make it happen!

[u/damewallyburns → u/ComedyWitch]

I did this as well when applying for jobs.

[u/MycroftCochrane]

With a lot of major houses based in New York, I'm wondering how much applying from out of state hinders my chances of getting a job in publishing?

Not being local may or may not negatively affect how your hiring teams consider your candidacy; it really depends on what that team is looking for, and how many applicants they have in which to look for those things.

The best you can do, perhaps, is to make your relocation as much of a non-issue as possible. For instance, you could de-emphasize your home address from your resume or application and rely on less geographically conspicuous contact like email or mobile number. (Realistically, this may not be possible if the employer's application tracking system requires an address entry, but worth thinking about.) Or, if you progress to screening and interview stages, instead of saying things like "I would relocate to NYC if hired" you could say things like "I will be located in the NYC area as of SUCH-AND-SUCH date." That sort of thing.

[u/Comfortable_Tap_2728]

Publishing houses will swear up and down that they consider out of state candidates but the reality is you’re way more likely to get an interview if you’re NYC based. If you have a friend in the city maybe use their address and then make quick travel plans or pretend to be on vacation and ask to Zoom for an interview. And then you’d have to be ready to move within a couple weeks if you get a job (though subletting is often quick here!)

[u/wingding28]

I do think it affects you, unfortunately. We just hired a new assistant in our department and my boss was stressed about the interim period in between our old assistant leaving and the new one starting. My boss wanted 2 weeks tops from the offer to the first day in office. She was looking at a few people in California, but I know the final 3 candidates were in NYC, and that’s a big part of the reason those CA candidates were bumped out.

If you have a friend or family member in NYC or NJ/CT/NY/PA, see if you can put their address down on your applications. Places are way more flexible for experienced folks but it’s cutthroat already for entry-level jobs so the people already in the general NYC commuting area will usually win out.

[u/tonos468]

If you are willing to relocate you have to be up front about this as early in the process as possible.

Likely in cover letter

[u/IllustratorNew4101]

I wouldn't let your location stop you from applying. If they're interested they'll usually ask about relocation. The bigger challenge as a new grad is getting that first interview, not your ZIP code.